How much extra should I buy for a Herringbone pattern?

Herringbone patterns are notorious for high wastage due to the large number of triangular cuts required at the edges of the room. You should add at least 15-20% extra to your total area measurement, compared to the standard 10% for straight layouts.

What is 'Tanking' and why is it important?

Tanking is the process of applying a waterproof membrane to your bathroom walls (especially in the shower zone) before tiling. In the UK, it is now standard practice to ensure that even if water gets through the grout, it cannot rot the plasterboard or timber studs behind.

Should I start tiling from the floor or the walls?

Most UK professionals recommend tiling the walls first, leaving a gap for the bottom row of tiles. Then tile the floor, and finally fit the bottom row of wall tiles on top of the floor tiles. This creates a more watertight seal as water runs down the wall and onto the floor rather than into a joint.

Can I tile over existing tiles in my bathroom?

While possible, it is generally discouraged. Tiling over tiles adds significant weight to the wall (which may exceed the weight limit of the plasterboard) and makes the room slightly smaller, which can cause issues with shower tray and basin alignment.

How much extra should I buy for a Herringbone pattern?

Herringbone patterns are notorious for high wastage due to the large number of triangular cuts required at the edges of the room. You should add at least 15-20% extra to your total area measurement, compared to the standard 10% for straight layouts.

What is 'Tanking' and why is it important?

Tanking is the process of applying a waterproof membrane to your bathroom walls (especially in the shower zone) before tiling. In the UK, it is now standard practice to ensure that even if water gets through the grout, it cannot rot the plasterboard or timber studs behind.

Should I start tiling from the floor or the walls?

Most UK professionals recommend tiling the walls first, leaving a gap for the bottom row of tiles. Then tile the floor, and finally fit the bottom row of wall tiles on top of the floor tiles. This creates a more watertight seal as water runs down the wall and onto the floor rather than into a joint.

Can I tile over existing tiles in my bathroom?

While possible, it is generally discouraged. Tiling over tiles adds significant weight to the wall (which may exceed the weight limit of the plasterboard) and makes the room slightly smaller, which can cause issues with shower tray and basin alignment.

Bathroom Tile Layout

Plan your tile counts and layout waste factors.

Total Area (m²)

Tile Width (mm)

Tile Height (mm)

Layout Pattern

Tile Order

Layout Tip: When tiling a bathroom, always 'dry lay' your tiles first to avoid narrow slivers of tile at the corners. In the UK, professional tilers recommend starting from the centre of the main wall or floor and working outwards for symmetry.

Symmetry & Scale: The UK Bathroom Tiling Guide

The Setting Out Process

A professional tiling job is defined by its symmetry. Nothing looks worse than a full tile on one side of a wall and a 10mm sliver on the other. This is known as 'setting out'.

Our **bathroom tile calculator** accounts for the extra material needed to achieve a perfect symmetrical layout, especially when using complex patterns like **Brick Bond** or **Herringbone**.

Waste Allowances

Straight Layout10% Waste

Brick Bond / Offset15% Waste

Herringbone / Diagonal20% Waste

Pattern Dynamics

**Brick Bond (Half-Bond):** This is a popular layout for subway-style tiles. It adds character but requires more cuts at every corner.

**Herringbone:** Currently the most popular decorative layout in the UK. It requires precision and significantly more material because every tile at the top, bottom, and sides of the wall must be cut at a 45-degree angle.

Substrate Weight

Standard UK plasterboard has a weight limit of **20kg/m²** for tiles (including adhesive and grout). Plastered walls have a lower limit of **12kg/m²**. Large format porcelain tiles often exceed these limits, requiring 'tile backer boards'.

Epoxy Grout

For shower areas, consider using Epoxy grout. Unlike standard cement-based grout, it is completely waterproof and stain-resistant, preventing the dreaded black mould from forming in the joints.

Pro Tip: The Gauge Rod

Make your own 'gauge rod' using a long piece of straight timber. Mark your tile widths (including the spacers) along the rod. You can then hold this against the wall to see exactly where your cuts will fall before you even mix a single bucket of adhesive.

Bathroom Tiling FAQ

Project Disclaimer

Always check tile batch numbers (Shade and Caliber) when purchasing. Even the same tile can vary in size or colour if manufactured in different batches. We recommend ordering all your tiles at once to ensure a perfect match.