by Raymond Alexander Kukkee

Created on: February 04, 2009

A Primer : How to Install Ceramic Floor Tiles:

A beautifully-finished ceramic floor tile is elegant, easily maintained, and will last many years if installed carefully and correctly. Many colours, exotic finishes, and alternative sizes of ceramic tiles are now available. Tile sizes can be mixed if desired to create a custom design, and complementary colours can be chosen to complete a unique look. Ceramic floor tile is easily installed as a excellent do-it-yourself project a homeowner can be proud of for a lifetime.

A logical first step must be to obtain the tile . Tile type, size, thickness, colour, and any floor design must be decided in advance, as special order or tile selection may not be in stock, or take months to obtain. To complete a floor tile installation a floor plan sketch is a good idea. Draw the plan on squared paper to help simplify the design. Take extra care if you are planning a diagonal or unique, complicated layout.
Verify your requirements, place the tile order and have all materials on location before any work is started.

Assemble all supplies, materials and equipment needed :

A tape measure, pencil, and carpenter's square
Hammer and carpenter's saw
A tile cutter or ceramic wet saw (rent from your building center) (optional: a Glass cutter)
4" Grinder with diamond or ceramic cutting wheel (optional)
Carbide drill bits and drill (if required)
Tile nippers (for nipping off bits of tile where fit is unique, or cuts are defective )
Carpenter's chalk line and chalk
Rubber mallet
Pliers
Carpenter's level, preferably 4' in length.
Ceramic tiles. *Verify the number of tiles needed.
Tile spacers.( Used to set the tiles uniformly apart) Plastic spacers are available in several sizes
Ceramic tile adhesive , mastic, or "thin set", a type of mortar cement.
Notched trowels for the application of adhesive or thin set .
Grout: Usually coloured, and applied to fill the spaces between the tiles, grout is a dry, coloured cement powder that is mixed with water. Use a "sanded" grit for joints over 1/8" or non-sanded for smaller spacing.
A grout float
plastic scraper 6" wide
A putty knife
Dense sponges
Plastic pail and cleaning rags
Subfloor plywood, and 1/4" plywood underlayment if required
Anodized screws, ring-necked screws, or fasteners, as required

*NOTE: Do obtain and wear safety glasses, gloves and knee pads as necessary. Observe all safety protocol when operating power equipment. Wear a dust mask and safety glasses when mixing dry materials or employing

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