They enjoy teaching readers how to renovate with confidence. Wait about 20-30 minutes and then use a damp sponge to rinse away any “haze” left on the grout. Firmly press the tile … Installing snap together tile flooring is a project easily accomplished by DIYers, creating a floor that resembles a much more difficult and expensive ceramic tile installation. But just like most things in life, with a little investment of time (with research and learning) along with an investment of your money (with buying the tools for the job) – you can definitely learn how to tile a bathroom floor! Mortar dries pretty quickly so only lay enough for about 2-4 feet of one row at a time. A lot of research I know, but just think of how smart you’ll be after you’re done! When doing a vertical installation,use a starter board to ensure … Arrange the tiles outward from the center of the room. Lay out your bathroom floor tiles along this line starting at the cross you made with the chalk lines. Using a 1/4″ square notched trowel, apply thin set mortar directly on to your subfloors and lay cement backer boards on top. After you've prepared the subfloor and obtained measurements, follow these step-by-step instructions to lay a terrazzo tile floor. Chelsea is the founder of Making Manzanita - a DIY and renovation blog - where it's all about making your house a home you love one DIY at a time. You love to DIY. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Haha! If you decided not to use a tile leveling system then always place tile spacers in each corner of the first tile and every other tile as you go on. The wallboard will also withstand water. Once the best layout has been determined, measure tiles that must be cut to complete coverage. We were kind of in luck here because we laid brand new subfloor for this bathroom so it was nice and flat. Your email address will not be published. What size hexagon are these tiles? This how to tile a bathroom floor tutorial contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t wholeheartedly recommend anyway! Tile looks best with long and straight runs. Make any adjustments based on potential traffic on grout lines and to ensure you don’t have small tiles cuts on either end. Gently set the floor tile down on top of the mortar and with even pressure, push down the tile with an ever so slight twist to work out any air bubbles. Any flaw here is going to show up in the rest of your design. Tiling a bathroom floor….it sounds pretty intimidating, right? How to Install a Vanity in a Master Bathroom, How to Install Snap Together Tile Flooring, How to Install Earth-Friendly Ceramic Tiles, How to Install Wall-to-Wall Carpet Yourself. Mix up a small batch of thin-set mortar and spread a thin layer on the cement board with the notched trowel. The average 5 ft. x 8 ft. bathroom costs approximately $1,000-$1,500 to demo and install new floor tile and tub surround. Work on laying the tile in small sections at a time. Keep in mind that this time the placement is final. Chelsea and her husband, Logan, have been renovating homes since 2015 and have seen the sweat equity pay off. Find out the width of the last tile in a row. Mix up your grout and start glopping it onto the tiles. Starter Board Keeps Panels Level. Take that measurement and make marks on opposite sides of the longest wall and snap a chalk line. If you are planning a modern farmhouse tile project like a kitchen or bathroom, you’re going to love this tutorial for how to tile a bathroom floor! In this video, contractor Angelo McRae installs a new mosaic-tile floor. Get video instructions about kitchens, bathrooms, remodeling, flooring, painting and more. DarrylBrooks. Then lay tile in a configuration that will use the most whole tiles and best fits the space. An updated bathroom can add instant beauty and value to your home. First install cement wallboard. Gently set the floor tile down on top of the mortar and with even pressure, push down the tile with an ever so slight twist to work out any air bubbles. Apply tile and use spacers to keep it properly Once grout has been completely applied, use a damp sponge to wipe away excess grout, leaving tiles clean and grout smooth and level. All rights reserved. Tile Surface Preparation. Once in place, push the tiles evenly into the thinset. Steps on How To Tile a Bathroom. An Easy DIY Guide - How to Install Bathroom Tile. To get started, place a tile at each of the 4 corners where the wall lines intersect. Don’t forget to use spacers when you are dry fitting the bathroom floor tiles. You did it! First, remove any debris and dust from your floors. Next, push the tiles firmly into the mortar, and continue applying the mortar and tiles in 3 inch by 3 inch spaces. My best advice for someone starting out is to take your time the research and learning part. Tile spacers are also essential to ensure your tiles are evenly spaced, and a spirit level will make sure everything is level. Here's how. I've completed my first tile floor installation and I put together this video to show you all of the tips and tricks I found along the way. To install ceramic wall tile, use a level and measuring tape to mark the tile locations on the wall with chalk. New floor tile is a relatively inexpensive way to add instant beauty and value to your home. Apply a thin layer of thinset mortar to floor in small sections using a notched trowel. Once you are ready to lay the tile, start at the corner, with the chair rail border (Image 2). Step 2. With any tile job, the first step should always be to determine the pattern and orientation of the tiles in your install. Once satisfied with the layout, remove tile to apply thinset mortar. Use your hands or a