Tile: staggered or straight

12 years ago

I have selected a tile that is 12x24 for the bathrooms of my new house. I am not sure whether to lay the tile straight or staggered. I think I want to lay the tile horizontal straight in the shower enclosures. Question is whether to lay the tile straight or staggered on the floors of the bathroom. Will laying it staggered clash with the tile being straight in the shower walls? My preference is staggered on the floors but would love to hear your thoughts, I have enclosed 4 pictures. The first 2 are the tiles that i have chosen. The dark one is for master bath and the light ones are for the secondary bathrooms in the house. I have also enclosed another two pictures capturing another house that is using the same tile as I have chosen. They decided to lay it straight in shower walls and bathroom floor.

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PRO

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc.

12 years ago

Hi hhuang2620, Marie here.
You need to check the specs on your flooring tile that you've purchased because each porcelain tile has a preferred installation type. Whether it be straight stack or 20/80, 40/60 or 50/50 staggered installation. It depends upon how the tiles were manufactured I adhere to these manufacturer specs to ensure my clients satisfaction.

With regards to the tile style and the pattern - linear stria - I feel that a simple straight stack is best to minimize the busy feeling it can get with a 40/60 split installation. Hope this answers your question,

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Comments (40)

hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
here are the other pictures...
Denita
12 years ago
The other photos didn't show up. Try posting here in the comment section the other photos you mentioned.
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hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
apologies for the piecemeal photos...having difficulty posting multiple photos at once
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
last pic of the tile i chose for the secondary bath
anne dee
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
large on the floor
smaller and staggered on the wall
Newton Residence · More Info

another visual with a 3rdpattern (looks nice)
Newton Residence · More Info

different colour way from your tile
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Anne for the comment. The tile I am using is the same size 12x24 for both floor and shower walls. So are you saying staggered for floors and walls?
PRO
Wailea Interiors
12 years ago
It looks like your in the design phase of purchasing a home. The staggered stack tile should be used on the shower walls and the 12x24 should be staggered on the floor.
One thing i will tell you is if you go with upgrades thru the builder you will pay approx. 75% more. wait and do the upgrades thru your local contractor. Depending on what part of the country you live in this would cost about 6.00s/f for the floor and 12.00s/f for the flooring
PRO
Wailea Interiors
12 years ago
Be absolutely sure they are using the proper trim at the proper locations in the shower. No sharp cuts exposed. I have seen some horror showers.
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
I am absolutely sure the 12x24 is used for the floor of the bath and the walls of the shower. The small staggered tiles are the "listello" trim tiles that will be used as a decorative strip. My question is should I lay the 12x24 tile straight in the shower and floor of the bathroom or staggered for both or can I stagger the floor and do straight for the walls? Just to give a complete picture the floor of the actual shower will be smaller squares like the picture I am posting now
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
I have no doubt that there is a huge mark up on prices with builders but the community I am building in must use this builder. I have all ready decided to do my own flooring and crown molding and summer kitchen after closing but thought things like tile I rather get done during new construction phase so I won't have to pound out tile.
PRO
Wailea Interiors
12 years ago
if have to give you a suggestion with using only the 12x24 tiles on the wall, i would stagger is the proper way.
i think your making a mistake. please look at the newton pics above.
anne dee
12 years ago
for your reference staggered.
Luxury Bathroom · More Info
User
12 years ago
I would stack them in the shower and stagger on the main floor which will provide some traction, you'll still want to be careful of slickness.
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
Seems like the suggestion is to stagger both floor of bathroom and shower walls
anne dee
12 years ago
staggered
Barn Conversion, Gloucestershire · More Info
swamp
12 years ago
I am not home now but we recently redid master bath and hall bath. 12x24 tiles in each. Master bath is staggered, hall is straight both walls and floor. Personally I prefer it straight. Will attach photos next week when back home.
Straight gives a more linear modern look.
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
Go adivra, thanks. That was my original plan but wondered if staggering the floor and stacking them on shower stalls will clash?
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
Hi swamp, thanks. That's the thinking as well that straight is more modern like this originally I thought I do walls straight. But I kind of like the staggered on the floors
swamp
12 years ago
Found hall bath pics. Tiles are linear and straight. no staggering.
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Marie. The recommended installation by the builder was straight or 33% staggered. I agree I am leaning towards straight for walls. At first I was leaning towards staggered for floors but perhaps I should go straight for floors as well to keep it consistent and cleaner more modern lines.
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for all the comments. After all the inputs, I think I am leaning towards laying the tile straight for all the floors and shower walls. The key is to get the grout color to match the tile color so the floors and walls seem as seamless as possible. Any further inputs welcome.
PRO
Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc.
12 years ago
Match grout to the base colour of the tile so that the tile shines (not the grout!)
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
So Marie, you would go straight tile installation for both bathroom floor and shower walls?
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
Sorry guys. I am still struggling with this decision. I know there is no right or wrong way just preference. But would I be going completely wrong with doing staggered on floors and straight on shower walls and tub base? I will make sure the grout matches the base color of the tile so it seams as seamless as possible. Appreciate any final advice.
Donald
12 years ago
Do what you like, straight walls and staggered floors...if I'm reading your comments right, the wall and floor tiles are totally different sizes so it won't look odd. If it is the exact same size...it might look a bit strange but not so much it would jump out at you.
hhuang2620
Original Author
12 years ago
The tile is the exact same size. 12x24
Donald
12 years ago
I'd do both straight then, for the sake of continuity.
User
12 years ago
I think it looks better to do staggered on the floors and straight on the walls.
hhuang2620
Original Author
11 years ago
Just wanted to provide an update given I received so many comments before. I truly appreciated everyone's input. Below are some pictures of the bathroom. Still being finished but you can see the tile I ultimately went with...
User
11 years ago
It looks really good. I like how the tile goes all the way to the ceiling! How high is that ceiling btw?
hhuang2620
Original Author
11 years ago
10ft ceilings. The middle of the bathroom the ceiling is coffered so it goes up to 12ft.
D
11 years ago
The shower looks beautiful! How did you trim it? Did you use the bullnose trim tile or did you use the tile and a (metal) edging? What color grout did you decide to use?
hhuang2620
Original Author
11 years ago
Bullnose tile for trim. No clue on grout color. Just went with builder suggestion to get as close to the tile color as possible.
Tim F.
9 years ago
I think the same tile on wall and floor straight, so the pattern would carry through, would look stunning.
lisa clayton
9 years ago
Hi. Now that you have lived with it for a year, are you happy with the straight pattern on walls and staggered floor? That is my plan but still I question.................
61612
9 years ago
Houzz Pro can you tell me if stacking
12x24 in is modern or traditional?

I have 8 in wide ship lap walls (not in bathroom) And concerned with bathroom tile wall/floor pattern. Modern vs traditional . Using traditional Brass faucets.
HU-930312983
6 years ago
looks great staggered floor and straight walls.
61612
3 years ago
They staggered the floors..the gap between shiplap allows painting with out puddles and the integrity of the gap
I was concerned 1/2 gap may look modern but the staggered oiled stain floors pulled it off. Thanks
Greg Cochennet
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Looks good. I’m in the process of doing my bathroom floor right now.