August 19, 2021 | Updated: 8 September 2021
For a fresh approach to home finishes the hexagon tile looks innovative and stylish, for both floors and walls.
The hexagon is a geometric figure that is non-directional, which makes it ideal for flooring and wall cladding. Given its close association with nature, the hexagon provides décor with an organic quality. It’s a form that evokes strength and integrity.
Here we have put together some ideas for introducing hexagon tiles into your home décor. Advice on installing floor, wall and mosaic tiling is included at the end of the article.
Observing Mother Nature closely, we notice how the hexagon shape recurs in diverse elements, such as the bee’s honeycomb or the basalt rock formations, like the Giant’s Causeway. The six-sided figure is defined as one that can be perfectly inscribed within a circle, with each point touching the circumference.
This lends the shape its intrinsic strength, using the least material to provide the greatest support. Like an arch, all sides distribute pressures equally. We see the shape recurring in crystals and carbon fibres, structures that are considered amongst the strongest in the natural world. These qualities are ideally suited for wall tiles and floor tiles.
Whether it be inside or outside, the hexagon shape tile can transform the flooring of any living space or patio area. A lacklustre bathroom can take on a designer character, while a terrace can be furnished and organised around the hexagonal theme.
With the recent appreciation of all things health-related, we are more conscious of bathroom décor than ever before. Our daily regime of hygiene and grooming deserves an appropriate design response, one with added luxury. The hexagonal tile provides the ideal touch of design, one that evokes holistic integrity and wellbeing.
Thanks to the six-sided shape, the hexagon wall tile appears like a continuous surface. The joints can almost disappear or look more like an overlaid abstract pattern, the effect is highly visual. For living rooms or dining spaces, where a feature wall is part of the architecture, like a chimney breast, the hexagon tile works well. The effect is especially dramatic if a mosaic or textured tile is chosen. For instance, hexagon tile cladding can add a design quality to a breakfast bar, converting it into more of a feature.
Classic white wall tiles for the bathroom or kitchen, together with the hexagon geometric shape, creates a killer combination. To personalise the white hexagon tile, use a black or coloured grout that picks up on other elements of the décor. The hexagon shape in white is neutral enough to fade into the background when necessary, yet also be a focal point. Especially when combined with coloured grout.
The hexagon shape is non-directional. Any axis drawn through its vertices or the centre points of its sides divides the shape into a symmetrical figure. There are 12 in total. However if the hexagon tile has a pattern or a texture then the pattern will normally dictate a direction for laying the tiles. Equally a hexagon mosaic tile will have a direction that respects the overall pattern.
More so than when laying rectangular or square tiles it’s important to work out the joints with hexagon tiles. Avoid slivers of tiles, awkward cuts and difficult angles. Make sure that the floor substrate is suitable for the tile. This will depend on the building structure and environment conditions. Preparing a sketch or laying the tiles out on the floor before commencing is recommended. Start with a spirit level to find the centre line of the room and verify with a measuring tape from all opposite walls. This will be the centre line of the first row of tiles. Take additional care if the hexagon tiles have a pattern or if you are combining different colours. Laying the tiles out dry in the desired pattern with spacers is highly recommended. Cut the tiles to fit and number the resulting pattern in such a way to recreate when setting in the adhesive.
The following tools will be required:
1. Notched trowel
2. Rubber grout float
3. Tile spacers
4. Laser level
5. Measuring tape, pencil and square angle
6. Tile sponges
7. Tile wet saw
8. Tile clippers
Once all the preparatory work is done and the tiling scheme is decided make sure that the finished level of the tiles will allow all doors to close. And remove skirting boards and door saddles. Then follow the following steps, starting from the first row:
1. Mix the adhesive or thin-set as per manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Spread a generous amount of adhesive with the notched side of the trowel for within a small area, a single row for example.
3. For medium to large hexagon tiles ‘back-butter’ the tile with the notched side of the trowel.
4. After laying the first tile ensure that the finish tile is level, using the laser level.
5. Complete the first row and clean off any excess adhesive as you go.
6. Leave the equivalent gap between the tiles around the room perimeter to allow for expansion etc.
7. Allow the completed floor tiling to dry for 24 hours.
8. Remove spacers.
9. Grout the gaps between the tiles with a generous amount of grout using the float.
10. Wipe off excess as you go and allow grout to dry before cleaning the floor with a mop.
Tip: When calculating quantities allow for between 10 and 20% extra hexagon tiles to compensate for breakage.
Anything larger than 30 x 30 cm is considered a large format tile. The steps are similar to the typical floor tiling described above. The larger format tile however can in fact be easier. The trick is to use the right adhesive such as a polymer modified one. Work out the pattern of the tiles before commencing the work, avoid awkward tile cuts. And most importantly two people will be required to lay the tiles. The differences can be summarised as follows:
1. Ensure that the substrate can support the weight of the hexagon wall tile.
2. Providing a waterproof membrane is essential to protect the substrate.
3. Use a tile spacer with a proprietary leveller to keep the finished tiles flat and within the same plane.
4. Pay particular attention to cutting tiles around sanitary fittings, a special drill bit may be required.
The hexagon mosaic comes in preassembled panels. The steps are similar to the above for installing floor and wall tiles. The difference is that the mosaic is much easier to adapt to awkward angles, switches and other areas that require cutting.
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