Where Do You Start When Laying Ceramic Tile?

When you are laying a ceramic tile, the most difficult is the first bathroom tile you need to place. All of the others are aligned according to it, so you need to be careful. Lay your tile by leaning its bottom side on the wall and then pressing it up.

• If you are tiling the floor, start from the intersection lines in the middle of your floor and work your way to the walls.
• If you are tiling the wall, start from your datum line and place them row by row, moving up.

If you are not sure what the intersection lines are and what the datum line is, maybe it would be best if you left this tiling project to an expert. Tile installation cost is not that high if you understand that it means you will not have to do it again in a short while.

Ask experienced tilers what their tile installation cost would be for your project. Compare their quotes and get your job done for a fair price.

If you still want to know the steps to do your own bathroom tiling, here are some more details you should know about.

How Do I Tile My Bathroom Floor?

Here are the steps toward bathroom tiling. If you are starting from your floor, and you should, here is what you need to do

1. Measure it precisely

Take that measuring tape, but also your spirit level, and make sure you have all the measurements precisely. Once you have all the sides, you need to calculate the surface area that you need to cover with your tiling work.

Add some 10% more to that surface because you will need to cut some tiles and there will be waste. Measurements are not there only because of the tiles; you need that surface calculation to know how much adhesive and grout you need, as well.

2. Put in good underlayment

Your underlayment is a base for all your tiling work. As such, it needs to be flat, solid and waterproof. Most people opt for a backer board that can be waterproofed before you place your bathroom tile on it. However, backer boards are not the only type of underlayment. There are also waterproof membranes that play this same role. Look into it, or just go for the classic.

3. Figure out tile places

You don’t just start laying tiles one by one on your bathroom floor and wall and hope for the best. You first need to measure it. The first step is to draw the lines of where your tiles need to be. Some professionals use laser grids that show these lines across the walls and make the tiling easier.

This step is needed because your tile size is not always perfect for the surface that needs tiling. You will have to cut some tiles and work around some of the irregular shapes in your home.

4. Apply the thinset

You know where your tiles should go, and you have them all planned out. The surface is prepared, cleaned and ready for the adhesives. The most commonly used mixes for tiling are thin-set and mastic. They provide you with a strong bond between the wall and the tile, which is guaranteed to last. There are other options, as well, but these are the usual ones.

5. Place your tiles

Just like we said, you need to start from the intersecting lines on your floor and place your tiles from those points toward the walls. That means you will only have to cut and tailor the tiles that don’t entirely fit next to the wall. That part is usually covered with furniture, after all.

When planning and placing your tiles, use the spacers. They need to be in place when you position the tiles and removed only after the thin-set has dried. This can take around 24 hours.

6. Apply the grout

That space between the tiles needs to be filled. This is done by applying the grout. Use a tool that will allow you to spread the grout over the intersecting lines between the tiles. You will be left with a lot of excess grout on the tiles. Wipe it off, taking care that there is still enough of it left in between the tiles.

While these steps go into detail, there are still some questions that are unanswered. Here are some of them:

What Is Underlayment for Tile?

Underlayment is a cement backer board on which you lay your tiles. In most cases, homes will have a plywood subfloor. This is needed to provide stability.

Over that subfloor, you need a waterproof surface that will protect it. Commonly, that is the cement backer board – the underlayment. Lately, some waterproof membranes have been used as a substitution.

Can You Tile Over Drywall?

Theoretically, you can do your tiling work over the drywall. You can do this in your kitchen and similar areas. If you want to do tiling work in your bathroom, don’t put bathroom tiles directly on the dry wood in your shower. Even when the drywall is moisture-resistant. It can never be as strong as it should be in the areas that are wet all the time.

You first need to remove all the dirt from your drywall. The next step is to degrease it and then cover it in adhesive. One by one, set the tiles and apply the grout. It is not different from placing tiles on any other surface.

Can You Install Tile Directly on Concrete?

Yes. You can install tile directly on concrete. This is one of the most permanent solutions in tiling. The tile cracking and popping happens due to the fact that they shrink and expand together with their underlying surface. If that surface is concrete, this is less likely to happen. However, if you ever decide on tile removal, it will be a difficult job.

Your best bet for tiling in your home is to hire a professional tiler. Don’t be intimidated by the possible costs because they don’t have to be that high. Get several quotes from local professionals at once. Compare them and see which one fits your budget.