Set aside a weekend for a small kitchen or bathroom, and aim to budget for spending around two hundred pounds.
Check list: Pencil & tape measure Tile cutter Notched trowel or spreader Tile saw Floor tiles Adhesive or grout Chalk line Floor sealer Spacers Profile shaper Spirit level Piece of hose pipe Goggles Squeegee & Cloth Bucket & sponge
Choosing/buying Tiles You should look to buy around 10% more that you expect to use. To help work this out check out the UKTV website for a helpful tiling calculator. Also, to avoid any manufacturing discrepancies between colour or grain you should ideally buy all your tiles in one batch.
Preparation Ensure the surface which you are going to tile is dry, smooth and above all level.
1: Plan tile positions It is very important that you firstly set out the position of the tiles before commencing with laying the tiles. Find the center point of the longest wall in the room and make a chalk mark at right angles to the wall. Repeat the process for the short wall. You should now have a cross marked on the floor with the two lines meeting in the middle.
2: Positioning the tiles Begin laying the floor tiles along the two lines in order to work out the best positions which will allow you to calculate how to use as many tiles as possible without the need for cutting them. It's also preferable to avoid having too many cut tiles along the wall that is seen when you first walk into the room. A good tip is to try to make sure tiles are laid symmetrically around any main features such as fireplaces.
3: Applying adhesive and laying the tiles Start by spreading one square metre of the adhesive into one of the corners formed by the chalk lines mentioned above. Gently press down on the first tile, using the lines as a guide and carry on tiling along one of the lines. Continue to add tiles until all adhesive has been covered. Now work outwards from the centre of the room, always using the chalk lines as a guide. Apply more adhesive to the floor and continue laying tiles until you have covered half the room with as many whole tiles as possible. Now lay tiles on the other half of the room in the same way, working from the centre line outwards. Then leave the adhesive to dry according to instructions given.
Some good tips: - Use a notched trowel or spreader which facilitates the even spread adhesive across the floor. - You can find out if your tiles need spacing joints by reading the tile instructions. If they aren't required you may still want to use plastic spacer to ensure the gaps are completely even. - Use a spirit level, and lie it diagonally across the tiles to check everything is level. If any are uneven you can put more adhesive under the necessary tile(s) to bring it level.
4: Gap Filling. Use cut tiles to fill in any gaps in your floor. Using a tile cutter, trim the tiles to the required size but before you cut, make sure you allow for the gap required for grout between the tiles.
5: Sealing (where necessary) Depending on whether your tiles have already been protected with a sealer coat, determined in the manufacturer's instructions, you may need to seal the tiles yourself, particularly in the case of porous tiles.
6: Grouting Using the squeegee, force the grout in between the tiles, pushing the squeegee across the gaps in both directions to make sure the grout is worked into all the gaps. After that, use the straight edge of the spreader to ensure a neat grout line. Before the grout dries, wipe off all excess with a damp sponge and lastly polish the tiles with a clean cloth.
1. You need a Tile Saw. A tile saw is a special tool that is made to cut tile. Without a tile saw you can't do the job right. Borrow one from a friend or rent one from your local hardware store.
2. A knotched Trowel. A knotched trowel is a tool that is used to lay down the setting material for flooring. It looks a little like a rake. My personal favorite for the beginners and do it yourselfer is the super easy to use and do it right the first time trowel the UltraSpreader. You can find out more about the UltraSpreader at: http://www.GoTileIt.com
3. Tape Measure, just a regular construction tape measure from your local hardware store will do.
4. 2 Sponges. These are large, orange tile sponges that can be purchased at your local hardware store. Just ask for tile sponges. You will need one to wipe off extra grout. The second sponge is for a final clean up of the tile and grout after it is all grouted.
If you don't use two sponges, in two seperate buckets of water, then the grout area will never look clean.
5. An Angle Buster. The anglebuster tile and flooring tool is an easy to use tool that makes cutting angles as simple as laying the tool against the angle, setting it in place, then laying the tool right onto the tile for a perfect cut the first time.
This tool is excellent for do it yourselfers and novices because it makes cutting tough angles very simple and saves you from wasting tile by cutting it wrong again and again. Even professionals use this tool to save time and tile. The anglebuster tool can be found at HomeDepot or online at www.anglebuster.com
With these five tools you can pretty much handle the job.
I can list a lot of other small items you need, like a pencil, level, rags, hammer, buckets, etc. But the top 5 tile laying tools listed
above are an absolute must for a job done right. If you want a professional looking job, even if you're a novice, put these tile laying tools on the top of your list of things to buy.
two of my favorite places to go for easy to understand tile laying instructions is;
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=770030566&channel=769302578 . This shows a small Video on what tools you need and how to lay the tile.
Series: How to Use a Tile Saw
Expertise: Brian Carter has owned and operated several finish construction businesses, and has installed ceramic tile professionally for ten years. http://www.expertvillage.com/videos/tile-saw-tools.htm . This video will show you how to use a tile saw, for those that think they can't use one or are scared to try.
The goal is to make this as easy as possible on how to install tile. Just remember that Having the right tools when you start the job or project will make it go a lot smoother and result in a more professional looking tile job.
Both Jay Smith & Lee Black Black are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jay Smith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Social Issues, Fitness and Mortgage Insurance. Whether it's floor tiling or plumbling, wallpapering or electrics - For help with all your DIY projects visit the DIY section of. Jay Smith's top article generates over 12100 views. Bookmark Jay Smith to your Favourites.
Lee Black Black has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Family and Divorce and Infidelity. Find out more about Laying Ceramic Tile with the AngleBuster Tile tool at: http://w. Lee Black Black's top article generates over 9900 views. Bookmark Lee Black Black to your Favourites.