How To Install Ceramic Flooring Tile

Strive for a layout that maximizes the number of whole tiles and the size of any cut tiles.

How to install ceramic flooring tile.

If your tile floors are worn or chipped or you re simply ready for an upgrade follow this guide to learn how to install a tile floor yourself. A flexing subfloor results in cracked tiles and grout and a lot of headaches. You ll see how to complete each step and work the required tools such as trowels manual snap cutter wet saw and tile nipper. Using a tape measure or digital laser tape measure the room from one wall to the opposite wall and note the distance.

Installing snap together tile flooring is a project easily accomplished by diyers creating a floor that resembles a much more difficult and expensive ceramic tile installation. Tile floors are an attractive functional option for kitchens bathrooms laundry rooms and entryways. Step 2 find the center of the room. When going from one room to another especially from tile to another type of flooring use transition strips to cover the flooring seams.

Install ceramic tile over a subfloor that s no less than 1 1 8 inches thick. A thinner subfloor will cause the floor to flex due to the weight of the tile. Installed the right way using some basic tools and techniques a tile floor should last forever come hell or high water. If there s any movement in the floor while walking across it install a cement board underlayment.

Find the center point of the room. Installing a tile floor in any of these rooms will give you an easy to clean waterproof floor that holds up against weather and wear. The number of tiles you will need will depend on the size of the tile you wish to lay as well as the tile pattern you will like on the floor. First measure across the room and mark the center.

Steps on how to lay tile 1. For tiles that are 12 inches by 12 inches or larger it s a good idea to back butter or flat coat the backs of the tiles with thinset prior to setting the tiles. Tiling a floor overview illustration by gregory nemec.