| Ceramic Tile brings a texture, richness and | | | | dust. Next apply the ceramic adhesive or |
| color to a room that Linoleum has yet to | | | | mastic to the flooring, starting in the |
| truly mimic. Tile floors can be installed in | | | | center, where the two perpendicular reference |
| any room, however they are most frequently | | | | lines intersect. Apply enough material to |
| seen in Bathrooms and Kitchens. I | | | | cover 6-10 square feet, if no cuts are |
| particularly like them in entryways, where | | | | required. If cuts are required limit the |
| they serve as a transition point from the | | | | amount of mastic application to about 2-4 |
| outside to large carpeted or hardwood floored | | | | square feet. When applying the mastic, first |
| rooms. They make for easy clean up and are | | | | spread it with the flat end of the trowel. |
| impervious to water damage. | | | | Lay it on relatively thick, approximately 1 |
| | | | 8" to 3/16"thick. Then turn the trowel around |
| Tile Types | | | | and run the notched edge over it. This |
| | | | creates ridges in the mastic that helps to |
| Ceramic tiles come in two basic types. Glazed | | | | hold the tile down more securely. The larger |
| and Porcelain. Glazed holds up the best for | | | | the tile, the larger the notches should be. |
| heavy traffic areas and porcelain works well | | | | For example, I use a ¼" notched trowel for |
| in bathrooms. Porcelain is typically more | | | | 12" x 12" tiles. |
| expensive, so consider your budget and the | | | | |
| size of the area you want to tile. Tiles also | | | | Note: Only make up enough ceramic adhesive |
| come in many shapes and sizes. For flooring, | | | | for 30 minutes, as this material has the |
| however, I would suggest using larger tiles | | | | tendency to harden up rather quickly. |
| up to 12" x 12". | | | | |
| | | | Once the adhesive has been applied, begin |
| Underlayment | | | | installing the tiles working from the center |
| | | | outward. On larger tiles you should back |
| For proper installation the base foundation | | | | butter them. Basically, apply a thin coating |
| or the underlayment is critical. Typically it | | | | of mastic to the back of the tile prior to |
| consists of ¾" to 1 ¼" of plywood. | | | | laying it on the floor. This will help ensure |
| Tiling over Linoleum or existing tile is also | | | | a good bond. |
| feasible, as long as it is solid. I also | | | | |
| recommend when Tiling over Linoleum that you | | | | As you near the walls or edges of cabinets, |
| first apply ring nails or screws 6" on center | | | | tubs and toilets, you will need to cut some |
| over the entire area. Tiles can also be | | | | of the tiles. I highly recommend the use of a |
| installed directly over Concrete. Make sure | | | | Wet-Saw. A Wet-Saw will allow you to make |
| in all cases that the floor is level and free | | | | very accurate cuts, both large and small. You |
| of dust and debris prior to installation. | | | | will also save money, as you will waste many |
| There are leveling compounds that you can | | | | fewer tiles with bad cuts or broken tiles. |
| apply before applying tile if necessary. | | | | Wet-Saws are not that expensive and once you |
| | | | see your finished product you will certainly |
| Preparing the Site | | | | be installing more tile. Wet-Saws can also be |
| | | | rented as a cheaper alternative. |
| Before actually installing the tile, it is | | | | |
| best to lay it out in the room to see how it | | | | When applying Tiles, you may want to use |
| will look. Pay close attention to how it runs | | | | Lugs. Lugs are effectively spacers that come |
| out toward the walls, in the corners and next | | | | in various thicknesses. I typically like to |
| to cabinets, tubs and toilets. The trick is | | | | have no more than a ¼" space between the |
| to lay the tile out such that stubby tiles do | | | | tiles. Employing Spacers will ensure |
| not show up in highly visible spots. Once you | | | | uniformity with your tile spacing. |
| have completed this, make two marks with a | | | | |
| pencil outlining the most centered tile. | | | | Grouting |
| These lines should be perpendicular to each | | | | |
| other. Also take note of the wall that is | | | | After the Tile has been completely installed, |
| most visible from all the others. Now remove | | | | allow it to sit for 24-48 hours before |
| the tiles. Next draw or snap a line | | | | applying grout and walking on it. Grout comes |
| perpendicular to this wall that is in line | | | | in many different colors and is very easy to |
| with one of the marks you made on the floor. | | | | install. Simply mix the grout with water or a |
| | | | special bonding agent and apply with a rubber |
| Then, draw a perpendicular line to this first | | | | trowel. Run the trowel on a bias when going |
| line. This second line should be centered | | | | over tile corners. |
| with the first line and fairly in line with | | | | |
| the second mark you made on the floor. Once | | | | Once the grout has been applied, immediately |
| you have completed this task, re-layout some | | | | wipe the tile of excess grout, using a wet |
| of the tiles along the perpendicular lines | | | | sponge and a bucket of water. Wait 30 minutes |
| and observe if they run out in a way that | | | | and again wipe the tiles down of any residual |
| will limit cutting and stubbed tiles. Once | | | | grout. Wait another 60 minutes and repeat. If |
| this is completed, remove the tiles and | | | | grout is left on the tiles to dry, you will |
| prepare for the actual installation. | | | | have a great deal of elbow work scraping it |
| | | | off. |
| Installing the Tile | | | | |
| | | | Let the grout sit up for 24 hours and it is |
| Again, make sure the area is free of dirt and | | | | ready for use and admiration. |