Floor tiles with inserts, all applications. Incredibly beautiful bathroom tile layout options: diagrams and tips from professionals! Methods for laying tiles on the floor

If the question arises about laying floor tiles in an apartment, then to an unenlightened layman it may seem that this process is complicated. This opinion is especially supported by the fact that a meter of cladding performed by a master is not cheap. In fact, laying tiles on the floor is much simpler: it is only important to know all the stages of the process and some of the subtleties of the layout used by experienced craftsmen.

Peculiarities

Tiles are a popular finishing material for flooring. This raw material is on the market building materials in a wide range, but it is different and has its own characteristics.

For example, not every layman knows that floor tiles are several different materials that are important to use strictly for their types of surfaces. The reason for this is the different characteristics of strength and weight load.

The texture of floor tiles can be glossy, matte or polished. Recently, brands have been offering the attention of buyers to anti-slip lining, the texture of which is rough to the touch. This material is more difficult to maintain, but it does not injure users, which makes these floor tiles more in demand than others.

If we compare the sizes, they can be different: in some types of floor cladding, the parameters of the fragments are quite large and can reach a length of 60 cm or more, and for rectangular elements that imitate the laying of parquet, the length can be one meter or more.

A unique feature of the tile of large enterprises is the serial production of companion fragments. This allows you to decorate the surface of the floor and walls with the same color and pattern. Matching a companion to the floor tiles in tone and pattern is its advantage. At the same time, material is often used in design. three types: plain, contrasting and with a pattern to accentuate a specific area.

The rules for laying tiles are quite simple, and following them will allow you to carry out repairs with high quality.

Types of tiles

To date, a wide range of offered tile products for floor repair can be divided into two types according to the production method: pressed and extruded. The first is obtained by pressing a plastic mixture of the mixture. In this case, the mass is placed in a press, shaped and fired. The second type is produced by forcing the mass through special holes, giving it a shape, and then cutting and firing.

Existing varieties can be divided into several types:

• Porcelain tile. The basis of this tile contains kaolin and quartz. Its structure is homogeneous, similar to glass. Such material is used for finishing the floor of industrial facilities, as well as places with intense loads.
• Porous. This variety is characterized by high moisture absorption: the greater the absorption, the higher the porosity of the material. It is used for interior surface decoration.

• Metlakhskaya. This variety is performed by the method of one firing with pressing. Unlike other analogues, it is dyed through, similar in properties to porcelain stoneware and can be used for indoor and outdoor work.
• Ceramic. The difference of this category of cladding is a coating of colored glass, due to which it receives hardness, water resistance and the presence of halftones. Glazed tiles are distinguished by the presence of a layer of enamel, while unglazed tiles have a uniform texture.

• Cotto. A variety of this tile is distinguished by the absence of enamel. The thickness of the material can reach 3 cm, it consists of a porous filler. With complex care, this option looks quite impressive.
• Monocottura. A kind of material with a dense structure and low moisture absorption. You can use tiles for decorating the floor indoors and outdoors, including for finishing the facade.

• Bikotura. Analogue of the previous tile. Made by double firing and has an enamelled surface.
• Clinker. A material obtained from clay of several types, supplemented with dyes and other additives. A fairly durable tile, environmentally friendly and inert to chemicals. Suitable for indoor and outdoor flooring.

Porcelain stoneware varieties differ from tiled wall tiles in terms of wear: they are more durable and are used to finish the floor of bathrooms, corridors, kitchens, hallways, living rooms, bay areas and even bedrooms. Such material is marked in the form of a foot depicted on a black background. If in the schematic drawing the background has hatching, then this type of material is also distinguished by increased wear resistance.

The dimensions of the tiles can be small (20x30, 20x40 cm) and large: some fragments reach a length of 80 cm and a width of 40 cm.

Masonry schemes

Today, there are many ways of laying floor tiles. Below are the main techniques that allow you to lay tiles stylishly and beautifully.

• traditional method - this is the simplest laying method, in which the fragments are placed close to each other with the formation of crosshairs. The work uses fragments of a square shape, although this method is also suitable for finishing the surface with a long rectangular tile.

This version of the cladding will look interesting if there are inserts with a pattern among the monochromatic fragments, or details will be used in the work. different shades.

• Diagonal (rhombus) way- This is one of the most difficult ways to design surfaces. Despite the basic technique of execution, the complexity of the diamond-shaped method lies in the need to mark the guides and the obligatory trimming of the dies along the edges.

The advantage of this method is the masking of the irregularities of the pasted surface. While doing finishing works tiles are laid at an angle of 45 degrees. The shape of the plates should be square.

• Offset (deck). It is not difficult to glue tiles on the floor in this way. It is somewhat similar to brickwork: the tile is shifted by half the length of the side face. In this method, there will be no crosshairs, and it is better to choose a rectangular tile, since in this case it will look more interesting than a square one.

The advantage is the hiding of small irregularities of the treated surfaces, as well as a boring appearance.

This method has other names: "in a checkerboard pattern", "in a run". Such a coating will look beautiful in the interior of a kitchen or corridor. To make it flawless, you will have to mark up and mark the center of the side face on each plate. The technique has several varieties: in addition to shifting by half the length of the tile, the shift is carried out by 1/3, randomly, as well as diagonally randomly, by half and a third.

• "Herringbone"- This is a type of parquet masonry, during which rectangular floor tiles are used. If you have styling skills, then this method can be diversified by adding additional small tiles to the pattern in the form of a mosaic or inserts from elements of a contrasting shade.

Such a cladding looks more effective if a material with imitation wood is used in the decoration. In the process of work, the fragments alternately turn left and right, placing the structure diagonally.

• Modular. This method is one of the most difficult and resembles the laying of parquet in the form of an ornament. The work can use materials of different shapes and sizes, as well as combine square fragments with narrow components. At the same time, the direction of narrow parts is different: the seams can be located perpendicularly.

Particularly interesting in the decoration is the use of small elements of a contrasting color, located in the center, framed by long narrow details.

• Modular with shift. This styling option is within the power of experienced craftsmen. In drawing up the pattern, the joints do not match, the direction of the pattern is diagonal. To carry out such a design, you will have to carefully mark the surface, adjusting the center of the tile pattern to the center of the plane to be trimmed. In work, it is preferable to use plain tiles without decor or varieties with a wood texture.

Using this method for finishing the floor, it is necessary to calculate the angle of 45 degrees when marking.

In addition to the main options, a good solution is to combine two different styles, which allows you to bring novelty into a boring interior, give the space an individuality. For example, by combining classic and diamond-shaped styling, you can lay out a carpet pattern on the floor surface. It will be especially interesting if you decorate the finishing accent with a border of identical width.

What to put on?

Finishing work with floor tiles is possible on surfaces of various types. For example, it could be a concrete floor. In this case, the novelty of the surface matters. If the concrete is poured in less than three months, it is unacceptable to lay tiles on it: stretching is possible during the drying of the concrete, so cracks will appear on the finished cladding.

When laying material on an old base, it is important to remove old paint and grease stains from it. You can lay tiles on plywood, drywall, GVL (plasterboard fiber) and cement-concrete screed.

Lay on old tiles new material undesirable, because, firstly, the height of the walls will decrease, and secondly, there is a possibility of chipping on the old tile and the danger of it moving away from the surface. A poor base cannot provide a high-quality and durable floor covering.

materials

During the laying process, a primer, tile adhesive, special crosses and wedges are used, and a self-leveling mixture is used to level the floor in preparation for finishing.

Primer

This material is a reinforcing composition, through which the base of the floor acquires uniformity. Usually it is used to prepare the floor for facing. In the modern construction market, the primer is sold in the form of a powder or a ready-made solution. In the first case, it is possible to adjust the consistency, and the second option is suitable for beginners: it already has the ideal proportions for processing the surface of the base. The primer has a penetrating ability and is sold in containers with a volume of 5 and 10 liters.

Due to penetration into the thickness of the base, the primer fills microcracks, pores, binds even dust. In some cases, this composition evens out minor plane defects. After application and drying, a fine crystalline film forms on the surface, which contributes to the maximum adhesion of the tile to the floor.

The use of this soil is especially appropriate where construction was carried out in violation of technological processes. This can be seen from the surface from which sand falls off during cleaning.

For work, you need to use a deep penetration primer. At the same time, it is important that it be of high quality and fresh: expired material loses its properties. There is a wide range of such materials on the market.

A worthy choice is acrylic primer. If the area to be treated is large, it makes sense to purchase a primer in the form of a powder or a solution of 10 liters.

Primer consumption, according to the manufacturer, is approximately 9 square meters. m per 1 litre. However, in reality, this indicator rarely coincides with the real one - it's all about the absorbency of the base. Often, soil consumption increases one and a half, or even two times. Of course, priming is expensive, but this preparation will ensure the durability of the floor covering.

Glue

Tile adhesive is special composition, which could be:

• cement;
• epoxy;
• dispersion;
• polyurethane.

Depending on the type, it is produced in the form of a ready-made pasty mixture or a powdery consistency. The first modification is sold in standard buckets. It stands out for its homogeneous structure, economical consumption and good adhesion. The composition is quite high-quality: such glue will help to cope with the processing of difficult areas. However, it is the high cost that does not allow using it for laying the entire area.

The basis of dry mixes is cement. Such varieties consist of Portland cement, sand and modifying inclusions. The plasticizers included in its composition make the mass fluid and plastic. In addition, the components of such adhesive mixtures are moisture-retaining and frost-resistant additives.

The two-component composition is made of epoxy resin and hardener, which makes it durable and resistant to weight loads. Such glue perfectly connects the tile to the base of wood and metal.

Dispersions are sold in the form of a paste, which must be stirred before use. They are based on acrylic, latex, polyvinyl acetate and water dispersion. Polyurethane adhesive is elastic: this composition will allow you to glue the tile to the metal. However, during the curing process, some of these compositions may expand, so their use for ceramics is not always possible.

By properties, tile adhesive can be:

• universal, designed for different types repair;
• reinforced, designed for especially large tiles;
• moisture resistant, produced for finishing rooms with a high degree of humidity;
• transparent, made on the basis of white cement for facing surfaces with transparent and translucent tiles, as well as mosaics;
• for outdoor work, intended for rooms in which there is no heating.

In addition, there are also narrow-profile varieties (for example, a solution for underfloor heating). Usually the composition of the adhesive is designed in such a way that it is enough just to mix the mass well, because the structure of the material is homogeneous and balanced.

It is important to follow the instructions, which will allow you to achieve the desired consistency, in which the adhesive mass will not spread on the floor, soaking into the base.

Adhesive consumption depends on the preparation of the substrate. If it is insufficient, then part of the glue will go to leveling. However, it should be borne in mind that this material is not a floor leveler or an alternative to screed - using it instead of a leveler with a large layer thickness is fraught with a violation quality work. The composition itself is distinguished by the possibility of adjusting the styling. In case of non-levelling, there is always the possibility of weakening the adhesion with water.

crosses

This consumable necessary to ensure that the distance between the tiles is identical. Crosses are sold in hardware stores, they are cheap and vary in width. Their choice cannot be random: the larger the tile, the larger size crosses must be selected.

The practicality of the facing fabric and its aesthetic perception depend on the choice of this auxiliary material. The minimum size can lead to the fact that the irregularities of the side edges of the tile will be emphasized, and the large distance of the seams will visually spoil the whole work.

For example, a good solution for tiles measuring 20x20, 20x30, 20x40 cm would be to use crosses sized 1.5, 2 mm. At the same time, it is worth keeping in mind a small nuance: when filling the joints with grout, they will visually appear wider. This is due to the shape of the side faces of each fragment. If the width of the cross is 2 mm, then the finished seam will appear at least 1-1.5 mm thicker. The final thickness also depends on the master's tool: if the excess grout is removed deeper, then the seam is smoother and thinner. When superficially removing excess grout, the width may be affected by a different level, unevenness or sloping shape of the edge.

Wedges

Such elements are made of plastic, and are used together with crosses. In the case of a slight mismatch along the line, this consumable allows you to align the entire row. Its convenience is the shape: it allows you to squeeze the wedge to the desired thickness, while the part rises to the required height. The wedges are removed after the tile adhesive dries.

Such an auxiliary material is especially appropriate in hard-to-reach areas of the cladding. It is rarely used for flooring.

Rovnitel

Using a floor leveler allows you to simplify the installation process, making the floor surface of high quality, smooth and beautiful. Self-leveling compounds are dry mortars weighing 25 kg, which are sold in bags in hardware stores. During the preparation of the base, this material is diluted with water, the amount of which the manufacturer indicates on the package (approximately 7 liters). The life cycle of the composition does not exceed half an hour - during this time it must be distributed over the floor surface. The mixing method does not differ from tile adhesive: a drill with a mixing nozzle is also used for this.

hallmark of this material is the need to use when leveling the spiked roller. This is important to rid the composition distributed over the surface of air bubbles. For normal drying of the composition, a positive temperature is required: at least 5-10 degrees. If ignored temperature regime, then this will affect the alignment result.

Tools

To carry out the installation of floor tiles, you can not do without several devices.

The standard set for preparation and styling includes:

• roller for priming the surface;
• container for primer;
• flat brush for priming;
• tape measure (metal ruler), angle;
• pencil for marking;
• drill with nozzles for kneading glue;
• tile cutter, "Bulgarian";
• building level;

• container for mixing tile adhesive;
• wire cutters (for curvilinear cutting of tiles);
• file (for processing the cut edge);
• notched trowel;
• spatula or trowel for applying glue to the surface;
• container for mixing grout;
• rubber spatula for rubbing seams;
• bucket, sponge and rag.

In addition, it is worth buying gloves and knee pads, since the adhesive composition can get on clothes and skin during the lining process.

Foundation preparation

Preparing the surface for laying tiles with your own hands is easy. Initially, the work area is vacated. To do this, all furniture is taken out of the room - this will save it from construction dust generated during finishing work.

The base must be flat, clean and dry - any unevenness will cause the fragments to be glued at different levels.

The best base is concrete screed. However, the material can also be glued well on wooden surfaces, fiberboard and even old tiles. Although not all craftsmen consider this finishing process appropriate, because such a coating is unreliable.

Initially, tubercles are removed from the floor surface, gaps are covered, and the difference is leveled. Then a self-leveling mixture is used, which is a special solution that spreads over the floor surface. Such a composition usually has a gypsum base, although analogues on the cement component can be found in production. The difference in the compositions lies in the magnitude of the difference. For small differences (up to 1 cm), gypsum mixtures are used, which are intended for leveling the floor in dry rooms. The second option is able to make the floor straight and even, the difference of which is about 5 cm.

Before leveling, once again get rid of debris, then they check whether all the cracks are smeared: if even one small gap remains, the solution can leak, creating an emergency for the neighbors below. After cleaning the floor, the surface is treated with a primer using a roller with a long handle. The use of a handle will allow you to make the swing of the roller large, which will significantly save time on surface treatment.

For processing hard-to-reach places primer is used flat brush. It will allow you to cover complex areas with a primer neatly, without overspending raw materials. After the surface is covered with soil, it is left to dry completely and only then they begin to level the floor with a leveler.

Before using the mixture for an uneven floor, beacon self-tapping screws are mounted in the base, exposing them to a level in order to have a guideline for the thickness of the layer. To level the floor, the mixed mortar is poured from the bucket onto the floor and spread with a special wide spatula. In this case, the consistency of the composition should be sufficient for spreading. Depending on the thickness of the layer, it dries in different ways: it can take from a day to several days.

Using a leveler for laying the floor allows you to achieve the same amount of glue under each fragment.

If you need to prepare the floor in the bathroom, then perform a slight bias. In this case, it should be from the bath to the door. It is important to consider that the floor level in the bathroom should be lower than in the hallway. This approach is done on the basis of practical considerations: in the event of flooding, water will not flow into other rooms. Preparing the floor for finishing the shower room, perform a slope to the drain hole.

Last preparatory stage before gluing the tiles to the floor is to apply another layer of primer on top of the leveler. While it dries, you can calibrate the fragments in height and angles.

It is unacceptable to apply glue on wet soil: tile adhesive will prevent the formation of a film. The drying time of the soil is indicated on the package, but the masters advise to wait a day.

markup

Marking is a necessary stage of finishing work. It allows you to lay out the floor tiles as harmoniously as possible for perception. At the same time, whole fragments are used for a more visible area, trimming is left for corners and less relevant places. It is especially important when the finish involves a decorative insert.

