How to Combine Wood Floors With Tiles

Combining wood floors with tiles can be done by adding an inlay to the existing flooring. The inlay can be either tile or wood depending on your type of floor and the inlay you want to use. An inlay can be included when installing new flooring or added to an existing floor. You can add a tile inlay to combine a wood floor with tile by first obtaining the measurements that are needed for the inlay.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Chalk line
• Circular saw
• Power drill
• Hammer
• Nails
• Thinset
• Trowel
• Tile spacers
• Grout
• Grout float
• Caulk
• Caulk gun

Instructions

1. Lay out the tile on the floor to create an inlay pattern. Use a pencil to trace along the pattern that will be used as an outline.

2. Cut along the outline with a circular saw, if you have an existing wood floor. Remove the section of wood floor where the inlay will go.

3. Install an underlayment in the inlay for the thinset, if there is room. Cut out a section of ¼-inch plywood the exact size of the inlay and attach it with screws or nails. If the thickness of the existing wood floor is not deep enough for underlayment you can skip this step.

4. Spread an even amount of thinset within the inlay with a trowel. Stay within the marks on the floor if you are adding the inlay with a new floor installation.

5. Lay the tile on the thinset and use spacers to keep a consistent spacing between the tiles. Let the tiles dry for at least 24 hours before applying the grout.

6. Complete the installation of the wood floor around the inlay, if you are installing a new floor.

7. Spread the grout along the tile joints by pulling the grout float at a 45-degree angle to make sure the grout fills in the gap fully.

8. Apply a bead of caulk along the edge of the tile and the wood flooring. Run your finger over the caulk to smooth it out to complete the installation of the tile inlay.

Tips & Warnings

• A chalk line can be used to make the outline on the floor instead of a pencil.

• Trim off a small amount of tile with a tile saw, if necessary, to leave enough room between the tiles for the grout.

• Always double-check your measurements before doing any type of cutting.

• Wear eye protection and a face mask when cutting tile.

References

• Inlay Tile Into Wood in Four Steps
• Hardwood Floor Inlays