| Ceramic floor tile is a great choice for many types of | | | | If you do want to try it yourself, take your time. |
| rooms. It comes in a large variety of styles and sizes | | | | Measure your floor precisely and map off the exact |
| and is durable and easy to clean. | | | | middle, then lay your tile out in advance to see what |
| When choosing tile for your room, be sure to pick a | | | | it might look like. You can buy little plastic tile spacers |
| size that goes well with the dimensions of the room. | | | | that you put between each one so that you can be |
| A large room will look too busy with small sized tiles. | | | | sure they are spaced evenly. Since no room is a |
| Large sized tiles will overwhelm a small room. Tiles | | | | perfect square, you will eventually have to cut some |
| come in sizes ranging from 1" to 2 feet so you | | | | tiles to fit around appliances or jogs in the shape of |
| should be able to find a size that looks nice in your | | | | the room. Make sure you have the right equipment |
| space. | | | | for this and the job will go much smoother. |
| Also, you should consider your decor before choosing | | | | Once you have the tile in place, put in the grout as |
| your tile. If you have a formal looking space then a | | | | per the manufacturers instructions and seal |
| polished marble tile might look great. If you have | | | | accordingly. It helps to buy a good quality grout and |
| decor with a southwestern, Mexican or Italian flair | | | | sealer and will be well worth the added expense in |
| then a rustic natural looking tile is best. A smooth, | | | | the long run. |
| polished type of tile will be slippery when it gets wet | | | | Tile Maintenance |
| so you might not want to install that in a entry room | | | | Ceramic tile is one the easiest types of floors to |
| or bathroom. Also, tile gets very cold so if you are | | | | clean and when properly cared for will maintain their |
| installing it in a basement, you better invest in a | | | | shiny, new appearance for years to come. To clean |
| warm pair of slippers. | | | | your tile you don't need anything fancy - just water |
| Don't forget to select a grout that compliments your | | | | and a floor cleaning product. Vacuum the floor first |
| tile. A dark colored grout is best as a white grout will | | | | then use a sponge or mop to apply the cleaner and |
| tend to get dirty looking very quickly. | | | | water mixture. Rinse off with water and let dry. |
| Tile Installation | | | | Other than that your ceramic tile does not need |
| Installing ceramic tile is not too difficult, but if you've | | | | much care. You will have to be careful about dropping |
| never done it before and aren't very handy to begin | | | | heavy objects on it particularly in the kitchen where |
| with you might be better off with a professional. | | | | heavy pots can slip and fall. If your tile does become |
| There's nothing worse than spending a bundle on tile | | | | cracked or chipped it will be very difficult to replace it |
| only to have it look crappy because you didn't install | | | | without having to dig up the rest of the floor so |
| it right! | | | | tread carefully on your new ceramic tile floor. |