How to Install Tile for a Bathroom Floor

Tile flooring can dress up a bathroom.

Adding tile floors to your bathroom can make the space look fresh and new. Tile is easy to maintain and simple to clean. One of the main benefits of tile is its versatility. You have limitless options in the material, color and size of your tile. Rip out the old flooring and make sure that the concrete underneath is sound and level. Pick a tile that you like and get ready to spend your weekend on all fours installing a brand new floor.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Chalk
• Tile adhesive
• Trowel
• Tile
• Spacers
• Tile cutter
• Flat head screwdriver
• Grout
• Grout float
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Find the center of the room. Measure each wall and mark its center point on the floor with chalk. Find the meeting point of all four markings in the center of the room and place a chalk "X" on the floor. Placing your first tile at the center of the room will prevent all cut tiles from ending up on one side of the room and will also make the tile more visually appealing.

2. Spread tile adhesive on the floor with a trowel. Work in manageable sections, roughly 4 feet by 4 feet at a time. Place a tile in the center of the room. Press it firmly into the adhesive. Place spacers at all four corners.

3. Place tiles surrounding the center tile. Press the tiles into the adhesive and use spacers to keep the tiles evenly spaced. Work from the center of the room outward until you reach the perimeter and can no longer fit whole tiles.

4. Measure the remaining spaces for cutting tile. Be sure to include extra space for grout. Cut the tiles on a tile cutter according to your measurements. Press the cut tiles into the tile adhesive. Allow the adhesive to dry overnight.

5. Pop the spacers out with a flat head screwdriver. Spread grout across the tile with a grout float. Work the float over the tops of the tiles, making sure the grout sinks all the way between the tiles with no air pockets.

6. Remove any grout from the tops of the tiles with a wet sponge. Rinse the sponge often. Wipe the tiles until all film is removed from the surface. Let the grout dry for 48 hours before allowing heavy foot traffic on the floors.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a tile that is recommended for floors. For bathroom surfaces, which can easily become slick with moisture, it is best to choose tiles with some texture. If you like a smooth ceramic tile, choose a smaller tile. The extra grout lines will provide texture and help to prevent slipping.

References

• Lowe's: Installing Tile Flooring