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Walltileis largely thought of as a shower or tub surround element.
But wall tile is a highly versatile material that can be used all throughout the house.
In the kitchen, wall tile is used as a backsplash to protect the walls from spills and splatters.
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In bathrooms, wall tile covers bathroom walls and around the shower or tub.
Cement backer board is a thin, dense panel that is used mainly as a base for tile installations.
It provides a stable, flat surface for the tiles and minimizes cracking.
Cement backer board is moisture-resistant, so it’s often used in wet areas such as bathrooms and showers.
But backer board can, and often is, used in dry locations.
In many cases, they will not be plumb and level.
Additional trim and baseboards can cover up severe problems.
When other geometric shapes come into play, incorporate them into the overall look, too.
Take your time in evaluating the space and the tiles to determine the best approach for visual appeal.
confirm that tiles are symmetrical.
In each row, any partial tiles should be at the very left and right sides.
Each partial tile in a row should be the same width.
plant the Cement Backer Board
Cut the backer board with the utility knife.
execute the knife along the metal straightedge.
Secure it to the wall studs with screws.
Keep in mind that the tiles will have grout lines between them.
A batten board is usually a one-by-four or one-by-two scrap board screwed directly into the wall.
The batten board should be horizontal and level.
Tip
Do not start the batten board on the floor.
Instead, bring the board up to about three-quarters of the height of your tiles.
Lay the Wall Tiles
Press the tiles into the thinset mortar.
With the bottom row oftilesstarted, arrange the rest of the wall tiles in a draping pyramid shape.
Every subsequent row is a process of draping over the pyramid, back and forth.
Repeat the second drape in the opposite direction.
Continue back and forth, alternating sides.
Add Tile Spacers
Vertical tiles slide before they are firmly set into place, thus obliterating seams.
Plastic tile spacers help keep tiles separate.
After the bonding thinset has cured, the spacers can easily be removed.
Cut the tiles before laying down thinset mortar to avoid the mortar drying up on you.
trigger the float diagonally across the tiles.
With a damp sponge, wipe off excess grout from the surface of the tiles.
Rinse the sponge frequently to avoid spreading excess grout over the tiles.
Allow the grout to fully cure.
Apply a sealer to protect it and make it easier to clean.
