This is an intermediate level project and rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult. It is a 4 because of the free-form design. This requires a lot of tile-setting skills and artistic ability. We spent 18 hours and 2-and-1/2 days total to complete this remodel. Getting porch ready: 3 hours
Setting the tile: 10 hours
Applying grout and sealing: 5 hours If you total the cost, it would be approximately $1,750 and this is about half of what you would pay someone to have it done. Prep Work and Organization Following is a list of the materials you will need to tile a porch. Materials: tile
wheelbarrow
hoe
grout
grout sealer
thin-set
wet saw
lumber
nails
level
tape measure
stiff bristle brush
water Note: The only item we had to rent was the wet saw. Before you begin your tiling project, there are several things you can do to get organized and prepare the area: - Measure the area you will be tiling to determine how much tile you need to purchase.
- Once you calculate how much tile you will need, you need to figure out how to lay out the tiles and one way to do that is to get a book of patterns (figure A). The books are great and they show several different ways to lay a tile floor. You can find these books at home improvement centers or your local tile store. There are also some good computer programs that can give you a good idea of what your finished tile project will look like. Another alternative is to design your own pattern.
- Make sure you have all the tools and materials you need before you get started, so that you don't have to make any trips to the store.
- Check the concrete to see if it has been treated or sealed with anything. There are two ways to do this:
- Pour a little water on the surface (figure B) and see if it soaks into the concrete in about two minutes. If it does, you are in business.
- Another way is to use OTO solution (figure C) which is a component of a pool-testing kit. It is a highly diluted acid that is designed to test the overall PH in a pool. We will use it to see how porous the surface is. If the concrete has not been treated, you will see a fizzing action. If there is no reaction and the solution just beads up, chances are the concrete has been treated with some kind of sealant. If that is the case, you will need to grind the concrete about 1/8th of an inch to create a surface so that the thin-set will adhere.
- Before you clean the porch, you need to raise any drainage holes. You need to figure out how high your tiles will sit and then you can drill new drain holes. To do this:
- Measure the tile thickness (figure D) and then add for the appropriate amount of thin-set based on the size of the tile.
- Mark and drill out all the new drain holes and then insert a 3/4-inch PVC pipe into the hole (figure E) to make sure you get rid of any water.
- Caulk around the pipe (figure F).
- Clean the porch. To ensure a clean surface, it is recommended that you clean the concrete with warm water and TSP and then rinse it well warm water. Use a stiff bristle brush to really scrub the solution in.
Expert Tip It is important to prep the surface of the older concrete slab before installing tile by using TSP (trisodium phosphate). Before you can lay any tile, you will need to repair the cracks in the concrete.
GUESTS :
Tim Malo
Dakota Tile, Inc.
7930 Middle Valley Rd.
Hixson, TN 37343
Phone: 423-843-1303
Tim Bolby
Crossville Porcelain Store
346 Sweeny Dr.
Crossville, TN
Phone: 931-484-2110
Fax: 931-484-8418
E-mail: tbolby@crossville.com
Website: www.crossvilleceramics.com
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