How to Tile a Floor

If you are looking for advice on how to tile a floor, this article has everything you need to know. We will go over all of the necessary tools, materials, and safety equipment, as well as a complete guide to floor tiling installation.

What Tools Do I Need to Tile a Floor?

Before tiling a floor, you need to make sure that you have the right tools to complete the job correctly. Below is a list of the tools that you will need to tile a floor:

• Drill
• Pipe and cable detector
• Batons
• Mixing paddle
• Bucket
• Trowel
• Adhesive spreader
• Floor tile spacers
• Grout spreader
• Tile scribe
• Tile nipper
• Tile file
• Cartridge gun
• Spirit level
• Tape measure
• Sponge
• Masking tape
• Metal ruler
• Scissors
• Paper
• Cloth
• Pencil

What Safety Equipment Do I Need to Tile a Floor?

Below is a list of the safety equipment that you will need for this type of job:

• Safety goggles
• Gloves

What Materials Do I Need to Tile a Floor?

The materials that you will need to tile a floor are listed below:

• Floor tiles
• Tile adhesive
• Grout
• Grout protector
• Silicone sealant
• Screws

There are various type of tiles, so it is essential that you explore different styles before deciding on the right tile flooring for your home. The most popular tile options include:

Ceramic Tiles

This tile material is one of the most popular choices and can be found in the majority of households in kitchens or bathrooms. This is due to ceramic tiles being extremely durable, easy to install and are also low-maintenance, although it is not the most comfortable flooring underfoot.

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are favoured as different styles mimic natural stone, brick or wood, which offers a more traditional design. The upkeep required is also minimal, so it does not need to be cleaned as regularly as real stone, brick or wood; however, installation is more complicated than ceramic tiles.

Glass Tiles

The main benefit of glass tiles is the extensive stain resistant it provides, which makes any spillages easy to clean without the worry of permanent stains. The only downside is glass tiles do tend to chip quite easily, so they are not the best choice for high traffic areas.

Cement Tiles

One of the most versatile tile designs is cement, as there are a variety of patterns and colours to choose from. Cement tiles have been around since the 19^th century, which is favoured by more traditional homes, although there are also contemporary designs available. However, cement tiles are harder than other materials and may not be the most comfortable.

How to Prepare for Tiling a Floor

You will need to prepare your floor with a primer before tiling it. You can find floor tile primer at most DIY shops.

You will also need to work out how your tiles will fit in the room before you stick them down. Most rooms aren’t perfectly square, so you may need to cut some tiles to fit. It’s important to have a good idea of this before going ahead with the job.

You should aim for the most aesthetically pleasing layout by having symmetrical lengths of tile at the sides. This may require you to cut down several tiles to the right size so that they match on each side.

To do this, you want to find the middle point of your bathroom and then measure from that point to the wall to determine how many full tiles will fit, and how much you need to cut off the tiles that will lay closest to the wall.

You should now mark out the end points where the last full tiles will be placed (before the cut tile at the edge). This should be done at all edges so that you can create a neat tiling pattern within the markings. Fix a baton to the floor against each starting point.

Do this by screwing in temporary nails with straight pieces of plywood. Always make sure you check for pipes and cables before screwing into any areas of the floor.

Finally, you need to prepare the adhesive. The type of floor you are tiling will dictate the type of adhesive you need to use. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions.

Most adhesives come as a powder that needs to be mixed with water. However, it is vital that you follow the instructions that come with the adhesive so that you mix it correctly.

How to Tile a Floor Yourself - Step by Step Guide

If you are looking for a guide on how to tile a bathroom floor, follow our simple step-by-step guide below:

Step 1

To begin tiling, start by scooping out enough adhesive to cover about a square metre and then apply it to the floor. Use a notched spreader to spread the adhesive over the area where you are going to begin tiling. You should only apply adhesive a square metre at a time.

Step 2

Place your first tile square to your batons and give it a good push down the bed it into the adhesive.

Step 3

Then, place another tile alongside it. Place spacers between the tiles to ensure you leave the right amount of gap between each one.

Step 4

As you’re applying the tiles, check periodically that they are level and flat using a spirit level.

Step 5

Continue placing whole tiles across the floor, always ensuring that they are still in line with your markings and batons and always remember to place tile spacers between each of the tiles as you go along.

Step 6

Periodically wipe the tiles with a damp sponge to remove any excess adhesive on the surface and to clear any adhesive in between the tiles in the grout lines too.

Step 7

Continue laying the tiles until all of your whole tiles have been laid.

Step 8

Once you have completed laying all of the whole tiles, you can then remove your temporary batons.

Step 9

Measure the gap between the wall and edge for each tile to be cut. This may vary as the wall may not be completely straight. Don’t forget to take into account the group gap, too when measuring.

Step 10

Once you have marked the distance on new tiles, cut them down to the right size. Always wear protective gloves and goggles when cutting tiles.

Step 11

After cutting the tiles, check that it fits into the gap properly. Then apply adhesive and press the tile down into the gap.

Step 12

Continue adding the remaining cut tiles around the whole room.

Step 13

When tiling around obstacles, always leave the other tiles to dry first, as they may move while you try to fit the tiles around the obstacles. The best way to fit tiles around an obstacle such as the bottom of the toilet is to map it out on paper first.

Cut a piece of paper to the same size of a tile and then line it up to your obstacle and cut it to size. This will help you to determine how you need to cut your tiles to fit around the obstacle.

Step 14

Mark out the shape of your paper template onto a tile and then cut it to size. The best way to cut strange shapes is by using a tile nipper and a tile file.

Step 15

Check that the tile fits correctly and then add adhesive and press it down into the gap.

Step 16

You then need to grout the tiles. Wait until your adhesive has fully dried before grouting. Only mix as much grout as you need to use within 30 minutes as it will start to dry after this time and will be hard to apply.

To grout your tiles, simply add some grout into the gap between the tiles and move it around using a grout spreader. Once you’ve grouted, wipe the tiles with a damp sponge to remove any excess grout before it hardens. Continue this step across all of the tiles.

Step 17

Finally, seal the gap between the tiles and the wall with silicone sealant.

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