How to Install Kitchen Tile

Laying the tile

Tile in the kitchen is a great choice to help keep the kitchen shiny and new for many years to come. Whether it’s on the floor or on the countertops, or maybe even both, ceramic tile is versatile and comes in enough variations that it is difficult not to find a combination that works.

Things You'll Need

• Ceramic tile
• Sink rail tiles (countertops)
• Caps and corners (Countertops)
• Mastic (Countertops)
• Tile spacers
• Wet saw
• Screw gun
• Backer board
• Coarse thread 1 ¼ inch screws
• Chippers
• Wax pencil
• Mortar trowel
• Grout trowel
• Bucket
• Sponge
• Soft cloth
• Tri square
• Thin set mortar
• Grout
• Grout sealer
• Coarse sandpaper
• Chalk line

Instructions

1. Cover the surface to be tiled with backer board. Make certain that the edges butt one another and secure the backer board with coarse thread 1 ¼ inch screws. Countersink the screw heads.

2. Find the center of the floor by popping a chalk line from corner to corner. Place the first tile over the center “X” created by the chalk lines.

3. Mix mortar according to instructions and start by laying the first tile in the center. Trowel only as much mortar that can be covered before it dries. Use the spacers to keep grout line uniform.

4. Let the tile set up for 24 hours. Be certain that grout lines are free from dirt and excess mortar. Mix grout according to instructions and use a criss-cross pattern to force grout into the grout line with the grout trowel.

5. Clean excess grout with sponge wringing it often. Once it dries to a haze, polish the tile with the soft cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety glasses.

• Seal the grout after 72 hours.

• Take care when cutting the tile around corners as this weakens the strength of the tile.

• Sand cut edges with coarse sand paper to take the sharp edge off.

• Keep fingers away from the tile cutting blade in the wet saw as it can cause injury.

Resources

• Tile It Yourself the Right Way & Save