The principles involved in laying tiles diagonally are basically the same as with a square layout.

The main difference is that your working lines will now be diagonal, rather than parallel to the walls.

Marking the working lines

1. Find the centre point (C) and mark the centre lines as shown in the Section 2 lesson 'Finding the starting point'.
   
   
2. Using a marking gauge or bar scriber, mark the points 1, 2, 3 and 4.

3. Scribe intersecting arcs from 1 and 2 to find X.
   
   Scribe intersecting arcs from 2 and 3 to find Y.
   
   Use the same process to find Z and W.

4. Strike a chalk line to form the line XZ.
   
   Do the same to form WY.
   
   
5. Check that the tile widths balance properly at the walls using the techniques described in the lesson 'Marking working lines'.

Laying the tiles

The field tiles can be laid in the same way as you would for a square layout.

Work from the centre of the room, starting at the intersection of the two diagonal working lines.

Leave the last full tile and cut tile around the walls until later.

To check that the field tiles are being laid accurately, you can draw reference lines at right angles to the original centre lines to make sure that the points of the tiles are lining up correctly.

To mark the cut for the border tiles, you can use a template cut from a piece of sheet material. See the video in the learning activity below for details on how to make the template.

Place the tile to be cut in the space where the last full tile will go and mark it accordingly.

Then cut it and push it hard against the wall, with a full tile behind it to check that the cut is correct.