For example, it can be an imitation of a carpet located in the center of the room, or a panel in the free area of ​​the bathroom. In these cases, it is important to place the pattern correctly, otherwise, in the finished canvas, its movement can create an imbalance in the situation.

It may seem to a beginner that this process does not matter if you start laying from the corner with the most in a simple way. Indeed, the method is simple and, in the absence of a broken perspective, the surface can look beautiful. However, in most cases, laying must be thought out, so it is more difficult to start lining without marking. You can simply draw a sketch by doing calculations, schematically indicating the location of each fragment in the figure. But drawing lines on the plane itself is more reliable.

For example, if it is planned to finish the floor with a pattern or decorative inserts from individual tiles, then the symmetry of the cladding is important, which is difficult to imagine without markings, because it takes into account the direction, size of the print, the dimensions of the canvas with adjustment in length and width.

This stage will allow you to understand how much material is needed (number of fragments). Of course, you can make a calculation by multiplying the length by the width of the area planned for finishing, and add, just in case, a few dies to the total number upon purchase. However, the calculation is often accompanied by the alignment of the first tile with the center of the floor or wall, which makes it possible to obtain trimmings identical in size on each side, and in the case of laying with a shift, to understand how many centimeters it is better to shift the tile (especially important for brick and modular laying).

How to cut tiles?

When performing laying, you can not do without trimming the tiles. In fact, this process is not so complicated. Experts recommend that for a better cut, immediately before cutting, prepare the tile by soaking it in water for 1 hour. After the plate has been in the water long enough, it will become pliable. Therefore, cutting it yourself will be easy.

Glass cutter can only cut wall tiles. The one that is produced for flooring should be cut with a tile cutter. This feature is explained by the different diameter of the rotating wheel, which is larger for the tile cutter.

Another nuance is the difficulty of trimming a line located less than 1 cm to the edge of the fragment. If you need to make a hole in the shape of a circle or semicircle, use a special tool called a "ballerina".

To prevent the formation of cracks when making a hole, the glaze must be removed from the surface. This is done by light tapping with a hammer with the blunt side. Then you need to drill a hole using hand drill. It can be made figured with the help of tongs for cutting metal.

Laying process

After the surface has been prepared and the primer has dried, laying begins. The technology for laying tiles is simple: you need to prepare tools, glue and the tile itself. The solution is mixed in the proportions indicated on the package. After the first portion is mixed, it is left for 10-15 minutes, then stirred again to obtain a homogeneous pasty mass. Installation can be carried out based on detailed step-by-step instructions.

Glue is applied to the prepared base. To do this, use a trowel or a special grater with a smooth and serrated side. The choice of such a tool is based on the size of the tile itself: the larger it is, the larger the teeth of the grater should be.

If the laying is carried out according to the markup, then you should not put a lot of glue on the grater, especially for the process of gluing the first fragment to the base (the markup does not need to be covered). At the same time, the pasty composition is collected on the smooth side, and the toothed side is distributed over the surface, removing excess material. The same is done with the tile detail itself.

You should not clean the glue with a notched grater to the base: it must be on the entire plane, otherwise the tile will stick worse. They do the same with a fragment of the cladding: apply glue with a trowel, spatula or grater, and then distribute and remove the excess. However, in this case, the direction of the notched side of the grater is perpendicular to that on the floor. This will allow the adhesive to spread more evenly under the tile without leaving any air pockets.

The tile is not easily applied to the surface - it must be gently pressed to the base, slightly shifting in different directions, then laid in place corresponding to the markings. This will eliminate a loose fit, due to which the tile will hold better.

Now worth considering important nuance: when pressing the tile to the base, do not press hard so as not to break the dies. For example, for the same purpose, floor tiles can be lightly tapped with a rubber mallet in the direction from the center to the edges of the cladding details.

When pressing the tile to the surface, it is worth controlling the direction of the coating. To do this, a level is applied to each stacked fragment and the evenness of the surface is assessed. If the preparation is done well, then this process will not show deviations.

If there are irregularities, then you will have to correct the tile, pulling it towards you or pressing more other details into the glue. As a result of constant control, the surface will be flawless.

If alignment is ignored, then protruding areas can chip off over time, cause discomfort when walking, and make it difficult to care for the surface.

Working with crosses

Performing floor cladding, crosses are stuck into each crosshair. This consumable is disposable and does not accept savings: there are many such items in each package. This material is inexpensive: about 25-40 rubles.

In the process of work, tile glue gets on each cross. Therefore, saving crosses and removing them for laying the next row is fraught with an increase in the distance between the tiles. In addition, premature removal of such elements may cause the lining to shift. The crosses must be removed after the tile adhesive has completely dried.

It may seem to a beginner that the crosses can be left inside the cladding, but their presence will cause poor-quality grouting. Moreover, after removing this material, the voids between the tiles should be cleaned up so that the grout is easy evenly and evenly, without bumps and pits.

In the process of work, do not push the crosses too far. Moreover, it is important to consider that for an identical distance they must be tightly threaded between the dies.

How and with what to overwrite the seams?

Laying the cladding is an exciting process. However, at the end of the work, the surface seems unfinished: it lacks an aesthetic appearance. In this case, a special mixture called grout is used. It is a powdered material packed in small bags. The grout is intended for the final finishing of the facing fabric and giving the seams an attractive appearance.

The grout fills the voids between the tiles. She is diluted with water room temperature in the proportions indicated on the package. If you need a little composition, then the consistency should resemble pasta or thick sour cream. It is applied with rubber spatula, filling all holes and gaps, removing excess mixture.

If the processing area is large, then it is worth using a special trowel to fill the joints.

If excess grout remains on the surface of the tile, then it is removed within half an hour, without touching the seams. Finishing washing can be done after the grout has set. Do this with a regular sponge or dry flannel rag.

If the work was used liquid composition grouting, then you should wait a little longer, otherwise, along with the excess material, the mass from the seams will be erased from the surface. Seams are a sore point of tile cladding, as they are exposed to moisture and dirt even after they have been rubbed.

How long does it dry?

The drying time of the adhesive depends on the type of mixture used, the thickness of the layer and the place of application. The temperature in the room also matters. There is an opinion that you can use the grout after 6-7 hours after the end of the installation. In fact, the composition will only have time to grab, but not dry.

Failure to comply with technology and haste will lead to the fact that the fragments may lag behind the surface. It is not necessary to shorten the time interval between drying and grouting, as well as in the case of floor tiles. Here, it will take twice as long to dry as it takes to dry wall-mounted varieties. You can walk on the floor no earlier than after a few days (ideally - 7 days). If the room is cool, then drying time may take even longer.

In order for the floor surface to look professional, it is worth considering a number of recommendations from experienced craftsmen, from the choice of material to grouting.

When choosing a tile

When choosing a material, it is worth considering its strength class. For example, for the floor it is better to select varieties of at least class 3. They are massive, heavy, resistant to mechanical stress, accidental impacts. The thickness of such material is from 8 to 13 mm. For areas with greater traffic, it is worth purchasing varieties with greater thickness.

It is worth paying attention to the invoice. For the floor, it is better to choose a lining with a slight ribbing - this will prevent slipping, although it will complicate wet cleaning of the coating.

It is undesirable to use glossy floor tiles: they give out any pollution, can cause a fall (especially if the surface is wet after cleaning).

Buying facing material, it is worth opening each pack of tiles and looking through them for the identity of shades, side lengths and patterns. It is also necessary to pay attention to the batch number - this will avoid inconsistencies in color and size. To evaluate the quality, it is necessary to attach two tiles to each other: the fit must be tight without gaps.

It is not necessary to inspect each tile in this way, it is enough to do it selectively. When buying, you should take into account the marriage during transportation and installation, so you need to add 10-15% to the required amount.

The choice of dimension must be made based on the footage of the room: the larger the room, the larger the details can be. If you buy a material measuring 60x60 cm for finishing a small room, then the space will visually become smaller. If you want to perform laying in a non-standard way, using rectangular tiles with small inserts, then it makes sense to calculate the material in the store using an online calculator or with the help of a sales assistant. Do not forget to include borders, plinth and special corners in the layout, if they are needed during installation.

