How to Lay a Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Floor

Co-authored by Art Fricke

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 References Approved

Laying a ceramic or porcelain tile floor can be considered a daunting task, but with adequate planning and preparation, this perception can be overcome. Laying one’s own tile is also much less expensive (and possibly more rewarding) than having it professionally installed. Cost can be minimized by careful planning and preparation.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Planning and Preparation

1
Laying the foundation. An unpleasant question to be faced is "What is your floor made up of?" Plywood is good. But, if you have the typical 1/2" to 5/8" particle board on top of a deck made of 2x8s, you have some work to do. After removal of the base trim, the particle board should be pulled up (this is easiest if you first cut it into about 16" squares)and replaced by plywood. You will need a Skil saw, and if you're doing the kitchen, you'll need a "toe-kick saw." Replace the particle board up to where the tile will stop. While you have the particle board off, you can inspect the deck to make sure it is firmly attached to the floor joists. Now you're ready for leveling compound (if needed).
2
Lay the backer board. You will need to lay backerboard (fiberglass or preferably cement sheets that are usually 3 by 5 feet) as well, or the tile will pop off.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.}^{[2]
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3
Evaluate the space to be tiled. A first phase of evaluation is to determine the size of the room to be tiled (or re-tiled).^{[3]
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- The number of tiles you will need will depend on the size of the tile you wish to lay, as well as the tile pattern you will like on the floor.
- Using a tape measure or digital laser tape, measure the room from one wall to the opposite wall, and note the distance. Let’s say the measure of this distance is 12 feet (3.7 m).
- Measure the distance of the opposing walls to each other. Let’s say this distance is 7 feet (2.1 m). Multiplying these 2 distances (12 feet x 7 feet) will yield a total area of 84 square feet.
  - Note: These measurements are based on squared dimensions. If the room is not perfectly "squared" (or in this case “rectangle") because of an irregular floor plan (where there might be a small section off of one side, for example), do not factor this space into your measurement. While you will of course need to tile this space, factoring this space into your measurements will affect finding the "center" of the room, which will be discussed shortly.
  - This area is important to note, since it will provide you with an estimate of the number of tiles you will need to purchase to cover the area to be tiled.
4
Decide on your tile size and pattern.
- Tile comes in different sizes: 4 inch (10.2 cm) by 4 inch (10.2 cm), 8 inch (20.3 cm) by 8 inch (20.3 cm), 12 inch (30.5 cm) by 12 inch (30.5 cm), for example (there are others, too). Tiles can also be laid in different patterns.
- The total number of tiles you will need will depend on the size and pattern you want. For simplicity's sake, let's assume we are going to use 12 inch (30.5 cm) by 12 inch (30.5 cm) tiles and use a traditional grid design, where tiles are simply laid in pattern like graph paper.
- Because the area of the room is 84 square feet, we will need about 84 12 inch (30.5 cm) x 12 inch (30.5 cm) (1 square foot) tiles (even accounting for the spaces in between tiles, known as "joints"). However, it is a good rule of thumb for beginners to purchase extra tiles to account for improperly cut or scored tiles, or for breakage. Buy an extra pack or two of tiles to be safe.
- When laying tile diagonally, a lot of material is wasted as cutoffs. A good rule of thumb here, even for experts, is to buy 15% more tile than the square footage would dictate.
5
Pick a color. You are only limited by your imagination (and the store's stock).
- Choice of color typically is a matter of individual choice. The only additional step of planning and preparation with regard to color of the tile is with the grout selection. Grout is the "filler" that goes in the spaces between tiles, the joints.
- It can be grey, white, terra cotta, and so on. Typically, dark tiles with light grout really show the spaces in between tiles, and vice versa.
- The selection of grout color will really depend on how you would like the floor to look to the eye. There is no hard and fast rule.
6
Prep your space.^{[4]
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- Be sure that the entire surface is as smooth as possible.
- You will likely need to use floor leveling compound (available at your do it yourself hardware store) to float (create gradual transitions in the floor's surface) out any divots, holes, or differences in subflooring heights. If you don't "float" out these differences your tile will crack. Your surface is now prepared for tiling.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Setting Up

