Why can't they be swapped? Because tatami mats are made to be different sizes one by one

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"I bought new tatami mats, but they don't fit... Why!?" I have heard this complaint many times.

In fact, unlike mass-produced factory products, tatami mats are carefully crafted one by one to fit each specific house and room. That is why, even if they look the same, they may not fit—that is the kind of situation that occurs.

As a tatami craftsman for 30 years, I have received many consultations from people troubled by this "tatami mats don't fit" problem.

In this article, I will explain in an easy-to-understand way why tatami mats differ in size one by one, the reasons and background behind this, and how to avoid failure when you actually want to replace them.

This is content I especially want those considering tatami replacement for moving, remodeling, or DIY to read.

■ Why don't tatami sizes match? / A craftsman explains why they are different one by one

Did you know that tatami mats are actually "different in size one by one"?

That is why it is natural that even if you bring tatami mats from another house or another room and try to put them in, they won't fit perfectly. Actually, this is a common occurrence among tatami craftsmen.

・It is standard for tatami mats to be "made by measuring the dimensions one by one"

Tatami mats are not mass-produced products made in a factory. Because every house and every room has its own slight quirks and distortions, we measure the dimensions for each one and tailor them by hand accordingly.

Even in new construction, the corners of the walls are not necessarily exact right angles, and the shape changes subtly depending on the position of pillars and beams. Furthermore, as time passes, the "distortion" unique to wooden houses also appears.

For this reason, even if they look like squares or rectangles, they are actually slightly different in size and angle.

When making tatami mats, there are fixed procedures, such as "matching them in order from the corner at the back of the room." This is also a technique to ensure they "fit perfectly."

・I actually made this mistake too... A big failure in tatami replacement

This is a story from a long time ago, but when I was young, I thoughtlessly considered, "The tatami is old, so I'll just take the tatami from my previous house and use it" in a vacant house I was moving into.

I transported them by truck, and when I tried to lay them out... no matter how hard I tried, they wouldn't go in. Even if I forced them in, they would lift up.

At the time, I even wondered, "Aren't there standard sizes for tatami?" But what I learned after actually becoming a craftsman is that "tatami is a world of 1-millimeter increments."

Even a deviation of just 1 millimeter makes a difference in the appearance and the feel underfoot when laid. That is why it is standard to measure the dimensions on-site and tailor them one by one.

・Tatami mats of the same size almost do not exist

Even if it looks like tatami mats of the exact same size are lined up in your home, in reality, their dimensions differ slightly from one another. This is proof that tatami mats are custom-made products tailored to the shape of the house.

Also, when craftsmen work on-site, they deliver the mats with numbers on the back indicating which spot each one should be laid in. This is because they won't fit properly unless they are laid in the correct order.

In other words, it is natural that if you try to take a tatami mat from somewhere else and lay it in a different spot, it won't fit. It's not that they can't be swapped, it's just that they weren't made for that room.

If you try to swap them without knowing this difference, you might end up wasting time and money. Before replacing tatami mats, it is very important to confirm whether the sizes will truly match.

If you are unsure, please try contacting a local tatami shop. Once they see the site, they will immediately know the necessary dimensions. Why not feel free to consult with them? We look forward to hearing from you.

■ Are they not ready-made products? / The benefits and reasons why tatami sizes differ one by one

The fact that tatami mats are made with different sizes for each one is actually very important. It is not because it is troublesome, but because there is a proper reason for it.

Rather, thanks to that, they fit perfectly, and both the appearance and comfort are significantly improved.

・It is 'on purpose' that they are different one by one

Tatami mats may all look the same, but in fact, they are made by intentionally changing the size of each one little by little.

There is a reason for this. Houses don't always have perfectly straight walls and floors. Especially in wooden houses, even if they are straight when built, they can shift little by little over time.

Therefore, in order to fit the tatami mats neatly into every corner of the room, it is necessary to change the dimensions to match each space. This means they are truly made with a 'custom-made' feel.

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・Finishing them perfectly is where a craftsman's skill shows

When tatami mats fit perfectly, they look beautiful and feel pleasant underfoot. Conversely, if they are even slightly misaligned or lifted, it not only looks bad, but the sensation when stepping on them also suffers.

When I was a novice, I once laid tatami mats thinking, 'This looks like it could work with ready-made products.' But the result was... one corner of the room just wouldn't sit flat, and the customer told me it felt off.

At that time, I keenly felt the importance of 'seeing the site, measuring the sizes, and making them to match'.