When choosing a finishing material, it is necessary to take into account the manufacturer - this will avoid large flaws in the calibration of the material, which will simplify the fitting of each workpiece. Manufacturers who care about reputation produce high-quality facing material, through which you can perform work without much difficulty and alignment.

It will not be superfluous to study reviews about a particular manufacturer. It is worth scrolling through the comments of the masters about working with the cladding of the brands you like - this will allow you to understand the complexity of finishing in work, to evaluate its quality and performance characteristics.

You should not take creative varieties of material with a large relief for the floor: such a tile looks original, but you will quickly get tired of walking on it every day, and it will not be possible to make repeated repairs.

When preparing the glue

A few tips for choosing glue:

• Glue must be diluted correctly, not forgetting that the vital activity of the composition is small. It is bred in small portions - so it does not have time to dry out in case of slowing down the facing process and constant adjustments.
• Do not use expired raw materials. When buying building materials, you need to pay attention to the release date: expired glue does not give a 100% guarantee of a high-quality and durable coating.

• Do not mix the solution hot water, as this will lead to the loss of the properties of the tile adhesive.
• To enhance its characteristics, it is better to buy PVA glue and add it to the composition. Such a correction will add strength to the adhesive and enhance the adhesion of the tile to the surface to be glued.
• Tile adhesive can be thin-layer and thick-layer. If you need to level the surface during the laying process, you should use the second option in your work. Polymer additives of such raw materials give it strength and allow you to even out the difference of the order of one centimeter.
• If it is difficult to give preference to a particular brand, you should take a closer look at the products of Eunice and Ceresit. Both manufacturers have a good reputation, and this glue is highly appreciated by professional craftsmen.

When laying

A few tips for laying tiles:

• When laying floor tiles, do not forget to remove the plinth and door trim from the floor. If it is not possible to remove the platbands, then it is necessary to carry out the lining as carefully as possible: so that the tile adhesive does not get on them.
• It is important to draw the center lines of the room, while determining the centers of the opposite sides of the walls.
• Laying should be done along the guide lines. This is especially important if the parquet cladding method is used in the work.
• If during the laying of the flooring there is a small gap to the wall, then there is no need to glue a thin strip - you can hide the flaw with a plinth.
• When cladding a space with certain objects, for example, a fireplace or a bathroom, you need to surround them around the perimeter with whole fragments. If you want to highlight them, then you should choose a contrasting tile of a different tone or pattern for this.

Excess adhesive that has fallen on the surface must be removed immediately: after the composition dries, it will be more difficult to do this. If laying is carried out on old tiles, then for maximum adhesion it is worth treating the surface of old ceramics grinder or sandpaper. After that, the base must be vacuumed, washed, dried and primed. Then it is important to level it with a self-levelling compound.

If laying is carried out on the “warm floor” system, then the floor heating must be turned off two days before the start of finishing work. In the case of such installation, it is important to purchase a special adhesive with a high content of elastic polymers. The use of this composition will eliminate further deformation of the base associated with constant heating. At the same time, heating can be turned on two to three days after the joints are processed with grout.

If the adhesive sticks to the trowel or spatula during laying, then the tool can be moistened with water. You should not use a lot of glue when inserting crosses into it: in this case, removing them will be problematic. When laying the floor, do not put pressure on the newly laid tile with your knees - this will change the plane.

In order not to go astray with the direction of the tiles when laying, it is worth looking at the back side of each fragment: you can rely on the applied manufacturer's logo. If it is not there, then you can independently mark it with a simple pencil before laying, for example, at the end.

When grouting

A few tips for grouting:

• If the grout has dried during the grouting process, do not scrape it off with a metal spatula - this will lead to scratches on the surface. This should be done with a damp sponge.
• If the design is designed to finish the seams with colored grout, but this color is not on sale, then you should use the usual color scheme: it mixes well with white grout, forms a homogeneous mass and allows you to make seams of any tone.
• When choosing the right color, it is worth taking note: the shade that you like will be lighter when it dries. Therefore, you need to make it a tone or two brighter.
• Over time, the seams can fade, lose their former attractiveness and brightness, and become dirty. To minimize these troubles, it is worth treating them with a special spray after the final readiness of styling.

Non-standard tricks

In addition to classic cladding, floor installation can be combined.

The tile goes well with other floor coverings. This technique allows you to connect tiles with laminate, parquet, parquet board and linoleum. By combining it can be used for areas of different traffic different materials, using tiles in places where people are more likely to stay. Such material is resistant to abrasion, furniture can be placed on it without damaging the structure.

The combination of tiles with linoleum and laminate looks stylish and unusual. It allows you to zone the space into separate functional areas, for example, dividing the living room into a guest and dining space. At the same time, the coating can be special for each area: for the kitchen, you can lay it under a carpet with an interesting ornament; for the guest area, you should choose a plain material to decorate the floor with a soft long-pile shaggy carpet.

The most relevant combination for the hallway. In this case, the entrance area should be tiled, and the surface leading to the corridor and other rooms can be made with laminate or parquet. If you perform parquet laying tiles under the tree, then you can use linoleum without a pattern, as it will better soften the mosaic pattern.

If you plan to finish with tiles and laminate, then it should be done in dry rooms - under the influence of moisture, the back side of the laminate can swell, which will break the connecting seam of the two materials.

What else to consider?

When choosing tiles for flooring, do not forget about the shade of the coating. Even if the room is spacious, this does not mean that saturated colors are allowed. The floor is not the accent of the room. If the coating is bright, it will draw attention from the interior composition to itself, forming a visual imbalance.

You should try to choose colors that will be appropriate in any interior., even if over time you want to change the style. You should not repeat the shade of walls or furniture - the installation is done for a long time, the wallpaper is changed more often. It is necessary to exclude tones that initially seem unacceptable.

It is preferable to choose shades that carry a positive: beige, milky, ivory, brown, coffee colors. Black color is unacceptable - it carries a negative. Being in such a room will be difficult, and over time, unbearable.

Beautiful examples

Finishing surfaces with tiles gives a lot of opportunities for interior design, which can be appreciated in the photo gallery below:

• The original reception of space zoning. Beige and brown tiles are used with an identical pattern in different areas.
• The combination of traditional and diagonal laying makes the floor interesting. The use of a border and different shades gives expressiveness to the interior.

• Imitation of a carpet with an original ornament along the edge of the finish looks unusual and adds novelty to the interior composition.
• Patchwork tiling brings character and character to the space.

• Patchwork flooring is also appropriate in the bathroom. It looks especially interesting, having support in the form of a paired wall companion.
• The use of live tiles in the decor of the floor changes the atmosphere. When walking on such a floor, the lining changes color.

• Modular finishes in bright colors look stylish and make the pale interior expressive.
• Designer tile for multi-colored wood looks stylish and fits well into the style of the loft.

Laying tiles is the most practical and very attractive design option for any room. The design of the premises with its help is not limited to combination different colors and the use of ornamental materials. Floor tiles with inserts and a variety of installation options will give the room a special charm, and some of them can even hide surface defects. How beautiful to decorate the room with tiles? Let's try to figure it out.

The most common options for laying ceramic floor tiles or porcelain stoneware

The tile looks like natural stone and looks impressive in itself, but simple solutions can be reinforced with such inserts as in the photo. The background tile was cut so that “inserts” could be inserted into the corners, which is what they are called in the ceramic business.

Ceramic tiles and floor tile inserts have excellent performance and are great for decorating a room. They are in many ways superior to other finishing materials, at least in practicality and aesthetics.

The buyer is offered their goods by different brands and companies. When buying, be sure to pay attention to the quality of the tile, and its characteristics indicated on the box. In addition, it is important to do the installation correctly, and for this you should pay attention to the following points:

• what adhesive composition will be used for laying;
• the amount of materials that are needed;
• what laying technology will be used.

Speaking more about laying floor tiles, there are many different technologies that will help diversify the design, even when using plain canvases. And so, consider the most popular styling options.

Direct layout simple basic version

The most common tile laying option, a kind of classic of the genre, is a direct layout. It involves the installation of tiles in rows placed parallel to the floor, ceiling and each other. The tiles are laid in even rows, and this is precisely the guarantee quality installation. The most common size for such masonry is 420x420 mm. best form for this, a square, but a straight layout is also suitable for rectangular-shaped materials.
This technology is both the fastest and simplest. Installation does not require special skills and experience, it is enough to perform the work according to the instructions and follow all the requirements.

