Don’t let a tub and shower tile layout job psych you out. Follow these planning, measuring and installation tips for laying out tile.
Shower Tile Layout Tips for Remodeling Your Bathroom
Updated Aug. 01, 2024
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Tile Layout Preparation
Mockup and measure a row of tiles to determine the layout. If you’ll use spacers to create grout lines, add them between the tiles before you measure. Use the measurement as your tile layout calculator to determine whether you should shift the layout to get a wider tile in the corner and determine the tile layout for the end walls of a tub or shower.
Draw level and plumb tile layout lines on the wall to guide your installation. Measure a row of tile to determine the location of the plumb line on the back wall. Subtract about 3/4 in. from the height of the tile and use this measurement to locate the height of the level line above the tub or shower.
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No Skinny Tile Strips
Don’t leave a skinny strip of tile in the corners. Plan for the widest possible corner tile for the most attractive tile job.
Locate the starting plumb line to leave the widest possible same-sized tiles at each corner. Lay out the tile on the floor and use the back wall measurement to determine how wide the corner tiles will be. If starting with the edge of a full tile in the center of the back wall leaves a skinny strip in the corner, shift the plumb line by half the width of the tile. This will increase the size of the corner tiles.
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Start Out Level
Screw a straight board to the level line and stack tiles on the board. When you’ve completed tiling above the board, and the tiles are held firmly, remove the board and cut the first row of tiles to fit. Leave a 1/8-in. space between the tub and the tile to allow the installation of a flexible bead of caulk. This allows you to wrap tile around tub corners, as shown in the photo below.
Don’t start the first row of tile by resting it against the tub or shower. It’ll cause trouble because most tubs and showers aren’t perfectly straight or level. Your tile will wander from the plumb line, and misaligned grout lines will be your only solution.
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Tile Extends Beyond Tub
Plan the tile layout so a column of tile extends past the end of the tub. Use the method shown in the first step to determine how wide the corner tile needs to be to extend the tile beyond the tub. Plan to extend the tile 2 or 3 in. beyond the tub and leave at least a half tile along the wall if possible.
Don’t stop tile even with the end of the tub. This leaves the walls along the front of the tub vulnerable to water damage and doesn’t look as finished as tile that extends to the floor.
Originally Published: July 26, 2024
