How to Install Ceramic Tile Floors

Ceramic tile floors are appealing for their smooth surface, ease of cleaning and decorative variations. The range of available colors, design and texture allow creativity when remodeling home décor. In addition to color range, various shapes---such as rectangles and octagons---allow diverse patterns placed throughout the home. You can hire a subcontractor to install a ceramic tile floor, or you can do it yourself with the correct assortment of supplies. In a few days time, you can have a brand new ceramic tile floor for any room in your home.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Plywood or hardboard Electric drill Galvanized screws Tape measure Ceramic tiles Tile adhesive Notched trowel Putty knife Tile spacers Utility knife Tile cutter or tile snapper Grout Grout floater or sponge White distilled vinegar Floor sealer

1. 

   Place plywood---or hardboard---over the original floor to provide underlay for the ceramic tiles.

2. Drill galvanized screws through the plywood---every 6 inches---to attach the underlay to the original floor.

3. 

   Measure the length and width of the floor to find the center of the room. For example, the center of a 10' x 10' room is 5 feet from any wall. This is the correct placement for the first tile.

4. Apply tile adhesive to the center of the floor with a square-notched trowel and lay your first tile in place atop the adhesive.

5. Choose the direction you will work from that tile---moving right, left, up or down---and apply an area of adhesive large enough to hold two tiles.

6. Lay the next two tiles in whichever direction you choose, and wipe away the excess with a putty knife as you work.

7. Place your tile spacers between each of the placed tiles and gently push the tiles together for a close fit around the spacers. The spacers will ensure an even grout line in your finished floor.

8. Continue laying the tile in this fashion until you reach the edges of the room.

9. At the edges of the room, you may find tiles need cut to fit. Measure the open space between the fresh tile and the wall.

10. Mark the measurement on your piece of tile with a utility knife.

11. Cut the tile with a tile cutter or tile snapper and lay it.

12. Continue laying edge pieces around the room until completion.

13. Let the tiles set for 24 hours before proceeding.

14. Remove the tile spacers.

15. Mix your grout by manufacturer's instructions or use ready-made grout.

16. With a grout floater---or sponge---work grout into the spaces between the tiles and wipe off excess as you work.

17. Let the grout set for 24 hours.

18. Scrub the floor with a mixture of white distilled vinegar and water to remove excess grout from the tiles. You must repeat this step multiple times to remove all excess.

19. Apply floor sealer according to manufacturer's directions.

Resources

• Guide to Tile Installation Tools
• Guide to Installing Ceramic Tile