Only design tricks will give originality to such styling: the use of tiles with a pattern, the combination of materials of different colors and textures, etc. But it is important to consider the following nuances:

1. If the installation is carried out on an uneven surface (poorly carried out preparation stage), or the purchased material turned out to be defective, all laying flaws and shortcomings of the material itself will immediately catch the eye.
2. If you do not resort to tricks, such as combining shades, the design may seem boring.
3. For the installation of seamless ceramic tiles, this method is considered the most optimal.

Straight layout with offset

Laying tiles on the floor according to this technique diversifies the room a little, especially when compared with the previous option. The installation process itself is no different. The peculiarity of the pattern is that the seam of the first row should fall in the middle of the second tile.

If you look visually, the pattern is very reminiscent of brickwork. It is preferable to use rectangular tiles for these purposes, but square tiles are used at least as often. The main advantage of this method: with this masonry, small surface defects can be hidden.

Diagonal layout simple

Although at first glance everything seems extremely simple, this installation method is one of the most difficult in terms of installation, but at the same time the most beautiful. Although diagonal styling is carried out on the basis of the classical method, it has its own subtleties and difficulties.

The main difficulty of the diagonal layout lies in the designation of the axes. In order for the coating to be even and neat, the diagonal axes must be correctly positioned. Another difficulty is the need to cut tiles, which requires certain skills, and it is definitely impossible to do without this technology. And, of course, the time and financial costs also increase (more building materials are needed for diagonal laying).

It is recommended to use square tiles for this pattern. It is laid exactly at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the wall. Even if plain ceramic tiles are used, such a pattern will look original and interesting.

This technology allows you to visually make the room wider and mask all the errors of an uneven surface. Of the disadvantages of the diagonal layout, only a large amount of waste can be distinguished, which is explained by the need to trim the material.

Offset Diagonal Layout

To make the diagonal layout even more interesting, only stacking with an offset can! For this technology, the surface must be carefully prepared and made perfectly flat.

The floor covering is laid, as in the previous version, at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the wall. It is important to ensure that all seams are even and uniform in thickness. The tile offset is done in the same way as in the case of a straight layout offset installation. This technology looks interesting and unusual. It will fit in any room.

Parquet layout

This laying method is also called "herringbone". For it, only rectangular tiles are used, and it looks interesting and original.

"Herringbone", in turn, is divided into two more options:

1. Classical parquet way.
2. "Herringbone" with inserts. For this, additional elements are used. mosaic tiles or elements of a different color.

On the floor, such a pattern looks even better if a wood-like tile or plain material was chosen. It is not recommended to use tiles under the stone, otherwise the coating will look unnatural and rough.

The peculiarity of the installation is that the tile is laid at an angle, with alternate rotation either to the left or to the right side. This technology is practically waste-free and suitable for any type of room.

Layout with offset inserts tiles of two types

This option involves the use of square and rectangular tiles, and inserts. In essence, one type of tile (rectangular) creates a kind of frame for the offset layout. Its advantage is that such a layout well hides the poor geometry of the surface, and makes any interior more harmonious.

Combined layout - two types of tiles black and white

The combination of black and white tiles is a classic. Experts recommend making white as the main color, and inserts and other small ornamental elements as black. Predominantly black tones will create a poor visual effect, make the room cold and gloomy.

You can mix any two colors, black and white, white and blue, red and yellow, and so on. If you add a third color, you get a kaleidoscope that is not suitable for classic interior at home

The correct laying of tiles on the surface is the key to a beautiful and neat ornament. different types layouts have their own installation features. The following will help you get the job done right. helpful tips professionals:

• Preliminary preparation, which includes leveling the surface and cleaning it from dust and dirt - main stage quality styling tiles.
• The adhesive mixture is selected depending on the temperature and humidity in the room where the work is planned.
• For all layout methods, it is recommended to make preliminary markings on the floor.
• Previously, if a complex pattern is being made, it is recommended to cut the tiles and lay them out on the floor without adhesive. So you can immediately see what the final result will look like and “try out” the layout itself.

Important! For such a preliminary layout, the tiles are laid on the fabric, and not on the bare floor.

• All complex technologies for mounting tiles with a pattern must be started from the center of the room. Simple laying can be started from the corner.
• Surface treatment with liquid waterproofing will improve adhesion.
• If the floor has been treated with impregnation, it must be allowed to dry before starting work.
• Grouting takes place after the adhesive has completely dried.

Linen carpet

This technology is recommended for use in rooms with a large area. She is considered very refined and in an unusual way floor coverings. The principle of laying the “carpet” is that in the center of the room some kind of pattern is laid out from the tiles, it is framed with elements of a different color and / or shape around the perimeter, and the last few rows of decoration are made from a plain background. The advantage of this technique is that the pattern can be selected individually for your interior, and there are no restrictions in this regard.

Kaleidoscope

A kaleidoscope is a bright and unusual design option for any room. This styling method allows you to experiment with patterns and invent it yourself. Experts recommend that you think over the scheme in advance, otherwise it will simply get confused and go astray in such a pattern.

To install tiles using this technology, it is imperative to perfectly level the surface, otherwise the shortcomings will be immediately evident.

Laying tiles diagonally

Before laying the tiles in a diagonal way, it is necessary to make an accurate calculation of the scheme. First of all, surface preparation is carried out: the remnants of the old coating are removed, the surface is leveled, and after that it is necessary to vacuum to remove all excess debris.

For this method of layout, the main thing is to start correctly. The first 4 tiles will do all the work: we determine the center of the room, lay the tile so that its corner is in the center of the room, and the sides go directly along the marking lines. By the same principle, we lay 3 other tiles. Further, starting from the center, we lay out the tiles in rows so that they go diagonally.

The process of laying tiles with a rhombus do-it-yourself

The process of laying a rhombus is practically the same as a diagonal one. Let's take a look at the detailed instructions:

• As in the previous method, we determine the center of the room, and lay the first tile at an angle to the center so that its sides lie directly on the marking diagonal.
• The adhesive mixture is applied with a notched trowel on the floor and on the back surface of the tile. We apply the material to the floor.
• To get rid of voids, after the tile lies in the correct position, it needs to be tapped a little with a rubber hammer (mallet) so that the glue crawls out a little beyond the tile.
• We check the evenness of the laying using the building level.
• Next, lay out a diagonal line (one row) to one corner of the room, and then return to the center, and lay out the tiles to the other corner. After the first row has dried, we begin to lay out the second according to the same principle.

Diagonal tiling with offset and insets

Laying floor tiles with an offset also has a lot in common with laying tiles diagonally:

1. We make the markup, find the center of the room.
2. Lay out the drawing on the floor, inserting crosses between the tiles.
3. We stretch the pendulums to determine the correct direction.
4. We prime the surface.
5. We prepare the adhesive composition and begin laying solid tile elements. When all the solid elements are laid out, we begin to lay the missing pieces around the perimeter, after cutting them out.
6. We wait until the coating dries and we overwrite the seams.

Ways of laying tiles by combining colors

The assortment of tiles presented in construction stores can surprise, and this is what allows the owners of the house to achieve a unique and unusual design. This diversity, first of all, lies in the size (20x20, 20x60, 20x30, etc.), but in addition, such a coating may differ in texture and color.

The texture of the tile can be glossy and matte. They differ not only visually, but also in their performance characteristics:

• The glossy surface is very slippery, and laying such tiles in the bathroom, toilet or kitchen is not recommended. Once water enters such a surface, it becomes potentially traumatic. Such a surface is very easily soiled. Any drop of water that gets on it, or other pollution, immediately catches the eye. It requires constant care and regular cleaning. At the same time, the aesthetic component of glossy tiles remains on top.
• The matte surface is slightly inferior to the glossy one in aesthetic terms, but with correct use this difference will not be noticeable. On the practical side, especially for flooring, matte tiles are more convenient. It does not slip, scratches are not noticeable on the surface, which means it can be cleaned using various means, including metal brushes.

The most interesting thing in terms of the variety of tiles is the color scheme. Here manufacturers give their customers complete carte blanche. Solid colors, striped tiles, wood effect, stone effect, mirror and more. All this creates a huge field for imagination and allows you to implement any design idea.

