Recently we scored a concrete slab that was 2 days old.  The future homeowners wanted the score lines to go under the walls and didn’t want any boarders.  We were able to do this for the most part.  The “flow” of the pattern presented a few areas where we had to work out a compromise on the border for best fit and aesthetics,

   The owners decided to do a small border in the foyer so the pattern would be centered in that area rather than off-set as it would have flowed from the main pattern.

   There was also a Cased-Opening leading off of the Living Room to the Master Bedroom.  A 36” diagonal pattern was used in the Living Room and the pattern flow would have just made an offset “X” in the cased opening.  A cut-off line was scored at the start of the cased opening and three overlapped 24” diagonal tiles were centered in the area.

There was also an adjustment made with a cut-off line to re-center the diagonal pattern down the hallway.

   The main point here is to always be flexible and open to small changes in plans since you never really know how the pattern is going to flow across the space until the lines are marked.  Consider the information below:

Scoring Patterns
 
            Some people like a Tile look and others prefer a seamless finish.  We will give you the look you desire, but there are several things to consider:
 
1. We prefer to cut the slab 2-3 days after it is poured and before the framers set the walls.  Then we will return to stain and seal the slab when the project is "dried in" (framed with doors, windows and water tight, no insulation or sheet rocka minimum 30 days of drying should be observed).  After the project is dried in, the floors should be covered as described in Information on Mix, Finishing and Pre-Stain Care para 8.  There are advantages and disadvantages to scoring at this point.
 
a.                            Advantage There are no walls at this point so the pattern can be scored across the entire surface and the "grout lines" will continue under the walls once erected.
b.                            Disadvantage A starting point is determined and the entire slab is scored.  This means that each doorway most likely will not have a perfectly placed tile; the pattern will fall where it falls.
 
2. If scoring cant be done on the whole slab or if you want that perfect tile placement, the slab can be scored after the house is framed.  Again, there are advantages and disadvantages to scoring at this point.
 
a.                            Advantage Each room can have a perfectly placed/centered tile look.  Different rooms can have tiles on a square or on a 45 degree angle.  Different rooms can have unique sizes of tile (standard is 24" tile with smaller sizes costing more).
b.                            Disadvantage A border has to be marked off 12" from each wall.  This will allow a starting point for the centering of the pattern.  A border means the grout lines will not disappear under the walls because there is no way to saw-cut up to the studs without cutting into them (or your sheet rock). 
 
3. To insure proper scheduling and availability, please contact us at least 3 weeks in advance.  We work diligently to accommodate many schedules at the same time.  We operate on a First-Signed, First-Scheduled basis.  We ask that you communicate your project status to us as far in advance as possible.  We are committed to providing the finest floor possible and are sure you want the same.      
 
Visit Stained By Design's website for more information on Scored Concrete Floors