Tiling a Room: How to Make Sure It's Done Right
- Dec 8, 2016
- 3 min read
Laying tiles on walls and floors may appear to be a straightforward exercise but if isn't done properly you could end up looking at cracked tiles as well as navigating uneven surfaces.
The most common rooms to be tiled are generally bathrooms and kitchens. This makes sense as tiles are usually choosen for such spaces because they longer lasting, they are water resistant and very versatile. The beauty of tiles is that they come in a variety of different styles, colours and textures so it's important to work out the type of tiles that you need to complete your project. Wall tiles are treated differently to those that you would put on your floor as they can move while being fixed and you have other considerations to think about such as windows.
The first thing you need to do for any tiling project is to determine how many tiles you require. The easiest way to do this is to measure the entire width and height of the room. Then you should multiply these two measurements together to get the square meters. Working out the exact number of tiles will inevitably be dependent on the size of the individual tiles and it is normally recommended that you should allow for an additional 10-15% which will cover any breakages. As well as this, tile product lines can become discontinued so at least you will have a few spare in case any get damaged over time.
The list below should help to guide you successfully through your tiling project:
1. When checking out prices most people focus solely on the tiles themselves but it's important to also do this with the grout and adhesive. Even if you get good value buying your tiles, it doesn't necessarily mean that all of the products will be cheaper so shop around for tiles and tiling products!
2. Be sure to check expiry dates as adhesive, for example, adhesive that is over it's sell by date can dramatically reduce it's effects.
3. Use your loose tiles to plan out your preferred layout on the floor and cut them before you mix any adhesive together.
4. As with most other decorating jobs, it is worth cleaning all of the surfaces down properly. This will ensure that there won't be any grease or dirt that would stop the tiles adhering to the walls or floors.
5. To ensure the tiles are fixed in line with each other, use a spirit level.
6. When you reach the edge of the spaces, opt for using a tile that has more that a quarter of it left as smaller tiles are much more difficult to cut.
7. Once you've mixed a small quantity of the adhesive together, only use a small amount each time as it sets very quickly. The knack to settling tiles is to press them firmly and give them a little twist to bed them in.
8. Put spacers in between each of the tiles to ensure that they are positioned correctly at equal distances.
9. Allow the tiles to dry out sufficiently before grouting the joints. A sponge is ideal for pushing the grout into the gaps and also for wiping any excess grout off afterwards.
10. You should avoid walking on the corners or edges until the grout is dry. Once the grout is fully dry, the walls and floor can be polished with a clean cloth.
11. Small fragments of tiles can break off while they are being cut so be sure to wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself.
12. The last thing to remember is to seal everywhere, particularly around the bottom of the shower and places where water might splash and gather. Spaces that aren't sealed correctly can cause dampness as well as rot. This could turn into an expensive problem to fix and one that can be avoided.
This information has been put together with budding D.I.Y. enthusiasts in mind however if you would prefer not to tackle this kind of job yourself contact us to receive a free tiling quotation. Alternatively call 087 923 3663 or email iymbuilder@gmail.com We have over 30 years home improvement project experience - read what our clients say.
"We Love What We Do".
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