In terms of practicality, designers recommend using a classic dark-light color combination. In general, dark shades for tiles are preferable, but you should be careful with their use. Fully a dark room will turn into a black hole, and not the "highlight" of the apartment.

Depending on the characteristics of the room, you can play with the color palette. More creative hosts can afford to combine the most provocative colors: yellow, red, green, orange, etc. The main thing is to do it with taste.

more calm and standard options- tiles in pastel colors with black inserts, or with inserts with a classic pattern. It looks interesting, and helps to create a cozy atmosphere in the room.

Complex installation options require additional work. First you need to lay out the tiles on the floor and make sure that all the tiles are suitable for this design. If the tone is different, then you need to remix so that the difference in tone of the material does not catch your eye and looks natural.

Advice! On sale sometimes there are materials with a mirror surface. Their use can bring some zest to the room, if you correctly introduce such tiles into the interior. For example, one row of mirror tiles can separate the upper and lower parts of the wall, or you can lay out a pattern on one of the walls with such material, such as a flower, which will become an original addition to any room.

Offset original tiling

Tiles are often used for wall decoration not only in apartments and private houses, but also in in public places. To diversify the design of the room, a simple one is often used, but at the same time original way offset tiles.

For these purposes, a rectangular tile is used (square is less common). Such laying of tiles is very similar to brickwork and is carried out according to the same principle: the center of the tile of the previous row is at the junction of the two elements of the next row.

This technique is perfect for such premises:

• Bath;
• kitchen;
• toilet;
• hallway/hallway.

The advantage of this technology lies in its versatility. In addition, by laying tiles with an offset, you can hide some surface defects (bumps and bumps). You can diversify this styling by using some inserts with an ornament, or by combining several colors.

Installing tiles with a shift is no different from classic masonry. It also requires the use of an adhesive mixture, crosses to control the seams, a spatula and a building level (to check the evenness of the installation).

For high-quality installation, it is recommended to apply the layout of the coating elements on the wall in advance. In other words, draw the location of the tiles. This will help you accurately calculate the amount. necessary materials and do not disturb the drawing in the process.

Are borders necessary?

In the catalog of floor tiles, elements such as a border are often found. Is it necessary to use it? In a modern interior, a border is quite rare. Its original purpose was to close the remaining space in rooms with a fixed height.

Let's look at an example. The ceiling height is 263 cm. If you use a 20 cm tile, then 30 cm will remain from the last row to the ceiling, but if you use a small border somewhere in the center, the final row of masonry will be more accurate. Today, in repair, this element is of no value, due to the widely used suspended ceilings, the height of which is easily adjusted if necessary.

Versatile color combinations for bathroom and lavatory renovations

In terms of the color scheme of the bath and the restroom, of course, the most popular colors are: blue, blue, black and white. First of all, you need to decide on the surface texture: for such rooms, especially for the bathroom, glossy flooring. It is more fragile, quickly overwritten, and can also be traumatic and slippery. Matte tiles are more practical: they don’t get dirty and don’t leave traces of water on them.

As for the color scheme, one of the most common options is a combination of light and dark tiles. For example, with dark elements we decorate the space a little higher than the bathroom (about 7-10 cm), and under the ceiling. At the same time, it is desirable to make the ceiling itself white so that the dark tiles in the upper part of the room frame and emphasize it. We decorate the bottom of the wall and the space in the middle with light tiles.

This contrast will create an interesting visual effect. Against a dark background above the bath, pollution will not be so visible, which also performs a practical function. Floors are also recommended to be finished with dark tiles.

Tile diagonally on the floor marking methods

Diagonal laying of tiles is considered the most difficult, so initially it is necessary to make the correct marking of the working surface. Diagonal installation of tiles can take place in 2 ways:

• From the center. For marking, it is enough to determine the center of the room. From the opposite corners of the room we stretch 2 straight lines (you can use a special breaking point). Or just stretch the cord). The intersection of the lines is the center of the room, from which you need to start the layout.
• From the corner of the room. This option involves starting work from one of the corners of the room, which is already clear from the name. Several squares of tiles are cut into triangles, and then they are preliminarily laid out on the floor without an adhesive mixture. After such a “trying on” of the drawing, you can proceed to the main work.

Photo examples of floor tiles design

When the drawing with inserts is in place

Although the pattern with inserts creates an amazing visual effect, it can not be used everywhere. In small rooms, this styling option will not be appropriate: it visually makes the room smaller, and the pattern itself looks ridiculous. It is recommended to use this styling in large rooms, such as a hall or living room.

Calculation of inserts for flooring

Buying enough building materials is one of the most important steps during a renovation. So that the tiles do not differ initially, you need to purchase enough products from the same manufacturer and from the same batch, because it is not always possible to buy exactly the same material later.

1. Calculates the surface area.
2. Calculate the area of ​​one tile.
3. We divide the area of ​​​​the room by the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe tile. The result is required amount tiles to cover the entire surface.
4. We round the resulting number up, and add another 5% (this is the stock and material for fitting and trimming).
5. The number of inserts is equal to the number of tiles + margin.

Important! For both material options (the tile itself and the inserts), a margin must be made, do not neglect this. Such a measure will help to avoid difficulties if the elements are accidentally damaged, or the calculations are made incorrectly.

Private examples

The layout of floor tiles in different ways and with inserts allows you to develop a wide variety of design projects. In the photo below you can see the most interesting particular example of how you can beautifully emphasize the interior with tiles.

Beige color looks great with inserts matched to the tone of the furniture. Complements all natural stone panels in the form of a wicker pattern

Have you decided to make a long-awaited renovation in your apartment and lay out the floor with ceramic tiles? It remains to buy a suitable tile and decide on the method of laying it.

Important! When choosing ceramic tiles consider the size and shape of the room. Prepare the surface: level all loose places, plaster, prime. Depending on the tile laying option, calculate its consumption with a margin of 10%. Do not forget to take into account the distance between the tiles (seam).

Before you begin to develop a scheme for laying tiles on the floor, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with its main methods.

Video: how to choose a way to lay floor tiles

1. Traditional

This is the most common way. Provides for the location of ceramic tiles parallel to the floor and tightly to each other in even rows. The key to the quality of the cladding is evenness. Usually, square tiles are used to create such a pattern, but rectangular tiles will also look good.

The traditional way of laying tiles

Drawing features. Traditional masonry will have an unusual and original look if you use tiles of different colors. This is the most simple and at the same time fast way laying tiles, however, some important points should be considered:

• at the slightest factory defect in the tile or careless laying, all irregularities and inaccuracies will sharply rush into the eyes;
• the facing of this option looks a bit monotonous;
• the best way is only for seamless ceramic tiles.

Stacking technology. It is important to observe the uniformity of laying, as well as horizontal and vertical dimensions seams. Does not require professional training and skill.

2. Diagonal

This is the most beautiful and difficult option, despite the fact that the basic styling skills serve as the basis for the diagonal method. The difficulty lies in the diagonal axes along which the floor tiles are located. Certain skills, significant material and time costs require mandatory cutting of tiles, which also creates difficulties when facing in this way.

Diagonal tile laying

The advantage of diagonal masonry is the ability to perfectly hide the curvature of the surface. It is used most often for facing non-standard and small-sized surfaces.

Drawing features. When laying, the grid of the pattern should be located at an angle of 45 degrees to the floor. Ideal for square tiles. The pattern looks very interesting even when using plain ceramic tiles.

It is necessary to remember about in large numbers waste, as the tiles adjacent to the walls are to be cut. it the best option hiding all the errors of an uneven floor. The room visually expands.

Stacking technology. It is important to remember the exact calculation diagonal pattern. Before laying, the floor surface should be thoroughly cleaned of paint, linoleum, wood particles, then it should be primed. Ceramic tiles are much easier to install on a perfectly flat floor, while using a minimum of glue.

The first row is laid in the traditional direct way using a rectangular tile, the length of which is equal to the diagonal of the main square tiles. The second row is laid from pre-cut tiled triangles (downward hypotenuse). All subsequent rows can be laid horizontal rows following the principle of diagonal layout.

3. Offset

This method resembles brickwork. A fairly common and original way of laying tiles on the floor. Rectangular plain tiles look best, although square ones are often laid. Offset cladding will create a historic atmosphere for your space. A suitable option for avoiding general monotony and hiding small defects.