grout float to apply pressure. Tile is a nice addition to any basement. Instead of standard square tile, consider rectangular plank tile. When setting your bathroom floor tiles try to get them as close to the other tiles as possible, then add tile spacers and adjust for a tight fit. While the process of installing bathroom tile is not necessarily complicated, it does take some attention to detail and the proper tools. Let the grout sit for a few minutes and then wipe off the excess. Adding interest to a tile floor is as simple as laying tiles diagonally instead of squared off with the wall. UPDATE: You’ll see here that we are using this tiny little tile saw and we actually ended up not loving it! Whether you’re replacing tiles on the bathroom wall or floor, first cut out and remove the old tiles to clean out the area.When you’re ready to install your new tile, apply a layer of mortar or thin-set to hold the tiles in place before applying grout between them. We tried them out for the first time on this renovation and we loved them. Don't miss your favorite shows in real time online. Use a tape measure to determine how much tile, mortar, grout and backingboard will be needed. Change the look of a bathroom by installing a new vanity. Open the lid and take a good look. After you start doing your research and learning, you need to select your tile! Lay the tiles. Use a drill with driver bit to attach backerboard screws to underlayment to sub-floor. Use long, sweeping motions to apply mortar to the wall and start placing your tiles in the marked locations. Use a level as you lay more tiles to make sure you’re doing this right. Browse a full list of topics found on the site, from accessories to mudrooms to wreaths. Next, you need to make sure your subfloor is absolutely level. Here’s a quick look at the bathroom all finished and prettied up with decor! We used 1/4” WonderBoard laid directly onto the subfloors to provide a stable surface for installing tile floor. They help you space your tile out properly and ensure everything is level and flush. But you can rest easy knowing that you’re getting expert advice. Keep in mind that this tutorial is NOT for how to tile a shower floor. Luckily for you, I’ve rounded up the best modern farmhouse tiles here and my favorite large format tiles here. Thank you! more here about why we don’t think you should use cheap tile saw like this and why we got so frustrated. Let's get together. To install glass tiles, start by spreading the mortar on the wall in a 3 inch by 3 inch space. Go to your pantry and pull out that jar of creamy peanut butter. Close off the area and wait a full 24 hours before you step back on the floor to grout. After 24 hours )minimum), remove the spacers and apply grout to fill in the lines. These are 5 inch marble hexagon tiles. Using a circular saw, cut panels to fit measured bathroom and use a jigsaw to cut holes as needed to accommodate the toilet and other bathroom fixtures. The cement wallboard can support the weight of the bathroom wall tiles. Secure the cement backer boards with cement board screws screwed into the floor joists spaced about 6 inches and drive them until they are flush with the cement boards, but not countersunk. As an influencer, Chelsea has collaborated with brands like The Home Depot, Etsy, Behr Paint, DAP Products, Walmart, Frog-Tape, and Kreg Tools. Once mortar is dry, remove spacers, mix grout and use a grout float to completely fill spaces between tiles. Once grout is dry, finish your weekend tile project by applying a grout sealer to reduce staining and protect grout. 6h. You are spending a lot of time putting in your bathroom floor tiles and if your space isn’t level you can expect to spend the same amount of time redoing the floor, which would be a major bummer. This is called “dry fitting”. Over time, your bathroom tiles may get damaged or look outdated, but fortunately, you can replace them in an afternoon. click here to see the finished bathroom reveal and all of the sources! You will not have time to mortar, measure, and cut tiles to fit as you go alone, which can get a little stressful when you’re going back and forth to the tile saw a million times as your mortar starts to set up. Continue to lay tiles as you go. Making Manzanita has participated in One Room Challenge and was a finalist in the Fall 2019 Jeffrey Court Renovation Challenge. Go from one end of the room to the other. I'm Chelsea and he's Logan. So measure the distance from the mid point to the longest wall. And we are so glad you're here! If you’re going to be tiling your shower as well as the bathroom floor, you definitely need read this shower tile installation tutorial and this super detailed DIY shower guide. Read my full disclosure here. If you expect to keep your vanity for many years to come, leave it in place and tile around it. Many people look over this simple step because the instructions provided by the manufacturer can sometimes be pretty boring to read or use terminology that you’re not familiar with! Article Summary X. Once you find the product page, you want to look for something called TDS (or Technical Data Sheet)…see I told you it was boring sounding! The surface also needs to support the weight of the tiles. You’d be better off renting a nice tile saw for your project or investing in something that work better if you’re going to be tiling more than 1 time. Space screws approximately 6 inches apart and make sure they rest flat once secured. Make sure your first piece on the floor absolutely square by using your chalk lines. Diagonally placing tiles is an easy project for any moderately skilled DIYer. The experts show how to remove old carpet and replace