Should I consider doing my own floor tile?

Question

I want to do ceramic tile on a kitchen floor and am considering doing it myself...I am a mosaic artist, so I know how to do grout and that sort of thing, but am not sure how difficult it is to lay larger tiles in that sort of area around a dishwasher and with having to worry about preping the floor underneath. Is it a reasonable endevor...or worth paying a professional? And suggestions would help.

Answer 1

If you have any idea at all-- you can do it. What needs to be done to the sub floor? Do you have a tile saw? Mark you a center line go from there-- if you end up having to make a cut on both walls-- adjust your line. If you can use a tape and the saw and follow a straight line you can do it.

Good luck!!! :)

Answer 2

I do not want to go into details as they have been explained before much better than I could. So just a few short notes:
Preparation of the floor is essential. If the sub floor is too flexible (wood) you won't get happy with ceramic tiles as they are inflexible. An even floor is essential.
I suggest that you do not lay the tiles around the dishwasher but get everything out of the kitchen and do the complete floor. A tile floor is waterproof so if a pipe or hose breaks with the dishwasher (these things happen) or a washing mashine you might have in the kitchen - the water will stay on top of the tiles if the complete floor is done - if not the dishwasher stands lower than the rest of the floor and you can imagine where the water will go - underneath the tiles and that is really a disaster.
Good luck I am sure you will master the task.

Answer 3

If you are a competent mosaic artist then it should be a BREEZE.. Large tiles are very easy to lay but will break under walking pressure if the sub floor is not prepared properly.. PREP IS THE KEY in this job and will most likely take most of the work hours.. If you don't have time or want ot do the prep, have a professional do it for you.

If you are going to do it then...

You probably know this but I am going to start from the beginning....

Remove all old flooring to get to the plywood/flake board sub floor..
Make sure the sub floor does not move or the grout and or tiles will crack Use drywall screws to anchor the floor and make sure you get them countersunk.
Use a latex skim coat to fill the screw divots and any other pits.
Measure your distances and determine a starting point. To do this you need to know the size of the tile plus the width of the grout line.. divide the linear feet by the length of one tile unit (tile +grout width). You want to make sure that when you layout the tile that you don't end up with a really small edge of tile on one side. You may have to slide your starting point based upon that that.
Once you know where your are going to lay the first tile, set it on the floor, take two pieces of string.. tape them at a right angle along the two sides of the tile closest to the corner you are starting at and extending across the room.. You could alos use a chalk line.. These are to keep your lines straight along the entire run.

At this point all is ready you can begin laying the tiles with a mastic trowel..
Once mastic is cured, go back and apply the grout with a float.. After that is dry you can seal it.

For the places where you have to cut the tile there are a couple of ways.. Use a measuring tape or you can lay the piece of tile going in the last row against the vertical surface under the piece that is behind it in the previous row and mark the cutting line.. Remember to cut enough extra for the grout. To do this method you have to measure the last row before you glue down the next to last row..
Also, depending upon how anal you are or precise, you may need to or want to place corner moldings back on top of the tile around the walls to clean up the edge.

Answer 4

I love mosaics and they also inspired me to do my own tiling.

I recently put tile in my bathroom and it turned out perfect!
Here's what I did: (Now keep in mind I am not a professional!)

Find out about your subfloor first. Then pick out your tile, get a tile cutter ( I used a wet saw) lay your tile out and make all necessary cuts. Number your tile so you know where they go, then get your trowel (depending on the size of tile you will need different sized grooves) and lay down the tile with thinset. Make sure the tiles are evenly spaced with spacers. (once again diferent sized spacers depending on tile size) And make sure your tile is level. Then once your done... Grout like you would a mosaic! and then seal your grout.
It took me a day to do...

Now I'm moving on to my hall and kitchen... Not to bad for a chick ;)

Good luck... Just remember its the journey not the destination and if you think it might be too much.. then you can always ask a pro to do it for you.. but there is nothing like doing it yourself =)

Also check out the web for instructions or a book at lowes or home depot.

Answer 5

I was like you in the beginning when I thought if I could do the job myself, trust me, it is very easy, once you mark down the correct lines, and set couple of tiles, then the rest will follow till completion ,
Me and my wife started together ,we tiled our patio first, then front yard, then one by one the rooms inside the house,
Now we have completed tiling almost the whole house, we did part by part, time by time,
you need some tools, they are not expensive, even you can buy a "floor tile" book from a Home Depot for maybe $ 15, and follow illustrated instructions,
the job is little messy but enjoyable once you start laying the tiles, You are a Mosaic Artist, it's art, think that way when you start tiling your floor, good luck,

Answer 6

I haven't read any of the other answers but, let's start with: you already have your foot in the door and want to try it so: Go to Home Depot and find out when the next tile class is going to be. Go to it, they will give you full instructions along with what type of material you'll need. Of course you'll need material and tools but, you can rent the tools. Good luck

It's nice to see someone trying their own work, it's an art.

Answer 7

Home depot has training classes to show people how to do this. However, I would start small before doing your floor.
Leveling is important and pattern layout. Diagonal is very nice and looks great.

Good luck

Answer 8

If you do not know what you are doing hire a professional. Because if you mess it up it will cost a lot more than it should.