The way of laying tiles with offset (offset)

Photo: laying contrasting tiles with offset

Drawing features. Brickwork and corridor, giving the room originality. Staggered laying is carried out only in horizontal rows, and each tile of the next row is laid so that its middle coincides with the seam of the previous row.

4. Herringbone styling

The method consists in laying ceramic tiles in the form of parquet. Such a floor looks very interesting and unusual. For laying "Christmas trees" use rectangular tiles. There are two options for such a laying scheme:

Laying herringbone tiles

Most often, the bathroom is tiled. This material is durable, hygienic, easy to clean. But the cost of such repairs is considerable, so they try to arrange everything so that the bathroom looks in the best way over an extended period of time. To solve this problem, a collection is carefully chosen, colors are selected, and a layout method is selected. About what options for laying tiles in the bathroom exist, how they are perceived - in the article.

General principles and rules

Everyone knows that light walls visually make the room more spacious. Nobody is going to argue with this, and this fact is taken into account when choosing options for laying tiles in the bathroom. But there are a few more interesting points, the knowledge of which will help to avoid mistakes when drawing up the layout and selecting the color of the tile, its location, and the color of the grout.

Vertical and horizontal layout

Recently, rectangular tiles have been more often placed on the walls. In this case, the first thing to be determined is to place the tiles horizontally or vertically on the walls. It is believed that the horizontal layout visually makes the room wider, and the vertical one - higher. In fact, on colored, bright tiles, the seams between which are sealed with grout of the same or a similar color, the difference is very slight (in the photo there are a couple of drawings below). In this case, the laying direction has almost no effect on perception. In this case, you can choose the options for laying tiles in the bathroom based only on your preferences.

This effect is more pronounced when using light-colored tiles with contrasting grout (upper pictures). In this case, the eye “slides” along the seams, creating the desired visual changes. In this case, the vertical or horizontal layout really affects our perception.

Guide strips

To expand the room or raise the ceiling, when choosing the layout, vertical or horizontal "guides" are made. These are stripes of tiles of a different color, along which the eye glides. These stripes change the visual perception of the size of the room.

A lighter horizontal strip, which runs along the perimeter of the room approximately in the middle of the height, visually significantly expands the space. If a dark stripe is added to light walls, no effect is observed. Rather, the room will look at its “own” volume, since the dark strip neutralizes the visual increase in space due to light colors in the decoration.

If necessary, make the ceiling visually higher, with a vertical layout, you can lay out a strip of lighter tiles on one of the walls (preferably opposite the entrance). Even with bright or dark tiles and matching grout, the ceiling will “lift up”. If on this wall you use a tile of a lighter tone, and even with a contrasting grout and a vertical strip of tiles with an ornament, the effect will be even more pronounced (in the figure below on the right).

Border

Another way to make the room look taller is to place decorative tiles in the form of a border closer to the ceiling. Being high, they attract attention, while the room seems higher. The border does not have to be done around the perimeter. It is enough to make one wall of a different light shade, place a border at the top. Moreover, this contrasting wall can be darker or lighter.

All these techniques are not difficult to implement, but they help to correctly compose the layout of the tiles. To visualize what you get, you can use special programs.

Tile layout examples

In addition to the layout examples above, there are tile laying options that can be considered classics, others, on the contrary, have appeared quite recently and, although they often go against many recommendations, they look very good.

Darker bottom

This technique belongs to the classics: the lower third of the wall is made darker, the upper one is several tones lighter. This method of laying ceramic tiles, to put it mildly, is not at the peak of popularity. It was popular about a decade ago. But there are a few tricks that give the classics a modern sound.

With this method of laying tiles, the room seems spacious, since most of the walls are decorated in light shades. In this case, the tiles on the floor are chosen in the same color as the tiles on the bottom of the wall. If you can’t pick up exactly the same, they are looking for a very close one in texture and color. In its “pure” form, this way of laying tiles does not look very modern.

To make this bathroom tile look more modern, you can add vertical or horizontal stripes to break up the monotonous design. Many collections offer not only darker and lighter tile options, but also decor of different sizes, from which strips of different widths are formed.

More often, not two, but three types of tiles are combined: two plain and decor that combines both primary colors. Decorative elements can be of different widths. Then from them you can make strips or columns of different widths. To prevent the upper part from being so monotonous and boring, thin stripes of the same color as the lower part of the wall are added, and a floral or floral border is added at the bottom.

Most factories produce collections in which there are two basic colors of tiles - darker and lighter - and a set of decorative elements. Such collections are usually not cheap, but it is easier to make a competent composition from them, and they are suitable in size, so there will be no problems with styling and fitting.

accent wall

If the division of the walls by height does not appeal to you, but the monochromatic design inspires despondency, you can consider the option with an accent wall. Most often, it is decorated with tiles of the same color, but of a different shade - several tones lighter or darker than the main one.

In this case, not one wall is trimmed with brown tiles, but it also comes into part of the neighboring one. This technique is suitable for narrow long rooms - it visually makes the room look more like a square.

The accent wall does not have to be tiled the same size. One wall decorated with mosaics or small format tiles looks great.

Mosaic looks great both on its own and in combination with tiles of different sizes - square, rectangular, large and medium in size. It is used when finishing curved surfaces - due to its structure, it fits even columns of a small radius.

Floral motifs

Recent trends in design have led to the fact that most of the tiles for bathrooms make plain. Many collections are distinguished by an interesting texture, but are made in the form of monochromatic fragments. Not everyone likes this design - the interior turns out to be too “cold”. You can add fantasy with tiles with flowers or butterflies, floral or geometric motifs.

But with this type of decor you have to be careful: it's too easy to "overdo it" especially in a small volume. But a few single fragments also do not look good. So it is advisable to work with floral decor in programs that give a three-dimensional picture - it will be easier to imagine what you actually get.

Laying tiles on the floor

In addition to choosing options for laying tiles in the bathroom on the walls, you need to decide how to decorate the floor.

When using a square tile, it is usually laid in the form of a checkerboard (checker pattern), a method with an offset of 1/2 tile can be used. There are two laying directions - parallel to the walls and diagonally.

If a rectangular tile is selected, there are more layout options - with an offset (deck, wicker, herringbone).

There are also options for a combination of rectangular and square tiles - a labyrinth, if methods using fragments of different sizes.

Everything is more or less complex schemes it makes sense to implement in large rooms - here unusual compositions can be appreciated. In small bathrooms, most often choose the most simple circuits- usually only a few tiles are placed, so there is simply no point in complicating the work.

More options

In the bathroom, decorative tiles are often used as the most practical, economical, inexpensive material with huge selection colours, textures and shapes. It can be used both on the floor and for wall decoration. With the help of this finishing material you can create any design, depending on the style you want to implement.

To date, there is a large number of tile layouts in the bathroom. variety of options. Experienced craftsmen know many ways. But most of them are used 3-4. In the article, we will figure out what are the ways of laying out tiles in the bathroom, what are their advantages and disadvantages, what kind of design they allow.

Pros of using tiles in the bathroom

Why most bathroom owners prefer to decorate these rooms with ceramic tiles:

• The material is very practical. Horizontal and vertical tiles are moisture resistant, long lasting and easy to clean.
• A large selection of colors, sizes, textures allows you to experiment with design, finding the right combination of shades, to implement any decor ideas, even in a small bathroom. For example, a design with black and white tiles in the form of a chessboard is very popular.
• Many tile layout options make it possible to combine various colors, thus achieving the individuality of the room, making it an original, author's work. There is an individual layout scheme for each interior in the bathroom.

Options

What layouts of tiled and ceramic material in the bathroom on the floor and walls are the most popular today:

Standard without offset

This is the most popular layout plan. In Soviet times, all bathrooms in new buildings were finished this way, so for many, this layout causes an instinctive visual rejection. Her example in that performance can still be seen in the apartments of the elderly. However, if it is implemented using large tiles, then the standard layout without offset looks quite stylish and original.

Diamond laying

Or diagonal. Also a very common layout option. Peculiarities:

• Creates a very interesting visual effect, looks stylish. With its help, the most original and stylish designs. Gives depth to the room, sharpness to the design.
• A rather time-consuming option, so only an experienced master finisher can carry out such a layout. Requires careful calculations and accurate cutting of the material. In terms of labor costs, it is comparable to laying a mosaic.

