How To Lay Bathroom Tile

The lovely, soothing, and attractive tiles are the first thing you notice as you enter any bathroom. This is because tiles enhance the overall appeal of a bathroom. And when it comes to stylizing a bathroom, tiles play a vital role in beautifying your relaxing zone. As such, bathroom tiles have to be charming, eye-striking, calming, and, most important of all, highly durable. After all, it is no point indulging into a daunting task and laying bathroom tiles that only give you cracks within a few days of post-installation. Thus, it is significant to emphasize on certain factors while choosing bathroom tiles and laying them. However, if you are a beginner and have never tried to engage in such a fearsome activity, the following lines are just your pick. Read on and learn how to lay bathroom tiles giving your bathroom a whole new look and feel.

 

 

To get an apt and right bathroom design layout, it is important to choose the colors and designs of tiles wisely. Consider the various aspects while selecting tiles, such as the material, the color, and the size. Go for neutral colors and avoid vibrant colored tiles. Also, the thicker the tile, the better it is for the bathroom flooring.  

 

Clear off the bathroom walls and floor from any wallpapers, old bathroom flooring, adhesives, and nails to get a flat surface to work on. If your bathroom demands any repairing, get it done beforehand. Rinse and clean the wall and floor thoroughly. Allow them to dry completely. If required, level the floor by spreading latex floor leveler all around. Measure the area of your bathroom to get a rough idea about buying the correct number of tiles and other materials. Always buy extra tiles to avoid any chances of shortage while you are doing the job. Further, they can be used to fix any damage caused to the tiles in future.

 

After you have prepared your bathroom surface for tiling, begin the procedure by laying the tiles. Start from the center of the floor or wall, graduating towards the outward direction. If you have a small bathroom, give it an illusion of a larger one by placing the tiles in a diamond pattern. After you have completed placing the tiles on the floor, check each tile for any damage. Keep some gap between two tiles for the spacers. For an attractive and inviting look, use the tile designs rotationally or place two different tile designs or colors alternatively.

 

Lift one tile slightly off the floor and apply some adhesive to that area. Similarly, apply the adhesive to all the sides of the tile, and some on the lower surface as well using a trowel. Press the tile firmly on the ground. Wipe off any extra adhesive that is likely to come out from the edges of the tile. Place tile spacers on both edges of the tiles before moving on to the next tile. While working on other tiles, make sure that the height of all tiles is constant. Complete the entire floor before proceeding towards the edges and walls. Leave the tiles to dry and avoid walking on them for at least one day.

 

Cut the extra tiles to the desired size to fit into the gaps at the edges. Measure the gap and make markings on the tiles with a pencil. Henceforth, cut using a wet saw and smooth out the sharp edges. Place the cut pieces on the edges such that the cut edges are in line with the wall. Apply adhesive by lifting the tiles one by one.

 

Now that the tiles have been laid and fitted with the adhesive, remove the tile spacers. Mix grout following the instructions on the package and apply it using a flexible spreader. Just as you applied adhesive on one tile at a time, similarly, cover one section with grout at one time. Wipe off any extra grout with a thick cloth. Leave the grout for complete curing and seal it with silicone grout sealers, thereafter. Leave your bathroom untouched for the next 48 hours, allowing the new tiles to firm up well. Your new tiles are now ready-to-use.