Tile Assembly Directions - Part 4 - Board Arrangements

Four-up arrangements: (See 4TileFrameFront1 photo.)

Step one - Backing board:

Cut 3/8” plywood into a 24” x 24”square. Glue 22” railing strips on the plywood backing horizontally with the 45 degree angle pointing up, angle on top edge towards top. (See 4TileFrameConstruct2 photo.) Use Phillips-head screws to attach the strips to the plywood.

The spacing should be the following: 1” from top edge, 1 piece of 9/16” wood, 7 1/16” space, 1 piece of 9/16” wood, 1” space, 1 piece of 9/16” wood, 7 1/16” space, 1 piece of 9/16” wood, 1” space. Total is 4 pieces wood, 2 7/16” spaces, 2 1/1/2” spaces. (See 4TileFrameConstruct2 and 4TileFrameConstruct6 photos.) Paint everything on the front, including the railing, with flat black to hide any discrepancies in the tile sizes when they are hooked on.

Step two – Frame:

Cut a groove in 1 3/8” wood stock such as pine, which is suitable for a strip framing. (See 4TileFrameTopBar and 4TileFrameTopRuler1 photos.) The groove should be 3/16” away from one edge (wide enough to accommodate the 3/8” plywood backing), 1/8” deep, and 5/8” from the opposite side of the wood. (See 4TileFrameConstruct1 and 4TileFrameConstruct5 photos.) Cut frame pieces into the appropriate length to enclose the plywood around three sides (about 1” extra from the plywood backing size). Reserve the top piece of the frame for last. Paint all pieces black; semi-gloss is a good choice. When the frame is assembled, the 24” x 24” plywood will drop into the slot. (See 4TileFrameConstruct5 and 4TileFrameConstruct1 photos.)

To assemble: Screw and glue the sides and bottom of the frame together. Place the narrow side of the groove in the frame towards the back. Next, hook the tiles onto the railings on the backboard plywood. (See 4TileFrameConstruct6 photo.) Slide the plywood backing and tile arrangement into the groove. The larger part of the frame will overlap the tiles slightly, keeping them in place. Screw the top part of the frame into the sides of the frame and the plywood backing. Use black screws or paint them black to hide them. (See 4TileFrameBack1 and 4TileFrameBackTop2 photos for a view of the back and top.) This frame arrangement prevents the tiles from popping out or people stealing work.

Note: Do not glue the top piece! You want to be able to remove it when you change out tile arrangements. (See 4TileFrameBackTop2 photo.)

If you are hanging this frame from wall mounts or hooks, use sturdy screw eyes and picture wire rated to hold at least 50 lbs. (See 4TileFrameBack1 photo.) Depending on the type of framing wood and plywood you choose, the tile/frame structure could weigh 25-35 pounds. See 12TileSideView1 photo for a larger arrangement, which weighs much more.