Installing Ceramic Tile Floors

Choosing Tile

Ceramic tile comes in a variety of styles and colors, and you can find ceramic tile for just about any décor. Many people overlook ceramic tile as a flooring choice because they think ceramic is too expensive. However, ceramic tile is much like any other flooring. Some are very expensive, but others are actually quite economical. Before you purchase ceramic tile, however, think about how and where this flooring will be used.

• Ceramic tile is great for high-traffic areas. Its tough material will stand lots of usage.
• Ceramic tile is a lot harder than laminate or wood flooring, and this can be hard on little ones just learning to crawl or walk.
• Ceramic tile can be more difficult to work with if you aren't comfortable using a wet saw or glass cutter to cut pieces to fit.
• Ceramic tile looks beautiful in any room.

Installing Ceramic Tile Floors

Before you can begin installing ceramic tile floors, you'll need to purchase all of your supplies. Supplies should include the following:

• Tiles
• Spacers
• Notched trowel
• Bucket
• Level
• Rubber float
• Rubber mallet
• Chalk line
• Adhesive
• Grout
• Sealer

Step by Step

The following directions will take you step by step through the process of installing ceramic tile floors. Take it one step at a time, and don't expect to finish the project in one day, especially if you are covering a large area.

1. Measure your flooring to get the square footage. Flooring typically comes in boxed sets, but you may be able to buy additional tiles if you don't need an extra box. Add about 10 or 15 percent more tile than your measurement calls for. You need to plan on making some cutting mistakes until you become more adept at handling the wet saw or glass cutter. Any extra tiles can be used to replace tiles that are chipped and/or broken in the future.
2. While some people prefer to begin in a corner and work their way across the room, it is really best if you work from the main entryway so that a full row of tiles is seen at the beginning of the room. Run a chalk line that is perpendicular to the main entryway of the room.
3. Before you apply the adhesive, lay your first row of tiles along the chalk line to get a feel for how the tile will look.
4. It is generally easier to work on one row at a time. Beginning with your first row, apply the adhesive with the notched trowel, and add spacers between the tiles, placing them at each corner. This keeps the tiles aligned.
5. It is important to keep the tiles as even in height as possible. Lay the level across the tiles, and gently tap the tiles with the rubber mallet so that each tile is level with the next.
6. Obviously, not all of your tiles will fit perfectly, and these you will have to cut. The best way to measure is to lay another tile over the last full tile, and draw a cutting line on the loose tile.
7. Unless you are familiar with using a wet saw, a glass cutter is your best bet. Place a straight edge along the line you have drawn, and score the line with the glass cutter. You should be able to snap the tile at the scored line. For smaller, more complicated pieces, you may need to use a wet saw, or you can take your tiles to the home improvement store where you bought the tile and ask them to make the cuts for you.
8. Once you've laid all the tiles, let the tiles set and allow the adhesive to dry overnight. You'll want the tiles to set securely so you can walk on them.
9. The next day, you'll need to mix the grout according the package instructions.
10. Apply the grout using the rubber float. Be sure you fill all of the spaces in between the tiles. This is messy, and your tiles will have grout over most of the surfaces. That's OK.
11. Being careful not to wipe out the grout that is between the tiles, wipe off the excess grout with a sponge or washcloth.
12. Let the grout set overnight, then clean the tiles more thoroughly. You may need to do this several days in a row.
13. Finally, to protect your flooring, apply a ceramic floor silicon sealant.