Laying Ceramic Tile

Laying ceramic tile is an art perfected by practice. Following are several basic steps to understand before laying ceramic tile for your next project.

There is no more beautiful or practical floor than ceramic tile. Especially in kitchens, bathrooms and foyers ceramic tile is a perfect choice for floors. The same principles apply whether you're laying ceramic tiles for counter tops, walls or shower floor pans too.

The Base.

The base for ceramic tile can be several materials including linoleum, concrete, sometimes sound wood or even old tile. It must be level, clean and somewhat rigid. Walls and sometimes floors often use a cement backer board for a base.

Laying Out A Ceramic Tile Project.

Layout of a tile job includes finding the center of the room. Close attention should be given to how the tiles will run out at the walls or other obstructions. Lay some of the tile on the floor to plan the appearance of the job. Then strike lines parallel and perpendicular to the walls as reference marks.

Plan for cutting of tiles where necessary. You will need tile nippers and a saw, preferably a wet saw.

Thin-set Adhesive.

The adhesive, or thin-set, is mixed and applied to a small area at a time. This prevents the adhesive from setting up too soon. Especially if you're going to be doing some cutting and fitting, you'll mix and apply only a small amount at a time.

Laying the Ceramic Tiles.

The thin-set is spread with a tile trowel which forms ridges in the thin-set to control the amount of adhesive applied. When you lay ceramic tile pay close attention to getting the joints even. There's some art in getting the tile laid evenly. Those tiles have to be straight and level!

Grouting Ceramic Tile.

After the tiles have set for 24 -48 hours, you may install grout .

Grout comes in a variety of colors. Mix the grout with water making sure to mix well to avoid lumps. Don't want lumpy grout, do we? Apply grout with a rubber trowel.

Clean the grout from the tiles after about 30 minutes. Clean about an hour later a second time.

After 24 hours drying time, the tiled area is ready for use! Laying ceramic tile produces a long-lasting product.

Laying ceramic tile is a skill you can learn and get just the kind of results you want!

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Al Bullington enjoys ceramic tile from his home in the country.