Tiling and Flooring

Want to Learn How to Lay Tile? First, You Will Need Supplies

There is nothing like a job well done, especially one that you have done yourself. There are many benefits to be had when you learn how to lay tile yourself. First, you get the satisfaction of improving your home. Then, you get the satisfaction of doing the job yourself.

This, of course, is not to mention the fact that you can save money at the same time, over professional installation. When learning about laying tile, if you learn the proper methods, you can have a professional looking installation, that you have done on your own, that you can be proud of.

However, before you can get started with actually laying the tile, you have to understand what tools you will need. The tools are probably the most important element to getting the job and done correctly. If you do not have the right tools, you will find yourself taking shortcuts, which could hurt the overall quality of the job and the results.

So, what supplies do you need? The first and most evident are the tiles themselves. You have many choices in the type of tiles you use such as Marble, mosaic, ceramic, quarry, slate, or even glass. The size you want can be anywhere from 4×4 inches to 12×12 inches, you can even mix and match for a really great look.

You will also need an adhesive, the type you get will depend on the type of tile and where you are laying it. For example, if the area gets wet often such as your kitchen or bathroom, get an adhesive that is waterproof.

A trowel is necessary, a notched trowel is best. This is for laying your adhesive and thinset. You will also need a tile saw and a diamond saw. The tile saw is for cutting the tile for edges and when you simply cannot lay a full tile. The diamond saw is perfect for when you have to create holes for various purposes.

Grout is an absolute necessity, it is used as a filler between the tile spaces. You can get this in a color that will match your flooring or overall decorative scheme, generally colors such as terra cotta, white, or grey.

Grout spacers are also ideal, as they fit between two tiles to give you the proper spacing for the grout. You will also need a grout float, use a rubber one because it will cause less potential damage to your tiles. Never opt for a putty knife because this will definitely cause tile damage.

Other supplies you will need when learning how to lay tile include sponges, a bucket, chalk line, and a level. When you have the right supplies, you can install your tile with absolute confidence.

Tile House King was created to help regular people find out How To Lay Tile amongst other tile laying activities and information.

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I want to pull up the carpet (yes I said carpet) in my bathroom & put down some tile to class my crapper up. I have laid wood floors in the past & feel comfortable around tools. I am not worried about the cuts (renting a wetsaw) . . but I am a little worried about spacing (up & down) & the edges (grout wise). I understand that I should prep the floor . . lay out the tiles w. spacers to insure a good fit . . then lay the morter . . working the tiles from one side moving towards the door. . . after it dries for a day …grout it by pushing grout in the crevices???? then buffing??? Again I have never done this but the room is only 4×6ish . . so if I ruin it I am not going to be out much cash & will hire someone to redo it (after I rip it up). Any help would be appriciated…thanks, Randy

not that hard, home depot types can help you, but a few tips:

- if ceramic, make sure you are using floor tiles not wall tiles

- mix your thinset (concrete “adhesive”) using acrylic for max water resist.

- using a notched trowel lay thinset on floor and tile back

- if tiles are not “netted” use twine to space

- mix acrylic into your grout and force into cracks with a rubber backed “float” once partially dry you can wipe clean and refill any missing spots

- use a light solution of muriatic acid to remove errant concrete from your tiles

- get yourself a tile cutter (essentially a scorer that you pull across tile and then apply pressure to crack along score) if you are doing ceramic you don’t really need the wet saw

- keeping your lines straight is the big one, drop a couple of chalk lines and lay it out first, ou can get tiles that are net backed that will save you a lot of headache..

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I want to rip up the old linoleum in my bathroom and install some tile. The previous owners laid the current layer of linoleum on top of the original linoleum. From the little bit I’ve peeled up to look underneath it looks like chip board underneath that. Does that mean I need to lay some kind of backerboard underneath the tile? I also plan on tearing out the curent cabinets and installing new ones. Should I install the tile or the cabinets first?

Ceramic Tile Backerboards

There are many types of backerboard products suitable for use with ceramic tile. We will focus on two of the more popular products: 1/2″ thick, water resistant greenboard sheetrock and cementitious type ceramic tile backerboards (recommended).

Subfloors

We recommend that 1/4″ or 1/2″ thick cementitious ceramic tile backerboards be installed as an underlayment over wood subfloors. The exterior grade plywood should be at least 1-1/8″ thick (5/8″ minimum) in order to provide for a structurally solid, movement free foundation. In addition, the space between the joists should not exceed 16″ on center. In any case, the maximum allowable concentrated deflection of your subfloor may not exceed L/360 of the span.

Install backerboard using a non-modified thinset mortar and 1-1/4″ screws or nails.

The diy network website is a great place to go to find information about any home improvement projects….good luck!

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