Materials: pry bars
hammer
screwdrivers
utility knife
straight edge
safety goggles
gloves
pliers
wrench
cement backerboard
circular saw with carbide tip
carbide tip scoring tool
snapper steelhead shear
respirator-type face mask
drill with masonry bit
thinset mortar
notched trowel
1-1/4 nails or screws
pneumatic nail gun with 1-1/4 nails
alkali resistant glass fiber mesh reinforcement tape
tape measure
chalk line
tiles
tile spacers
multi-purpose thinset mortar
transition hardware
wet saw or tile cutter
tile nippers
sanded grout
grout float
towels
bucket of water
sponges
Laying Ceramic Tile1. Measure and snap chalk lines to create necessary guidelines, most importantly down the middle of the room.
2. Cut threshold strips and transitions as necessary.
3. Dry fit the first rows of tiles to make sure to create the desired design layout and have appropriate guidelines. Use tile spacers to account for grout lines. Mark the area and tile points and remove the dry fitted tiles.
4. Using a notched trowel, spread mortar over the area of the first few rows, leaving room to work and to see any grid marks (figure A). Spread mortar with the flat side of the trowel and then use the edge of the trowel, at a 45-degree angle, to create wide grooves in the mortar.
5. Imbed metal transition strip into mortar at doorway.
6. Lay tiles and appropriate spacers (figure B). Press tiles into mortar until they feel seated. Check the level of adjoining tiles. This can be done using a straight board.
7. In tihs project, the tiles were both polished and matte-finished tiles set in a diagonal pattern, which made the narrow hallway area look wider. Experiment using different tiles to create the design that you like.
8. Cut tiles as necessary. Most tiles can be cut using a tile cutter–a tool that slides over the tile to score it. The tile is then pressed and snapped to break along the scored line.
9. Another way to cut tiles is to use a wet saw or water saw, which can be rented from home centers, hardware stores and tile stores (figure C). A wet saw keeps the blade wet as it's cutting, keeping it cool and lubricated for nice, even cuts. Wear appropriate safety protection when using a wet saw.
10. Use tile nippers to make intricate cuts and patterns for areas around molding and fixtures. Snap off small tile pieces as necessary.
11. Continue applying mortar, laying tiles, and checking the design and layout as you go.
12. Do not walk back over tiles that have been installed. The mortar needs to dry overnight.
13. After the mortar has completely set, remove the tile spacers and use a screwdriver or such tool to dig out any excess mortar in the grout lines. Clean up debris.
14. Mix grout and be prepared with towels, sponges and a bucket of water.
15. Spread grout over a tiled area (figure D), and use the edge of a grout float to push the grout into the tiled crevices. Make sure to push grout into all grout lines. Move excess grout to new areas. Be careful not to disturb grouted areas.
16. When the grout on top of the tile turns powdery, it can be sponged away (figure E). Use towels to buff away any grout film after sponging. The grout in the grout lines may not be dry at this point so be careful not to disturb it.
17. When the grout has dried, re-install shoe and doorway transition molding as necessary.
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