How to Use Porcelain Tiles to Create Borders & Designs on Floors
Porcelain tiles are prized for their bright, varied colors. One advantage of a porcelain floor over one of granite or slate is that with porcelain, you can use the different colors to mix and match patterns and designs. Since tile is mortared down, be clear on the pattern you want before you install it. Stick with standard colors (red, blue, green) rather than trendy colors (mauve, tope, orange), as they're going to be there for a while. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Chalk snap line
- Porcelain tiles in two colors
- Thinset mortar
- Notched trowel
- Tile spacers
- Tile cutter
- Grout
- Grout float
- Sponge
Instructions
-
-
1
Divide the floor into four equal squares, using a chalk snap line to lay two lines that intersect in the middle of the floor.
-
2
Set the first four porcelain tiles at the middle of the floor, in the four corners created by the two lines, without mortar. Leave a little space between the tiles (about 1/8 inch).
-
-
3
Lay more tiles around the first ones, building out from the middle toward the walls, covering the whole floor (but still without mortar). Mix in different colored tiles as desired, assessing and readjusting the design as you go. Options for using colored tiles include putting them in a square area around the center of the room; making a line around the perimeter of the floor; making a checkerboard design; or scattering the colors randomly. Get the design the way you want it.
-
4
Remove the middle six or eight tiles and thinset mortar. Press the tiles back into place in the mortar, in the same configuration they were in before, lining them up with the chalk lines and putting spacers between them.
-
5
Repeat the process of mortaring down the tiles section by section, taking up six or eight at a time and setting them back down in the mortar. Cut the tiles around the edges of the room as necessary on a tile cutter.
-
6
Let the tiles set 12 hours. Pull out the spacers.
-
7
Grout the floor with a grout float, spreading the grout over the surface and pressing it into the spaces. Use a damp sponge to wipe up residual grout from the surface. Let it set 48 hours.
-
1
