how easy is it to lay ceramic floor tiles?

Question

where should i start, by door or middle of room.

Answer 1

First, if you have no idea about setting ceramic tile, then you probably should not do it. This could make for some pretty expensive mistakes. You must have the proper underlayment and prep-work done first, then have the proper adhesive for the tile, and then need to know how to properly grout them.

Setting tile looks so easy on all these home-improvement shows, but there is quite a bit of skill and knowledge needed to do the Jjb right the first time.

If you were to try this yourself, You do not have to start in the middle of the room. Just take some time and measure out the room and figure what your boarders will be. Then you can snap chalk lines where your boarders should be then start laying in the opposite end of the room as the door. Starting in the middle of the room could leave you boxed in and can also be more trouble that good.

I have worked with professional tile setters for many years and NEVER has one started in the middle of the room. Always figured the boarders and went from there.

Figuring the boarders is a very important part of the prep-work needed to set tile. If your prep-work is poor then your finished floor will be no better. This is the major thing that DYI'ers get themselves in trouble with and end up hiring the job done after things get screwed up - usually at a premium price also.

Answer 2

It's not too difficult.
The floor must be flat before you start, so if the floorboards are uneven screw some hardboard on top to level things up. If the floor is concrete, no worries.
Lay the tiles out along two walls so they meet at one corner before you start so you will have an idea of how they fit, you don't want a thin sliver of tile along one wall!
If it's a plain floor then start on the wall furthest from the door, otherwise you will find yourself trapped in the room until the tiles set! If you are attempting a fancy pattern, then find the centre by using string from diagonally opposite corners of the room, so they cross at the centre point - this will be the centre of any 'fancy' pattern you are doing. In this case start tiling from the centre and work outwards towards the walls.
Use ready mixed tile adhesive/grout and lay one tile at once using a spirit level to check its ok, and tile spacers to ensure even gaps.
Any tiles that need to be cut to fit are best done with an electric tile cutter - about £30 from B&Q- the manual 'slide and snap' cutters are not much good, and don't cut guaranteed straight lines.
Once the floor is laid ok, leave at least overnight to set fully.
Then grout using a grout spreader, like a rubber edged ice scraper, and clean off most of the grout from the tiles before leaving overnight again.
Finally, with a damp cloth, polish the tiles of remaining grout, rinsing out the cloth often. Leave for another day for everything to set properly then mop the floor with a dry-ish mop to clean.
If the room is a bathroom or kitchen then make sure you get tile adhesive/grout that has anti-mould in it.
Hope this helps, good luck.

Answer 3

Depends on the lay of the Prepared Surface Area and the layout that you want as an end result.
It is a floor, to walk and stand on. Helps hold walls up and stuff.
I remember the JackJack and the Running Bond, were a few others, in a corner on the two longest or free running walls is best to start. Course it depends on the tile being laid. Always best to lay the tile without grout, then if you like what you see, as you pick it up, make neat working stacks about 3' apart each, or arms reach.
Tileing is not a rush job, if you are in a hurry, put linoleum or some stuff down.
That one man is correct also, I remember the Cross in the center again, that was a system we used also.
Sometimes it would be offset to accommodate the tile being set.
I dunno if there is an island or three doors or angled walls, but doesn't matter, if you take yor time.
Corner or Center.
Take your time, get a good set-up, and set it.

Answer 4

The layout is very important otherwise the tiles as you go into the room will look to be at an angle. Ideally if you have an outside wall,start from there albeit on the left, right or in front of you. If you havent got an outside wall,start from a parting wall,i.e. to the left of the door as you go in the room. Measure from the skirting board a measurement just under the the width of the tile.i.e. a 12" tile measure 11" at the top of the room and 11" at the bottom of the room onto the floor with a pencil. then either ping a chalk line down or fix a line with thin string and work from this. Never start from centre of room as you may end up with tiny pieces to insert. From this you must measure all arround the room to see what size cuts it works out at. Hire a tile cutter as mentioned & take your time as you may have to live with any mistakes. the tiles must look square as you view the room from the door. You will not get this starting in the middle or anyware else,unless your lucky

Answer 5

I'm sending you this answer to tell you there is a tile expert site which is most helpful. I'm off to find it for you and will answer your question when I get back. We followed their instructions and our hall and bathroom look just as good as the guy that did our kitchen floor. You can't tell the difference. Update: Sorry I seem to have a problem finding them now. Anyway there are a few on the net www.diydata.com and www.diydoctor.org.uk

Wishing you all the best.

Answer 6

Hi Start in a corner, Lay the tiles dry first then start to glue them in you should also get tile spacers to make sure they are all aligned onnce they are all glued in place let the glue set then grout it. this is easy just put a huge "lob" of grout in the middle of the floor and wrok it around then let this set and wipe off any exess.
CHEERS NOSH XX

Answer 7

need to start in the center of the room so that the edges come out with the same distance, the hardest thing to do when laying tile is to make them all level, use premix thin set and follow instructions

Answer 8

always start in the middle of the room. break it up into four section that way you'll have room to move around and not block yourself in.I like to use a glue called mastic you can get it at most hardware stores. like it much better than thin- set.if you take your time it won't be too hard, just make sure you have a tile saw.you can buy them almost as cheap as renting them. they don't have to be a big exspencive one. i think you can find them for around sixty dollars at home depot or lowes.

Answer 9

make sure you floor is sound (if wood 18 mm ply if concrete latex level ) find a straight piece of timber around 4ft long, mark tile width or length along timber ,find centre of width of room in two places, then lengthways. mark & check square use timber to check cuts and adjust line to suit. start at centre use 10mm trowel & mix rapid set adesive mix your self enough for 1 metre at a time ( see bag) & lay tiles, check level as you go will be ok to walk on in approx 2 hrs

Answer 10

Ceramic tiles are easier to lay than wooden ones. I find wooden tiles disapprove of all sex before marriage.