Tiling a Floor

While ceramic tile can be applied directly to a concrete slab, wooden floors should be covered with cement backer board first. On areas that will not be easily seen, start with whole tiles along one edge. For more visible areas, mark the midpoints of each wall, and pop a chalk line on the floor in both directions. Use the point where the two lines cross as the center for laying out your tile.

Here’s how to tile a floor:

1. 1. Mix thin-set mortar with water and apply with a notched trowel.

1. 1. Cut the border tiles to width with a scoring cutter or wet saw.

1. 1. Press the tiles into the adhesive, and check to be sure they are level.

1. 1. Use plastic spacers to keep grout lines uniform.

1. 1. Allow the mortar to set overnight then apply grout in the cracks with a rubber float.

1. 1. When the grout starts to set, clean off any excess with a wet sponge.

1. 1. Rinse the sponge in a bucket of water and go over the floor until any remaining grout haze has been removed from the tile.

1. After the grout has cured for the recommended time, apply a sealer in high traffic areas to keep it from staining.