Ceramic Tile Installation Basics - The Common Steps For Every Project

Ceramic tile installation is part "science" and part "art". The science part is selecting materials, planning the work and laying out the project. The art is choosing colors, tile types, patterns, and then physically putting everything together. Getting grout lines just right is art. Getting all the tile surfaces even is art.

A pro makes money with fast work. An amateur can hope to get the same quality job, but at a slower pace. Who cares about speed when you're doing the work yourself? You can master the art of laying ceramic tile with some instruction and some time. Consider the basics of the science part.

Material

Any tile project includes choosing the tile, the grout, and the backing or foundation. The choices of tiles are so huge as to be bewildering. You have porcelain, ceramic, slate, granite, marble and all kinds of shapes and sizes. Your budget will help you decide, as will your tile supplier.

The tile is stuck in place with an adhesive or thinset and the spaces between tiles are filled with grout. Thinset and grout both come premixed or as a wettable powder. Your project will determine the grout you need.

The other material choice for tile projects is the backing over which the tile is installed. Often the best route is to install cement board as a foundation for laying the tile.

Your Project

Inside or outside many surfaces are ideal bases for ceramic tile. Anything from a patio to a cabinet ceramic tile backsplash is a great project. Your tile dealer will recommend a tile and material best for your project.

Layout

Get the layout of a ceramic tile installation right and the job is off to a good start. Where's the best place to start? How do you keep the tile straight? These are some of the tricks pro tile setters do almost automatically. They had to learn too though.