How to Lay Tile in a Non-Square Room

If you can lay tile in a regular room, you should also be able to lay it in a non-square room. While the process may be a little bit more involved, the same basic principles apply. Here are the basics of how to effectively lay tile in a non-square room.

What you'll need
Tile
Adhesive
Notched trowel
Wet saw
Grout
Grout float
Bucket
Water
Tile spacers
Tape measure

Step 1--Measure the Room

In order to install the tile in this room, you are going to have to know how much tile to purchase. To measure this room, you need to break it up into rectangles. If you have a curved or angled wall, you need to act as if the curve or angle were not there and pretend that it is a rectangle. Multiply the length and the width of the rectangles together to get the square footage. You will then want to add approximately 10 percent to that number so that you can have enough for waste.

Step 2--Determine Starting Point

With a non-square room, you are not going to be able to start along the wall in most cases. You will need to try to determine the center point of the room. This way, you can work out towards the wall and the pieces will fall as they should. When you get to the wall, you can simply cut the pieces to fit. This is going to create a professional look in your room. Do your best to determine where the center of each wall is with your tape measure. Then snap a chalk line in both directions so that they will intersect in the center of the room. This will give you a place to start and will make the tile align properly in the room.

Step 3--Lay the Tile

Apply some of the tile adhesive to the floor in the corner of the chalk lines with your trowel. Then take one of your tiles and press it down firmly into the adhesive. Put tile spacers on the corners of the first tile. Take a second tile and then place it directly next to the first tile using the spacers as a guide. Place tile spacers around the second tile and then place a third tile up against it. Continue doing this until you get to the wall.

Step 4--Cutting the Tile

You will then need to make cuts on the tiles so that they will fit in place. If you are up against an angled wall, this can be a little more difficult. You will want to use a wet saw to make the most accurate cuts on the tile. Take your time and make a smooth cut. Place the cut pieces into place.

Step 5--Grout

Allow the tile to dry overnight. Then you can apply the grout. Use your grout float to apply the grout to the grout joints. After you have filled the joints, use a sponge to clean the tile.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com