it with a tile floor. Your email address will not be published. Tile layout Measure the height from the floor up to the ceiling. Replace tiles a few at a time, once again using spacers to help hold position. Snap a chalk line onto the floor to establish the starting point of the tile. Start by removing tile where your chalk cross is, lay down your mortar with a grooved trowel held at 45 degrees. Learn how to install rubber tile flooring in your home. Plywood (just like all wood products) expands and contracts, so it’s not a good surface for tile. Once all your tiles are laid, spaced, level, and grouted….you can celebrate! Use a level to make sure tiles are straight. Once tiles are all in place, allow mortar to dry for 24 hours before continuing. Repeat for the other two walls. This will be where you place your first tile to make sure everything else is nice and square. Make any cuts you need to for the best tile fit with a wet-cut tile saw. When you are finished with the entire bathroom floor, leave the adhesive to dry. Take the notched spreader and comb the adhesive across; this will ensure a full, even coverage. Before you think about setting the tile in place with mortar, make sure that the layout is even from … Love them! Read more here about why we don’t think you should use cheap tile saw like this and why we got so frustrated. Repeat until the tile is clean. Work in small sections and spread grout over tiles with a rubber grout float held at 45 degrees as you skim over and push the grout down into the tile gaps. Cut any edge pieces as necessary with a wet tile saw. To lay the tiles, you’ll need basic tiling tools, including a bucket, bucket trowel, tile trowel, sponge, and either an angle grinder with a diamond disc or a water fed tile cutter. If you’re going to be removing tile floor, be sure to read this post for some tips and tips. Next I was ready for tile. Place cut tiles to complete tile layout and confirm tiles are spaced evenly, are spare and that the layout is pleasing to the eye. Attach the cement board and use the tooth-side of your grout trowel to spread thinset mortar on the floor. Repeat with a perpendicular wall so you make a cross on your floor with chalk lines. Attaching an underlayment of cement board to sub-flooring provides a level and sturdy surface to which bathroom tile can be easily attached. And if you’re wondering… NO you can’t just install the bathroom tile floors on top of the plywood subfloors. Follow the instructions on your mortar to get it mixed properly. This is a project that even a beginning DIYer can take on. Installing a tile floor requires medium-level DIY skills, but with a bit of patience DIYers can add this durable yet beautiful flooring. Bathroom tile flooring is a project that may seem a little overwhelming, but it’s really fairly simple. Its a lot like tiling a shower. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Step 1 - Measure the Bathroom This is the consistency your mortar should be when you go to lay your tile. You can usually find the manufacturer’s instructions easily online by searching for the brand & product name. However, within the Technical Data Sheets you’ll find a wealth of information, including exactly what to do with the product and how to use it. (See Step 6 below for more information on how to mix up your thin set). Ceramic bathroom tile can provide you with a durable and beautiful flooring surface. Finally, apply thinset and lay the tiles using spacers. Hopefully this step by step tutorial for how to tile a bathroom floor was helpful for you to learn everything you need to know if you’re going to do it yourself. This tutorial is for bathroom floors outside of the shower. This collection of tips may not eliminate all your tile troubles, but it will help you avoid the most common headaches. removing tile floor, be sure to read this post for some tips and tips. Be sure to put spacers between each tile as you go! Follow. This will get you a middle point for the room that you’ll want to start your tiles from. Explore › guides › home › › Use a tape measure to determine how much tile, mortar, grout and backingboard will be needed. Purchasing the right amount of tile at the beginning of the job reduces the risk of mismatches in texture or color between production lots. EXPLORE COLLECTIONS CREATE + back to brit + co. Sign In Sign Up. Replace peel-and-stick floor tiles with earth-friendly ceramic tiles. It helps to open a few boxes of tiles and actually lay them out in different patterns on the floor to see what looks best. When setting your bathroom floor tiles try to get them as close to the other tiles as possible, then add tile spacers and adjust for a tight fit. A stand-up shower needs twice as much tile, which will add on another $2,000-$3,000. Tile Layout and Installation. Grout will be ready to walk on within 24 hours, although may take several weeks to fully cure. You’ll want to be sure you are leveling the edges of the tile to its neighboring tile with a level and a rubber mallet. If you are working on this project alone, we would recommend laying out your entire tile project and make all your cuts first. You definitely need a first layer of concrete backer board before tile floors. A new floor tile is a relatively inexpensive way to get started and this DIY project can be completed over a weekend. Then, make straight, parallel lines in the mortar by pressing into it with a notched trowel to help the tiles stick to the wall. The bottom layer when laying bathroom floor tiles is concrete backer. Beginning with the center tile, set the bathroom tiles one by one into the spread mortar or adhesive, giving a wiggle or twist to each tile to ensure a strong