1
Find your center point.^{[5]
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Research source} You have already determined the size of your room, which is 84 square feet.
- Finding the center point is critical for laying the tile. It will determine where you will lay your first tile and the next ones.
- Measure one wall, for example the 12 foot (3.7 m) wall. At 6 feet (1.8 m), half the distance, mark a point with a pencil.
- Do the same on the other 12 foot (3.7 m) wall. Using your chalk line, anchor one end at the midpoint of one wall and stretch across to the midpoint of the other. "Snap" the chalk line by lifting it up slightly and letting it hit the ground; this will leave a straight line on the floor.
- Measure the 7 foot (2.1 m) walls and mark a point a 3 ½ feet on both sides.
2
Rehearse laying out tiles.^{[6]
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Research source} When you have found your center point, you will notice you will have a "quadrant" design on the floor, or 4 equally sized areas.
- Starting at the center, "rehearse" your tile pattern by simply laying them on the floor without any adhesive or glue.
- Place the first tile at the corner nearest the center point. You are only going to work in one quadrant at a time.
- Begin placing tiles in a straight line towards either wall, leaving a small space in between the tiles.
3
Repeat the same process for the 3 ½ foot line.
- You will use 3 full tiles and 1 tile cut to 4 inches (10.2 cm), since the size of the 3 joints plus the 1 wall joint equals 2 inches (5.1 cm) and your original tile size was 6 inches (15.2 cm) (6 inches original tile- 2 inches total joint= 4 inch tile).
- Note that this does not follow the realignment strategy mentioned above. Because this room is "squared," the true center is best left where it actually is. Simply make uniform cuts as they correspond to each side (in this case, you will have 9 inch (22.9 cm) tiles as the wall tiles on the "short" 7 foot (2.1 m) walls and 4 inch (10.2 cm) tiles on the long 12 foot (3.7 m) walls.
4
Follow the same process for the other three quadrants. Because this design is uniform, it is best to follow the same size cuts all the way around.
5
Pre-drill some tiles to fit over items such as radiator pipes, bath pipes, and so on. To achieve this you may have to drain down radiator systems, remove the rad from the wall and take the taps off the pipework. Very time consuming but worth the effort if a minimal look is desired. Your floor will look better if you can drill a hole in the tile and lay the tile over the pipe.
6
Use a diamond hole saw to bore into the tile and drill a perfect hole.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.} If you do not have a hole saw you can use a wet-tile saw to cut a square hole in the center of the tile. Draw a square on the back of the tile in the desired location of the hole. Carefully place the backside of the tile against the wet-saw blade at the midpoint of one of the sides of the square. Gently push the tile against the the blade until the edge of the square is cut. Repeat for the other sides of the square hole.
7
When your floor is rehearsed and all tiles are laid, measured, and cut, and appear to your liking, you are ready to lay the adhesive,

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Spreading Adhesive, or Mastic, and Laying Tiles

1
Pick up all tiles and set aside.^{[8]
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- On your prepared surface, begin spreading the adhesive with the notched trowel. You will start from the center point, work only in one quadrant, and apply small sections at a time, following the pattern during the rehearsal.
- Spread adhesive evenly, then using the notched edge, make a raking motion. You should have grooves neither too deep nor too shallow.
- Set the first tile in place at the corner lines made by the center point. Do not twist tile; simply press the tile down firmly yet softly.
- Set tile spacer and then continue with additional tiles. (Remember to set tile spacers after each tile).
- Use your level to determine degree of level of the tiles as you go along. (Not all surfaces are perfectly level!).
- If slightly uneven, either manipulate the tile or add a little more adhesive to the floor until level. Usually, after a quadrant is complete, remove the tile spacers so they do not set into the adhesive.
- Follow this process for the remainder of the floor, making sure to check the level as you go along..
2
Wait. After the tiles have been set, it is usually advised to wait at least one day (or overnight) to allow the adhesive to dry, or cure.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.} After the adhesive has cured, you will grout the joints.^{[10]
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Grouting

1
Continue working in quadrants as before.^{[11]
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- Using a rubber float, apply only enough grout as you can effectively work with.
- In a diagonal direction, press grout into the joints to an even level with the tile.
1. Skim excess from tile with the rubber float. You will notice a mild “grout haze” on your tiles.
- Wait a few minutes for the grout to stiffen up in the joints.
- Use a damp sponge work across the joints, (working along joints can drag out too much grout) to remove grout haze from tiles and finish the joints, make sure not to press too hard on joints.
- As you work, check each joint is full and smoothly finished.
- Continue this process with other joints in remaining quadrants.
2
Consider caulk. For joints at the wall and floor interface it is best to use caulk instead of grout. There are benefits to using caulk along wall joints. All tiles may expand or contract depending on temperature fluctuations. The wall joints are also known as expansion joints. Using caulk here will buffer expansion and contraction a bit.
3
Let the floor cure. Wait for the entire floor to cure for about a week before giving it a good mopping to remove remaining grout haze.
- You may also choose to seal the grout with a sealer to lock out dirt and or grease.