Properly preparing for tile installation is just as important as the installation itself! Set yourself up for success by following the steps below.
Step 1: Measure Your Space
The very first thing you should do (even before choosing your tile!) is measure the space where the tile will be installed. Although we tend to assume that the walls in our homes are square, this isn’t always the case. Knowing the precise measurements of the area will inform the rest of the installation process, making it a crucial preparatory step.
Step 2: Select and Purchase Tile
Once you’ve measured your space, it’s time to pick out and purchase the perfect tile for your project. Two of the most important aspects to consider are the tile’s size and material. Here’s a brief overview of the pros and cons of different tile materials:
Ceramic
Pros: Affordable, water-resistant, and available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns
Cons: Less durable than porcelain, not suitable for outdoor applications
Porcelain
Pros: Versatile, durable, can be used indoors and outdoors, resistant to water, stains, scratches, and chips, plenty of variety in appearance
Cons: Can be uncomfortable underfoot, more expensive than ceramic
Natural Stone
Pros: Naturally beautiful, valuable, timeless, and elegant
Cons: Expensive, prone to scratches and stains, requires regular maintenance
Glass
Pros: Water-resistant, reflective, and available in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes
Cons: Expensive, slippery, prone to cracks and scratches, can show fingerprints
Luxury Vinyl
Pros: Realistic appearance, comfortable underfoot, cost-effective, water-, scratch-, and stain-resistant
Cons: Prone to denting and discoloration, cannot be refinished, may be difficult to remove
For a more in-depth analysis of each material, check out this blog post: Ceramic, Porcelain, Natural Stone, Glass, or Luxury Vinyl? Choosing the Right Tile for Your Project
If you’re considering large-format tile (anything measuring more than 12” by 12”), you’ll also want to take a look at this post: Large-Format Tile Buyer’s Guide
Of course, other aspects of the tile, like its color or pattern and whether it’s suitable for use on walls or floors, should also be part of your decision.
Consider Buying Samples
It’s wise to purchase samples of different tile options so that you can see how they look in your home and how they’ll feel underfoot. While this isn’t required, it’s a great way to ensure you’re making the right choice and avoid having to return large quantities of tile. (Scroll to the bottom of this blog post for a discount code that can be used to purchase samples at a lower price!)
Buy 10% More Than You Need
After making your tile choice, calculate the amount of tile you should buy using the measurements you took in Step 1. Be sure to purchase at least 10% more tile than you need. Sometimes, tiles crack during shipping, or you could accidentally cut a tile to the wrong size. It’s also nice to have extra tiles to keep in storage so that they’re available if you ever need to do repairs in the future.
If you’re working with long, plank-style tiles, such as wood-look tiles, we recommend purchasing a little extra on top of the additional 10%. Since these tiles are so long, their weight distribution makes them slightly more prone to breakage.
Step 3: Purchase Adhesive, Grout, and Sealant
Now that you’ve chosen your tile, it’s time to purchase the appropriate adhesive, grout, and sealant! Note that sealant isn’t always necessary - in general, we recommend sealing your tile if it’s made from porous natural stone or unglazed ceramic. Learn more here.
As far as adhesive goes, it’s hard to go wrong with thinset mortar. While premixed thinset mortar and epoxy mortar are also options, standard thinset mortar is the default for most tile projects. For more detailed guidelines on which adhesive is best for your project, take a look at our article on the subject: What Type of Adhesive Should You Use for Tile Installation?
Finally, selecting the right grout is crucial for both structure and aesthetics. One of the main decisions you’ll need to make is whether to use sanded or unsanded grout. Sanded grout is a great choice for ceramic and porcelain, but unsanded grout is necessary for tile types that can be scratched by sand, such as glass, granite, limestone, polished marble, and metal. Unsanded grout is also a good choice for wall tile, as it’s very sticky and easy to spread evenly.
