How to Tile a Cedar Wall
Tile comes in a variety of types and colors that can match any type of décor and add style and beauty to any home. Placing tile over a cedar wall makes cleaning the wall easier and creates a more durable surface. Tiled walls are ideal for mudrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. While cedar walls can become stained and worn looking over time, adding long-lasting tile will brighten the room and increase your home's value. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tile
- Tile spacers
- Backer board
- Screws
- Mortar or tile glue
- Trowel
- Wet saw or tile cutter
- Grout
- Grout sealant (optional)
- Float
- Large sponge
Instructions
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Remove all screws, nails and staples from the cedar wall. Prepare the surface by filling in any holes in the wood with caulking. Make sure the wall surface is even and level.
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Cover the cedar wall with a thin sheet of backer board. Cut the backer board to fit the entire wall and screw it onto the cedar wall using the backer board's pre-marked circles. The screws should be set about six inches apart.
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Prepare your tile glue or mortar according to the manufacturer's instructions. Using a trowel, place the glue on the backside of the tile you are putting onto the cedar wall. This prevents it from dripping on your flooring.
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Press the tile firmly onto the backer board. Hold it for about 10 seconds then move on to the next tile. Place a tile spacer or spacers between each tile as you cover the cedar wall. This keeps the tiles an equal distance apart. Follow the pattern on the backer board to keep the tiles aligned and square.
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Continue placing whole pieces of tile on the cedar wall until it is covered. Save the cuts on the edges until last.
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Measure from the edge of the cedar wall to the nearest tile, adding the spacer distance, once you cannot fit another whole tile. This measurement gives you the measurement for your cut. Using a wet saw or tile cutting tool, cut a tile to fit into the edge or corner space. Continue to cut and place tiles until the entire cedar wall is covered.
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Prepare your tile grout by mixing it with water until it reaches the consistency of peanut butter. Use a grout float or a large, damp sponge to apply the grout to the tiled wall. Spread the grout until it fills the spaces between all the tiles. Continue to wipe the grout with the damp sponge until it is smooth.
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Allow the grout to set. Apply a sealant if the tile is covering a wall in a room that is susceptible to moisture, such as a kitchen or bathroom. Local hardware stores sell grout sealant that you can use by following the packaging instructions.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Tiler replacing wall tile in shower cubicle image by Bryan Clark from Fotolia.com
