A Few Little Tips and Advice on Laying Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile can add beauty and value to your home. Whether you are tiling a floor or the inside of a shower, ceramic is a wonderful choice of material. It is not only beautiful, it is remarkably durable. Ceramic sends a message of quality and style.

Ceramic can be used on floors, walls, inside showers, and as backsplashes in the kitchen. Ceramic tile comes in countless colors and styles. It comes in different sizes, from two foot by two foot squares down to one inch squares. The size of the tile to use is usually dictated by the area to be covered. For example, you wouldn't want to use the big two foot squares in a tiny bathroom. It would be too big for the area.

If you've already been eyeing the ceramic tile, then you know all the sizes, styles, and colors it comes in. You can get smooth if you like, or go with a rough texture. It's really all a matter of taste. Just be sure to use floor tile on the floor and wall tiles on the wall. You could probably get away with using floor tiles on the walls, but not the other way around. Floor tile is generally thicker to withstand weight.

Once you've figure out the square footage of your area, purchase the correct amount of tile. Keep in mind that the exact square footage will probably not be enough. Always buy some extra for boo-boos and for end pieces. You will also need to decide on the color of grout you want between the tiles. Again, this is a personal choice. You will also need sealer for the grout.

While you're there you might as well ask about renting a wet saw. This type of saw actually sprays water on the blade as it is cutting the tile. This keeps the tile from breaking. This type of saw is a little messy, but it's not rocket science. Just practice cutting a couple and you'll feel like a pro in no time.

You will also need a couple of trowels. One should have jagged edges for spreading the mortar. There may be a few other things, like sponges to clean the grout off the face of the tile and maybe spaces for between the tiles. These are little plastic or rubber crosses that fit at the corners to ensure a uniform gap between tiles. However, some of today's tiles come with prefitted edges so there's no chance of getting it wrong.

You can also buy the tiles that don't have to be grouted. They fit together, like tongue and groove.

Now for some tips and advice.

The subfloor is the single most important thing when laying tile. It must be smooth and level. If it is not, the tile will start to move and eventually work the grout loose and start breaking. Get your subfloor level and smooth. If necessary, you may purchase a subfloor material such as DuraShield. This is recommended, but you can tile over plywood if it is smooth. They also sell a product that can be poured onto a floor and it levels itself. Whatever you decide, get that floor right before you go any farther.

The experts say start in the middle of the room. I have tried this and ended up with a small strip on both ends of the room. By moving one tile out and using it's normal edge, I saved a lot of cutting and wasted tile. But you should do a dry run of tiles to see how they will end up. Always use the spacers or at least allow a quarter inch for the grout.

Another thing I have found is that tile laid diagonally does not show mistakes in the grout lines as much as tile laid in a straight line. This makes sense because you're not looking straight down the line.

After you apply your mortar with the jagged trowel, lay the tile in and push down and twist it to settle it into the mortar.

After laying all the tile, do not, I repeat, do not let anyone walk on it for at least twenty-four hours. You should wait forty-eight hours before grouting.

Grouting is not as time consuming as most people believe. Just get a wet sponge and force the grout down into the joints. Go back over it with a damp, clean sponge for a smooth look. Don't worry about getting it on the face of the tile. It will clean off easily. Just wipe the worst of it off and after it dries you can clean it completely.

That's about it for laying ceramic tile. It's a little time consuming, so plan on several days to get it done. But once it is, you'll be very pleased and proud to say you did it yourself.