Tip
Successful floor tile installation is all about preparation.
Before You Begin
Thetile patternwill affect the number of tiles you gotta purchase.
A grid pattern is simple to plan and is easy to install because fewer tiles need to be cut.
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Diagonal tiles help visually open up smaller spaces, but cutting tiles on a diagonal can get complicated.
Measure the room’s area, then add 15 percent to account for wastage.
Or arrive at an accurate total and experiment withtile designsby using an onlinetile calculator.
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Butyour costsavings as a DIYer can be substantial, since professional installation can be pricey.
confirm you are buying tiles rated for floor use.
Some tiles are manufactured for wall-use only, and are not thick enough to be durable for floor installations.
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To lay ceramic tile on plywood subfloors, the recommended substrate is a layer of cement board.
Tape the seams with fiberglass seam tape, fill the seams with thinset, and let it fully cure.
What Is Cement Board?
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Snap a chalk line between each of the two opposing walls to create a cross pattern.
In smaller rooms, this ensures even cuts on both edges.
The notches in the trowel automatically regulate the amount of thinset deposited on the surface.
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Your aim is to collapse any ridges in the mortar and fill in gaps.
Occasionally lift a tile and check the back to ensure full coverage.
Leave a 1/4-inch expansion gap along walls, cabinets, and other large room elements.
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Do not add mortar to these gaps.
Lightly tap the tiles with the rubber mallet to level them.
Place the uneven, snapped sides against the wall, where baseboards will cover them.
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Buy or rent a wet tile saw for perfectly straight cuts.
Use thetile nipperonly for cutting around pipes, toilet bases, and for other non-linear cuts.
Always wear safety glasses with any mode of tile cutting to protect your eyes against flying shards.
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Allow the mortar to dry for at least 24 hours before applying grout.
Work in small sections.
Move diagonally to avoid pulling grout out of the seam.
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Deposit excess grout back in the grout bucket.
Wipe down the tile surface with this solution until the haze has disappeared.
Patterned tilesinclude arrows on the back to tell the installer which direction the tile should be installed in.
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Check each tile’s direction before laying it to complete the pattern as intended.
Large tilesare easier to install than small tiles.
Overall, your design will require fewer tiles, which means fewer measurements and cuts.
Leveling the tiles is also much faster with a few large tiles instead of many small ones.
Back-buttering your tiles during installation is a helpful way to ensure each tile sticks to the mortar.
In general, using 1/8 of an inch of mortar is best for most tile applications.
