How to Install Ceramic Floors

Following are some general tips and instructions for installing your ceramic floor. Make sure you consult your manufacturer’s installation instructions for specific recommendations.

Let’s start with tools and materials you will need:

• Ceramic floor Tiles
• Tile adhesive. We recommend a latex modified thinset. Color should be white if your grout will be a light color and gray if your grout will be dark. We do not recommend a fast setting thinset for a do-it-yourself project.
• Grout. We recommend either using a stain-proof epoxy grout or using a grout sealer over regular grout.
• Tile Spacers (if tiles do not have these built in)
• Notched Trowel
• Grout Float
• Tile Cutter
• Tape Measure
• Level
• Chalk Line
• Beater Block (wood that spans minimum two tiles covered with a thick towel or other protective cloth)
• Rubber Mallet
• Sponge
• Waterproof Membrane if installing in a wet area
• Cement backerboard if isubfloor is not concrete

1. The most important thing for your installation of ceramic floor tiles is the condition and preparation of your subfloor. If your subfloor is not concrete, it is highly recommended that you install a cement backerboard before installing your tiles. Ceramic tiles require a strong rigid surface to rest on or you risk cracking of the tiles later on. It is also important that the surface be level as well, so make sure all joints are sealed properly (see backerboard installation instructions for manufacturer’s recommendations).


2. If installing in a wet area install a waterproof membrane between the subfloor and the cement backerboard.


3. Because the new ceramic tile floor will increase the overall floor height, it is important to make sure any doors will swing properly over the new floor. To do this, stack two tiles together and test the swing of any doors. If necessary, trim the door(s) so it will swing properly over your new ceramic tiles.


4. Next, check your tiles and make sure they are all in good condition with no cracks, chips, surface scratches, etc. It is not unusual for tiles to have slight variations. For this reason it is usually a good idea to mix the tiles from different cartons so the slight variations are not as obvious.


5. Now we’re ready to begin the layout. First we will do a dry layout to see how the ceramic tiles will fit into the room. Begin by finding the center point of the room. Find the center point of each wall and snap chalk lines between each opposing wall. Where the chalk lines intersect is the center point of your room and this is where you will begin the layout of the tiles.


6. From the center point, begin laying out the tiles towards the walls. User your tile spacers to keep the tiles nice and even. Measure and mark the tiles you will need to cut for edge tiles. Cut your ceramic tiles as needed with the tile cutter.


7. Now we’re ready to install our ceramic tiles. Following the directions for your particular adhesive, prepare tile adhesive.


8. When spreading out adhesive, do small areas at a time. You do not want to spread out so much adhesive that it sets up before you can install your ceramic tiles.


9. Spread your adhesive with the straight edge of your trowel at a 30 degree angle. Flip the trowel over and comb the adhesive with the notched edge at a 45 degree angle.


10. Carefully twist (not slide) your ceramic floor tiles into place with the tile spacers between the tiles.


11. As the tile installation progresses, periodically lay your beater board over at least two tiles and gently strike the board with the rubber mallet. This helps keep your tiles level. Use your level to make sure the tiles are level.
12. After all the tiles are installed let the adhesive cure for 24 hours. Once the adhesive has cured, it’s time to apply your grout.


13. Follow label instructions to mix your grout. Apply grout with your grout float at a 45 degree angle. Force the grout into all the joints and scrape the float diagonally across the surface of the tiles to remove excess grout. You can also carefully wipe surface of tiles with a sponge, just make sure you do not remove grout from the joints.


14. Once the grout is set firm (and you will probably see a haze on the floor tiles) begin wiping the individual tiles to remove any remaining grout on the surface of the tiles.


15. If you did not choose to use a stain-proof epoxy grout, let grout cure for one week and apply grout sealer to protect against stains and dirt.

Make sure you read and follow any manufacturer’s instructions before diving right in. The above directions are general and your manufacturer may have specific products they recommend to use with their ceramic floor tiles. Once you’ve finished with your installation, bring any furniture and/or fixtures back into your room and enjoy your new beautiful ceramic tile floor. This can be done before applying the grout sealer.