DIY Network

Custom-Cabinets Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 1: Tiling the Floor A kitchen gets new cabinetry, tile flooring and granite tile countertops in this makeover. See more value-enhancing projects from Sweat Equity. From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-208

	Before
	After

Reggie and Victoria Grotewiel purchased a fixer-upper home for a steal. As they begin renovating room-by-room, their first big, and most equity-building project is the kitchen. But with just $10,000 and a quickly approaching wedding, the question is whether they will be done in time and under budget.

Do-it-yourself projects featured in this Sweat Equity transformation:

• how to tile a floor
  
• how to build cabinets
  
• how to install a granite tile countertop
  
• value boosts and final tally

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This porcelain tile has the look of natural slate, but is less expensive and easier to clean.

How to Tile a Floor

With the old kitchen out of the way, Reggie decides on a porcelain tile floor for the kitchen. Porcelain is an inexpensive tile and will be a dramatic improvement over the old carpet.

When it comes to kitchen flooring, there are plenty of options ranging from natural stone or tile to hardwood. Reggie and Victoria opted for a porcelain tile with a slate finish. This tile has the look of natural slate, but is less expensive, just as durable and is easy to clean.

Below is a summary of the basic steps as seen in this project demonstration, as well as a list of tools and materials used.

Materials and tools:

measuring tape
chalk line or laser line
thinset mix
bucket
trowel
tiles
speed square
wax pencil
wet tile saw
notched trowel
spacers
grout float
grout
sponge

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and follow proper safety precautions when working with power tools.

General Tips:

• Larger tiles may look better and be sturdier with smaller grout lines.

• Before you start, measure your floor to get an estimate of the amount of tile and thinset you'll need.

Steps:

• Find the focal point in the room and dry fit the tiles to your desired pattern. Sometimes snapping a chalk line or using a laser line (figure A)can help keep your lines strait.

• Mix your thinset with water to a peanut butter consistency.

• Safety Alert: Always wear a dust mask when pouring dry thinset (figure B).

• Spread your thinset on the floor with a notched trowel, keeping your trowel angled at 45 degrees to create substantial grooves (figure C).

• Set each tile down carefully onto the thinset and "wiggle" the tile into place, working with just one tile at a time (figure D).

• Tip: Clean up thinset as you go, as this can be very difficult to do once the thinset dries.

• Use spacers between tiles to preserve your grout lines (figure E).

• When you get to a place where you will have to cut your tile, measure your cut and mark it on the tile using a speed square and wax pencil or permanent marker (figure F).

• To make your cuts, use a tile saw (figure G). You can typically rent a tile saw for about $50 a day.

• Once your thinset dries, grout and seal your floors.

RESOURCES :

Blumotion
Website: www.blum.com

Breville, USA
Website: www.brevilleusa.com

Peachtree Woodworking Supply, Inc.
Website: www.ptreeusa.com