How To Lay Straight Floor Tile

To make the chessboard pattern unique and true to its name it will consist of two different colors tiles placed in an alternating pattern.

How to lay straight floor tile.

Cut tiles to fit against the wall if necessary. Use a tile saw or wet saw both rentable if necessary for cutting numerous or thick tiles. In general to lay the tile itself mix thinset and spread it on the floor using the notched edge of a trowel starting at the intersection between your chalk lines on the floor. Always follow the chalk lines of your layout to ensure you re laying tiles in a straight line.

Measure from one wall call it a to the nearest tile edge. For making curved cuts you can use tile nippers. At the room s center place a tile where the chalk lines cross with its edges touching the lines. A flexing subfloor results in cracked tiles and grout and a lot of headaches.

The chessboard pattern will go back to the diagonal lay or the straight lay in the sense of physical pattern. For consistent joints use tile spacers. As you near cabinets doorways walls and other flooring stops trim tiles as needed for installation. This row determines the size of cut tiles along the walls.

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. With a straight lay pattern tile is laid one after another in a straight grid pattern with corners matching up and grout applied in intersecting lines. Be prepared to cut some tiles. Lay a short 2 x 4 or beater block on top of the tiles and tap lightly with a rubber mallet to level the tiles and bed them firmly in the mortar.

Continue laying tiles one box at a time until your reach the wall. A thinner subfloor will cause the floor to flex due to the weight of the tile. Back buttering tiles of this nature in the installation process will also assure proper coverage for body. Install ceramic tile over a subfloor that s no less than 1 1 8 inches thick.

If the tile is too thick for nippers try the following. This creates a visual similar to that of a chess board. Lay a row of tiles along a straightedge more than halfway across the room. 9 level tiles after installing three or four tiles make sure they are level.

This will level the tiles and embed them firmly in the mortar. Place a 2 x 4 on top and tap lightly with a rubber mallet. Using a tape measure or digital laser tape measure the room from one wall to the opposite wall and note the distance.