Installing a tile floor is an excellent way to renovate your home. After carefully looking over all of the tile choices, you have chosen travertine. Its rustic yet sophisticated look will dramatically enhance your home while increasing your property values. Not only is it beautiful, but it is also warm, inviting, and versatile. Sure, it may be a little more expensive than some of your other flooring choices, but you know that travertine, which is incredibly durable, will last for decades. It really is more of an investment than an expense. You also know that a travertine floor is relatively easy to lay. You love the fact that, with travertine, no two tiles are the same. This will save you the headache of trying to match tiles. You can’t. It is impossible. All of this made choosing travertine an easy choice. Choosing the right color was easy for you, too. But, what pattern should you lay? Should you buy tiles that are all the same size? Or, should you choose French pattern tiles?
What Are French Pattern Tiles?
French pattern tiles are a set of six tiles which covers eight square feet. The set contains four different sizes: two 8×8 pieces, one 8×16 piece, two 16×16 pieces, and one 16×24 piece. The variety of sizes creates the “French pattern”. This pattern is very popular, and highly recommended by interior designers. You see, most tile floors have the same size tiles laid in a rigid, geometric pattern. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that at all. You can create a beautiful floor using the traditional square or diamond pattern installation, which both have straight grout lines. However, why settle for beautiful when you can have breathtaking? French pattern tiles break up the monotony and create a breathtaking floor.
Installing French Pattern Tiles
Installing French pattern tiles is easy. First, you will want to measure the area you want to cover and calculate the square footage to determine how many tiles to buy. Next, lay the tiles out on the floor in the French pattern. You can download the pattern online and print it for easy reference. You can use a wet saw to cut the tiles to fit around walls or appliances. If you don’t have a wet saw, you can usually rent one from your local home improvement store. Leave approximately 1/8 inch between each tile for the grout. You can purchase and place spacers if you want to ensure your grout are uniform. Once the tiles are laid out, trace them with a pencil. This will help you determine the proper tile placement as you apply the mortar. Spread the mortal on the floor with your trowel and carefully press the tiles into place. Use your spacers again to make sure you leave enough room for grout. Allow the mortar to dry and the tiles to set. Next, apply sanded grout between the tiles. Apply sealer to the tiles after your grout has dried. Finally, admire your work and pat yourself on the back. You have just installed beautiful French pattern tiles.
