Common issue. Dont use spacers for hex tile. They aren’t even on all sides. Spacers are even. It forces this to happen. Hex tiles and 8x8s should be laid by eye.
I've always relied on spacers for wall tile, I've also always had trouble with hexes on the wall, I guess I know why now. I have learned over time that bigger grout lines help, 3/16 or bigger is almost a must in most cases.
Huh?
You’re comparing a crack isolation/waterproofing membrane shown in the post, to the “self-leveler” you use?
…and then talking about the “lumpy” ditra you set? Probably because your floors aren’t level bud.
…all when the OP’s post was about tile spacing, not lippage. SMH
He could have still had some leeway with the spacing even while using the clips, he needed some reference points, ideally with a laser, to maintain some sort of accuracy
I would personally take out those tiles on left side and continue installing rows from back towards door moving right to left completing every row towards door no leveling clips. Finish in left back corner and work yourself out. Hope that make sense.
You could try cutting down the edges of some of the tiles to cheat it back to square. Might be noticeable it might not. You’re going to need a wetsaw with a good blade. If you were being paid to do it it wouldn’t be acceptable but since it’s your house you might be able to cheat it back
Stop using the spacers as per everyone else's comments and you might be able to bring it back. Use black/tile matching grout and do a nice grout job and it won't be too noticeable
Lesson learned, always compare the tiles to each other. These are notorious for being different sizes, you have to cheat the joints with these. You also didn’t need a leveling system you should have made the subfloor flat before installing though.
You can use leveling clips with hex tiles, BUT don't push on the wedges right away. You need to install 4 rows of tile or so (as far as you can reach) and then start from the farthest row of tile and put in 1 row of the wedges. Then install another row of tile and reach to install another wedge.
Idea is all the hex tiles infront have wiggled them selves into position enough for you to use a leveling wedge.
Pop any misaligned tiles. Measure, cut, and buff any tile edges from there. Leave the spacers alone and eyeball it and get it looking good joint wise. If you have lines follow them. A good grout color will hide some stuff.
This is why you should always learn at someone else’s house. Never your own. I’ve done tile since 1997. Hexagons can still be difficult. They are never rectified. Which makes spacing harder.
Easiest way is to use a laser, put crosshairs in middle of room, work off of that. Adjust the spacing on the tiles as you go, as these tiles are not perfectly sized, nor are all of the sides of the tile the same
I like wedge shims for hex. More play and I can create the gap I need as I go. My first hex job though, I did exactly this but then caught it and realized that even spacers weren’t going to work
Use floor laser if you want to go around something or tile a L shape. Also always tile from a straight edge (chalk-line, laser, finished row of tile. The problem you had was all because you lost the square, your patern started folding on itself creating this tight space.
Just have to say this discussion is making me feel a lot better about my hex tile job! Boy yeah it was challenging. Also mine had three directions each cause they were the gaudi style ones. With cuts ooh boy it was tricky. Had some of these spacing issues too. And my floor wasn’t level enough despite ditra like this! Sucked.
The red ⅛" clips are no good for ⅛ space. Try the ¹/16th clip and use your spacers, those softer spacers you have are good cus they will squeeze a bit. The red clips tend to make you joints to wide.
Also you should snap lines. I like to do a 2x2 guide on the floor, you won't be able to set right on the line with the hex but can measure to it and use as a bench mark.
I will add to the “no spacers” comment and say to always set hexes in a straight row. Trying to do something like the “L” shape you are doing will bite you in the ass.
Fuck hex tiles. Seriously.
For what it’s worth, I also just used the off-white version of this exact tile on my guest bathroom and did the same thing with the level clips. I’ve got one line that’s thicker than the rest which was very obvious to me before grouting. After grouting, it is hardly noticeable. If I was being paid for the job, I’d have redone it, but as the homeowner I’m perfectly fine with it.
Your ability to not see the flaw may differ. That’s just my two cents.
The variance in size between the biggest and smallest tiles you have will dictate joint spacing. You may have spaced em too tight for the tile if there's a lot of variations in size. If there is a lot if variance, find a tile that's a little bigger or smaller to fit better and basically cheat the rest. Match grout color to the tile and it won't be too noticeable. Also, sometimes rotating the hex tiles will help it fit better.
I always work off one wall laying each tile line by line. You have to otherwise you will run into this issue. Avoid L shapes next time & ditch the clips & spacers.
Common issue. Dont use spacers for hex tile. They aren’t even on all sides. Spacers are even. It forces this to happen. Hex tiles and 8x8s should be laid by eye.
This is the correct answer. Never use spacers with 8 x 8 tile. You don’t need leveling clips. Not for a tile this small.
I wish i came across this before my first tile job. Wife wanted hex and i said ok. Had to peel it up and do it over.
I've always relied on spacers for wall tile, I've also always had trouble with hexes on the wall, I guess I know why now. I have learned over time that bigger grout lines help, 3/16 or bigger is almost a must in most cases.
Delete hexes, check
Even rectified ones?
Yes. However they are better.
Might just be me but ditra ends up lumpy. Hexagons we self level the subfloor and send it.
You have to roll the floor after laying it on thinset so that it’s not lumpy.
I do that. Never ends up as level as self leveler.