Wall panel

This scheme is a classic of the genre, when the lower third of the wall is laid out with dark tiles, and the upper two thirds with lighter ones. Place of docking different color tiles are usually still decorated with a contrasting border to match, it can also be made from mosaics. Often this way of designing bathrooms can be seen, as an example, in various public institutions. Such methods can be used for your own bathroom, but this gives the bathroom a little rigor and formality.

Features and rules:

• Such a layout project makes the room lower, while expanding it. You should carefully study the floor plan.
• In this case, the floor can either coincide with the walls or be completely contrasting with them. Each design is interesting in its own way.
• In some variations, you can see a combination of a light bottom and a dark top. However, this layout of tiles in the bathroom lowers the level of the ceiling, so it is suitable for narrow and high rooms. And in most of our standard apartments, small and not too high bathrooms are still more common.
• The border on the walls of the bathroom can be made as a narrow strip, or as a fairly wide independent area, tiled in several rows. In addition, there may well be several of these strips, especially if they are narrow. Just do not forget that each of them will make the room a little lower.

with border

In this version of the layout, the tiles that are laid out on the floor continue on the wall. But not completely on the entire wall, but 2-3 rows above the floor. Above, it is desirable to make a tile of a different shade, most often lighter. Such a layout plan will make the design of the room lower and wider.

Fragments with an accent

A very popular layout plan today. But such tile layout options in the bathroom are only suitable for a decent-sized room. In a small room, contrasting accents can create a visual imbalance that looks inharmonious.

• If you decide to choose such a bathroom tile layout project, then you should know that you do not need to focus on more than 2-3 areas of the bathroom. An ideal example of layout when accents are made in the area of ​​​​the washbasin, heated towel rail and shower. Or in another similar way.
• If you do not want to increase the height of the ceiling, then the accent area should not be started directly from the floor, but it is better to do it at some distance. It is also not necessary in this case to bring the accent to the ceiling.
• You can make accents with mosaics.
• On the floor, such a layout plan does not apply. The accents made on the floor look ridiculous and out of place.

Equality of colors

In this case, they take several colors - contrasting or similar, usually 2-3 shades, and decorate the walls of the bathroom with them. In this case, the colors should not mix. One wall is laid out with one color, the second with another, etc. Be sure to choose harmonious combination colors. Peculiarities:

• Thus, it is possible to visually clearly divide the functional areas in the bathroom. For example, highlight the area near the washbasin in red, and finish the area near the shower with black tiles. The layout can be both horizontal and vertical.
• The floors in this case are finished with tiles of the same colors, but at the same time they can be mixed. For example, it would be great to use a chess layout for the floor.
• This design does not look good in a small bathroom, as it will visually make the room narrow and small.

Tiles are the ideal material for finishing the bathroom. It is durable, moisture resistant and easy to wash. With it, you can create original ideas in the interior and hide the flaws of the room. If you don't know how to turn a bathroom into a cozy room that will fashion trends, use the examples and tips in this article.

Bathroom Design Ideas

Replacing tile in the bathroom is not the best budget item repair work. Therefore, this is done not so often, but especially carefully. The shape of the tile is most often square or rectangular, and there are many options that differ in size and texture. The standard styling method is considered to be a combination of a light bottom and a dark top, separated by a border.

Advice! Try to choose "serial products", then you do not have to select various elements separately.

When choosing color combinations do not forget that bright colors (orange, red, yellow) energize and vivacity, and cold ones (green, blue, lilac), on the contrary, soothe.

Combination of tiles and wood finishes

If you want to make a bright bathroom, play with contrast, try combining yellow and sky blue, red and black, green and gray.

For small baths, it is better to purchase tiles in cold blue and gray tones, 30 x 20 in size, and lay them horizontally. In order not to create the effect of a "well", it is impossible to lay out the entire wall with plain tiles. Try, the remaining distance (20-30 cm) to the ceiling, paint water-based paint or lay out to the level of the bathroom - a dark tile, and above it is light.

Attention! In rooms with a small area, relief tiles cannot be used.

If you want to visually increase the height of the ceilings, you must:

• lay tiles vertically;
• use bright friezes;
• decorative panels, borders, lay not lower than eye level.

An interesting finish for a small bathroom

The classic combination of white and black will never lose its popularity. It will look very impressive if the black tile is matte and the white is glossy.

Tiling schemes

Ways of laying out and tiling in the bathroom

Starting repairs in the bathroom, you need to decide how you will lay out the tiles, what area you will cover with it. There are three options for wall tiling:

1. Tiling throughout the entire space.
2. Tiling up to a certain level. Those. the bottom will be tiled, and the top with another coating (wallpaper, water-based paint, plastic panels).
3. The allocation of tiles to certain functional areas: washbasin, bathroom, washing machine.

Floor tiles only

There are many more laying schemes:

• seam to seam- that is, the tiles are laid in a row, one after the other both horizontally and vertically. In this way, square and rectangular tiles are laid out, and to add aesthetics, they are decorated with beautiful borders. You can combine tiles of two different colors. This seam-to-seam laying technique is called a checkerboard.

• "brickwork" or "in a dressing". For this method, a rectangular tile of different shades, laid horizontally, is suitable. In appearance, such a scheme resembles the laying of bricks, i.e. the bottom row of tiles is laid with a shift of half a tile, in relation to the top. Do not choose tiles in two contrasting colors, this will create an uneven floor effect.

Brick layout

• diagonal layout. The tiles are laid at an angle to form a rhombus, but seam to seam in relation to each other.

Diagonal tile laying pattern

• modular way. For this scheme, you will need tiles of 3 different sizes. Before laying out the tiles in this way, lay out all the elements on the floor to see the finished pattern, and then transfer it to the wall.

Modular way of laying

• ornamental way. In this case, a certain pattern is laid out from the tiles, for example, a color composition in the center of a plain background.

Ornamental styling

• patchwork pattern. For this method, you will need multi-colored tiles that do not repeat with each other in the pattern and do not have a common theme.

• floor with border. As a rule, for this method, bright floor tiles or mosaics are chosen, while part of it goes onto the wall, 1-2 rows. The rest of the wall is covered with a plain pastel-colored tile.

Floor with border

Attention! Such a scheme allows you to visually increase the space, but at the same time visually reduces the height of the ceilings.

How to choose bathroom tiles in different styles

The choice of tile will depend on the choice of bathroom style. The following main areas of design can be distinguished:

• . choose ceramic tiles pastel calm tones, imitating marble, complement it with friezes with ornate patterns and fresco.

Bathroom in classic style

• Minimalism. This style provides for the rejection of everything superfluous. Use a combination of no more than 2-3 colors in the interior. For example: brown floor, beige walls and white plumbing. In this design, borders or stucco do not look appropriate.
• Country style. The main rule of this direction is the use of tiles that imitate natural materials. For walls, you can buy tiles under the stone, and on the floor. The interior should be dominated by brown, green, beige colors.
• Modern style. The tile you choose should create a spacious effect and add light to the room. To do this, use light shades, simple lines in patterns, a minimum of decorative elements. You can play with contrast by using light walls and dark floors.

Bathroom in modern style

• For style, use pastel colors: blue, lilac, coral, cream. You can make a partial division of the wall: at first, medium-sized tiles of light colors, and above - wooden panels. Plain tiles, decorate with borders with floral ornaments.
• High tech. A characteristic difference for this style is the monochrome wall covering and the lack of decoration. Basic colors: white, black, beige, brown, silver.

Mosaic in the bathroom

A distinctive feature from tiles is the ability to create colorful panels on the entire wall. Most often, a floral or floral ornament is used for the bathroom. With the help of mosaics, “accent walls” are created - for example, lay out an original geometric pattern or a color panel on the side where the bath is installed.

Mosaic in the bathroom

It is not necessary to use a mosaic for laying out drawings, lay out a wall with mosaics of different shades: blue, turquoise or green in a chaotic manner. Even a narrow strip of multi-colored pieces will create an unusual and bright look, as well as increase the height of the room.

Using our tips, you can create your own unique design or make it easier for yourself when choosing a ready-made option. As a result, you will get a cozy room that will be beautiful and fashionable, and with the right choice of tiles and installation method, you can hide the flaws of the room and emphasize your own style.

How to lay tiles: video

Laying tiles in the bathroom: photo