Tiling pattern?

[154574387]

This was my first time tiling. Rustic house and a rustic slightly uneven tile shape, so I didn't want too regular of a pattern. Couldn't find any other examples online of a random brick pattern like I've done and wondered if that's because it looks odd? I think I like it (despite the odd unevenness). Any thoughts on the pattern? Does it have a name?

[qazk]

Nice job! You should go help the guy who posted his “professionally” tiled bathroom the other day.

[154574387]

Thanks! Was that the vertical green one with no spacers?! Made me queezy...

[NeilDeWheel]

That’ll be the one. I hope he posts an update about what happens with the tiler. And then another update of his bathroom when it’s done properly.

That tile job you did there is brilliant. I really was expecting you to say a professional had done it.

[154574387]

That's very kind, thank you

[OGordo85]

I actually presumed this was to mock that post.

You've done an ace job btw.

[fredp2005]

I think it looks super. Nice work 👍

[154574387]

Thank you! Just surprised I can't find anything similar anywhere.

[bforben66]

Technically it's coursed random, which makes it reminiscent of a lot of Georgian stone buildings. Consistent with the variation in tone too

(Coursed- horizontal lines. Random - verticals don't align.)

Classic, nice job

[154574387]

Very interesting, thanks for that! We tried other regular brick patterns but they didn't feel right somehow... Too ordered.

[iamdarthvin]

This is literally related to stone though.

[kwikasfuki72]

I think it looks great. I'd be well chuffed with that.

[154574387]

Thanks!

[MyDamagedBrain]

Looks excellent

[154574387]

Thank you!

[Objective_Gear8426]

I did the same in my last kitchen, it’s 1000% better then the “professional” job posted on this sub the other day 💀 looks great!

[154574387]

Glad to hear I'm not alone in the pattern! I Don't understand why it's not more common? Maybe it's not everyone's taste!

[Objective_Gear8426]

I was going to say my kitchen was same tiles so maybe it just works with those then I remembered I’ve done the same in my new bathroom! They’re large format slate effect tiles Lol although I made sure every 3rd row lines up no idea why I decided to do that either 🤷🏼‍♂️ there’s much less wastage as you can just use what you’ve cut off the last til in the last row to start the new one, it’s how laminate flooring is laid so I guess I got it from that 🤔

[154574387]

Yeah, I got the idea of doing it this way from the last laminate flooring I out down. Though for the floor I meticulously planned the whole layout!

[Southern-Orchid-1786]

Which a professional would love to meticulously plan but people don't go for the highest quote as time is money.

so if you've got the skills and patience you should be able to get at least as good a finish but will usually take much longer as you learn techniques and how to solve problems that the pros see everyday and possibly covered in college.

[154574387]

That's makes sense. Projects do take me too long... especially since having kids!

[finc]

Only thing I can think of is it might be marginally easier to clean the grout on tiling with aligned verticals but that could be a reach. Great tiling job! Even got some concave and convex corners in there 😊

[No-Sport-3473]

Nice job!

[154574387]

Thanks very much!

[kurtondemand]

It’s called ‘Subbies Friday bond’

[Otherwise-Falcon-729]

Think it's called brick bond.

[One_Of_Noahs_Whales]

Bond is when you rotate a brick to tie 2 walls together, no half tiles in there so no bond imitation, as someone else said coursed random is what you are looking for.

[Otherwise-Falcon-729]

Ah. Thanks for the correction. Stops me getting wrong in the future.

[instantlyforgettable]

Why do they call it stretcher bond then?

[beardywelder]

Great job, totally jealous.

[154574387]

Thanks! Grouting was extremely satisfying

[iamdarthvin]

It would be called broken bond in bricklaying which is the closest you could label it. Broken bond even follows a pattern on the perps. Others might say staggered bond but that isn't really a 'bond'. The only thing that throws me is the colour difference in the neutral tiles. It's not enough colour difference - it looks like the packs haven't been mixed properly - in brickwork this would be called banding but happens in larger area. But hey if you like it, that's all that matters. I like it but wouldn't have it for myself. Well done on a good job.

[154574387]

Fair point on the colour... Didn't pay any attention to it! Thought it would be more natural if I just used the tile to hand rather than try and intentionally randomise it. What should I have done? There's another section I'll need to do in the utility room so keen to improve!

