Designing with Modular Tile

Paloform 8x48 Tile in Charcoal

With a huge range of available formats, materials, finishes and colours, tile is probably the most versatile surface finish you can buy. In addition to durability and aesthetics, tile pattern is an important consideration when selecting a tile. Some tiles are produced in size sets that can work together to create different patterns, and some are not.

Paloform makes three sizes of concrete tile – 16”x48”, 8”x48” and 4”x24”. These sizes are modular, meaning that the smaller tiles are an equal division of the larger ones. Modularity allows for greater design flexibility, as the grout lines between the tiles will align whether the different tile sizes are used alone or in combination, both vertically and horizontally.

The simplest installation pattern of any tile is called “soldier stacked”, which is basically a tile grid:

16x48, 8x48, and 4x24 Soldier Stacked Tile

With modular tiles, the soldier stacked pattern can include different tile sizes for interesting effects:

Paloform Modular Tile in Soldier Stacked Combinations

The next most common tile installation is brick pattern, in which alternating rows of tile are offset, usually by the length of a half tile:

16x48, 8x48, and 4x24 Tile in Brick Pattern

Again, with modular tile a brick pattern installation can include multiple tile sizes for a different overall look:

Paloform Modular Tile in Brick Pattern Combinations

Of course, an entire wall doesn’t need to be covered with the same pattern. You could use one size of tile to define a chair rail or counter height and another for the wall above, or include a row of smaller tile to align to other elements in the room. Arguably, you could do this with non-modular tile, but with misaligned joints the effect would be more haphazard. With modular tile you can install multiple sizes in a random pattern that still feels ordered and harmonious: