The Secret To Installing Floor Tiles Around Structural Poles

Homeowners often use tile to take old floors from worn and outdated to durable and chic. Tile is a great flooring material choice because it requires minimal maintenance and can be customized to fit just about any design scheme. Despite the many benefits of tile floors, they do come with a few downsides. For example, they can be tricky to install — especially if you need to work around structures built into the floor or at odd angles. Laying them around structural poles is particularly difficult. Luckily, there is a secret tile floor installation method you can use to overcome this challenge. All you have to do is use two tiles to measure the size of the pole and cut appropriate-sized half circles out of the ends of the tile that would touch the pole.

You will then be left with two tiles that fit right around the pole like puzzle pieces. Just place one tile around one side of the pole, and lay the other tile down around the opposite side. The half circles allow both pieces of tile to simply wrap around the outside of the pole. You will not be left with any awkward gaps or spots that overlap. This is a must-know tile installation tip for those completing a project without the help of a professional.

You are going to need to gather a few tools before you begin. First, you will need something to cut your tile, like the Blade Corded Wet Tile Saw from Home Depot. However, you may already have a tile cutting tool on hand if you've done your own floor installations in the past. Do not forget to also snag a drawing compass, such as the Mr. Pen Professional Large Compass, and a ruler. To complete this hack, start by cutting your tiles horizontally as shown above. Do not forget to mark the spots you need to remove to ensure you're cutting them to the appropriate size.

After the two tiles are cut horizontally, they should come together to form an L shape. At this point, place your tiles against either side of the pole and use a ruler to make your next markings as shown above. Now you are ready to use your drawing compass to create a circle in the center of where the two tiles meet. After you cut the half circle shape out of each tile, you are free to place them against your pole. Make sure to evaluate whether they will fit snugly against the pole before installing them. Another tip for a successful tile installation is to draw a layout onto your subfloor and lay your tile in place before adhering it with mortar. This will help you identify and repair any ill-fitting tiles before it is too late, and allow you to avoid this major mistake when tiling.