How to Tile

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A. CHOOSE TOOLS NEEDED

B. ESTIMATE TILE AND MATERIALS NEEDED

  1. Use this guide when determining how much tile you need and how much material you will need. (Note: the coverage for material is always located on the back of the packaging).
  2. Calculate the TOTAL FLOOR AREA where you will install the ceramic tile. Calculate the TOTAL WALL AREA where you will install the ceramic tile.
  3. Calculate the area where there are any obstructions, vanities, toilets, sinks, cooking islands and anything else that will be a NO-TILE AREA. Calculate the area where there are any obstructions, windows and anything else that will be a NO-TILE AREA.
  4. Subtract the NO-TILE AREA from the TOTAL FLOOR AREA to get the FLOOR AREA where you will need tile.
  5. Multiply the FLOOR AREA by 10% to allow for any breakage or mistakes.

C. PLAN THE LAYOUT

  1. Use as many whole tiles as possible.
  2. Position cut tiles in the least noticeable areas (under baseboards, moldings, cabinets, etc.).
  3. It is helpful to design plan on graph paper.

Floors & Countertops

  1. Snap perpendicular chalk lines to find center of area. Make sure angles are square.
  2. Assemble materials for dry-test.
  3. Lay one row of tiles along the vertical and horizontal lines in one-quarter section, while leaving adequate space for grout (figure 1).


Walls

  1. Suspend plumb bob at the center of wall and mark with a chalk line (figure 2).
  2. Use carpenter’s level to find exact perpendicular horizontal line.
  3. Assemble materials for dry-test.
  4. To establish the base line, use the level to find lowest point. Place one tile at this point and mark a line at top edge of tile.
  5. Lay one row of tiles, starting at chalk line and ending at edge, while leaving adequate space for grout.
  6. If end tiles are less than of a tile wide, adjust the vertical line in either direction.


Bathtubs

  1. With the vertical line drawn, find the lowest point on the tub edge using a level. Measure up ” for expansion plus the height of one tile and draw a horizontal guideline around the tub walls.
  2. Assemble materials for dry-test.
  3. Tile up to ceiling or one row higher then showerhead (whichever is applicable).
  4. When continuing tile past tub, drop a plumb line down from the horizontal line and measure to floor. Adjust layout (if necessary) so there are whole tiles at tub edge (figure 3).


SinksTile two or three tiles up from sink for proper back-splash or continue up to ceiling.

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