Things I'll Need for Installing Porcelain Tile on Plywood Subflooring
Laying tile can be a difficult and physically demanding job. You must apply tile to flat surfaces free of irregularities, protruding nail or screw heads and uneven plywood joints. Creating a solid, flat surface, establishing the starting point and having the right tools on hand from the beginning makes the task faster and less taxing. Once completed, a porcelain tile floor provides a wear-resistant, long lasting surface. Does this Spark an idea?
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Backerboard
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Backerboard typically consists of concrete and, when nailed over plywood subfloors, provides a perfectly flat surface for tile installation. Tiles are rigid and not subject to bending around voids or raised areas. Backerboard masks any existing irregularities in the plywood that could eventually damage or break tiles.
Layout Tools
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The exact center of the room is the best place to begin laying tile. This spot keeps as many whole tiles in view while pushing trimmed tiles closer to walls where they are less likely to be visible. A tape measure to determine the room's length and width, a chalk line for snapping clear layout lines and a framing square to make certain those lines match up perpendicular to one another are tools necessary for laying out the work.
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Adhesives
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Tile adhesive usually comes in powder form, which you then mix with water to achieve a pancake batter consistency. Adhesives for porcelain tile are referred to as "thinset," and consist of a mortar-based material. You'll fill gaps between tiles with grout, another mortar-based product sold in powder form and mixed with water. Grout binds tiles together, while thinset binds tiles to the subfloor.
Cutting Tools
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Porcelain tiles are strong, but they can shatter like glass if you cut them incorrectly or use the wrong tools. A wet saw equipped with a diamond cutting blade makes smooth, accurate cuts with a minimum of breakage. Use a pair of tile nippers to trim off small pieces of material so you can fit tiles into tight places. A pair of safety glasses is necessary when cutting porcelain tiles on a saw or with nippers.
Other Tools
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Notched trowels spread thinset onto the floor and butter the backs of tiles. The notches comb the thinset into place for the best adhesion. A rubber mallet taps tiles gently into place without breaking or damaging them. Plastic spacers come in small packages and keep the correct, uniform distance between tiles. They also serve to keep layouts from drifting out of control. A rubber float forces grout into gaps and clears excess grout from the tiles.
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References
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