Tile Installation Using the Ashlar Method

Tip 11: Using furring strips

Calculate the border tile sizes for the room and install the furring strips according to the normal instructions. Snap a chalkline at the border measurement down the center of the second furring strip as directed.

If the calculated border on the end wall is less than 9 inches, add 3 inches to it.
Using the measurement you get after this calculation, snap a second chalkline at a right angle to the first chalkline using the 3, 4, 5 triangle method outlined in the normal instructions. Once you have the second chalkline marked, snap a third chalkline parallel to the second, 6 inches closer to the end wall.


Using this method, you will insure that your border tiles, even though they are offset, are as large as they can be in your room.

Example:
If the room measures 14' 8" by 10' 7", the border on the wall parallel to the furring strips will be 9-1/2" plus 1/2" for the stapling flange (take the 7", add 12", divide by 2 and add 1/2"). Snap the first chalkline down the center of the second furring strip 10" from the side wall.

The border perpendicular to the furring strips will be 7" (take the 8", add 12", divide by 2 and add 1/2"). But that is less than 9", so you add 3" to the 7" to make 10". Add 1/2" for the stapling flange. Snap a second chalkline at a right angle to the first one 10-1/2" in from the end wall.

Now measure 6" closer to the wall from the second chalkline and snap a third chalkline parallel to the second.

Now refer to the figure below for the suggested sequence of installing the tiles. When you see how the tiles line up with the chalklines in the figure, and you understand how they are used to line up the tiles in an offset fashion, the exact sequence does not have to be followed to the letter.