Floors

Matching grout color is an art, not a science. Age, use and cleaning products can discolor existing grout so much that using the original color to fill gaps or to add more tile to the same...

An inexpensive way to change the color of ceramic tile floors is the use of primer and paint. This type of renovation process should be considered a temporary application and not a permanent...

Large floor tiles tend to create a different set of installation difficulties than smaller tiles. The size and weight of large tiles makes them harder to move around and set, and, once placed,...

Marble and grout are both porous materials that need to be sealed in order to protect their appearance and durability. A penetrating sealer contains silicates that will absorb into the marble and...

Slate tile, like all natural stone, is porous, and should be sealed with chemical sealant during installation to prevent moisture penetration and stains. The sealing process isn't...

Grout is a mixture of water, cement, sand and dyes that is used to fill the joints between tiles. The grout for marble tiles, which are set closer together than ceramic tiles, may not contain...

When installing tile, you typically spread the grout over the entire area, forcing it into the crevices between the tiles. As you grout, you should wipe excess grout off the tiles so that it does...

Laying tile can seem like a challenging task. However, even a novice do-it-yourself handyman can do the job like a pro with the proper tools. Two types of saws can be used for cutting tile. A wet...

The trickiest part of tiling a bathroom floor is dealing with the toilet. There is almost never an instance in which you'd want to tile around the toilet, so you have to remove it, tile the space...

Slate is a porous stone that absorbs moisture easily. This can lead to staining of the slate floor surface unless the slate has been sealed. Sealing the slate closes the small pores in the stone's...

Ceramic tile can add a decorative element to stair steps and incorporate the steps into the overall design of the room or outdoor area where they are located. Special bullnose tiles are available...

Changing the flooring of a room will make a world of difference in the look of the room. While carpet is a popular easy to care for option in any room of the house, ceramic tile in the kitchen and...

If you are ready for a new look for your flooring but are not ready to invest the time and cost it takes to install typical flooring options, such as wood or ceramic, peel-and-stick tiles may be...

Installing marble in your home can add both beauty and value to your most valuable investment. Installing marble is similar to installing ceramic tile and uses some of the same tools, so any...

When replacing an existing floor, there are many issues that an installer can run into. They can be as simple as screws sticking up to having to replace sub-flooring before beginning the new...

Tiling over brick is typically done to change the look of a wall or floor without having to remove or take out the existing brick. Many tiling projects involve covering up brick that was used for...

Since it's introduction, laminate flooring has become one of the most popular flooring choices, and it's easy to see why. Available in a variety of styles, laminate flooring can bring a touch of...

The ideal underlayment for ceramic or other tiles is cement board or something similarly hard and waterproof. However, a vinyl floor over hardwood can work, given the right circumstances and with...

A laundry room needs a sturdy floor that can stand up to heavy traffic and spills. Tile will provide a durable surface that can last for many years. There are many types of tiles, but ceramic...

Rugs and carpet are a nice addition to any home. However, if you have a worn rug or carpet, replacing it with tile is a good option. This is especially true for areas like kitchens or bathrooms....

A threshold floor provides a nice break to most wide hardwood expanses. Often used to protect the hardwood from the outdoors or from bathroom or kitchen areas, threshold tile floors can be useful...

Stone tiles are an attractive and durable flooring choice that can last a lifetime with proper maintenance. Whether laying slate, granite or marble, the procedure is the same. Prepare the surface,...

Installing floor tiles successfully requires a smooth, level surface for the tiles to adhere to. Installing a layer of floor tiles onto an uneven floor is a frustrating process that can result in...

Tile is a beautiful and durable floor covering. In just a couple of days, you can lay an elegant color or pattern that adds interest and value to your home. Tile is very simple to keep clean. By...

Even though it may seem intimidating due to all the materials that are needed, laying your own ceramic tile is actually quite easy once you get everything ready to do and make sure you have all of...

