How to Place Floor Tile
Generally, floor tiles are laid in a grid pattern that starts at the middle of the floor and builds out toward the edges. This layout ensures that the cuts you'll have to make to the tiles at the perimeter are the same size at opposite ends of the room, rather than starting with a full tile at one end and having a sliver of a tile at the other. Start with a firm, clean base of wood or cement board. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Chalk snap line
- Carpentry square
- Thin set mortar
- Notched trowel
- Floor tiles
- Spacers
- Tile cutter
- Grout
- Grout float
- Sponge
Instructions
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1
Divide the floor in half with your chalk line, snapping a line from wall to wall across the middle.
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2
Stretch the string of the snap line over the floor in the perpendicular direction, bisecting the first line and dividing the floor into four quadrants. Lay a square at the intersection of the lines and adjust the string before you snap the line, to ensure the two lines are 90 degrees off each other.
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3
Spread thin set mortar onto the floor over the intersection of the two lines, using a notched trowel. Cover as much area as you can comfortably reach from one position. The lines will still be visible through the mortar.
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4
Place a floor tile in one corner of the intersection, pressing it into the mortar with both hands. Lay additional tiles around it. Put spacers between them as you lay them.
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5
Build out from the center of the floor toward the edges, spreading more mortar as you go and using the lines to keep it all straight. Put spacers between all of them.
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6
Use a tile cutter to cut the tiles around the perimeter, as necessary. Lay them with the cut sides facing the walls.
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Allow the mortar to set overnight. Pull out the spacers. Use a grout float to spread grout over the whole surface, pressing it into the spaces between the tiles. Wipe up the excess grout with a dampened sponge.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