・Size differences are also a way to make Japanese-style rooms last longer

By fitting each tatami mat individually, the balance of the entire Japanese-style room is maintained.

Tatami mats made without overlooking even the slightest distortion are less likely to shift or rattle. This ultimately leads to better longevity for the entire Japanese-style room.

Furthermore, tatami mats that fit the room perfectly make it easier to manage ventilation and humidity. This helps prevent mold growth and makes it easier to keep the room in a comfortable state for a long time.

Tatami is not just flooring material. It is, so to speak, a 'part of the space' created to breathe with the room. That is precisely why it is 'correct' for each one to be different. That is the wisdom of Japanese tatami making that has been passed down since ancient times.

If you think 'the same size should be fine' without knowing this, you will have trouble later.

I don't want that to happen to those of you reading this. Please learn the original way of making tatami and its meaning, and put it to good use.

■ Countermeasures when tatami sizes are different / How to replace without failure and recommended flow

When tatami sizes do not fit, please stay calm first. If you force them in or cut them with a cutter, not only will the tatami be damaged, but it will also affect the room.

There is a proper reason why they don't fit, and if you follow the correct procedure, you can deal with it without any problems.

・Is measuring dimensions really that difficult?

Do you think measuring tatami size is just a matter of measuring the length with a ruler? In reality, it's not that simple.

The corners of a room are often subtly distorted, and even if they look straight, they may not be.

In addition, there are many points to look at, such as the thickness of the tatami and its relationship with the pillars. If you misread these, you will end up with 'It doesn't fit!' when you actually lay the tatami.

When I was an apprentice, I made tatami by measuring only by appearance, and I had to redo one whole mat on-site. I have a memory of feeling extremely sorry because I ended up making the customer wait.

・What is the difference when you ask a craftsman?

A tatami craftsman does not just measure the dimensions; they read the habits and movements of the room and make tatami with the optimal balance. A house used for many years has unique 'habits,' and the tilt of the floor cannot be ignored.

Furthermore, the craftsman designs while considering the order of laying and the degree of pushing. Since you can consult about 'what kind of finish is ideal' from the estimate stage, you can leave it to them with peace of mind.

Of course, it is also important to check the estimated price and delivery date in advance. I think you can expect a more careful finish by consulting with plenty of time.

・A case where 'readjustment due to size difference' actually occurred

In one home, a family tried to install tatami mats they bought at a home improvement store themselves.

However, several mats ended up floating, and the door wouldn't even close. When I was contacted and went to the site, the cause was subtle pillar protrusions and slight distortions in the room.

After that, we re-measured accurately and remade them, and this time they fit perfectly, which made the customer very happy. These 'last-step' discrepancies make a big difference with tatami mats.

・Do you know the difference between replacing, resurfacing, and renewing tatami mats?

It is often confused, but even when we say 'tatami replacement,' there are several different types of work.

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For example, 'resurfacing' (omote-gae) is a method where the core (inner part) of the tatami remains the same, and only the surface straw mat is replaced. If the size fits, this is a relatively reasonable way to refresh the look.

On the other hand, 'renewing' (shincho) means remaking the entire tatami mat from scratch. Since it is made anew to fit the room, the size can be made perfect. This is recommended if your old tatami mats are sagging or damaged.

The 'best method' changes depending on the situation. It can be difficult to judge for yourself, so please consult us if you are unsure.

If you are in the vicinity of Morioka City and have concerns like 'I took the tatami out and now I can't put it back' or 'It doesn't fit even when I try to put it in,' please contact Maeda Tatami Store.

We will look at the situation on-site and provide a proposal that suits the location, so please rest assured. Feel free to reach out.

【Author】Maeda Tatami Store Representative Masatoshi Maeda
・Second-generation owner of Maeda Tatami Store, which has been loved by locals in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture for over 60 years
・Representative of 'Washiya,' a shop for tatami, fusuma, shoji, wallpaper, screen door replacement, and fusuma paper sales
・Currently a fusuma-related YouTuber with 8,000 subscribers

youtube.com/@tatami777・Holds tatami technician certification, tatami craftsman instructor certification, and wall covering skills certification
・'Sincerity to the customer' is the origin of my work. A 52-year-old who will continue to cherish and uphold that belief.

【Introduction to Maeda Tatami Store】
60 years of trust and achievements in Morioka!
For renovation of tatami, fusuma, shoji, wallpaper, and screen door replacement,
we have first-class tatami production technicians, tatami training instructors, and first and second-class wall covering technicians on staff.

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