How to Tile a Floor

Contents:

• Tools & materials
• How to prepare a room for tiles
• How to cut floor tiles
• How to grout floor tiles
• How to maintain floor tiles
• Key considerations
• FAQs

Keen to find out how to tile a floor? This comprehensive guide will give you tips, tricks and tiling techniques to help you get a professional finish, without breaking the bank. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know about how to tile a floor, starting with the basics of where to start tiling a floor, right through to how to lay floor tiles on concrete (and any other surface you might be working with.)

There’s never been a bigger choice of tile sizes, finishes, materials and designs. Tiles can give a room an aesthetic edge and add value to your house, as long as you get it right. So it’s definitely worth learning how to tile a floor properly. A professional finish is everything, so we’ll tell you not only how to lay floor tiles, but also how to prepare them so they look their absolute best.

The first step in tiling a floor is to choose tiles, that work for your space and that you find visually pleasing. Ceramic tiles are probably the most common. They’re affordable and hardwearing, and work in most rooms (including kitchens and bathrooms). Porcelain tiles are popular for bathrooms, and can create a luxurious feel. Natural stone tiles, like granite or marble, can create a really high-end look, but they’re more effort to maintain. Concrete tiles come in some really interesting designs, but they are heavy and thick, and quite a bit harder to install. They can be worth the effort, though. 

If you’re wondering how to tile a floor when you’re not a professional and don’t have all the gear, don’t worry. You don’t need too much equipment to tile a floor, but make sure you’ve got what you need before you start. This is a general guide, so do read up on the tiles you have, especially if you’re working with tiles that have particular requirements, like concrete tiles. Aside from your tiles, these are the basics you’ll need:

• Knee pads, safety goggles and gloves – to stay safe when you’re handling and cutting tiles. Flying tile shards are small, but deadly.

• Tile adhesive and grout – the basics

• Tile cutter – a manual tile cutter or tile saw will help you make clean cuts. Tile nippers can come in handy for making small adjustments.

• Tape measure and chalk line – to measure and mark layout lines, and to help you know where to start tiling a floor.

• Notched trowel – to apply adhesive evenly

• Spirit level or laser level – for projecting straight and level lines across the floor, so you can make sure your floor is level and your tiles perfectly aligned.

• Bucket – for mixing adhesive.

• Tile spacers and rubber mallet – spacers keep tile gaps consistent, and a rubber mallet is useful for gently tapping tiles into place.

• PVA adhesive and flexible sealant – PVA primer helps your adhesive bond to the floor, and flexible sealant provides water resistance.

• Grout float – for applying grout.

• Tiling sponge – for removing grout haze (do this 24 hours after you finish grouting).

• Tile trim.

Need to stock up? Our tiling tool buying guide will help you find the right tools for the job.

Don’t be tempted to just crack on with the job. Taking time to prepare makes tiling a floor a lot easier. And you’ll be less likely to have problems down the line with cracked grout or damaged, uneven or loose tiles.

Step 1. Clean the floor before tiling

Before you spring into action and start tiling a floor, you need to clean it. You’re aiming to remove any dust, dirt or grease that could prevent your adhesive from bonding properly, so vacuum the area first, then clean it with household supplies. If you’re wondering how to lay floor tiles on concrete, this step is especially important, as concrete floors can have dust or rough spots.

Step 2. Level the floor

A smooth, clean base is key for strong adhesion. Use a laser level or spirit level to check your floor is even. If it’s not, use a self-levelling compound to remedy it (most, but not all surfaces are suitable for self-levelling compound). If you’re planning to tile on top of a wooden subfloor, make sure it’s sturdy. It’s a good idea to install sheet flooring, (cement backer boards or plywood) on top of it to create a solid foundation. That’s because wooden floorboards can move over time, and your tiles could break or become uneven.

Step 3. Prime the surface before tiling

If you want your tiled floor to stand the test of time, don’t skip the primer. It helps the adhesive bond properly and keeps your tiles in place for longer. Mix PVA adhesive with water (check the instructions on the bottle for quantities), then apply evenly across the floor with a brush or roller. As well as strengthening the bond, primer also helps prevent moisture from seeping into the subfloor. For areas with high moisture levels, like bathrooms, let the primer dry completely before you move on.

Cutting tiles is one of the most important things to get right when you’re learning how to tile a floor, smooth, clean cuts help you get that professional finish. Follow these steps for cutting tiles and you’ll be well on your way to mastering how to lay floor tiles with a finish that you can be proud of.

