Tile Installation Aptitude (part 2)

Layout

If you are planning on a subway (stacked or staggered), checkerboard (straight or on the diagonal), or mosaic installation – your layout will be fairly obvious. Sometimes all that is needed is a conversation with your installer, a floorplan, or elevation. However, other layout patterns are available – whether traditional or something born from your own creativity. In these situations, at Huntley & Co. we generate more detailed drawings, and in some cases, even put in a bit of IRL elbow grease.

above left: Simple white and green square tiles dressed up as stripes in a powder room by Chauncey Boothby; above right: Jessica Helgerson may be the queen of historic cum modern tile installations.

below: Here I am laying out tiles piece by piece to create a Carlo Scarpa-inspired floor pattern. This was just the staging area; the tiles were later moved to the master bath.

Spacing

Spacers are available in a variety of sizes. You may choose thicker spacers for more dramatic grout lines or smaller ones for a more cohesive look. It can also be important to have greater spacing for handmade tiles that vary from piece to piece; thicker grout lines will allow space for uneven edges. Note, Clé published a fabulous and informative post called “The Art of the Grout Joint” (referenced here throughout) that I recommend bookmarking for future installations.

above: Brick pavers in a herringbone pattern with varying grout widths of 1/8″, 3/8″, and 5/8″ from left to right.

below: A clever yet simple, modern installation with Clé tiles by Cathy Hong Interiors with narrow vertical grout joints and thick horizontal grout joints.

above left: Spacers in action; above right: A diagram showing 5 different spacer sizes.

Grout Color

The color of grout has a huge impact on a tile installation and can totally transform a room. Whether you choose to coordinate or contrast your grout with your tile, it comes down to what kind of vibe and aesthetic you are trying to create.

Low Contrast Tile to Grout Ratio

above: (L) Edward Martin Graham glossy 3×6 ceramic tiles in color Clay (C) a darky and moody bath installation, (R) garnet-colored Zellige installed in my guest shower

High Contrast Tile to Grout Ratio

above : (L) Yes please to pink tile with black grout; (C) Grout dyed hot pink was an adventourous choice by Good Bones in London; (R) Montauk 4×12 black slate tiles in a herringbone pattern.

Always view grout chips with your respective tiles before making a selection. Better yet, ask your installer to apply test samples to your tile!

left: 3 Artex beige grout options on a creamy subway tile; right: Cream, beige, and dark brown grout sampled on tumbled Japanese mosaics. FYI, I chose the dark brown for my foyer floor ; )

For more ideas and resources relating to tile installations, visit my Pinterest page. I have pinned additional layouts, diagrams, and eye candy for you to bookmark — and hopefully use for your own installs. See you next week ; )