The color of the grout you choose will make a significant impact on the overall look of your tile, so it’s important to consider the visual effect you desire. For example, grout in a similar color to your tile will create a smooth, cohesive look, whereas grout that contrasts with your tile can make a bold statement. This blog post explains your grout choices in greater detail: Choosing the Right Grout for Your Tile
Step 4: Gather Tools
Next, it’s time to gather your tools. Remember that you can often rent the larger and more expensive tools from your local hardware store rather than purchasing them. Here’s a quick overview of the tools you’ll need for tile installation:
● Pencil and graph paper for creating a layout
● Safety gear, including safety glasses, ear plugs, a mask or respirator, gloves, and knee pads
● Level
● Tape measure
● Tile nippers/tile saw
● Buckets for thinset mortar and water
● Drill and paddle mixer for mixing mortar
● Tile trowel
● Rubber mallet
● Tile beater block/sanding block
● Floor leveling system/alignment clips
● Tile spacers
● Suction cup handle
● Grout float
● Rags and sponges
● Abrasive pads for removing stubborn grout haze
Step 5: Create a Layout
Drawing out the way you plan to lay your tile (don’t forget to factor in the spaces between tiles and determine where you’ll need to make cuts!) ensures that everything will fit into place properly. It also gives you a visual representation of the project that you can refer to throughout the installation process. If you’d rather not draw out your layout with pencil and paper, many websites and apps can help you with this part of the process. Here’s a helpful post for more information on tile layouts: Create Your Own Tile Layout (Here’s How)
Step 6: Remove Baseboards and Trim Door Casings
If you’re installing floor tile, removing the baseboards and trimming the door casings so that the tile can slide underneath them will result in a more professional-looking finished product. It can also be helpful for the next preparatory step: removing your existing flooring.
Step 7: Remove the Existing Flooring
While it’s sometimes possible to install tile on top of existing flooring, you’ll need to remove it in most cases. This usually entails:
● Ripping up carpet with the aid of a razor knife and pliers
● Removing hardwood with a wood chisel, hammer, and pry bar
● Removing tile with a chisel and hammer or electric chipping hammer with a breaker point
Step 8: Clean the Area
Now that your previous flooring has been removed, it’s time to thoroughly clean the area where your tile will be installed. All dust, dirt, oil, grease, and any residue left behind from previous flooring should be wiped away.
Step 9: Address Uneven Surfaces
It’s now time to ensure that your floor is level. When you install tile on an uneven floor, there’s a higher risk of it cracking, especially if it’s in a high-traffic area or if heavy furniture is placed on top of it.
Use a four-foot level to identify any uneven areas of your flooring or wavy wall surfaces (if you’re installing wall tile). Uneven flooring can be rectified with a self-leveling compound, while uneven walls may require sanding down or adding plaster. Replacing the drywall may be necessary if the wall is extremely uneven.
Step 10: Install Backer Board
Installing a cement backer board gives your tile a strong, solid foundation. If you’re installing tile in an area that’s likely to get wet, such as a shower, look for a waterproof backer board.
The backer board installation process involves:
● Applying thinset mortar
● Laying the sheets of backer board (leaving ⅛” gaps between boards and ¼” gaps between boards and the wall)
● Securing the boards with screws
● Filling the joints with mortar
● Covering the joints with fiberglass tape
● Applying mortar on top of the fiberglass tape
● Giving the mortar plenty of time to set
Step 11: Dry Lay the Tile
Although it may seem like a hassle, dry laying your tile before installing it ensures that everything will fit into place just as you’ve planned. It also enables you to identify any problem areas and determine any cuts that must be made. As you dry lay the tile, pull from different boxes so that any color or pattern variations are spread naturally throughout the space rather than pooling together.
Step 12: Begin Installation
It’s finally time to install your tile! Here are some additional resources for this phase of your project:
● 5 Common Tile Installation Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
● 10 Tips and Tricks for DIY Tile Installation
● How to Install Tile Like a Pro (Our Top Tips)
● 8 Things You Should Know About DIY Tile Installation
● DIY Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) Installation
● DIY Tile Installation: Everything You Need to Know
● DIY Tile Installation Dos and Don’ts
● DIY Tile Installation: Tips for Professional Results
Find Tile for Your Next Project at Tilezz.com
Here at Tilezz.com, we have a wide range of tile options to suit nearly every style and preference. Take a look at our full product range here.
Interested in finding more DIY installation guides, as well as interior design inspiration? Visit our blog!
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Save on Tile Samples
It can be challenging to pick between several flooring options without seeing how they look in your space, but we can make it easier! Just use code XJF6RNZY5BJJ to get 30% off when you purchase four or more tile samples.
Please note that this code does not apply to full-size tiles and can only be used with samples.