Porcelain is a clay-based product like ceramic, but much harder. This makes it an ideal material for flooring, if you can afford the added expense (porcelain is significantly more costly than...

River rock or pebble tiles are durable and can be used indoors or out. River rock tiles can be used for flooring, wall applications, walkways, showers or pools. Installation is fairly easy because...

Cement is the second most popular subfloor for tile installations behind plywood and the easiest of the two to install tile upon. Like any subfloor that you install tile on, the surface should be...

It is possible to lay tile over a previous vinyl tile installation as long as the underlying tile is in good condition. Tile depends on a sturdy substrate, and if you are laying tile over tiles...

Tile is an elegant flooring and wall surface that is strong and durable. Tile requires a sturdy subfloor of either concrete or plywood in order to maintain its integrity. If you forgo hiring a...

In the course of laying tile you may have used too much thinset in some spots and caused an excessive amount to be pushed between the tiles. Having too much thinset in between tiles can impact the...

Ceramic tile floors are beautiful, durable additions to any home. If you are installing a ceramic tile floor, you are probably concerned with maintaining the floor to stop stains, mold and mildew...

Floor tiles look and feel as solid as rock, but in fact they can easily crack if they're not laid correctly, or if there's any unevenness or movement under them. This is especially true for very...

Before installing any tile you should inspect the surface it will be installed upon and check that it is level and sound. Concrete surfaces might require a leveling compound be poured over them,...

Travertine is a natural occurring stone that has a medium density--softer than granite, but harder than soapstone. It can be installed indoors or outdoors. However, due to its porous surface,...

It is possible to lay tile over a previous tile installation, as long as the additional elevation in your floor or wall is something that you are able to work with. However, you cannot lay tile...

Marble tile floors are as elegant a look as you can get in a bathroom, foyer or kitchen. They're also a bit more complicated to install than a manufactured tile like ceramic. Like other...

Before installing any tile, inspect the surface where you plan to install it and make sure it is level and sound. Concrete surfaces might require you to pour a leveling compound, and old or warped...

Grouting a newly laid marble floor is similar to any other grouting project, with a few differences. Unlike ceramic, marble is natural stone and is cut into straight, square tiles (ceramic tile is...

Grouting and caulking tile is an important step in tile installation. Whether you are installing tile on a kitchen counter, shower floor or even a wall backsplash, the grout and caulk will protect...

The gritty substance found between floor tiles is called grout. Not only is grout used to fill in the gaps left between the tiles, it also protects the tiles from moisture and helps to bond them...

Ceramic tile makes a beautiful addition to any room. Installing ceramic tile properly requires grout to also be installed in between the tiles. Grout is the gritty substance that is placed between...

It is possible to lay ceramic tile over a previous tile installation as long as the additional elevation in your floor or wall is something that you are able to work with. However, you cannot lay...

It is possible to lay tile over a previous tile installation as long as the additional elevation in your floor or wall is something that you are able to work with. However, you cannot lay tile...

It is possible to lay ceramic tile over a previous tile installation as long as the additional elevation in your floor or wall is something that you are able to work with. However, you cannot lay...

If you are looking to remodel an old ceramic tile floor but don't want to spend a lot of money, one option is to install new flooring directly over the ceramic tile. Attractive marble tiling can...

Grout is used to fill in the gaps between laid tiles and assist in bonding them together. Grouting a tile floor is an important step in installing the tile. If the tile is not grouted properly, it...

You might think that tiling over a cement floor is the best kind of underlayment you can find--and sometimes you'd be right. The goal with tile underlayment is to make the surface solid and...

If you've decided to remove a ceramic tile floor, consider that it's set in mortar over cement board or other solid base, with grout between the tiles. Before embarking on the difficult task of...

When plain wooden floors, carpet or cement just won't do, don't forget about tiles. Tiles have mostly been known to decorate the floor of a kitchen or bathroom but can give a nice look to the...