How to Install Diagonal Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is an inexpensive way to spice up just about any room. The great thing is that any ambitious do-it-yourself homeowner can lay his own tile. One common variation that many builders and remodelers are doing is to lay the tiles on a "compass angle," where they are rotated 45 degrees to resemble diamonds instead of squares. This layout adds additional kick or punch to the finished room, and fits in with modern home design trends. This tile pattern is not much more complicated to lay than normal tile floors, and by following these simple steps, anyone can complete this project in a matter of hours. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Prepare your floors for tile placement. If necessary, remove old carpet, wood, vinyl or even tile from the surface area. Examine the sub floors to see what condition they are in. If any moisture made its way to the sub floors, they may be warped or disfigured in some areas. If the sub floor is not perfectly flat, lay another layer of plywood or tile board over the floors to ensure a properly finished surface.
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Once the floor is prepped for tile, remove the baseboards from the walls. This can be done without damaging the board or the walls by gently tapping a large, flat, metal object (such as a putty knife) behind the boards and gently wiggling them out of place. Don't forget to mark each board so that you know where they all go. Alternatively, you can leave the baseboards in place, and cover the gap between them and the tile using shoe molding. However, the completely finished look will only come from a complete baseboard removal.
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Starting along one wall, begin to lay the first tile. To get the the perfect diagonal angle, cut the tile directly from one point to the other, resulting in two triangle pieces. Lay one of the halves with the long side flat against the wall. Next to that, place an entirely intact tile. At this point, you should begin getting a feel for the tile layout. Rough-lay several tiles (or the entire row) before you actually begin installing them.
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After you have several tiles rough-fitted, remove them, and cover the floor with tile adhesive using a notched trowel. Begin laying your tile, following your pattern, pressing each tile firmly into the adhesive. Use two plastic tile spacers on each side of the tile to ensure an even gap.
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Continue this pattern to lay the diagonal ceramic tile through the rest of the room. The process remains the same until you reach the last wall, where you may have to split tiles straight down the middle for them to fit. Any irregular corners, edges or protrusions from the floor may require more precise cutting.
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Allow the tile to set for 24 hours, then spread grout into the gaps between tiles using a grout float. Allow grout to partially set for 30 minutes, then wipe the tile with a damp cloth to remove excess. After grout has set, use a dry cloth on the tile to remove any grout haze. You can use a grout sealer to prevent it from staining in the future.
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Replace any baseboards or trim to complete the room.
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Tips & Warnings
Always use tile spacers, or your tiles will end up uneven.
Remember not to walk on the tile until it is completely dry.
Always use safety glasses and ear protection when working around power tools.
Resources
- Photo Credit Bodenfliesen image by Volker Schwere from Fotolia.com
