How to Set Hexagonal Tile

Hexagonal tile can look wonderful in a room, giving something akin to a mosaic effect. However, it looks as if it can be very awkward to lay, making sure that all the tiles fit properly. Knowing how to lay hexagonal tile properly is important as is having the correct materials.

Step 1 - Prepare

Begin by cleaning the floor of the room thoroughly. Use a broom and dustpan and follow up with a vacuum cleaner, using the hose and nozzle to reach into all the corners and crevices. Once the floor is ready, put the thinset into the 5 gallon bucket and mix it up following the instructions. Use a drill with a mixing attachment to ensure that the thinset is fully mixed.

Step 2 - Buy Hexagonal Tile

When you go shopping for hexagonal tile, you’ll find that they’re not packed individually. Instead, they’re glued to a mesh sheet in the same manner as mosaic tile. This makes it easier to lay the tile as there’s no need to position every single tile, just all the sheets. Where most tiles are set out according to reference points marked on the floor, working outward from the center, with hexagonal tiles you begin the process at the corner opposite the door and work to the exit.

Step 3 - Install First Tiles

Start by using the tile nipper to trim the tiles and the sheet so that the tiles fit squarely in the corner. Keep trimming until you’ve achieved good, straight edges on both sides of the corner and dry fit until you’re satisfied.

Having mixed up the thinset, use the mastic trowel to put some on the floor. Be certain to only cover a small amount of the floor at any one time. It should be small enough that you can reach across it to lay the tile without standing on kneeling in the thinset. Lay the first sheet of tile and put the level on press, moving it across the sheet to work out all the air bubbles.

Step 4 - Add Remainder of Tiles

From here work out from the corner, spreading more mastic and laying the sheets of tile. Some will need to be trimmed with the tile nippers for an even fit with the walls. Use the level on each sheet to ensure no air bubbles remain and that the tiles are level. Continue until you’ve covered the entire room and leave to dry.

Step 5 - Add Grout

Mix the grout up in a clean 5 gallon bucket. With the float, spread it across the tile on the floor so that it fills the gaps between the hexagonal tiles. Have another bucket with clean water and a sponge. Use the wet sponge to clean off the excess grout from the tiles, wring it out regularly as you go.