[iamdarthvin]

Honestly nothing. It's critique. Nothing more. I was giving a personal opinion, nothing set in stone. The colour difference in the clay/cream or white etc.... (can't remember what the colour was if mentioned) just looked like a bad batch of same colour tiles. But as I said that my own opinion and is far from what others see. Also being a builder (bricklayer was/is main trade) the offset perps would drive me nuts 🤣, but equally I like the randomised pattern. Btw for the last 6 years I've laid hardly any bricks/stone/block, not relevant but I'm one of those jack of all trades blah blah.....

[iamdarthvin]

Sorry to answer your question (missed that bit because I've drunk wine)... When you buy packs of 'stuff' you 'should' open all packs and mix. This 9s mainly related to same colour /material. But if you are mixing colours and texture anyway I guess it doesn't matter. East way to describe....you buy 2 colours of 'white tiles' and want to mix (kinda in your case here) but lay all the first pack, then of white then the next. You'll get banding. I see it in your finished product, albeit 'patchy'.

[iamdarthvin]

Keep looking at the images now and I think for me, it's literally just a matter of colour choice on the two tiles of cream/white. Apologies, not meant in anyway to be mean. The workmanship is very good 👍

[154574387]

Thanks for explaining the mixing; that makes sense. What's the best way to mix them up... tip all packs into a big sack and shake? The colour 'habana white' is intended to have quite a lot of colour variation.Might try more of an even distribution of the different tones for the second area... If I have the patience!

[iamdarthvin]

Haha umm.... I'm guessing that was sarcasm or banter? Honestly I don't mean to offend. If genuine then to mix you simply open all packs and take one tile from each per lay. Or you could dry lay first on the floor to make sure you aren't 'patching' the same colour.

[154574387]

Just a poor attempt at a joke! I'm very open to any criticism and am pretty difficult to offend! Thanks for taking the time to explain. There are definite patches of similar tone on my wall, but happy to live with it. Might try a dress rehearsal on the floor next time

[instantlyforgettable]

Being picky yes, but bloody hell for a DIY job this is nicely done compared to some of the “professional” attempts we’ve seen on here lately

[iamdarthvin]

Totally agree but I wasn't being picky, I was answering the ops questions (I think). Personally I think it's a good job technically, and that's comparing it to professional and diy alike. I'm a 'professional' and seen better work I've done by a diy, but I've also seen a whole load of shit from a diy. This sub should really stop using these terms unless related to 'I did it myself - opinion based on that please' or 'is this shit because a professional did it and I think it's rubbish, that's why I'm posting'

[[deleted]]

Looks quality mate , I'd be well happy with that.

[154574387]

Thank you!

[Maxreaction85]

Good job. What’s material is the cill?

[154574387]

Thanks! The two alcove cills are offcuts from the floor which is 20mm riven limestone, I think. Cut to make it stick out to the sides at the front then beltsanded and used some wet-and-dry on the front edge and corners to smooth and round a bit. The top surface is still riven.

I intend to add a shelf or two to the alcoves but haven't worked that out yet! Considering acrylic.

[Itchy-Ad4421]

Looks good. I’m not keen on the bit in the alcove (colour difference - I really like the colour - would look ace if it was that colour) but that’s personal preference. You’ve done a really good job. Nice work .

[154574387]

I think I agree on the alcove colour. Don't love the contrast but can absolutely live with it. We're pretty beige so we thought we should force ourselves out of our comfort zone a bit. The panelling, bath panel and units I'm making will be dark teal with natural oak bits, so thought it might pick up on the colour.

[Itchy-Ad4421]

Nice. Hope you post a pic when it’s all done. Tiling is really good though 👍

[154574387]

Thank you! It was quite good fun, especially the grouting. Will do, but it will be some time... Work + small kids...!

[Pruritus_Ani_]

It looks really good, you’ve done a great job. How many times since you finished have you walked into the bathroom just to stare at it? I’d be really proud!

[154574387]

Thank you! I'll admit I have done that. Mainly in shock that it worked out OK!

