Abstract: A method for laying tiles or other coating elements where a separator is placed under, above and between adjacent tiles during the process of cementing the tiles to a surface. The method includes: placing a metal rod of a one-piece tile separator between two adjacent tiles, with a metal base part under adjacent tiles, sliding a tile holder onto the metal rod, where one-way steel jaws opposite each other in the tile holder are pressured towards two opposed smooth surfaces of the metal rod, preventing return movement of the tile holder along the metal rod while the opposed one-way steel jaws indent the softer metal surface of the metal rod.