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Kitchen Overhaul: Breakfast Bar, Tile Floor, Cabinets and Backsplash A dated kitchen gets the Sweat Equity treatment with tile flooring, new cabinets and backsplash. Check out more value-enhancing projects from Sweat Equity From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-213

(Continued from page 1)

Project 2: Tiling the Kitchen Floor

Amy Matthews guides homeowner Joan Fanganello through the process of setting a tile floor. Joan found a great deal on porcelain tile, a product that looks very natural while providing great strength and a maintenance-free final product. Following is a summary of the steps as seen in this project, along with a list of tools and materials used.

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Materials:

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

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

	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H
	Figure I
	Figure J
	Figure K
	Figure L

Steps:

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

• Prepare the sub-floor by removing all staples, nails and debris

• Next, to install the backer board, mix thinset with water to a peanut butter consistency.

  Safety Alert: Always wear a dust mask when you're pouring dry thinset.

• Spread your thinset on the floor with a notched trowel, keeping the trowel angled at a 45 degree angle to create substantial grooves (figure F). Grooves aid to hold fast the product by creating a vacuum effect.

• Lay backer board onto the thinset (figure G); this evens out the surface of your floor creating a solid surface for the tile.

• Sink screws into the backer boards through to the sub floor (figure H). Make sure that the screw heats are flush or countersunk to prevent leaving high spots.

• Dry fit the tiles to your desired pattern (figure I). An exterior wall will usually provide the straightest line to work from. Try using a chalk line or a laser guide to keep your lines straight. Mark tile edges where cuts are necessary.

• For cutting tile, only a tile saw will do. You can rent one for about $60 a day.

• Spread more thinset onto the backer board, keeping your trowel at a 45-degree angle. Carefully press your tiles into the thinset (figure J). Use your hands and feel that each tile is level with the next.

• Thinset Tip: When applying thinset, clean as you go. Cleanup can be very difficult to do once thinset dries.

• Preserve your grout lines by placing spacers between each tile (figure K).

• When your thinset dries, grout and seal your floors to complete the tile job (figure L).
  
  
  

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  RELATED PROJECTS: Custom-Cabinets Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 1: Tiling the Floor Custom-Cabinets Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 2: Building the Cabinets Custom-Cabinets Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 3: Granite Tile Countertops Custom-Cabinets Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 4: Value Boosts and Final Tally Kitchen Makeover Pt. 1: Installing Crown Molding Kitchen Makeover Pt. 2: Refinishing Cabinets Kitchen Makeover Pt. 3: Installing a Brick Backsplash Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 4: Finished Kitchen and Final Tally Kitchen Demolition, Pt. 3: Installing a Backsplash Tiling the Backsplash Modernized Kitchen: How to Install a Backsplash

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Kitchen Overhaul: Breakfast Bar, Tile Floor, Cabinets and Backsplash