How to Add Tile Accents to Floors
Floor tile accents create visual interest and provide visual divisions within a living space. One way to add accent tiles to your floor is to install a tiled entrance. Think of it as a tiled welcome mat. It will protect your floor and add an accent to your room. Carefully plan your floor space to allow for tile accents. Laying out your tile prior to applying any adhesive will allow you to achieve a desirable outcome and identify an aesthetically-pleasing tile arrangement. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Cove molding, 96 inches long
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Miter saw
- Finish nails
- Nail set
- Wood putty
- Putty knife
- Wood finish
- Paintbrush
- 6 slate tiles, 12-inch by 12-inch
- Tile mastic
- Notched trowel
- Bag, 1/2-inch tile spacers
- Tile grout
- Grout float
- Sponge
- Bucket, water
Instructions
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1
Measure the cove molding and mark it at 38 inches using a tape measure and pencil.
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2
Saw the cove molding to the marked measurement with a miter saw. Place the molding flat against the table and fence of the saw and cut through the molding in a steady motion to complete the cut. Cut a 45-degree angle on each end of the molding. The angles should be opposite each other so you will have one long edge and one shorter edge. The long edge should be on the front side of the molding and measure 38 inches. This is the front of the tile accent frame.
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3
Measure, mark and cut two sections of cove molding to a length of 25 ½ inches. Cut one 45-degree angle on the cove molding. Angle the cut inward toward the back edge of the molding. The front edge of the molding will still measure 25 ½ inches. These are the sides of the tile accent frame.
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Place the sides of the tile accent frame parallel to each other onto the floor in the entrance where you plan to locate the accent tiles. Space the outside edges of the sides 38 inches apart. The flat ends of the sides should be flush against the baseboard on either side of the entrance.
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Fit the front of the tile accent frame over the 45-degree mitered ends of the sides to create a three-sided rectangular frame. The 45-degree mitered ends should fit together to form right angles on the two front corners.
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6
Hammer finish nails through the molding into the floor every 4 to 6 inches along the length of the side and front molding sections. Tap the nails slightly below the surface of the wood with a nail set and hammer.
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7
Fill the nail holes with wood putty. Allow the putty to dry for 24 hours and sand it flush with fine-grit sandpaper with the wood in the same direction as the grain.
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8
Apply a wood finish to the molding to match the floor using a paintbrush. Allow the finish to dry 72 hours to fully cure before continuing.
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9
Spread an even coat of tile mastic onto the floor with a notched trowel inside the tile accent molding frame.
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10
Lay out the six slate tiles inside the tile accent molding frame in two rows of three. Insert tile spacers between the joints to ensure the spacing is even. Allow the mastic to dry for 24 hours.
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Apply grout to the joints of the tiles. Simply drag a grout-loaded grout float at a slight angle across all the joints. Allow a film to form over the tiles. Allow about 15 to 20 minutes for this to appear.
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Wash the film off the tiles with a damp sponge. Rinse the sponge and repeat the cleaning process until the sponge wrings out clean. Allow the grout to dry for 72 hours before heavy use.
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Tips & Warnings
Use two different-colored slates as a pattern within the tile accent.
Wear eye and hand protection when working with tile mastic and grout.
