Tile installation layout guide and method of use

Abstract

A template for installing tile on a vertical or horizontal surface that includes a substrate having a plurality of lines printed on said substrate wherein said lines are configured to substantially replicate the actual size of at least two tiles and a width of grout adjacent said tiles. The template may be a stand-alone layout guide, or may also be configured to be applied to the horizontal or vertical surface using grout or mastic so that a user can replicate a pattern by applying the tile directly to the layout guide. A method for installing tile using the template including applying a first layer of adhesive upon a surface, applying the template over the first layer of adhesive, applying a second layer of adhesive directly to a tile; and applying the buttered tile directly its corresponding location on the template.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A template for installing tile comprising:
 a substrate; and   a plurality of lines printed on said substrate wherein said lines are configured to substantially replicate the actual size of at least two tiles and a width of grout adjacent said tiles.   
     
     
         2 . The template of  claim 1  wherein said template replicates a pattern of tiles that includes at least two said tiles in a length direction. 
     
     
         3 . The template of  claim 1  wherein said template replicates a pattern of tiles that includes at least two said tiles in a width direction. 
     
     
         4 . The template of  claim 1  wherein the template is of a material that may be adhered directly a surface using a first layer of an adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The template of  claim 4  wherein a second layer of the adhesive is applied to the back of a tile and the template allows the second layer of the adhesive to mix with the first layer of the adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The template of  claim 4  wherein the substrate is one of: perforated paper, a woven material that allows the adhesive to bond through the substrate, a material that dissolves shortly after contact with the adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . A method for installing tile comprising:
 applying a first layer of adhesive upon a surface;   applying a template to said first layer of adhesive, said template comprising a substrate and a plurality of lines printed thereon wherein said lines are configured to substantially replicate the actual size of at least two tiles and a width of grout adjacent said tiles;   applying a second layer of adhesive directly to a tile; and   coupling said tile to said template.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising laying out the position of the tile on a surface using the template.