Things You'll Need:
- Tiles
- Screw driver
- Utility knife
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Step 1
Measure exact width and length of the room.
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Step 2
Find the measurement for the border tile width by removing the number of feet from each room measurement, so you are just left with the inches. Add 12 more inches to each measurement. Divide that number by 2. For example, if your room width is 10 feet 6 inches, the border tile for the width is 9 inches (6 plus 12 divided by 2).
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Step 3
Purchase tiles, tracks and clips to match your measurements.
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Step 1
Decide whether you will leave the ceiling up or work directly on the joist. If working directly on the joist, or the ceiling is in extreme disrepair, work perpendicular to the joists. Otherwise, as long as the track rails are parallel, it doesn't matter.
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Step 2
Install the track with the wide edge up and the edge toward the wall, 1 inch away from the wall. Screw it in with Phillips head drywall screw. If you need to cut the track, use tin snips. Place a screw about every 16 inches.
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Step 3
Install the next row of tracks. From the wall, the inner rail of the flange is the distance of the border tile minus 2 inches. For example, if your border tile is 9 inches, subtract 2 inches and begin it 7 inches away from the wall. Keep it constantly parallel as with the first row.
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Step 4
Continue placing the strips 12 inches apart, keeping them perfectly parallel. When you are measuring the 12 inches, measure it from the inside edge of the previous track to the inside edge of the next track. The far wall mirrors the beginning.
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Step 1
Measure out from the wall the exact distance for your width border. Snap a parallel chalk line next to the second track rail.
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Step 2
Measure the distance from chalk line to the wall along the length of the room to determine where to place the lengthwise border tile.
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Step 3
Mark the spot as "A" and measure 3 feet along the chalk line. Mark this as "B."
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Step 4
Measure a spot 4 feet out from "A" and perpendicular to the chalk line. Make an arc where the 4 feet ends and label it "C."
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Step 5
Measure 5 feet out from "B" towards "C" and make an arc. The exact location of "C" is where the two arcs intersect, forming a right triangle. Make a chalk line from "A" to "C" forming an exact right angle with the other chalk line.
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Step 1
Cut the first border tile. Use both the width and length border tile measurements. Leave the tile right side up and make certain that when you cut it the raw edges will be in the corner.
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Step 2
Cut a second border tile for width and a third for the length. Have a whole one on hand for the fourth tile.
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Step 3
Place a clip on each of the rails, facing the middle of the room. Push the tile into the corner, making certain that the clip knifes into the tile.
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Step 4
Push another clip at the other end on each rail to secure the tile. This time the clip will face the beginning wall. You can leave a gap, as it will be covered by the wall molding.
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Step 5
Fit the tongue and groove of the next border tile on the rail, into the first tile. Place the clip on, facing the beginning wall to hold it into place. Lay the third tile on the lengthwise border, next to the corner tile. Push the clip in, in the same fashion. Place the forth, whole tile in the center of the "V" you just formed.
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Step 6
Proceed by placing the second border tile lengthwise so you will have a v-shape in the corner. Follow the steps of the first tile. Place a whole tile in front of it. Check to make certain that the tiles are in square with each other and the wall.
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Step 7
Complete the full border row where the second tile was placed. You will need to use a screwdriver to get the final clip attached. Add one more tile on the length. In front of it place your second full tile.Complete the second row. Now you will have one border row and one full row. Continue building out. When finished add wall trim.
