| Installing ceramic wall tile is a | | | | |
| step-by-step process that you can do. | | | | Before actually laying tile on the wall, lay |
| | | | out some tiles on a floor to see how the |
| This article describes the tools and | | | | tiles will work with your wall dimensions. |
| materials you need and the steps to | | | | Dry setting of tiles lets you visualize how |
| installing wall tile the right way! | | | | the finished floor will look before you get |
| | | | adhesive spread all over! |
| The Base. | | | | |
| | | | Sometimes centering the job may not be best. |
| Ceramic tile can be installed over many | | | | Depending on the layout of the wall or the |
| different materials, including sheetrock. | | | | room, it may be best to start at one side and |
| One of the best base materials, especially | | | | work across the room. Also from top to |
| around water, is cement board. Especially | | | | bottom, it may be best to start with a full |
| for tub surrounds and showers, cement board | | | | tile. Or it may be best to start with a |
| is the best choice. | | | | partial piece on the bottom and use a partial |
| | | | piece on top too. There's art to laying |
| Cement board is installed with special | | | | tile. |
| screws. The joints are taped with a special | | | | |
| adhesive tape. The taped joints are covered | | | | Choose And Use The Adhesive. |
| with thin-set, like you would tape and mud | | | | |
| sheetrock. | | | | For walls, you might choose a latex adhesive |
| | | | or glue. There are many types of ceramic |
| Materials and Tools. | | | | tile adhesive. Some people use a masonry |
| | | | thin-set, just like what's usually used on |
| Measure the wall surfaces to determine the | | | | floors. Your dealer can help you pick the |
| square area to be covered. Gather the | | | | best product. |
| materials before you start the job. You will | | | | |
| need the following: | | | | Installing Wall Tile. |
| | | | |
| - Tile pieces including trim | | | | Once you like your layout, you're ready to |
| | | | start applying the adhesive. The adhesive |
| - Thin-set or adhesive mix | | | | you'll use is spread with a trowel. The |
| | | | tile trowel will have a smooth edge on one |
| - Grout mix | | | | side and notches on the other. The notches |
| | | | help you get just the right amount of |
| And these tools: | | | | thin-set. For larger tiles, use a trowel |
| | | | with 1/4 inch notches. Smaller tile will |
| - Plastic 5 gallon buckets (2) | | | | require a trowel with smaller notches. |
| | | | |
| - Tile saw | | | | Continually check alignment with your level. |
| | | | Make horizontal lines at every row or two to |
| - Nippers | | | | make sure you're staying straight. The |
| | | | original vertical lines will be there all the |
| - Cutter board | | | | way up the wall. |
| | | | |
| - Tile sponge | | | | A cap piece is usually used on top to trim |
| | | | out the wall top. |
| - Hammer | | | | |
| | | | Grouting. |
| - Screwdriver | | | | |
| | | | After the tiles have set for 24 - 48 hours, |
| - Notched tile trowel | | | | apply the grout. Grout is used to fill the |
| | | | spaces between the tiles and is applied with |
| - Margin trowel | | | | a rubber trowel. |
| | | | |
| - Chalk line | | | | Grout comes as sanded or unsanded. Sanded |
| | | | grout contains sand to give it more strength |
| - Pencil | | | | and is used in joints wider than 1/8 inch. |
| | | | |
| - Tri square | | | | Cleaning Ceramic Wall Tile. |
| | | | |
| - Tape measure | | | | Clean the grout off the tile when it starts |
| | | | to haze. You can clean it about an hour |
| - Level | | | | later for a second time. Clean with water |
| | | | and sponge. |
| Lay Out Wall. | | | | |
| | | | Use the same process for shower walls, tub |
| Find the center of the room. Measure the | | | | surrounds, tile on bathroom walls, |
| width and height of the wall and strike lines | | | | backsplashes or most any wall. |
| to determine the center. Use these lines as | | | | |
| the guides to lay the tile. Strike chalk | | | | Installing ceramic wall tile is a great |
| lines every few rows and columns to guide | | | | project! Add beauty and practical value to |
| yourself. | | | | your home. |