Things You'll Need:
- Cement backer board (optional)
- Cement sealant (optional)
- Trowel
- Measuring tape
- Chalk line
- Ceramic or porcelain tile
- Tile spacers
- Tile cutter
- Adhesive
- Grout
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Step 1
Prepare the floor. If your floor is uneven, lay cement backer board as your subfloor to create a level surface. But if your floor is cracked, you can spread a cement sealant to close the cracks, allowing for a smooth surface.
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Step 2
Begin at the center of your room. Measure from wall-to-wall to determine the center point. Mark the center point with chalk, and use a chalk line to snap a straight line in all directions.
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Step 3
Do a run through with your tile. Open your boxes of tile and begin to lay them from your center starting point. Work out in all directions, using your straight chalk line as a guide. If you're making a pattern with your tile, do so at this point.
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Step 4
Mark your tiles. You will need to cut your tiles when you reach the boundaries of your room. Use your tape measure to know the specific measurements of your end tiles and make a line across the tile with a pencil indicating where you need to cut. For tiles with designs, make notes or use stickers so you can move easily when finally installing your tiles.
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Step 5
Cut your tiles and prepare your cement adhesive. You can purchase tile adhesive at your local home improvement store or where you purchase your tile. Follow the directions for the specific adhesive you're using.
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Step 6
Lay your tile. Following the pattern from Step 3, spread your adhesive in small sections, about the area of four to five tiles at a time, and press your tile directly into the adhesive. Place your tile spacers in between to keep your spacing consistent.
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Step 7
Allow your tile to set. It's best to leave your tile overnight to form a seal to the adhesive and subfloor before applying grout.
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Step 8
Mix your grout and spread it evenly over your tile. You can use a cake-icing bag with a tip to work your grout in between your tile. The grout needs to dry completely before you can remove the film left from the grout.
