How To Install Porcelain & Ceramic Tile
Tile can be installed in your kitchen backsplash, your entry floor, or your bathroom shower surround. This type of flooring provides a long-lasting, waterproof surface which is also very easy to clean and easy to install. You do not need a lot of time or extravagant products to make your tile look perfect. Now let’s see what we have to do.
Step One: Measure and prep
Installing standard sized porcelain and ceramic tile requires careful measurements. You need to make sure that you calculate your area before selecting your tile.
The next step is clean the surface in order to make it ready for adhesives. Your tiles won’t stick without a clean wall or floor. The reason is that dirt left behind can cause grout or thin-set to bubble.
Step Two: Create a basic layout
Now you need to calculate the length of the wall or floor, as well as the center point of the room or the space. Lay a row of tiles out with plastic spacers in between to add future grout lines with a chalk line. Start with one tile beside the center line and keep in mind that the center line should be a grout line. Go with the French pattern layouts for a classical look, or use a professional layout in order to create a huge impact. Make sure not to remove the chalk lines made during your layout stage. Those are responsible for guiding you when you will setting your tile.
Step Three: Mix the thin-set or use mastic
Adhesive mortar is composed of cement, fine sand and a water retaining agent. This compound is used to attach tiles to the underflooring. You need to use a mixing tool for adding water to the powder until you get a putty-like consistency. You will next need to apply the thin-set and smooth with a trowel. Remember to make sure to preserve your chalked lines. Mastic can be more useful than thin-set for wall tiles.
Step Four: Start setting your tiles
Place your first tile in the center of the room (for floors). Do not place it against one of the edges. For walls, start at the bottom it because this will help you build a support system to ensure your tiles. The next tile has to be set beside the already existing one. Use a spacer to separate it. Make sure that you use the same amount of thin-set for each tile. The bad news is that once it dries it can be very difficult to remove. You need to act quickly. Continue laying tiles in rows. If you are installing “mesh” mosaics everything will be set in the same way, but you have to make sure that your spacer is the same size as the distance between each mosaic piece. Keep in mind to add caulk in order to seal the tiles from moisture in bathrooms and kitchen areas!
Step Five: Cutting tiles for corners and tight spots
The final step consists of cutting the end pieces using a tile cutter or wet saw. Firstly measure where the cut should be, then score it with a tile cutter and break it by bending it. Make sure the water is turned on when using a wet saw and place one hand on either side of the tile while you are moving it.
Check out this video for more assistance and details about what you have to do.