by Kathleen Couch

Created on: January 29, 2007   Last Updated: April 29, 2007

Tiling your kitchen floor with ceramic, stone or porcelain evokes the sense of strength, value, and durability. It is esthetically pleasing, and can cost about the same as a high grade vinyl covering. Other benefits are the higher rating on an appraisal of your property, buyer appeal (if you want to sell), and ease in caring for the tile. However all these benefits can be made nil if you do not prepare and install the tile in the correct manner.

Tools Needed For the Job:

Tiles
Backer board
Power Drill (corded or cordless, extra battery pack if cordless)
Hammer
Pry bar
Small piece of thin wood or laminate sample
Safety goggles
Dust mask
Circular saw
Razor blade knife
Gloves (both work and rubber)
Several clean buckets (5 gal. and household smaller size)
Jam saw
Tape measure
Level
Chalk line
Carpenter's square
Painter's tape
Trowel inch groove, and smaller one made for corners
Thin set
Acrylic additive, or some thin set has it added
Mesh seam tape
Putty knife
Tile spacers
Pencil
Wet saw or manual tile cutter
Tile nippers
File or smoothing stone for sharp or rough edges
Grout
Rubber grout float
Sponge, towels and water
Silicone caulk
Tile and grout sealer
Cleaner for tile

Steps to Follow:

1. Determine the suitability of the floor you want to tile. If you have determined the floor is not level, you will need to use a leveling compound that comes in powdered form in bags; at the same place you buy your supplies. This can be used to level a floor that is otherwise solid. Sometimes you may need to install a new sub floor to get the solidness you need. However, most of the time, when a homeowner wants to install ceramic tile, it is over an existing vinyl floor. Never install directly on the vinyl floor because the tile will pop loose later. Use a tile backer board. There are several types to choose. One has a mesh type covering, with the core looking like rough, crumbled cement. The other has a smooth covering with a smooth core. Both come in either inch or inch size. I personally prefer the smooth core type because of ease of use, and water resistance. Your choice of thickness will be determined by things such as the adjoining floor's height, as well as things like how it meets at the dishwasher. Remove all moveable appliances and furniture.

2. Choose your tile according to your personal preference. Just be sure to use a tile recommended for floors. Think about the finish on the tile, because you may not want to use a tile that will be extremely slippery in a kitchen.

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