Tile Installation

An important tip when shopping for tile, get takeout. Bring home samples from a local tile dealer. Seeing tile you want on a showroom is good thing. However, seeing the tile in the room where it is going to be installed is even better.

When you are ready to order tile, whether it is from a store or online, always determine first how much your project will require. The amount of tile you order is based on two things, the size of the tiles you have selected and the dimensions of the area to be tiled.

There are basically two types of tile you will be ordering, field tile and trim. Fields tiles are typically square and make up the largest flat area of the installation. Trim tiles are the one’s used for borders, edges and special accents. Field tile is sold by the square foot but remember to order about 10 to 15% more tile than you think you will need to cover waste, inaccurate cuts and breaks. Once you have finished measuring, ordering tile is as simple as stopping in to a local showroom or logging on to the internet.

Now, it is time to get all the materials you will need for this project. Will you be removing wallpaper? Taking out baseboards and clearing surface debris? Pulling cabinets or toilets? In each case, you will the appropriate wrenches, pry bars, scrapers and tools to handle it.

Masking tape and masking tape and rosin paper are good to have for protecting adjoining surfaces during the installation. If your project calls for new plywood or a cement board backing, you will need the right tools to cut and secure it.

For laying out your project, it is a good idea to have things like a straight edge, a square, a level and a chalk line. These will help mark the guidelines for accurately setting your tile. Some tools to help your instillation include a wet saw for cutting the tile and the tile cutting pull saw for installing tile around plumbing and water lines.

There are dry and premix mortars available to attach the tile. The type and amount of mortar for your project will depend on the tile you buy and its application. So, check with the tile manufacturer or dealer before you buy. To spread the mortar, you will need a notched trowel. These notches differ in width and depth, so be sure to find out which trowel is right for your tile installation.

You can make setting tile a lot easier and more precise by using spacers. These help align the tile row by row and create uniform grout joints.

When buying grout, check to see that it is compatible with the tile you are installing. You will also need to have a float to apply the grout along with sponges to wipe the excess grout out off the tile. Certain tiles require a coding of penetrating sealer to prevent stains or discoloration. Check with your tile dealer on the correct sealer for your tile.

And do not forget your own personal wear and tear. Be sure to have a pair of gloves and safety glasses on hand for your protection. If you are tiling a floor, you will really appreciate investing in knee pads.

So, before you order your tile, take the time to consider every step of the project and have the right tools and material within reach. This will save you a lot of trips to and from the store and make your tile project much more enjoyable.