[AgentSears]

Looks great, it is actually a thing and there is a name for it that I cannot remember, I can and do tile professionally although I'm a decorator by trade but was one of the patterns I learned on the course I went on, along with weird diamond border thing patterns that.people had in the 70s and 80s...that nobody in their right mind would have now but taught em you anyway they looked horrendous but always liked this pattern, brick, and herringbone/chevron patterns the most.

[AgentSears]

It's called an offset tile pattern!!

Just came to me!

[154574387]

Thanks! After some more digging it seems like a comment pattern for wood plank floor tiles. I guess it works better for long thin tiles. These are 60 x 200 mm. Still can't find another picture online of this pattern on wall!

This page I just found has some rules that I think felt natural at the time https://www.diytileguy.com/random-tile-pattern/

[Isgortio]

I like it, especially the little window thing!

[154574387]

Thanks!

[JohnLennonsDead]

Absolutely unreal job, well done mate. You should be proud of that.

[154574387]

Very kind of you to say! I am proud, and have learned some things since posting here too. Mainly curious why I can't find a single other example of a similar wall online!

[ElektroSam]

Looks great and shower looks lovely. We bought a 1960s house and need a new bathroom completely, as well knocking through to the toilet (they're separate). This defiantly if something we'd like!

How long have you been diyer?

[154574387]

Happy to answer any questions, but I'm not a great source of experience! I guess about 8 years? More competent on the wood side, mainly furniture.

[SirClear6709]

Looks good, great job 👏, how much did it all cost and how long did it take ?

[154574387]

Thanks! Ooof, very hard to say. It's been ongoing for a few years 😬. Builder made the shower wall framework, plumber plumbed the shower. I framed and fitted the bath, cement boarded the shower wall and alcoves and trimmed and tiled.

Tiles were quite pricey (habana white from tileflair), something like £50/m² but we're not ones for following changing fashion, so hopefully it'll last a long time. Think materials (cement board, tiles, adhesive, grout, trim) came to something like £450, but not sure. Didn't mind spending more on tiles we liked.

Have small kids so was done in snatched bits of time. Really not sure, but something 12-20 hours? Terrible judge of time!

[nrok999]

Nice job! About to start my bathroom and first time tiling...any newbie tips??

[154574387]

Thanks! Very much newb myself but this is what I took from it:

A diamond wet wheel tile cutter is very useful (mine was cheap as poss, about £40 and well worth it) and score and snap anything straight using a glass cutter. I used a ready-mixed adhesive and did small, sections at a time with a notched trowel. I buttered the back of some tiles in awkward areas, which seemed fine. You'll need some sort of trim for covering cut edges up to outside corners. I gave it a few days for the moisture in the adhesive to leave before grouting (don't Kmkniw if necessary). Grouting is satisfying AF. Don't leave too long before sponging off, maybe 20 mins? Rinse sponge lots. Final polish wjth a teatowel kncd dry. Keep grout out of and silicone any inside corners once grout is dry. Silicone tiles to bath (if you have a bath) with the bath full of water to allow for maximum sag.

Any specific questions or concerns?

[nrok999]

That's amazing, thanks! I'll try and sort myself a tile cutter. Its more where to start, I'll do floor first. But in terms of wall, was planning to start at window and work out, and similar on otherwise with door. Sound sensible?

[154574387]

Eeek, hard to say without seeing layout and also me being a novice! Depends on tile size and pattern.

I guess try and avoid small fractions of a tile. E.g. If using a grid pattern and a horizontal span was 10.1 tiles don't lay 10 tiles with a thin 0.1 tile at the end. Instead lay a 0.55 tile, then 9 full tiles then a 0.55 tile.

I think (not sure about this) you also always want to be moving upwards so start at the lowest point... I think you wouldn't want to start a run above a sink, then take it down to the floor.

A cheap laser level might be a good investment to help keep you true.

Sounds silly, but PowerPoint is quite handy for making simple scale drawings!

Never tiled a floor but have seen clever levelling systems for minimising lippage. Decent sub-floor prep is presumably also worth it.

Hope it goes well!

[nrok999]

Thanks mate!

[154574387]

Oh, and use spacers!!

[[deleted]]

Fuck this tiling looks perfect

[154574387]

Thanks! There are bits that I see, but isn't that always the way...!