DIY Guide: Steps To Install Ceramic/Porcelain Tile Floor
If you are looking for something that can resist water and stain better than wood and stone then tile in Evergreen is probably your number one choice. Tiles are usually made with ceramic or glazed porcelain, both waterproof materials due to no pores on their surface. They can be customized to look like wood and stone if needed. Their costs range from 0.5-7 dollars per sq. ft. for ceramic and 3-10 dollars per sq. ft. for porcelain. Those who prefer stone floors at a lower price can opt for stone tiling. It takes some time, effort and resources to install but you can do it yourself if you have the tools needed.
Tools & Materials Needed For Tile Installation
These are the materials and tools that you will need for tiling your floor:
- Tiles
- Mortar
- Drill
- Screws
- Grout
- Grout float
- Sealant
- Cement board
- Chalk line
- Tile saw
- Trowel
- Measuring tape
- Tile spacers
- Sponge
You can buy the tiles and other materials from a tiling shop. Other tools and materials can be bought from a hardware store.
Steps To Install Tiles
Once you have gathered the necessary materials and tools, these are the steps you need to take:
- Lay Cement Board
You need a strong subfloor before tiling your room for a strong floor. A weak subfloor like plywood may not bond well with the thin slabs and can be unstable. You need a cement board to support the new floor. You will also need it if the floor seems uneven when walking on it. To install it, brush some thin-set latex mortar over the floor, press the boards to the floor with your weight and screw them to the subfloor with a drill and some screws at the edges with a gap of 8 inches in between.
- Find The Room’s Centerpoint
Measure the width and the length of the room with a measuring tape and mark the centerpoints with a chalk line. The points at which centers of the width and the length meet is the room’s centerpoint. Mark it with the chalk line.
- Test Tiles On Floor
Place the thin slabs over the floor without any mortar in the pattern you have in mind. Start with the center tile. Make sure that the tiles at the edges are placed such that you will only need to cut it half or less than half of it.
- Cut Tiles
Measure the portion of the slabs you have to cut out and use a tile saw to make the cuts accurately.
- Lay Mortar
Apply the mortar or tile cement on the center portion of the floor or where you will begin tiling. Don’t apply it to the whole room yet.
- Place Tiles
Place the first tile on the center of the room over the mortar. Use tile spacers to account for the gap needed for the grout. Then apply more mortar and place more tiles and spacers until the whole floor is covered.
- Let It Dry
Let the mortar dry overnight and after it dries remove the spacers if needed.
- Pour Grout
Mix the grout according to the instructions given on the package and pour them between the slabs. Use a grout float to push the grout in the joints. Make sure that all the gaps are filled.
- Clean Floor
Wipe the excess grout with a wet sponge while taking care not to pull any grout out of the gaps.
- Apply Sealants
Once the grout dries, apply a sealant on it to protect it from water damage. You will need to apply sealants on the slabs as well if it is made out of stone instead of ceramic or porcelain.
- Finishing Touches
Once the sealant dries, clean the floor. Now it’s ready for normal use.
The procedure takes at least two days to finish. Now that you understand the process, you call install tile in Evergreen. You can install it on the floors of the kitchen, bathroom or any other wet area.
