Install Ceramic Tile

Question

What supplies would you need to install Ceramic Tile to a kitchen floor.

Answer 1

What you need depends somewhat on the job. For example, if you're installing tile over cement backerboard you need a carbide-tooth scriber, a straightedge, and a utility knife to cut the backerboard.

All tile must be set with adhesive that is spread with a notched trowel. If you're using thinset adhesive you'll need water, a bucket to mix it in and a small trowel to scoop it up with. I find it easier to mix thinset using an electric drill and a mixing paddle, but for small amounts you can use your trowel for mixing. If you're using mastic you don't have to mix it.

To cut tile you can use snap cutters. You'll get a better cut faster using a wet saw, but if you don't have many tiles to cut it might not be worth renting a wet saw. You'll need safety glasses if you use snap cutters.

To lay out the job you'll need a measuring tape and a chalkline.

To spread adhesive you'll need a notched trowel sized to the type of tile you are setting (size info will be on the adhesive container). To bed the tile into the adhesive you'll need a block of wood (a scrap of 2x4 often works fine) and a rubber mallet. You should use tile spacers to ensure consistant grout joints.

To grout the tile you'll need water & bucket for mixing. You'll need a grout float to spread the grout and remove the excess, and a large sponge (and a bucket of clean water) to wipe off the grout haze.

To seal the grout joints you can use a paint brush.

Probably somewhere in there you'll end up wishing you had a level and a couple straightedges of different lengths. And if you're doing a big floor you'll probably appreciate knee pads.

Anyway, here's how a tile job goes on a bathtub surround--you'll need pretty the same kitbag of stuff for your job. Take a look at the tools list for photos of the tools.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/i...

Answer 2

Tile adhesive

Tile grout

Nothced adhesive trowel

Grout float

Tile snips

Wet saw