How to lay tiles?

To enhance the home and gain well-being, bathroom renovation proves to be an excellent idea. One considers changing a bathroom sink yourself. One prefers to use more modern equipment. The plumbing installation also ages.

Above all, the bathroom tile is starting to go out of fashion. It is time to update it. Terracotta tiles, stone or porcelain stoneware, this covering comes in several models.

Before making the choice, it is necessary to ask yourself the question how to lay floor tiles. If you have no knowledge, you can turn to a tiler or a tile setter. Know that this article can also serve as a guide to successfully carry out the steps to lay tiles.

What tools are necessary to lay tiles?

If you plan to install flexible floors and coverings like a professional, it is essential to equip yourself with indispensable tools for the job. This applies to installing floor tiles as well as wall tiles.

Before installing the first row of tiles, measuring is an important phase. This allows you to precisely define the number of tiles dedicated to a given surface.

For this, you need a tape measure, a grease pencil, a mason’s ruler, a spirit level and a chalk line. The latter is used to make straight marks.

Whether the work consists of laying wall tiles or laying floor tiles, cutting the tiles is also among the tasks to be done.

For medium-sized projects, you need an electric saw or an electric tile cutter. If it is a facing, a manual cutter will do. For large jobs, use a radial saw or a radial tile cutter.

The operation may require you to cut diagonals. In this case, an angle grinder can help you. Also known as a cut-off tool, it efficiently cuts materials diagonally.

After measuring, marking, and cutting, gluing is part of the steps to lay bathroom tiles. Before getting started, it remains necessary to properly prepare the adhesive. Use a trowel, a container, a notched trowel and an electric mixer.

And for floor tile installation properly speaking, you need trowels, a notched spatula, and spacers.

After laying the tiles, the next phase concerns tile grouting. To carry it out successfully, use a bucket to prepare the grout mortar.

Use abrasives for cleaning. As for applying the mixture, use a squeegee, a trowel, a cloth, and a sponge. For the final phase, vacuum the area.

How to prepare the floor before laying tiles?

Whether you plan to renovate your tiled bathroom or kitchen, it is essential to properly prepare the surface. Start by correcting the floor if there are irregularities or cracks.

To do this, apply tile adhesive mortar using a trowel. Make sure to smooth the surface well to avoid new rough spots.

If the floor has significant level differences, it is recommended to create a self-leveling screed ideally 2 to 5 cm thick. With this, you can work on a flat surface which facilitates the placement of the first tile.

It is important to wait 24 hours before continuing the work. This allows the corrections to dry so you can lay tiles in different stages.

As with any adhesive installation, the wall or floor must be clean for better adhesion. Simply mop with a damp cloth and you’re done.

To finish preparing the floor, apply a primer. It helps promote the adhesion of the tile adhesive mortar. Applying it is easy. You just have to spread it on the surface using a short-pile roller.

What type of mortar or adhesive is recommended for tile installation?

If you don’t know how to lay wall tiles or floor tiles in the bathroom, it is first important to know which adhesive or mortar is most appropriate.

Tilers generally use 4 types of products for tile installation steps including tile adhesive mortar, adhesive and grout, wall adhesive support, and epoxy adhesive and grout.

The first is made of cement. Once it comes into contact with water, it provides better adhesion of the tile to the wall or floor after drying.

Tile adhesive mortar is one of the most used materials for placing the first, second, or third tile. It is suitable for any type of tile installation. Also, it remains essential for correcting irregularities of the surface to be tiled.

Adhesive and grout is defined as a 2-in-1 product that saves you from making a tile joint. During application, the joint can form by itself. It is perfect for laying wall tiles or floor tiles indoors.

If you intend to lay wall tiles in indoor rooms, you can use the wall adhesive support. This comes in the form of a double-sided adhesive film.

And for bathroom tiling, epoxy adhesive and grout is a better option. It can similarly be used for any other damp room.

Tile size	Notch type	Estimated consumption	Installation method
Less than 10×10 cm	V6 (6 mm)	2.5 kg/m²	Single spreading
Up to 30×30 cm	U6 (6 mm)	3.5 kg/m²	Single spreading
Up to 60×60 cm	U9 (9 mm)	5.0 kg/m²	Double spreading
More than 60×60 cm	U12 (12 mm)	7.0 kg/m²	Double spreading

How to determine the amount of tiles needed for my project?

Even if you are eager to start the steps for laying bathroom tiles, it is important to define the number of tiles needed. To avoid mistakes, it is essential to consider the following 4 elements:

First, the number of tiles is determined based on the type of tile installation. Remember that there are two categories: straight laying and diagonal laying.

Besides that, try to consider the tile dimensions. This information also helps you establish the necessary quantity of tiles.

The third criterion relates to the surface that will receive the wall or floor tiles. In square meters, it is calculated according to its shape, which is generally rectangular. You get it by multiplying the length by the width.

As for the last point, it concerns the 15% allowance. This accounts for breakage and other installation hazards. It is therefore useful to anticipate a few extra tiles.

Once these 4 criteria are taken into account, you can establish the amount of tiles needed for your kitchen or bathroom. To make things easier, you can refer to the list of the standard tile to square meter ratio.

For example, for 15 x 15 cm tiles, use 45 tiles for one square meter. If the area to be tiled measures 2 square meters, consider ordering 90 tiles. Do not hesitate to benefit from the tile laying advice from professional tilers.

What is the best technique to cut tiles cleanly?

In order to lay tiles step by step, cutting is one of the tasks that must be done carefully. It also requires using the most suitable tools.

