Ceramic Flooring

Laying down ceramic tile flooring can be a daunting task, but it is relatively easy if you know what you are doing and are physically capable of the work that needs to be done. If you are considering a ceramic tile flooring project for a weekend home improvement project, it would probably be a good idea to have kids gone for the duration of the project. And if you are planning on laying tile flooring in a bathroom, then a second bathroom is also a good idea.

Ceramic tile flooring requires a good deal of physical work to lay it down in a kitchen, walkway or bathroom. It is beautiful and durable and a good choice if you are looking for a flooring material that is easy to take care of and easy to clean. In order to install ceramic flooring, you will need to be able to kneel for long lengths of time and be able to spread the mortar and grout. You will also be scrubbing the tile and cutting it with a ceramic tile saw.

Choosing Ceramic Tile Flooring

Ceramic flooring comes in a wide range of colors and designs. When you choose your ceramic flooring tiles, it is wise to think about how the floors are used in the room where you are installing it. For example, ceramic flooring that is installed in a kitchen or bathroom gets exposed to a lot of water. Dark tiles are more difficult to keep clean and light tiles will show dirt more easily.

You can find ceramic floor tiles in most large home improvement stores and in stores that specialize in tiling materials. You can also find tile supplies online. Once you have an idea of what kind of tile you need for your home improvement project, then it is just a matter of finding a design that you like and will fit in with the design of your home and the room where it will be installed.

Tools and Materials Needed

Besides the tiles, you will also need to purchase mortar and grout. Mortar is the material that is placed on the floor before you lay down the tile. Mortar is what allows the tile to adhere to the surface of the floor and not slide around.

Grout is the material that goes between the tiles. You can find grout in many colors and it can be a design element in your entire ceramic flooring design. Choose a color that contrasts with your floor tile or choose one that picks up a color in the tile. Or go with the standard white grout color.

You will also need a ceramic saw to cut the tiles into size around fixtures and walls. You can find ceramic saws at home improvement stores and at ceramic tile stores. You can also buy them online. Ceramic tile saws can be found in cordless models and corded models. You want one that will fit well in your hand.

You will also need a trowel to spread the mortar on the floor before you lay the ceramic flooring tiles on the floor. Finally, you will need spacers to place between the tiles to make sure that they are laid straight and evenly.

Once you have your tile, you can pre-cut tiles that will be placed at the edges of the floor if the tile is too large. This means you should do some measuring first. You can also cut the tile while you’re laying it, but then you have to be sure you haven’t laid down the mortar until you’ve made the necessary cuts. Mortar that is only partially dried might not bond with the tile when you set it. You can use a wet ceramic saw or a utility knife to do the cutting. Which you use depends on the thickness of your ceramic tile flooring.

You will also need concrete mix if the floor you are laying the tile on is anything other than concrete. When you lay the concrete, you will need a level in order to make sure that it is as flat and even as possible before it dries.

Ceramic Tile Flooring Installation

First clean the floor completely and make sure that any cracks or holes in the floor are repaired.

Divide the floor into four different sections. Use a notched trowel and lay down mortar in one section (you will be working in one section at a time). In order to create the best holding environment for the tile, hold the trowel at a 45 degree angle as you spread the mortar down. Be careful to spread only as much mortar as you can lay tile down in a short period of time. This is because mortar dries quickly and the tile will not adhere to it if the mortar is dry.

Pressing lightly, lay a tile down on the mortar. If it is a thick tile, then you will need to use more pressure to get it in place, but do not worry about mortar oozing out from under it, since you can easily wipe this up before the mortar is dry.

Place a spacer in each corner of the tile. Now move on the placing the next tile. This will ensure that the tiles are spaced evenly from each other.

Wait at least two hours for the mortar to dry or according to the mortar package instructions.

Once you have all the tiles in place, then you need to lay grout between the tiles. Mix the grout according to the package instructions and use a small trowel to lay it between the tile. Wipe up any excess grout with a damp towel.

It is a good idea to watch instructional videos or home improvement shows to see what you will be doing when you lay tile flooring, but once you have finished with the project, you will see that ceramic flooring is easy to take care of and a beautiful addition to your home.