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