Herringbone Tile Installation | For Beginners

[@staceypearce3805]

Herringbone is my favourite pattern, this has given me a great idea for my bathroom design

[@OfficeBoyBuilder]

Hey man, this was such a great video. It gave me a huge amount of confidence to do the same in my bathroom. I've done a video on it, and credited you for the technique. Thanks!

[@thebespokebloke]

That's awesome! Glad it helped out mate, Will look out for the video! Have a great Christmas 🍻

[@mrjestill]

Not sure that I could have undertaken the initial brief of herringbone along the whole splashback including a window recess and sill, but luckily the 'client' (aka my GF!) changed her mind and just wanted the section behind the cooker tiled. Wanted to post a pic but not able to, sadly. Great tips - thanks for sharing your skills. Can add this to my professional arsenal now and I managed to get a great deal on a Sigma cutter, which is brilliant! Thanks again! 🎉🎉

[@thebespokebloke]

Awesome glad to hear mate! and glad the GF didn't make it to painful for you haha! It's always very satisfying to stand back and know you accomplished that, so great job and I'm sure the Sigma helped wonders! You can always email me a pic if you like of course.

[@BriteLake]

I'm soooooo glad I found your YT channel. I decided 8 years ago that my bathroom tiles would be herringbone pattern. I bought the tiles and then froze on how to tile the walls. Eight years later my bathroom remains incomplete. I found my courage now thanks to your tutorial. Thank You Thank You Thank You!

[@thebespokebloke]

Awesome, Glad to hear! Helping people is the best satisfaction, Best of luck with it! Any questions don't hesitate to ask!

[@BenSmith-go1wp]

Thank you! I've been tiling for years but always been afraid of doing herringbone. I'm about to do my own bathroom and thought that would be the best place to start.

[@thebespokebloke]

Awesome! Glad to hear. Don't forget to check out my updated herringbone video as well for some more tips!

[@garinoakley]

Going to give this a go on the weekend. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@thebespokebloke]

Awesome, Don't hesitate to ask if you get stuck anywhere. Good Luck, I'm sure it will turn out great!

[@franklayton991]

Thanking you so much for making this vid ! Really helpful.

[@thebespokebloke]

Awesome, Glad you liked it.. Don't forget to check out the updated version to!

[@renepare6395]

Thanks!

[@thebespokebloke]

Awesome, Thanks for the support and Supper Thanks!

[@penelopemaynard9016]

Many thanks. Loved, liked, and subbed!

[@thebespokebloke]

Awesome, Glad you liked it! Thanks for your support!

[@seanlester307]

Brilliant. Many thanks for the information and advice. Cheers

[@Mike-fs4vz]

This was both informative AND entertaining- as all the best videos are. Nice one sir 👌

[@thebespokebloke]

Sounds like a winner, Thanks a lot! I'm just in the process of making a bit more of an updated herringbone video. Should be done by next week!

[@eazyd1983]

Good work!!! Really helpful mate 👊🏽

[@thebespokebloke]

Glad to help mate! Any questions don't hesitate to ask.

[@yilmaztatar3699]

Great work,.

[@MichaelRogersSigdeniz]

Yeh really good work man

[@thebespokebloke]

Thanks mate, Much appreciated!

[@sharondaburdette8076]

Very well explained..😊

[@liaqatalializada3854]

Very good and informative

[@thebespokebloke]

Thanks, Glad you found it helpful!

[@anitagoodsleep5330]

Well done mate …🙌

[@thebespokebloke]

Thanks!

[@Ginger-Tom13]

Looks great - thanks for posting. When you turn the corner do you start the second wall from the mid wall mark, in the same way you started the first wall? And work out to the corner? Or do you work from the corner towards the middle? Ta.

[@thebespokebloke]

You're welcome.. So when you wrap around a corner onto another wall, You just continue the pattern with the piece that comes off (you can't centre it again) All you must do is stick to your horizontal level line and just continue. You can only centre 1 wall, So always best to go for your main visual wall. Hope that helps.

[@gwynnemurkin1279]

Hi thanks for this video, my question is when doing the wrap around, what If your corner wall is out? How do you correct it when coming out of the corner

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey, You can manilipulate them to a certain degree if it's not to far out (Like having a 2-4mm gap, or taking a bit off the tile if it's the other way. As the Silicon joint would cover discrepancy there) But that's about it, As alterations to the cut will throw the alignment out. So yeah you'd just have to malipulate it the best as possible, so it sill looks as best as it can visually. Hope that helps!

