Installing Ceramic Tile 101

Installing ceramic tile greatly transforms a room. If you plan on doing a home installation yourself, there are numerous installation guides available to help with your project. This article lays out the basics, but installing ceramic tile may involve extra steps depending on the kind of tile, size, and foundation underneath your installation area.

What You'll Need:

• Ceramic tiles
• Grout
• Backing or foundation
• Adhesive or thinset
• Rubber mallet or hammer and block of wood
• Long piece of wood

Before You Install

Installing ceramic tile differs depending on whether you plan to install it directly onto a wood surface, over vinyl or linoleum floor covering, or directly to a concrete slab. Tile experts discourage installing ceramic tile directly to a wood surface. You’ll need to install a sub-floor first. The same sub-floor is required for ceramic tile over vinyl or linoleum floor coverings. If installing ceramic tile directly to concrete, make sure you thoroughly clean surfaces before installation begins. Fill in any dips, cracks, waves, or bumps in the concrete.

Step 1 - Lay Out Room

Lay out the tile pattern on the floor before applying adhesive. Use a chalk line to snap a line perpendicular to the room’s length. Do larger tiles first, and then border tiles. Place tile spacers between the tiles. Next, place a long 1-inch thick piece of wood perpendicular to the tiles, securing it with a screw gun. Lay tiles going across the room next to the board in both directions. Be sure to use spacers between the tiles. Once you’ve laid out the tiles, check spacing and shift tiles to achieve balance in the room. The line where tiles intersect the wood board is the point where you’ll snap a second chalk line. This is your starting point for installing the tiles.

Step 2 - Lay Tiles

With a notched trowel, apply a 2 inch square of tile adhesive in your starting corner, using spacers between tiles and a level to ensure they’re flush. Use a rubber mallet (or hammer and block of wood) to nudge tiles down that are too high. Work across and down the entire room. Allow adhesive to set overnight.

Step 3 - Apply Grout

Make cuts and work on installing ceramic tile borders. Cut border tiles with a glasscutter or tile cutter. For more complex cuts, use a tile ripper or tile saw. Mix grout per manufacturer’s instructions and apply at a 45-degree angle. Wipe off excess grout with a sponge. Once your grout sets up, go back over to clean off any remaining grout. Allow grout to cure for a full week before applying clear sealer.

Step 4 - Replace Molds

The final step is to replace base moldings and furniture. Installing ceramic tiles is just that easy.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

How to Tile a Kitchen Counter

The kitchen counter is one of the first things that people notice when they enter your kitchen, so you need to make your counter look good. If granite counters are beyond your means, there are tiles that bring out your desired results.

Kitchen counter tiles are easy to install, so you do not need to hire an expert to do the job for you. To install tiles on your kitchen counter, follow the step-by-step guide below.

What You'll Need:

• Work gloves
• Face mask
• Sponge
• Trowel
• Electric power drill with screwdriver set
• Tape measure
• Level
• Board knife
• Tile cutter/saw
• Plastic buckets,
• Backer board, ¼-inch
• Backer board tape, 2-inch wide
• Screws, 2-inch
• Tile
• Tile spacers
• Tile modified thinset
• Grout
• Tile or grout finish
• General purpose cleaning detergent
• Water
• Cleaning rags

Prepare the Area

Installing tiles can be a dusty and messy business, so you need to wear gloves and a face mask to protect yourself. After donning your protective gear and clothing, pour water into the bucket and mix it with powder detergent to make your cleaning solution. Wet the kitchen top with water and brush the detergent solution briskly to remove grease, dirt, mold, and so on. Wash the area thoroughly and let it dry.

Measure and Lay down the Backer Board

Use a tape measure to measure the countertop for the coverage of the backer board. Use a knife to cut the backer board according to the measurements taken. Mix thinset according to mixing directions. Spread it evenly on top of the kitchen counter.

Place the backer board on top of the thinset and secure it with screws into the outer edge of the kitchen counter. Allow 5-inch intervals between screws. Once this is done, spread the backer board tape to cover the edge of the kitchen counter, including the wall, where applicable.

Lay the Tile

Mix the tile modified thinset in the plastic bucket with water, according to the package instructions. Use the trowel to spread the mixture on top of the kitchen counter. Place the tiles in a line on the front edge first. Use the tile spacers to keep a uniform distance between tiles. Use the level along the way to ensure that you have uniformly pitched tiles. When you come to the edge, measure the remaining space of the kitchen counter, and if it is less than a whole tile, saw off the extra tile part to obtain the right size to cover the whole surface.

Apply the Grout

Mix the grout in another bucket and spread it out evenly in between tiles, filling out the spaces and cracks. Use a sponge to spread it. Let the grout dry for 1 day. Wet a sponge with warm water to wipe the tile surface, remove the remains of the grout and clean up the tile finish. Let the grout cure for another three days. Then apply a penetrating sealer for the tile and grout. This should keep it shielded from liquid penetration and early grout deterioration.

Finish Up

Gather up all leftover materials and store them in a safe place for future use. Put away all your tools and clean up the kitchen counter using a sponge, mild soap, and warm water.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com