Step 1. Measure and mark the tile

Measure the area where the tile will go, then mark your cut line on the tile with a pencil or tile scribe. Make sure your measurements are super-precise – especially if the tile needs to fit around pipes or other fixtures. Making accurate cuts is a vital part of learning how to tile a floor with a great finish: smooth edges and clean lines.

Step 2. Choose the right cutting tool

For straight cuts, a tile cutter is probably all you’ll need. Just score along your cut line, then snap it cleanly. For trickier shapes you’ll need an electric tile cutter (always wear appropriate PPE) To cut off small pieces of tile to create your line, use a tile nipper.

Step 3. Plan your layout

Lay out your tiles before you apply any adhesive. It will help you see the final pattern and make sure you’re going to get the look you want. If you’re wondering where to start tiling a floor, we recommend starting in the middle of the room and working outwards. That way, cut tiles will be along the edges, where they’re less noticeable. Use your laser level with your chalk line, to give you a visual guide to help you keep each row straight and even, which is especially important when you’ve got a large area to tile.

Step 4. Mix the floor tile adhesive

If you are not using ready-mixed tile adhesive, you should now mix this ready to lay your tiles. Use your bucket to prepare the tile adhesive according to its instructions. The consistency should be thick but easily spreadable: thick, but easily spreadable. Adhesive can dry out quickly, so don’t mix too much at once.

Step 5. Apply the tile adhesive to the floor

Use your notched trowel to spread adhesive over a small section of floor, holding the trowel at a 45-degree angle so that it creates a ridged surface on the adhesive. The ridges help the tiles stick firmly to the floor. If you’re learning how to lay floor tiles on concrete, remember that concrete can absorb moisture quickly. If it absorbs too much moisture from the tile adhesive, the adhesive might not stick well. To prevent this, use a primer or moisture barrier on your concrete surface before you apply the adhesive. It will slow down the moisture absorption, so the adhesive has time to bond properly to the concrete.

Step 6. Lay your tiles

You’ve done all the prep, you know where to start laying a floor, and now it’s time to put everything you’ve learned about how to tile a floor into practice. Working methodically, press each tile gently into place, giving it a bit of a wiggle to create a strong bond. Place tile spacers between the tiles as you go to make sure your gaps are consistent (it’ll make grouting easier later, too). As you go, keep checking your tiles with your laser or spirit level, so you don’t end up with an uneven finish.

Grouting is the final step in your tiling project. Take your time with grouting, because it’s an important part of giving your tiles a professional finish. Grout also helps prevent dirt and moisture from building up between tiles.

Grouting is something people who are learning how to tile a floor normally have a lot of questions about. So we’ve put together an in-depth guide that gives you an in-depth tutorial on how to grout floor tiles and achieve a professional finish.

Step 1. Mix your grout

Get your grout, check it’s the right colour and type for your tiles, then mix it according to the instructions on the packaging.

Step 2. Apply grout

Hold your grout float at a 45-degree angle and spread the grout across the tiles, pressing it firmly into the gaps. 

Step 3. Clean and seal your tiles

Around 24 hours after you finish grouting (not before, as you might damage your grout work) it’s time to remove grout haze, which is a cloudy film that you’ll probably see on the surface of your tiles. To remove grout haze, use a damp tiling sponge (rather than a household sponge) to wipe the tiles, avoiding direct pressure on the grout lines. If the haze is hard to remove, try dry buffing with an old towel. Once your grout and tiles are dry and clean, apply a sealant to protect your newly tiled floor from moisture and staining.

To keep your tiled floor in good condition you need to take care of it. Here’s how:

• Clean regularly – sweep or vacuum the floor at least once a week to remove dust and grit (they can scratch tiles over time).

• Use non-abrasive cleaners – choose a mild detergent suitable for tiled surfaces, or a steam cleaner. Bleach and harsh cleaning products can damage grout.

• Check your grout regularly – grout can crack or chip, especially if it gets a lot of foot traffic. Patch small cracks before they get worse.

• Deep cleaning – for a thorough clean, use a grout and tile cleaner every few months.

Tiling a floor can be a cost-effective way to make a style statement in your home. Some of the tools and tiling products you’ll need are a notched trowel, tile spacers, tile cutter, laser level, grout float and cleaning products, and appropriate PPE, of course. Begin with thorough preparation. Clean the floor, level it if needed and apply primer to help the adhesive stick. Begin tiling from the centre of the room and work outwards, using chalk lines to keep your rows straight and evenly spaced. Once your tiles are in place, grout between them and clean up your tiles.