How to Tile a Screened Porch
The main difference between tiling a screened porch and an interior room is that, for the porch, you have to take temperature variations into account. Frost, moisture and other issues can cause the tile, mortar, grout and underlying material to move, which in turn can crack the tiles over time. Laying a specially designed membrane under the tile will help minimize the problem by absorbing some of that movement. Use thick, strong tiles, and make sure the grout is rated for outdoor use. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Outdoor tiling membrane
- Thinset mortar
- Notched tiling trowel
- Utility knife
- Chalk snapline
- Tile spacers
- Tile cutter
- Grout with latex additive for exterior use
- Grout float
- Sponge
Instructions
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1
Spread thinset mortar over the porch surface with your notched tiling trowel, covering enough area to roll out one course of tiling membrane alongside one side of the floor. Press the tiling membrane into place in the mortar, cutting it at the end as needed with a utility knife. Repeat for additional courses of membrane, laying them side by side and covering the whole floor.
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2
Lay two intersecting lines over the surface of the membrane, using a chalk snapline and dividing the floor into four sections.
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3
Spread thinset mortar over the intersection of the two lines, using your notched tiling trowel and covering as much area as you can comfortably reach from one position. Press your first tiles into place at the intersection (you should still be able to see the lines through the mortar). Put spacers between the tiles.
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4
Spread additional mortar and set additional tiles, building toward the edges of the floor along the lines. Continue putting spacers between all the tiles as you lay them. Cut the tiles at the edges with a tile cutter. Let the mortar set for a day and take out the spacers.
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5
Spread grout over the floor with a grout float (a flat rubber trowel). Force the grout into the joints between the tiles, while scraping it off the face. Use a dampened sponge to remove the excess grout. Let the grout dry for two to three days before using the porch.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear goggles when cutting tiles.
