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Installation of porcelain tile is very important to have clean-lined flooring
A tile installation creates a beautiful, durable, and easy-to-clean floor
Laying tiles can be a daunting job, but you can do it with a little preparation and time
Learn how to lay bathroom floor tiles and grout tiles
There are several ways to lay tiled floors
We’ll show you how to lay floor tiles in your bathroom using one of the methods below, but always follow the tile manufacturer’s instructions on how to lay the floor and any applicable building codes
apply to your work
Installing shower wall tiles or bathtub tiles is not the same as laying floors, so even if you have done one of these projects before, review the installation steps for these tiles before laying your floors
Installing a tiled floor can take several days
In addition to removing the existing floors and installing the tiles, it takes time for the fine mortar to set and the grout to dry, so you won’t be able to walk on the floor right away
Be beyond any doubt to schedule the time you would like
The most important step in installing tile is to properly prepare the subfloor
For this project, we started with bare floors in a new bathroom
If you are removing old tile, you will need to trim the old tile and use a scraper to remove the old mortar
Removing existing tiles can get dusty
Shield adjoining rooms, make sure you have good ventilation and wear proper safety equipment, such as safety goggles and face shields
In an existing bathroom, you will also need to remove the toilet and the plinth, and you may need to remove the bathroom vanity
The main thing you are looking for is a level or even a sub-floor
If you have any depressions, you can fill them in with a leveling compound
Before you start, make sure you have enough tiles to do the job
Measure the width and length of your bathroom and multiply the measurements to get your square footage
Add another 10% to get extra for damaged or wrong tiles
Use our tile calculator for a quick estimate
The thin-set mortar is the adhesive that holds the tiles to the floor
Typically, you’ll see it called Thinset
We will also be using Thinset to attach the tile membrane to the floor and our tiles to the membrane
The membrane we used in this project is an uncoupling membrane that allows for expansion and contraction under the tile without cracking the floor
For this project, we used an unmodified thin-set mortar, but if you are not using an uncoupling membrane and you are installing the tile over a cement backing, you will need to use a modified thin-set mortar, which is a polymer
Mortar can improve bond strength
Lay out your membrane with fleece side down, and mark the subfloor around the edges of the film so you know where to lay the thin layer
Use a utility knife to cut any pipe
Blend unmodified thin layers
You’ll know it’s the right consistency when you can pull the trowel out and the ridge stays straight
Work one section at a time so that the thin layer does not dry out before installing the membrane
Using the smooth side of the trowel, apply a thin coat to the floor, evenly covering the entire surface
At that point utilize the notched side of the trowel to comb the mortar
Roll the membrane out and use a wooden trowel to press it into a thin layer
Continue to work in sections applying the mortar, then the membrane
To waterproof the seams, use waterproof tape
Apply a few thin coats to the membrane, then use a trowel to press the tape into it, making sure you have at least 2 inches of overlap at each seam
Cover joints between sections of membrane and along walls
If your bathroom has finished walls, you can seal along the walls with caulk or a sealer designed for your membrane instead of tape
Next, mark the guides for the tiles
Start by measuring two opposite walls and draw a chalk line between the center points
Then do the same with the remaining walls
This will give you a starting point
You can spray the chalk with hairspray to help it stay on the membrane
Dry the tiles to check your layout and use tile spacers to ensure the expansion gap is correct
Leave a 1/4″ gap along the outside edge for expansion
Mix tiles from different boxes to help keep the color consistent throughout the room
If you notice small tiles at one end, you can drag the layout on the side to widen the edge tiles
If you change the layout, don’t forget to mark the new guides
Blend more of the unmodified thin mix to a peanut butter consistency
Starting from the center, apply the mortar evenly, taking care to fill the cavities of the membrane
As before, work one section at a time before laying the tile to prevent the sheet from drying out
Use the serrated edge of the trowel to comb the mortar at a 45 degree angle
Place the first tile on the reference line in the center of the room and twist it slightly while pressing down to ensure a complete bond
Install the tiles along the guidelines, placing spacers between each tile
For a few tiles, pull one up to ensure full contact with the sheet
Alternatively, butter the back of the tile – apply mortar to the back of the tile – for more coverage
Use a damp sponge to remove thin layers from the tile surface
Occasionally check high spots with longer levels and gently level them with a rubber mallet
Keep in mind to take off a 1/4″ gap at the edge of the room
You will also need 1/4″ clearance around all pipes
When you need to cut tiles, tile cutters make simple cuts
You can cut curves with handheld tile nippers, while a tile hole saw is great for punching holes
If you are going to be doing a lot of cutting, you can use a wet tile saw, which can shorten the cutting job
After laying the tile, allow the thin layer to dry for 24 hours before grouting
After finishing the project, it is time to know How to Grout Tile:
Remove the spacers between the tiles, use a rubber float to press the grout into the joint, then pull the grout diagonally to remove the excess
Wait about 20 minutes, then wipe the grout lines with a damp sponge and water
Once the grout is in place, you should usually wait 72 hours before walking on the floor, but check the manufacturer’s recommendations for details
You can use a grout degreaser to remove any haze left on the tile surface
Apply silicone sealant to the expansion joint
After three weeks, you can use a grout sealer to help protect the grout
Install baseboards and quadrant dies
When moving from room to room, install transition strips as needed to cover floor joints, especially from tile to another type of floor
