DIY Tile Installation: Tips for Professional Results

November 14, 2024

From saving money on expensive tools to using chalk lines for an easy-to-follow layout, today’s blog post shares several tips to take your DIY tile installation to the next level. Scroll to the bottom for an exclusive discount code to use on your next sample purchase!

The Tile Installation Process

Here’s a quick overview of the tile installation process before we jump into our tips. For a more in-depth guide, check out this blog post.

Step 0: Do Your Research

Before diving into tile installation, it’s best to do some research so that you can determine whether the project you have in mind is suitable for your skills. We recommend reading several articles on DIY installation and watching a few videos to get a feel for the process. If you’re not confident in your abilities, hiring a pro may be the best course of action. Here are a few informational resources to get you started:

Most DIY tile installation content assumes you’re working with ceramic or porcelain tile, but if you want to install glass, natural stone, or luxury vinyl, there are some additional considerations to keep in mind. Click the links below to learn more:

We also have several step-by-step guides for specific projects that could be helpful:

Once you’ve done some research and feel certain that you’re capable of installing tile yourself, it’s time to go shopping!

Step 1: Gather Tools and Materials

Measure your space and create a rough layout - once you’ve chosen the perfect tile, you can develop a more in-depth version. Select your tile (purchasing at least 10% more than you’ll need to cover the area) and obtain the appropriate adhesive, grout, and tools. You can find more information on choosing the right products in the following articles:

Step 2: Prepare the Area

This may be the most important step in terms of the overall appearance and longevity of your tile. By ensuring the wall or floor where you’ll install the tile is clean, flat, and even, you’re guaranteeing a strong foundation for your tile. The preparation process will vary from project to project, but it often involves removing the existing flooring, thoroughly cleaning the area, removing baseboards and trimming door casings, addressing uneven floors or walls, and installing a backer board.

Step 3: Do a Dry Layout

Set out your tile according to the layout you’ve created to verify that it’s satisfactory. This enables you to determine any cuts you’ll need to make and address any areas that don’t look quite right. Pull from different boxes as you lay the tiles so that any variations in color and pattern look natural.

Step 4: Start in the Middle

Go little by little, spreading enough mortar for one or two tiles and installing them according to your layout. Use tile spacers to ensure even spacing and a rubber mallet or suction cup handle to make sure each tile is level.

Step 5: Apply Grout

It’s recommended to wait at least 24 hours after laying the tile before grouting. Once the adhesive has fully set, remove the tile spacers and clean the surface of the tiles before applying the grout with a grout float. Gently remove the grout haze from the surface of the tiles using a sponge and a bucket of water. (You may need to do this multiple times to fully remove the grout haze.)

Step 6: Seal the Tile and/or Grout

Once your grout has dried, it’s time to seal your flooring. While it’s not always necessary to seal tile (you generally only need to seal natural stone and unglazed ceramic), it’s often wise to seal your grout so that it’s not prone to mold, mildew, and discoloration. Not sure if you should seal your tile or not? Find the answer here. Depending on the location of your tile, you may also want to apply a waterproofing sealer.

Professional Installation Tips

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Want your tile to look like it was installed by a pro? Here are a few tips to help.

Think the Project Through Before Buying Materials

Measure your space and brainstorm exactly what you want before you make any purchases. Consider the size, shape, color, and material of the tile and how each of these characteristics will impact the space. You’ll also want to consider whether the tile you’ve selected is suitable for floors, walls, or both - some tiles are only ideal for one or the other.

You Don’t Always Have to Buy the Expensive Tools

A wet tile saw with a diamond blade, for instance, can be a significant investment. However, there’s no need to purchase one - you can simply rent it from your local hardware store. Plan your installation so you can make all the cuts requiring a wet saw on the same day for a shorter (and less expensive) rental period.

Similarly, if you’re not planning on doing a lot of tile installation, you don’t necessarily need to buy the most expensive trowels, grout floats, and other tools. The pricier tools are usually more costly because they’re built to last. If you only need them for a single project, though, purchasing the cheaper versions shouldn’t be a problem.

Take Your Time with the Preparation Process

Many DIYers rush through prep because they want to get to the actual tiling. However, failing to ensure the surface is smooth and perfectly clean can lead to trouble in the future. For example, your tiles may crack if they’re installed over an uneven subfloor. Take some extra time to level out the floor, install a backer board, and make sure the surface is completely clear of dirt and dust. If you’re installing wall tile, ensure the wall is plumb and scrub away any grease or grime (this can be common in kitchens, especially in areas where backsplashes are installed).

Maximize Full Tiles in Your Layout

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Prioritize having as many full tiles as possible in the installation area. While it’s rare to only use full tiles in any space–you’ll almost always have to make at least a few cuts–try to avoid going any smaller than half-size. If you can, hide smaller tiles in areas where they will be covered or at least out of the main line of sight.

Snap Chalk Lines to Stay in Alignment

Use a chalk line tool to outline your layout so that you don’t stray out of alignment as you install the tile.

Plan Your Installation Route Ahead of Time

Think through the route you’re going to take as you install the tile. Don’t tile yourself into a corner!

Choose the Right Trowel

As a general rule, choose a trowel whose gaps are equal to your tile’s thickness. You can also refer to the tile manufacturer’s guidelines. They will usually recommend a specific trowel size.

Don’t Start at One End of the Room

It may be tempting to start at one end of the room and work your way over to the other, but that’s how you’ll end up with a bunch of tiny tiles along the edge of the room, making everything look lopsided. Start in the middle instead, and be sure to do a dry layout before even touching your adhesive. This way, you can visualize exactly what the finished space is going to look like and address any areas that look a little wonky.

Utilize Tile Leveling Spacers

While tile spacers for even grout joints are frequently mentioned, tile leveling spacers are also important to minimize lippage, which occurs when the edge of one tile is higher than that of another. Not only can you see the unevenness, but you can usually feel it underfoot, and it can be a sign of an amateur installation job.

Use a Laser Level for Wall Tile

It’s likely that your walls aren’t perfectly square, so using a laser level as you install each row of tile can ensure everything remains aligned both vertically and horizontally.

It’s Okay to Pre-Cut Tiles or Make Your Cuts Later

As long as you’ve set up your layout correctly, there’s not necessarily a “best practice” concerning whether you should pre-cut all of your tiles or lay all of your full tiles first and then make the necessary cuts.

Use Grout Release

Grout release is a product that you can apply to your tile before grouting. It’s a water-soluble surface coating that makes it easier to remove grout haze and prevents pigmented grout from staining your tile. Grout release is especially important if you’ve paired light-colored tile with dark grout. Simply apply it to the surface of the tile with a sponge and allow it to dry before grouting. In some cases, you may need to apply more than one coat.

Don’t Be Aggressive When Removing Grout Haze

While it may seem like removing grout haze necessitates aggressive scrubbing, this can pull grout out of the joints between tiles. Instead, gently wipe away the grout haze and be ready to repeat the process a few times to completely remove it.

Find the Perfect Tile for Your Next Home Renovation Project at Tilezz.com!

Here at Tilezz.com, we have a selection to satisfy every style and preference–and with our fast delivery, insured shipments, and easy returns within 30 days of purchase, it’s easier than ever to shop for tile online.

Check out our full product range here, or visit our blog for some fun interior design inspiration. You can also follow us on Pinterest for more Tilezz.com content!

Exclusive Discount Code

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