What you'll need
- Ceramic tile
- Concrete board
- Nails or screws
- Hammer or drill
- Thinset
- Trowel
- Tile spacers
- Grout
- Grout float
- Bucket
- Sponge
- Water
- Wet saw
- Tape measure
- Chalk line
Step 1: Measuring the Room
Start out by measuring the room. You need to get the length and the width of the room and then multiply the two dimensions together. This will give you the exact square footage of the room. Then add 10 percent to that number so that you can have enough for waste.
Step 2: Install the Concrete Board
When you are installing ceramic tile over chipboard, you need to first install concrete board. Chipboard is not dimensionally strong enough to support tile. If you install the tile directly over the chipboard it will crack and break. To install the concrete board, you will need to first put a layer of thinset on the bottom side. Then press the board down onto the chipboard. You will then need to fill each hole in the concrete board with either a screw or nail. This will properly adhere it to the floor.
Step 3: Find the Center
The next thing that you need to do is determine the exact center of the room. Take your tape measure and get the center point of each wall. Then snap a chalk line in both directions so that you can see the center. You will need to start laying the tile in the corner of the intersection.
Step 4: Lay the Tile
You are now ready to start laying the ceramic tile. Use your trowel to apply some of the thinset to the floor. Spread it out evenly over the area. Then press one of the tiles down into the thinset. Place tile spacers on all of the corners of the tile. Take another tile and place it directly against the spacers of the first tile. Continue laying tiles in this manner.
Step 5: Cutting the Tile
Once you are to the edge of the room, you will need to make a cut. You can use your tape measure to get the exact size that you need. Then place the tile on the wet saw to make an exact cut. Then place the cut piece into the gap.
Step 6: Grouting
After you are done laying all of the tile, you need to let it sit overnight. Then you should be ready to start grouting. Take your grout float and use it to apply the grout to the joints. Make sure that all of the joints are filled with grout.
Step 7: Cleaning Up
When you are done grouting, you need to use a bucket of water and a sponge to clean the tile. This will remove all of the extra grout and it will also smooth out the grout joints.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
