Medium Size Tile Bond Pattern Shower Wall Tile Grout Sizing

This is a clean and classic layout for subway tiles on walls and floors.

Medium size tile bond pattern shower wall tile grout sizing.

Brick look tiles in this layout create an industrial vibe in your space. Selecting the right width for grout lines on your tile project may seem unimportant compared to picking tile sizes patterns and materials. I am using 12 x 24 inch tiles with 1 8 inch grout lines. But with bathroom tile installations every detail is key.

Finished grout lines will vary from 1 16 to 3 16. Tiles that vary in size and shape need large grout joint widths 3 8 to 1 2 inch. A 50 50 offset the most common brick running bond pattern creates a strong traditional look. Though if you re tiling a closet sized shower a medium size tile such as 4 x 8 and 6 x 8 could work better for the floor larger tiles square hexagon or rectangular with tighter and fewer grout lines can similarly make a room seem more open.

Large grout joints will require the use of sanded grout. The offset brick pattern has several potential effects. For shower walls generally it is best to use larger tiles from 4 inch by 4 inch tiles on upward to large format tiles in the 15 inch by 30 inch range from a visual standpoint tile smaller than 4 inches square creates a busy appearance. When installing wall and floor tiles technicians place plastic spacers between each one to ensure the lines remain uniform tile spacers range in size from 1 16 inch to 1 2 inch.

The manufacturer of the tile recommends a 15 30 offset pattern on laying out the tile. More importantly smaller tiles are difficult to clean. Because a medium size grout line is easier to work with and in most cases can hide some slight imperfections it is often the choice of both experts and the average diy homeowner. Small scale 1 inch hexagonal and square tiles on cloth backing help spaces look larger.

My shower wall is 59 1 2 inches in height and 81 3 4 inches in width. Especially in a small shower a larger white tile can make it feel less cramped. If smaller spacers like 1 8 are used it will accentuate the size difference of handmade tile. Actual finished grout spaces will vary from 1 8 to 1 4 if 3 16 spacers are used.

Also known as a running bond this common brickwork pattern has each tile start at the center of the tile below it. I need help advice on how to lay the tile on the shower wall. More seams mean more grout and that presents you with that much more grout. Even small variations can throw off the pattern of the tile if adjustments are not made in the grout joint.

Note that using the smallest grout possible will increase installation time. Although 1 16 of an inch may seem unimportant for example on a 12 tile it represents a 50 variation in a grout joint 1 8 inch wide. Let s talk about grout size options. I just don t know how to do this where to start or where to cut etc.

A varied offset 40 60 30 70 etc creates a softer more natural look.