The best method notably depends on the type of tiles to be cut and the surface to be covered. If you plan to lay wall tiles in a small bathroom, you can use a manual tile cutter.

Also called a tile cutter, this tool for laying tiles and especially cutting tiles is perfect for diagonal cuts as well as straight cuts. It is also widely used for cutting thin tiles.

Alternatively, a beak pliers can replace it. It is effective for handling thin tiles. Its advantage is its ability to make rounded cuts.

For wall covering, how to lay and cut thick tiles, it is preferable to use electric tools.

Manual equipment is unable to cut large-sized slabs. Only an electric tile cutter can accomplish this. Moreover, it is capable of making straight longitudinal cuts as well as beveled ones.

In addition, an angle grinder proves effective for cutting several thick and also large tiles. To achieve this, try to use it with a diamond disc with a continuous segment.

Whether it concerns the placement of the first tile or the last, it is strongly recommended to wear protective equipment. The same applies when cutting tiles. Equip yourself with gloves, goggles, earplugs, and appropriate clothing.

How to ensure a straight and aligned tile installation?

To better renovate the tiled bathroom, there are some rules to follow that will provide you with better results. Many individuals prefer straight laying, compared to diagonal or staggered laying.

In order to properly align the floor tiles, do not forget to mark the location of the first tile. For large rooms, specialists decide to center them relative to the door.

Do not hesitate to use a mason’s ruler and a mason’s square. If necessary, proceed to adjust the tile.

After this step, laying the first row of tiles can be done. It is important to use a quality tile adhesive mortar ensuring the durability and strength of the tiles over time.

When installing the first row of tiles, make sure to respect the axes you previously marked.

To firmly attach the tile, tap it with a rubber mallet. A spirit level is also necessary to help you check its flatness. Do not forget to clean the adhesive traces with a damp sponge.

After assembling the first row of tiles, you can move on to the tile cutting step. An tile cutter allows you to work faster.

Then, glue the cut piece and lay it as before. If needed, think about adjusting the position of each piece. Use a mallet or a tile setter’s bat to flatten it.

That said, the final tile laying steps involve making the tile joints with a float. Once the joint compound dries, clean the tiles with a dry cloth to remove the haze of the compound. All that remains is to install the baseboards.

How long should you wait before walking on freshly laid tiles?

Tiles are nothing other than a covering contributing to the decoration of your terrace or the interior rooms of your house. When poorly installed, know that it harms the style you intend to adopt there.

For it to properly fulfill its functions, it is crucial to carefully follow the tile laying advice steps. But that is not all, it remains essential to wait for the necessary drying time before you walk on it.

If you neglect this delay, be aware that it could compromise the durability and especially the strength of the floor covering. Worse still, the tiles may shift.

To avoid this, it is strongly recommended that you wait 24 hours before walking on the new floor covering.

How to make clean and regular tile joints?

Before grouting the tiles, you should wait 24 hours to let the adhesive dry. Once this time has passed, you can proceed.

Make sure to choose the right product to use. Many shops offer ready-to-use paste grout. Powdered mortar is another option. This requires proper preparation before use.

It is important to properly balance the amount of grout. Once ready, you can apply it to the tiles.

The grout can be spread diagonally using a grout float or rubber squeegee. The gaps must be filled all the way to the bottom.

When filling them, do not leave any air bubbles. It is also necessary to pass the squeegee diagonally to remove excess and avoid digging lines.

After applying the grout, be sure to smooth it with a sponge while it is still wet. Once it hardens in 15 to 20 minutes, clean the bathroom tiles or terrace. You do not have to use a cleaning product as it may damage the grout and ruin all your efforts.

Is it necessary to treat the tiles after installation to protect them?

Generally, a new high-quality tiled surface does not necessarily require a specific treatment to ensure its protection. However, you can clean it well after installation.

It may happen that stains appear on the tiles the next day. You can remove them with a product designed for this purpose.

Moreover, regular maintenance of freshly installed tiles can be done with natural solutions.

Between white vinegar, a mixture of hot water and dish soap, a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar, lemon juice, and toothpaste, there is no shortage of options.

Good tiles normally have better longevity. However, they cannot last forever. To delay their deterioration, you can ensure their protection. The method to use depends on the type of tile.

For ceramic floor or wall coverings, you can protect them with a waterproofing treatment. This should be done after 3 months of installation.

If you have bathroom tiles made of terracotta, use a water-repellent product or a pore sealer. As for stone tiles, an anti-stain treatment is one of the most common methods to preserve their aesthetic appearance.

What are common mistakes to avoid when laying tiles?

Some people wonder how to lay tiles step by step. When they do not get good answers, they tend to make the most frequent mistakes such as poor surface preparation.

In case of moisture, imperfections, or dirt, know that this harms tile adhesion. You must ensure that the surface is clean, dry, and flat.

Choosing the wrong product is also among the common mistakes when considering installing wall tiles.

If you use an adhesive that is not suitable for the type of tile, do not expect the material to hold up over time. The same goes for the grout. If the grout does not match the size of the tiles, do not hope to achieve good results.

Finally, impatience sometimes leads to a costly mistake. Homeowners handle or walk on the tiles too early. Therefore, it is necessary to start all the tile installation steps right from the beginning.

To avoid reaching this stage, it is essential to take drying time into account. Otherwise, this compromises not only the adhesion of the tiles but also their stability. In any case, always consider the tile installation advice from professionals. To conclude, please consult the analysis of the advantages of tiles compared to parquet: