Is it ok to practice laying tile on plywood?

Question

I'm interested in tiling my kitchen, but have never done it before. Is it ok to build a mock floor in the garage and practice installing tile on top of plywood? Is there better practice options?

Answer 1

I think this is a wonderful idea. There could not be a better way to learn, than to actually DO the job, find the pit-falls, and things like how to square the room before you lay a single tile. I find that laying a row of tiles straight through the middle of the room starting at the centre of the doorway the best approach. That way you send any cuts evenly to the edges of the room where they will not be too noticable. This is a job that cannot be hurried, so take your time, and when you have finished, you will be d**n proud of yourself, and have gained a lot of knowledge and experience, the very best of luck Sir,

Answer 2

Yep, that's a good plan. I always lay out a few tiles to see how different grouts look or to try out patterns.

Answer 3

perfect. just do it. but read before you start and use different types of material to set the tiles and us different tiles.

why not make it a little more interesting and cut the plywood in a star polygon or circle or another not rectangle form that you can use for a table top in the garden.

put on the sides a piece of 2x3 lumber so the sides get thicker.

start with making a layout with different tiles [also broken pieces]  to get a mosaic use different spacers [cut the tiles where necessary] also make tiles for the side. when all is covered take a picture. then take up all the pieces and put them in the same pattern next to the wooden tabletop

then start setting tiles.

there are very good sites with lots of instructions on how to set tile and what to use to glue them on the wood.

http://www.askthebuilder.com/535-Install...

http://www.remodelizer.com/underlayment....

http://www.thetiledoctor.com/

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/tiling...

Answer 4

I've thought about doing the same thing. I don't see why it wouldn't work, but instead of wasting a piece of plywood (that stuff ain't cheap anymore) I was going to attempt to make some small plant stands with ceramic shelves. Might as well make good use of our practice, huh?