Easy Tips For Installing Tile

By Author: Jason Delmar
Total Articles: 333
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Whether you are installing ceramic, marble, or slate tiles, the process and preparation are going to be the same. The product you choose to work with will really be the only difference. The process of getting to the finished product will basically be the same.

To get started you should measure out your room and figure out how much tile you are going to use. It is best to get an approximate square footage of your room and you can do this by taking the distance up the longest wall and multiplying it with the distance up the longest perpendicular wall from that. Once you have this figured out you should determine what tile you want to use for the floor and also the size of the tiles you want to use. Tiles will range from 1 inch by 1 inch to 24 inches by 24 inches. It is all up to the user's preference to decide this. Obviously smaller tiles will work better in smaller spaces and vice versa.

In most older homes you may have to level the floor and install a strong cement board to make sure your tiles will last as long as they should. In most cases, it is best to remove all of the layers of floor that may have ...
... been installed over the years, and get down to the sub-floor. Once you have done this the next step is to make sure the floor is level and fill in any low spots. Follow this by laying down backer board for tiles and screwing the backer board into place and staggering the seams as you go along. Once the backer board is in place it is best to use drywall mesh tape and tape the seams of the under-layment you just put down and apply a thin coat of thin set over the seams to provide one seamless solid surface to tile over.

Now you are ready to begin tiling. It is always recommended that you lay out your tile pattern before starting the installation. Not only will this allow you to determine how many cuts you will have to make, but it will also give you an idea of what the floor will look like (just incase you change your mind on the design). Once you have this started you should mix your thin set to a peanut butter like consistency and by using a notched trowel apply a layer of thin set to the floor and spread it around evenly using your notched edge of the trowel. Make sure you do not work yourself into a corner and remember to use spacers to make a uniform look and to allow enough space for grout.

Once you have all the cuts made using a tile cutter or grinder and your tile down it is best to leave set for 24 hours before walking on it. After you have this completed you can begin to grout the floor. Mix your grout again to a peanut butter like consistency and apply using a grout float. Using a chris-cross motion to make sure the grout is applied into all areas of the spaces. Wipe off any excess grout with a sponge after the grout has dried to a hazy look on the tiles. Again, allow to dry for approximately 24 hours and that's it!
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