The brick bond, or running bond, places each end joint in the middle of the plank or tile in the row next to it. The pattern repeats every two rows, which gives a very orderly floor.
Where it works
- Small format tiles and metro-style tiles.
- Planks with a uniform colour, where a regular rhythm suits a modern room.
- Rooms where the floor needs to look tidy and calm rather than natural.
Where to avoid it
With planks that have a strong grain or repeating print, the regular joints can make the repeat obvious. With tiles longer than about 45 cm on any side, a half offset puts the bowed centre of one tile against the ends of the next. That height difference, called lippage, is easy to see and feel. Use a third offset instead.
How the planner sets it out
The planner shifts the whole pattern sideways until the cut pieces at both ends of every row are as long as possible. You still start in your chosen corner, but you do not end up with a thin sliver against the far wall.
Waste
Usually a little more than random stagger, because the offcuts must fit the fixed rhythm. Plan for 5–10%.