How to Apply Tile to a Wall

Decorative wall tiles are common in Portugal.

Applying wall tile can add a touch of class to any kitchen or bathroom. In Portugal, it is common to decorate hallways and even the walls of ordinary rooms with tile work. Few projects can make a place look more finished and with greater ease and simplicity than applying a well-chosen tile pattern. Although applying tile on a wall may look intimidating, it is a relatively simple project.

Things You'll Need

• Duster Spackling paste Putty knife Tape measure Marker Level Pushpins Tile adhesive Notched trowel Tiles Tile saw Power hand sander Grout mix Grout float Washcloth Soft wood sticks Rubber sponge Bucket White vinegar Drop cloth

Instructions

Preparation

1. Clean and fix up the wall if it is dirty or has holes before beginning work. Use a duster, the spackling paste and a putty knife, as necessary. Spackling is a simple process for filling holes in dry wall: use the putty knife to smear the paste over the hole, plugging it, and then smooth the surface. This need not be perfectly smooth, as you will be putting tile over it, but it shouldn't present a lump.

2. Choose something to serve as a tile spacer. This object will be used to give the tiles a regular, even spacing. You can buy a ready-made spacer at home improvement stores, but any handy object that is the right size will do just as well.

3. Draw a grid of guidelines on the wall, using the level, a marker and a tape measure. The guidelines should be spaced to match the tiles, plus an extra bit of space to match the size of your chosen spacer on all sides. For example, if the tile is a square that is 4 inches on a side, and the spacer is 1/4 inch, then these marked channels will all be 4 1/2 inches.

4. Insert pushpins at the desired intervals along the guidelines to help serve as a visual aid after spreading the adhesive on the wall.

Applying Tile

1. 

   Spread adhesive with the notched trowel to cover an area between about 3 feet by 3 feet to about 4 feet by 4 feet.

2. Apply the first wall tile by pushing it into the adhesive, then giving it a slight twist to get the tile a grip; then realign it properly.

3. Cut the tiles as you go with the tile saw to fit irregular spaces. A power hand sander may be needed to polish rough spots or imperfections left from cutting the tile.

4. Repeat Step 2 until your first work area is complete.

5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 by spreading adhesive over new work areas, cutting tiles as needed and applying them, until the entire wall has been tiled.

6. Take out the pushpins once all the tile has been laid. Wait overnight for the adhesive to set.

Grouting

1. 

   Return the next morning and mix the grout.

2. Push the grout into the channels between the tiles by using the float. Wipe away any grout not in the channels with a dry cloth.

3. Wait overnight for the grout to dry.

Cleanup

1. Use softwood sticks to scrape off any encrustations of grout on the tiles. Most hardware stores with tile supplies sell these, and they will not scratch the tile.

2. Make a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and warm water in a bucket.

3. Put down a drop cloth to catch any water that trickles off the wall.

4. Use the sponge and the vinegar-water mix to clean grout residue off the tiles.

Resources

• Lowe's: Wall Tile Projects