How to Lay Tessellated Tiles

Tessellated tiles are ceramic or porcelain tiles meant to be pieced together to form a geometric pattern. Smaller tiles may be netted together, but most tessellated tiles are loose and meant to be laid individually to account for small fluctuations in the installation surface. The finished look of an area done in tessellated tiles can be striking, but laying them requires time, patience and experience with tile laying.

Have a Detailed Drawing

Before you begin laying your tessellated tiles, make a detailed, to-scale drawing of the area you plan on tiling. Measure the area and use graph paper to create a scale model of the room. Draw in the tile design to at least two or three repeats. Keep this drawing nearby the entire time you lay the tiles. Sometimes when working up close with patterns, errors aren't apparent unless you step back to check your work from time to time. Keeping a drawing on hand as you work means you can consult it with each step and ensure you keep the correct tiles repeating in the pattern.

Make a Dry Layout

In addition to a detailed drawing of the area and pattern, it helps to create a dry layout of the pattern before installing the tiles. A dry layout means placing the tiles down directly on the floor in the pattern you plan to install them, but without mortar. A dry layout lets you get used to the pattern and how it repeats, allowing you to correct any mistakes before you set the tiles in mortar. It also allows you to make adjustments for the sizes in the tile by making the grout lines larger or smaller as needed.

Use a No-Slump Mortar

Tessellated tiles were originally laid in a mixture of sand and cement. This mixture is now the base of what is currently referred to as "thinset" mortar. There are several types of thinset, however, and not all are appropriate for laying tessellated tiles. Use a thinset that is designated as "no-slump." This means that the mortar will not shift or move as you press the tiles in. Use a 6-millimeter notched trowel to spread the mortar and leave the notch marks in the mortar after combing. Once you press the tiles into the mortar, beat them in evenly with a rubber mallet.

Work From a Corner Out

Tessellated tile patterns repeat themselves within a defined border. Laying the tiles beginning in the corner of the room furthest from the entry avoids disrupting the tiles as you work. The border goes in first, followed by the repeating pattern. Complete each section of the pattern before moving on to the next repeating "block." Moving across each row before moving down, then across keeps the pattern on track. Continue until you tile yourself out of the room. The mortar must dry 24 hours before grouting. A sanded grout between the tiles keeps the pattern in place. After the grout has dried for 24 hours, you can clean away any excess.

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