[@bandannaman510]

Do you have to choose a specific dimensional ratio of width:height when choosing a tile herringbone? I have a tile where the width is 3 times the height, but I forgot to account for the thickness of the grout lines and now I’m wondering if the pattern will look clean. Do I need a different tile or can I make it work with these tiles?

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey mate, They should be fine. Just lay a couple out on the floor with spacers first and you should see it's all good!

[@halstirrup]

Is that tanking on the wall or skim plaster? Nice work fella !

[@thebespokebloke]

Thanks mate, Just sealed plaster, Check this vid for waterproofing solutions kzbin.info/www/bejne/laasmoB5bKiYeposi=-PG_zTAqeSoDlL9J

[@Martincrabb1971]

Excellent video still scared to do my bathroom with it though.

[@thebespokebloke]

Thanks!, Herringbone is a harder difficulty rating for sure, But If you just make sure your start tiles are level and in the right place.. From there, everything comes of off that, So if you take it slow (maybe do a practice area first) you should be fine. Or just go for herringbone feature wall, and the rest in more generic tiles is always a good look!

[@JamieWilliams-hg6ib]

Hi could you make a video in the future about how you prep your walls for different jobs, level uneven walls ,what adhesive you use for what jobs and things like that please

[@thebespokebloke]

Absolutely, I'll put it on the list mate!

[@JamieWilliams-hg6ib]

That’s great thanks and your channel is awesome

[@thebespokebloke]

@@JamieWilliams-hg6ib You're welcome, Thanks for the kind words!

[@technologistrevolution]

Any tips for hexagon? I want it for my bathroom floor but everyone I know who's done it says it is hard to lay without weird slivers/offcuts around the edges.

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey, Great choice! They look really smart. tbh they are not to much of a pain to fix. Just make sure the substrate is flat, as with many edges a bump can really make a corner stick out. Regards the setting out, I'd usually like to centre the floor/wall. But if you get some really bad cuts, you can always come a full tile off of the bath/shower/skirting or something visual. This would most likely improve the size of the cut at the other end. But to be honest I wouldn't be to concerned about a sliver as with herringbone it kind of all moulds into one. if you had a sliver that was really small chances are it would be covered by the skirting or wall tiles if you have them. Hope this helps, I'll have some pics of herringbone out later in a some design shots, So keep your eyes out! Thanks!

[@jackdyson2562]

Mate this is a super video, thank you. Question... if I'm looking to do the same on the floor in a downstairs toilet (so small narrow room), should I start at rear wall or centre line?

[@thebespokebloke]

Thanks mate, I'd probably work of the rear wall with a centre line down the middle of the floor.. You will always get with herringbone, the likelihood that some cuts work well and others will be smaller,. So you've got a good chance when you get to your door the cuts will be fine

[@michaeldavidson103]

Hey man love the video! I’m going to do this to my 2 in 1 bath/shower. What grout and mortar would you recommend for this? It will be in the wet zone

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey mate great! If they are Ceramic tiles like the ones in the video.. Bal Micromax (it's more forgiving with ceramics) and if they are Porcelain Tiles.. Kerakol Fugabella (As you'll get a better joint, as its a but more rapid) Hope that helps!

[@kevinbirch9229]

Great video, I’m doing some herringbone next week, I’m surprised your tiles don’t want to slump or slide down the wall? Is this just because the adhesive mix is very stiff? Thanks Kevin

[@thebespokebloke]

Awesome thanks! Generally with any decent adhesive, Tiles shouldn't sag (unless they are really heavy porcelain) When using a ceramic tile like in the video, They have so much suction that they won't go anywhere once placed on the wall after a push and a wiggle. I would only recommend Bal and Kerakoll if using a powder adhesive. Or if using bucket glue (ceramic tile under 30x30cm) "Profix Waterproof" or "Bal White Star" are very good adhesives for the job. I do have an updated herringbone video for a centred pattern all around which you may want to check out, But either video will get you in the right place! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmjNhYKmmqxsZ9ksi=GSUWqSnff8_zmEuZ

[@josedominguez-wd3xu]

how do you get your tile to not sag down off the wall when you start up like that? do you use a specific mortar?

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey, Yep 2 things really.. Quality adhesive will even keep heavy porcelain upright to a certain degree (Check "Bal Flex One" and "Kerakoll" products) Secondly, When you have a ceramic tile (brown biscuit on back) it has so much suction that whatever adhesive you use, it should stay in place after a wiggle. Hope that helps!