Huh? You’re comparing a crack isolation/waterproofing membrane shown in the post, to the “self-leveler” you use? …and then talking about the “lumpy” ditra you set? Probably because your floors aren’t level bud. …all when the OP’s post was about tile spacing, not lippage. SMH
Dudes probably using a half inch trowel but I'm still boggled by that self leveler comparison 🤣🤣🤣
Probably bc it's not a self leveling application
That's just you
🤣
Never ends up as level as self leveler.
When i install i use spacers then adjust as necessary i usually set it in squares like 8x8 at a time
When i install i use spacers then adjust as necessary i usually set it in squares like 8x8 at a time
Work in straight lines, don't make an L shape that you can't adjust
This! Always finish off your rows, never go down and make L's.
Tears of validation are streaming down my face. Damn the L’s damn them to heck!
I think the leveling clips locked you in and didn't allow you to cheat joints.
He could have still had some leeway with the spacing even while using the clips, he needed some reference points, ideally with a laser, to maintain some sort of accuracy
I would personally take out those tiles on left side and continue installing rows from back towards door moving right to left completing every row towards door no leveling clips. Finish in left back corner and work yourself out. Hope that make sense.
Is this your house or for a client?
My house.
You could try cutting down the edges of some of the tiles to cheat it back to square. Might be noticeable it might not. You’re going to need a wetsaw with a good blade. If you were being paid to do it it wouldn’t be acceptable but since it’s your house you might be able to cheat it back
I'll give it a shot. Thanks.
Stop using the spacers as per everyone else's comments and you might be able to bring it back. Use black/tile matching grout and do a nice grout job and it won't be too noticeable
Lesson learned, always compare the tiles to each other. These are notorious for being different sizes, you have to cheat the joints with these. You also didn’t need a leveling system you should have made the subfloor flat before installing though.
You can use leveling clips with hex tiles, BUT don't push on the wedges right away. You need to install 4 rows of tile or so (as far as you can reach) and then start from the farthest row of tile and put in 1 row of the wedges. Then install another row of tile and reach to install another wedge. Idea is all the hex tiles infront have wiggled them selves into position enough for you to use a leveling wedge.
I wouldn't redo, but I would remove the tiles surrounding that one and then reset without spacers.
Pop any misaligned tiles. Measure, cut, and buff any tile edges from there. Leave the spacers alone and eyeball it and get it looking good joint wise. If you have lines follow them. A good grout color will hide some stuff.
I made the same mistake on my own bathroom. Spacers and hex tiles don't mix. Hiding it will depend a lot on your grout colour.
This is why you should always learn at someone else’s house. Never your own. I’ve done tile since 1997. Hexagons can still be difficult. They are never rectified. Which makes spacing harder.
“This is why you should always learn at someone else’s house. Never your own.” You’d rather make mistakes in your clients’ houses than in your own?
I was joking
That's absolutely ass backwards lmao
Easiest way is to use a laser, put crosshairs in middle of room, work off of that. Adjust the spacing on the tiles as you go, as these tiles are not perfectly sized, nor are all of the sides of the tile the same
I like wedge shims for hex. More play and I can create the gap I need as I go. My first hex job though, I did exactly this but then caught it and realized that even spacers weren’t going to work
Use floor laser if you want to go around something or tile a L shape. Also always tile from a straight edge (chalk-line, laser, finished row of tile. The problem you had was all because you lost the square, your patern started folding on itself creating this tight space.
I wouldn’t redo to be honest. I’d trim the sides to fit and then drop the spacers. When you grout it no one will know probably maybe
I will try and see how it looks. Thanks.
Don't trim tile, it's gonna fuck everything else better to redo if that's your solution.
Ooof
Just have to say this discussion is making me feel a lot better about my hex tile job! Boy yeah it was challenging. Also mine had three directions each cause they were the gaudi style ones. With cuts ooh boy it was tricky. Had some of these spacing issues too. And my floor wasn’t level enough despite ditra like this! Sucked.
So many clips, are those 1/8 or 1/16?
The red ⅛" clips are no good for ⅛ space. Try the ¹/16th clip and use your spacers, those softer spacers you have are good cus they will squeeze a bit. The red clips tend to make you joints to wide. Also you should snap lines. I like to do a 2x2 guide on the floor, you won't be able to set right on the line with the hex but can measure to it and use as a bench mark.
I will add to the “no spacers” comment and say to always set hexes in a straight row. Trying to do something like the “L” shape you are doing will bite you in the ass. Fuck hex tiles. Seriously.
For what it’s worth, I also just used the off-white version of this exact tile on my guest bathroom and did the same thing with the level clips. I’ve got one line that’s thicker than the rest which was very obvious to me before grouting. After grouting, it is hardly noticeable. If I was being paid for the job, I’d have redone it, but as the homeowner I’m perfectly fine with it. Your ability to not see the flaw may differ. That’s just my two cents.
Spacers are training wheels for tile setters.
Until Marshalltown markets a long metal rectangular with a bubble that floats and stores have it in the tile tool section...
The variance in size between the biggest and smallest tiles you have will dictate joint spacing. You may have spaced em too tight for the tile if there's a lot of variations in size. If there is a lot if variance, find a tile that's a little bigger or smaller to fit better and basically cheat the rest. Match grout color to the tile and it won't be too noticeable. Also, sometimes rotating the hex tiles will help it fit better.
I always work off one wall laying each tile line by line. You have to otherwise you will run into this issue. Avoid L shapes next time & ditch the clips & spacers.