Michael Gaisford

These tiles were laid in the traditional style.

As the tiles were hand made there was a great deal of difference in size between the tiles.

On average the tiles were 150mm square but there was a difference of 6 or 7mm between the largest and the smallest.

Using the traditional style of laying the tiles, an overlap of approximately 1/3 of a tile was used. With this overlap there is not a regular pattern for the eyes to follow.

Every third row a straight line was determined before continuing on the next three rows.

With these natural tiles the method of judgement has to be by eye. Before starting the average grout width should be agreed and followed as the tiles allow.

By opening several packs at a time a varience in size and colour is more easily attained.

This is a job which really can’t be rushed as you’ll stare at the result for a long time in the future.

Not only the grout size around the tile and the colour of the tile compared to the surrounding ones but also the natural shape of the tile needs to be judged to give an overall level surface.

If you want a glass like finish, old tiles or new hand made tiles should not be chosen.

Some of the beauty of using these natural tiles are the faults or ‘differences’ they have. Sometimes it is difficult to imagine the finished result.

Remember where using natural tiles, you can stain them by using the wrong type of glue. There are specific glues for natural tiles and some of them don’t guarantee a stain free finish. Usually it is the cement contained in the glue which leechec through.

There are products (mild acids) which can be used to reduce the staining prior to putting a finishing coat on the tiles.

Often oil is used to seal these tiles but again there are specific products for sealing natural tiles aswell.

I would advise to try different products on spare tiles before choosing which you will use on the entire floor.

This way you’ll attain the effect you want, not an effect which is expected by others.