[@muhammada5178]

Hi man, are walls plumbs and square in your case

[@thebespokebloke]

They weren't 100% perfect in that one, But managble. If they are about 5mm out over the distance, You can manilipulate the tiles a bit.. But any further and it will get tricky to make it look nice.

[@muhammada5178]

@ thank you for such a prompt reply

[@dangibbs6278]

Hello, I’m tiling a bathroom tomorrow in herringbone tiles. Half the size of these tiles roughly. I’m sure it will reveal itself tomorrow but my question is that my floor is way out of level do I still use the same principle or will my cuts not be a true 45 degree when it runs out? Thanks

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey, Yeah if you're tiling walls down to the floor and it runs out, the cuts will be different sizes. I'd suggest taking your starting height point from the highest point of the floor and then once the floor is hopefully self levelled to that height, All your bottom wall cuts will look the same. Also I have a more updated video here which may have a similar size tiles to the ones you are describing. And will explain how to start in the centre of the room if that helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmjNhYKmmqxsZ9ksi=rn3Gwyt_3SDL8AHS

[@Optimistichumanist]

Would you recommend doing herringbone to a shower wall with a windows that is not centered on that wall?

[@thebespokebloke]

When a window is not in the centre on a main wall you have to ignore it, The most important thing on a main bath wall or any wall, Which is your main visual point, is that it is centred so the left and right side are symmetrical. Hope that helps

[@halstirrup]

How would you go about doing a herring born pattern with a niche? what would be step when doing something like that? I feel it hard to picture for me haven’t done that before.

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey, The best advice I can give is to oversize the Niche when it's formed, Then when you come to tile, You can shrink it to work better in your favour. Also don't try and herringbone the internals (top, bottom, sides) The bit that comes off the tile around the frame, just go's on the back of the Niche (like it was just a normal wall) Hope that helps a bit, Also I have another herringbone video here, which may help kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmjNhYKmmqxsZ9ksi=sTHG2RrolI7roDBf

[@halstirrup]

@@thebespokebloke thanks Bro 👊 appreciate it.

[@petermccarthy4975]

how do you figure out where / how to cut tile 6 and others like it. Also, any difference if we want to do the herringbone at a 90 degree angle to what you've laid here?

[@captainbenfield]

Hey, At around 7 mins It shows marking a tile to the bath, by flipping it over (it's the same technique for every cut) Or you can measure the distance with a tape measure, keeping it in line and allowing for a joint around the tile. Once you have the mark, your cutter will do the rest once set to 45degs. Regards different orientation.. Yeah the set out (centre) will be different, It's explained in a comment here somewhere. Hope that helps

[@petermccarthy4975]

@@captainbenfield Thankyou. I think I get it, but will have to try it out to make sure.

[@PeterMay-g1f]

How do I set out for herringbone laid at 90 degrees to the way you have shown, ie a horizontal line rather than vertical..?

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey, Generally I wouldn't worry to much about height as you'll always have small and big cuts whatever. In that particular example I took a full tile (corner) off of the bath. So you'll see I measure the tiles when they are on the floor and transfer that line to the wall. So I'd lay a few out , Get the height from a few tiles, draw a line and work down from there. If you're talking about flipping the entire pattern, You'd still centre through the middle of the tiles. It's a bit hard to explain but if you lay some out, the way you want them and put the centre through the same place in the tile, you'll get it. The pattern will just be alternate each side off the top of my head.

[@TimBuckley22]

What happens if you start from centre but it leaves u with tiny triangles on your internal corners. Is it as simple as shifting the pattern half a tile in the centre.

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey mate, Yeah basically the same as you would with a normal tile. At about 4 minutes in this video, it shows the alternative orientation kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmjNhYKmmqxsZ9ksi=y8tOcJeRlAGuprdB

[@DavidAlanStanley]

What do you use to write/draw on the tiles? Sorry it is such a basic question

[@thebespokebloke]

Not at all mate, Although I will have to give away my secrets, ha. I actually just use really cheap kids colouring pens. As they generally have a small nib and don't stain the tiles.

[@DavidAlanStanley]

@@thebespokebloke Thanks for the quick reply. So basically, a regular felt pen (rather than a permanent marker)? Cheers, David

[@thebespokebloke]

@@DavidAlanStanley No worries, Yes mate. Washable pens are a lot more safer with tiles. Always good to do a little test first though to make sure it wipes off ok

[@anitagoodsleep5330]

Hi mate …so what’s best way to work out that you have same cuts from top to bottom…?

