Herringbone Tile Installation

Locate the corner on your left, that is furthest from the door. Lay the first tile horizontally so its long side faces you, with its short end in the corner pressed up against the wall. Lay the second tile vertically, so its short end abuts the first tile and its long end is pressed against the adjoining wall.

Cut one tile in half. Place a half tile next to the open end of each of the first tiles laid. Lay a tile vertically against the wall facing you, next to the cut tile. Lay another tile horizontally on the adjoining wall next to the cut tile.

Repeat the pattern of horizontal, cut tile, vertical tile on the wall facing you. Repeat the pattern of vertical tile, cut tile, horizontal tile on the adjoining wall. This is the border of the room.

Lay a horizontal tile directly beneath the first horizontal tile and the cut tile next to it. Lay a vertical tile directly below it, next to the first vertical tile and the second cut tile. This is the herringbone pattern, and to continue it will produce one complete row. Move over a row and repeat, alternating horizontal and vertical tiles.

Take the tiles up from the floor in the opposite order you put them down. Spread thin-set mortar over the floor with a trowel and replace the tiles back in the correct order. Lay out several tiles at a time to make sure you have the pattern correct before installing them with mortar. Allow the mortar to dry for 24 hours after laying all the tiles.

Grout all the tiles at once by pressing the grout between the tiles with a grout float. Clean up the excess grout with a sponge, and wait 24 hours before walking on the floor.