Laying Tile Flooring??

Question

anyone familiiar with laying tile flooring? never done it myself but i just bought a house and want to do it. is there anything an amature would mess up?? any info would be great

Answer 1

measure the floor along each wall, to determine the centers of them, and to plan the layout of the tiles. next, mark the middle of each side of the floor, these will be where you will snap your chalk lines from (you want to divide the room into quads, not wedges). next, you want to plan the layout of the tiles so that you don't end up with pieces around the edges of the room that are too small. for example; say the room is 12'X14'2", and assuming you are using 12" square vinyl tiles, the 12' side is easy, just snap a line from the 6' mark on each side of the room. the problem with the 14'2" side is, you would have 1" strips on each end of the room, and that wouldn't be, or look good. the way to make it look better on the ends would be to move the center line 6" to one side of the room on the long sides, then the end pieces would be 7" instead of 1" on the ends. then you should take into account any fixed fixtures that you would butt up to, like kitchen cabinets, and measure to see that you won't end up with small pieces along those, either. if you would, then it's time to shift the layout so as to have no small strips in the layout, if at all possible. when you have it all figured out and have adjusted you side marks, then you can snap the chaulk lines to establish the center lines. your first tile should lay on two intersecting lines in the center of the room, (you always start in the center of the room), then place the next tile along side it on the line. the third tile will go on the side of the first tile, (so you form and "L") then the fourth tile would complete a square in one of the quads. then expand it until you can't lay a full tile at the edges. some people like to build out to the walls in all directions from the center, others like to finish a quad, then do the next one to complete a half of the room, then each of the remaining quads in turn, your choice. to layout the cut finishing tiles, lay a full tile upon the last tile in a row, then lay a full tile against the wall overlapping that tile. now you can scribe a cut on the under tile along the upper one, cut lightly as you near then end of your cut so that you don't cut off of it and cut your finished floor tile underneath. i like to lightly cut it, then make a deeper finish cut on a piece of scrap plywood to avoid this. then just insert the piece that wasn't overlapped in the marking process on the end of the row to finish the row to the wall (again, starting from the center of the wall and working out to the corners). the home centers have classes on this, and there are many good books for the novice there too, and the cartons that the tiles come in have this explained on them too. also, prepping the surface for tile installing needs to be done to insure proper adhesion of the tiles. my best advice to you would be to get a book and read up on what it would entail to do the job right. then, if you're still up to the challange, take the time that you think it will take and double it, and allow yourself that much time. then take the time and do the job right, you'll get that much more satisfaction form the completed job when you are done. good luck, i hope this gave you the insight that you were looking for.

Answer 2

It is not difficult as long as you properly prepare for the job. If it is a single room check if it is square and using a chalk line mark a line you will start with. Use the most exposed area of the room to get perfectly straight line of tiles. Once you start right the rest is just repetition. Another area of concern is what are you putting the tile over. Is is a concrete slab? If so just make sure it is does not have any areas that are elevated. If it is wood sub-floor definitely use backing like wonder board or something like that. Depending on the size of your tiles you need to choose a spacer size. Your retailer will help you with that. Another issue is your connection of tiles to the wall. Do you have a baseboard? If possible remove the baseboard and reapply it after you are done. It will look better and you will have easier time laying the tile.
Consider getting a DVD on laying tile, I am sure you retailer can sell you one for just a couple of bucks.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

first take a 4 foot level and place it on the floor move it around and look between the level and the floor for gaps. small ones are ok any more than 3/8 " should be filled with self levelling concrete. do a dry run with your tiles. from the door to the wall and 90 degrees to that to the other wall.like an "L" shape. you don't want to have to cut a half inch of tile to make the wall sh space them at the start to end with about 1/2 tile on the finish wall. and the one thing no one will tell you is if you look on the back of the tile you will see paint lines going in one direction all the tiles should be layed with the line going in the same direction. use adhesive concrete to hold down the tile and use the spacers for your grout lines.

Answer 4

determine if you would want lots cut tiles along the edge or not.

if you do want cut tiles, square the room, level the floor, line the floor and start laying tiles from the center towards the wall.

if you dont want a lot of cutted tile. plan it that the cutted tiles on the side of the wall that can be hidden. square the wall, level the floor and line the floor. you may want to start from the entrance door.

use tile spacers and use the lines regularly so you would have a well alligned tiles.

remember not to use too dry or too wet tile adhives. too dry is difficult to manage and too wet will cause bubbles and would be hallow. these would be weak points of the tile and breaks easily.

get a book with illustrations or someone to help you. especially wiht the cutting

Answer 5

firstly don't use ceramic tiles on a wooden floor, you will need to do a lot of preparation before doing so.
right, concrete floors, basically you find the centre of the room by measuring off the same wall twice, once along each return wall, ping a chalk line across the two marks. repeat in the other direction. you will end up with a large cross.
use each corner of the cross as a starting point.
the reason for this is that when you reach the walls your cut tiles will be even..
bin tilin' for 10 years.
good luck
ps don't knock up more adhesive or grout than you can use within approx. 1 hour. its easier and cheaper to knock up small quantities than wasting a load 'cause you've knocked up to much. oh and don't bury your spacers leave them sticking up after about an hour remove and re-use. when left in they can sometimes be difficult to cover with grout.

Answer 6

most tilers would say the best method is to get them up and retile. for a valid reason, if the old tiles are not well laid or poorly adhered the stresses of new tiles on top can cause the old ones to come free of the base. quite a rare occurence, but happens. so if its a new customer we point that out to them and the choice is theirs to lift or tile over. use a single part flexible adhesive from a decent store(not b and q) . if your new tiles are of a similar size to the old ones try to start tiling by laying them overlapping the old ones. i:e the centre of your new tile lays on top of the grout line between 2 of the old ones. this helps to spread the tensions.

Answer 7

Need to find the center of the room... That is where the first tile goes. Snap chalk marks on the floor from corner to corner makes an X and that is the center... Tiles crooked--- not enough stickup or too much stickup... Uneven spacing and cutting the tiles for borders and angles ... If ya don't know what your doin practically everything... Home Depot has videos...

Answer 8

laying tile flooring

Answer 9

Hi...no this is very easy to do...but you must prep your existing floor first ..so my first question to you would be what is on the floor right now....and 2nd...what room are you thinking about doing this in... there are a few pre-qualifying questions before telling you exactly what you need to do your project but no it not hard , I have taught alot of my customers how to ceramic tile and they love it.....if you have any other questions please feel free to e mail me @ [e-mail]...good luck...oh, you could go to your local Lowe's and go to the flooring dept. and anyone there would be most helpful to walk you through your project....

Answer 10

Just make sure everything is square. Ask at what ever
outlet you are buying from for instruction on how to.
In have done it many times. Make sure to add extra for
breakage or mistakes. Good luck. P.S. Make vsure you have
the right tools.