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey, If you centred the wall top to bottom, Draw a mid line and started with the point of the tile on the line.. If my memory serves me right, that should work out centre. I'd recommend just laying some out to double check that though. Hope that helps

[@anitagoodsleep5330]

@@thebespokebloke i will try that & I will just dry lay & mark on wall …thanks for you’re time boss🙌

[@alfiewilliams4461]

Do you not need to grout downwards to stop water behind getting trapped?

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey, No the adhesive direction has no relevance to that, If you do get minimal water behind, it should evaporate back out, As the tile grout is breathable and that's what it's designed to do. But if you have water concerns, I'd recommend waterproofing the walls first, if your tiles are in a constant wet area so you're covered. Hope that helps

[@Amanandhisharley]

Which sigma did you use fella

[@thebespokebloke]

Hey mate, It's this one 3B4M. They may be hard to get now though, But the 4 series is much the same. kzbin.info/www/bejne/laGkpaWAoc52qJIsi=X4YcKevryV1IGqK4

[@MsCcarter21]

I started my backsplash without having the knowledge. And have of it’s been up for a year. Lol I’m just now trying to finish it. But I have to keep shaving more and more off each bottom.. I kind out want to tear it all out and re-start. But that’s too much work.

[@thebespokebloke]

It sucks when it doesn't go right, If it's any consolation my first herringbone wall, I think I took it off and on about 3 times 😂 That's why I made this video to hopefully try and help others

[@garypascoe7686]

What happens if the return walls aren’t plum, then the pattern doesn’t match up.

[@thebespokebloke]

Exactly that, You can manilipulate them to a certain degree (give or take 5mm). But for a perfect finish having walls level is pretty key.

[@russellscott1151]

Shouldn’t you fill the bath with water before tiling and silicone?

[@thebespokebloke]

When the first Silicon beed go's on (when the bath is fitted) the bath is filled with water. Then once it's tiled, the bath is filled with water for the finishing silicon mate

[@sg9222]

'In this world nothing's ever level' especially your camera :D Auto stabilisation is going wild. Tiling looks good though

[@martinphillips7221]

No backbutter?

[@thebespokebloke]

Not on a ceramic tile that small. Back edging serves its purpose mainly on porcelain and larger tiles, To make sure you get a good bond. Larger tiles are a bit more curved, and the backing on a porcelain or vitreous tile also prevents a good connection. With a ceramic metro/subway tile you have a flat back, and really good suction. So no need when working with something like that.

[@jameshayden33]

​@@thebespokeblokeWhat size trowel would you be using on this ?

[@thebespokebloke]

@@jameshayden33 Hey mate, A 6mm or 8mm Tile depending (i.e is the back flat or not)

[@jameshayden33]

@@thebespokebloke thank you!

[@cafemolido5459]

Notice that you do not coat the back of the tiles!!

[@thebespokebloke]

Not with small ceramics no mate.

[@RonRicciardi-z5m]

Cool for people to watch but being a tile setter for over 25 years if your not a tile setter or very gifted do not attempt to tile this pattern yourself. The guy makes it look simple and it should be to an experienced tile setter but I’ve seen some fuck it up. Remember just because he makes it look easy doesn’t mean it is. I’ve got in trouble doing things on KZbin that the person made look easy that I wasn’t knowledgeable about.

[@thebespokebloke]

Couple of points there Ron.. Firstly, people that want to Tile Herringbone will know it can be tricky hence why they have searched for a video to help, ha! The thing that commonly go's wrong with herringbone is the tile setout, Which is explained at the start of this video. Cutting and wrapping around the corner is also explained clearly. But if you've watched it, You'll know I say just take it slow. But the whole point is, it really isn't that difficult if you follow the steps. If you do make some mistakes then that's fine, That's how you learn in life. But you won't go anywhere if you don't try something..And people that have the confidence, Will be more than happy to tile herringbone.

[@melaniemckellar8258]

Absolutely! After watching your video I would give this a try - I might buy an extra box or two just in case 😂

[@thebespokebloke]

@@melaniemckellar8258 Awesome, Good luck! Always good to have a few boxes spare anyways. Check this updated video as well kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmjNhYKmmqxsZ9ksi=UucFeRidvg4h7wqR

[@wasntme3651]

I agree also and I am a setter that’s been in the field since 98.

[@halstirrup]

@@thebespokeblokewell said ! Life is about making mistakes and learning from them.

[@KazSurma]

The overall look is terrible. Poor design in the first place.

[@thebespokebloke]

😂😂

[@shaynehingston6721]

Kazsurma, What would you have done differently???

[@KazSurma]

@@shaynehingston6721 Everything.