How to Install Tile & the Price Per Square Foot

A typical tile floor

Tile installation jobs are often priced at a rate per square foot. This is also the way materials are priced when purchasing them at retail outlets. After you have completed your tile installation job, you can calculate your own price per square foot and determine how much you've saved on the job.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer
• Floor Tiles
• Sandpaper
• Level
• Chalk Line
• Scraper
• Mastic
• Steel Square
• Tape Measure
• Grooved Trowel
• Scissors
• Glue
• Plane
• Brush
• Hand Cleaner

Instructions

Prepare the Floor

1. 

   Raw, clean subflooring is important for laying tile.

   Use strong, environmentally safe cleaning chemicals to prepare the floor prior to installing the new tile. Clear away any wax, grease or oil that would prevent the tile from adhering properly.

2. 

   The floor must be level.

   Level the floor prior to installation. This may be as simple as driving a few nails which have worked themselves loose, or it may require that you lay a new sub-floor.

3. 

   New plywood flooring.

   A quick fix for an uneven floor can be to simply lay new plywood flooring over an existing floor. There also are commercially available fillers which can be used to level cement floors.

Start from Center

1. 

   Measure to find the center.

   Measure the room, ignoring any abnormalities, and calculate the center as if it were a rectangular room.

2. 

   A chalk line amounts to some string and some chalk.

   Use the chalk line to divide the room into four equal parts with the lines overlapping in the center.

3. 

   Measure twice, cut once.

   Check your measurements to make sure that the center point you have marked is the same distance from each of the opposing walls.

Double Check

1. 

   Lay a dry run of tile to double-check your measurements.

   Lay a dry run of tiles to to visualize your pattern and ensure that your center mark is properly placed. Start at the center and lay one row of tiles out to each of the four walls.

2. 

   Check your end measurements.

   Measure the space remaining at the end of each of these four rows. Shift the center line if the space between the end of the row of tiles and the wall is more than eight inches or less than two inches.

3. 

   Chalk a new line if needed.

   Re-chalk the center line 4 ½ inches closer to the wall if you find the gap is more than eight inches or less than two inches. Repeat this section to verify your measurements using the new center point.

Plan

1. 

   Open, sort, and inspect all your tile before proceding.

   Open all your tile and sort it. Verify that all the tile you need is there and in good condition.

2. 

   Lay out your pattern on paper.

   Lay out your design on paper in order to set the pattern and determine the center tiles. Do it prior to laying any tile.

3. 

   Determine the center point.

   Once you have determined your center tiles and set your pattern, follow the same order when laying tiles throughout the project.

Glue

1. 

   Read the instructions again.

   Take a moment to re-read the application instructions for the adhesive you will be using even if you've already read them.

2. 

   Apply the glue per manufacturer instructions.

   Most adhesives are applied using the grooved part of your trowel. Verify this with the instructions for your particular adhesive.

3. 

   Typically you will need to wait 15 minutes.

   Most adhesives require a 15 minutes curing period prior to laying any tile. Again, verify this with the instructions for your particular adhesive.

4. 

   Test the adhesive.

   Check the adhesive after the curing period, typically 15 minutes, has passed. This is easily done by placing your finger onto the adhesive on the floor. If it is sticky, but you finger comes back clean, it is ready for you to apply the tiles. If the adhesive sticks to your finger, wait a short while longer then check again.

Tile

1. 

   Start with the center tile.

   Make sure the first tile is perfectly aligned with both the horizontal and vertical guide lines at the center of the floor.

2. 

   Work your way out from the center while repeating your pattern.

   Place each tile so it butts firmly against the previous tile. Place all tiles in the proper position; don't slide them across the glue. If a tile is not properly positioned on the first try, lift it from the floor, reposition it and lower it into place.

3. 

   You will need to cut the tile along the border.

   To cleanly and easily cut the boarder tiles you will need two whole tiles, one to measure and one to cut. Place the tile you will cut directly on top of the last tile laid along the edge of the wall. Place the measuring tile on top and slide it until it is flush with the wall. Use the edge of the measuring tile as a straight edge and mark the tile to be cut. Cut along this line and the tile will fit perfectly into the gap.

4. 

   Also cut around pipes.

   Use a paper pattern as a guide when cutting around pipes.

Price

1. 

   Calculate the area of the room.

   Use the measurements of the room and calculate the area of the floor.

2. 

   Calculate the cost of materials.

   Total the cost of your materials, labor, tools, and any other expenses for doing the job.

3. 

   Divide the cost by the area.

   Divide your total costs by the calculated square footage of the project and you will have your price per square foot.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't wash or in any way wet your new tile floor for at least one week. Give the glue time to dry completely.

References

• Aubuchon Hardware: How to Install Floor Tile