Ceramic tiles are the most widely used tiles that are around. They find favor in home remodeling projects by dint of their longevity, beauty, versatile looks and ease of maintenance. So a ceramic tile layout program for your walls or floor is definitely on the cards whether you are setting up your new home or revamping.
Before you start with a ceramic tile layout program, get the basics right and choose your tiles carefully. And this choice goes much beyond the colors and shape of the tile. The success of your entire ceramic tile layout program depends upon whether you choose the moisture and stain-resistant, hard glazed tiles or the relatively more scratchproof but softer unglazed tiles that are prone to stain.
Installing the tiles right is the crux of your ceramic tile layout program. This installation procedure may sound daunting, but it is actually all about following a few basic steps.
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The tips to a fruitful ceramic tile layout program highlight on a sturdy subfloor to act as the backing to the tiles. Ceramic tiles are unyielding and hence may crack while supporting weights if there is no subfloor.
The most crucial stage in a ceramic tile layout program is preparing an existing floor for the new tiles. Thus you need to take off the baseboards for the time being and trim the moldings. All appliances and furniture should also be removed before you get down to work on your ceramic tile layout program. This holds true for vinyl flooring too.
A robust foundation calls for an at least 1-1/8-inch thick exterior-grade plywood subfloor installed over floor joists spaced at a maximum of 16 inches on center. Additionally a 1/4- or 1/2-inch-thick ceramic tile backerboard as an underlayment over wood subfloors will be the perfect antidote to the problem of the plywood surface swelling and going out of shape.
However, you need to remember that the installation of these ceramic tile backerboards will raise your floor and you would require making adjustments to the transitions, that is the points where the floor meets the walls.
A ceramic tile layout program involves aesthetics also. Thus the how-tos of a ceramic tile layout program insist on drawing out reference lines and then laying out the tiles first without the adhesive to check for any irregular arrangements. Start laying out the tile from the main door so that an entire row of tiles is visible from the entrance. Also ensure that the tiles at the corners of the room are of equal width and at least half a tile wide.
Before you actually start fixing the tiles, apply a fine coat of thinset mortar over the substrate. Lay down the tile and the mortar whilst the coat is still wet. And for results apply the mortar with the flat side of the trowel.
While you are working with the thinset mortar and the tiles, make sure to wipe off the thinset from the grout joints so that the grout can penetrate deeper and provide a firm anchorage to the tiles.
To round off your ceramic tile layout program with a flourish, apply grout to the joints liberally. Let it thicken for about 15 minutes, before removing the excess grout with sponge and water. Your ceramic tile layout program is complete.
A ceramic tile layout program is actually about taking care of the little issues so that the ground beneath your feet doesn’t give away.
by Manuel Kupka