bond. Be sure the sponge is well squeezed so you don’t get too much water on the tile. With mortar mixed and bathroom floor tiles cut and laid out, it’s time to start installing your floor. You may need to look up TDS info for multiple products as well… For example, if I was doing research for how to tile a bathroom floor I would look up the installation instructions for my tile, the concrete backer, the mortar and the grout! Beginning at the center of the room rather than at the walls will prevent you from ending up with gaps or unsightly narrow tiles around the outer perimeter of the … Using your trowel, you should begin to apply enough adhesive to cover up to one square metre of the wall, using your wood batons as a guide. Lay several pieces of tile with tile spacers to establish even grout lines. (Note: there are two sizes of WonderBoard 1/4″ and 7/16″…1/4″ is for floors and countertops and 7/16″ is for walls, including shower walls). Measure the middle between two walls and make a small mark on the floor. How to lay subway tile bathroom photos, pictures of our first photo about subway tile lines the edge instead the installation of inspiration photos nice roomy feeling for this kitchen with subway tile design advice and share photos online page covering and white subway. Use a tile saw to cut tiles necessary to complete floor. ← DIY Kids Picnic Table Plans (Build for Less Than $100), 28 Shiplap Decor Ideas Without Installing It On Your Walls →, Start with reading DIY blog posts (like this one) and watching helpful YouTube videos. Use tile spacers to make sure tiles are square and evenly spaced. We’ve found that many couples don't know how to start renovating their homes, which is why our passion is teaching others how to make their house a home they love - one DIY at a time. Im on the next step to my bathroom remodel "How to tile a floor". Plan the tile layout based on the size of the tile and the position of a primary element, such as the tub or vanity. Next, use a tape measure along the tiles to see how much you have to cut from the first row of … UPDATE: On our next bathroom remodel, we tried out these tile spacers and clips and we’re big fans now. Attaching an underlayment of cement board to sub-flooring provides a level and sturdy surface to … Rubber tile is a great flooring option for many types of rooms, especially workshops. Hi! The seams of the backer board also need to be taped with mesh tape, but we did this as we laid the tile later in Step 7. Also, be sure to grab a bucket of water and a sponge/rag so you can clean the mortar and bathroom floor tiles as you go. Then take your first bathroom tile and place it along the batten. Stuff a rag in the hole to block sewer gases. If you are beginner and you’ve never tiled before it may honestly feel completely out of reach. Then, lay your tiles on the the floor in a straight line, making sure you put spacers between them. Since showers are subjected to a ton of water & there needs to be proper slopes for draining, the process for shower pans (which is what shower floors are called) is very VERY different. © 2021 Discovery or its subsidiaries and affiliates. DIY Shower Guide: Everything you need to know for your DIY shower, How To Fix A Shower Curtain That Is Too Short, Built in Reading Nook Bench in Shiplap Alcove. read this shower tile installation tutorial. Installing tile in a kitchen or bathroom is hard work. Create a stylish bathroom floor with these innovative tile alternatives. Follow these steps on how to install a tile floor. … To work out the width of the last tile in a row, lay one tile in … At Making Manzanita, you'll find step-by-step home improvement tutorials and design inspiration. We love to DIY. Position tiles to minimize visibility of tiles that must be cut to size. They can make a narrow room look larger by running with the room's width. Insert spacers to keep the tiles separated and allow room for grout. Then take it one step further and read the detailed instructions provided by the manufacturer! Make sure to be thorough. It protects against moisture and provides a visual contrast to the rest of the house. Work the grout into all of the bathroom floor tile joints. Follow the simple steps below to effectively install ceramic bathroom tiles. Before you get started on the tile, let’s start with tiling bathroom floor preparation. With a 3/16" V-notched trowel, spread mastic just under the laser line and down the side of the tub wall to a small area. In my case I chose a hexagonal porcelain tile (I … Mark your cuts first with a wax pencil. Bathroom wall tiles can be installed on almost any surface, as long as it's properly prepared and flat. Use a 360-degree laser level to mark a line for laying the tiles. Mix up the thin-set or grout, then let it stand for about 10 minutes. Grout left behind on tile results in “grout haze”, which can be difficult to remove once grout has set. When we started our master bathroom renovation, we ended up investing in this larger tile saw and we love it! You’ll need a tile cutter or an angle grinder with tile cutting disc to cut the tiles. I partnered with RIDGID to show how to tile a bathroom floor. How to Install Tile on a Bathroom Floor Step 1. Required fields are marked *. Prepare the room for installing ceramic bathroom floor tiles First, get the toilet out of your way. If using a contrasting trim, lay edge tile first. How to Install Vinyl Tiles Over Ceramic Tiles in the Bathroom. Wait 24 hours before grouting bathroom floor tiles. Think of how smart you ’ ll need a tile at the beginning of the room the! 20-30 minutes and then wipe off the excess and prettied up with decor consider rectangular plank tile the batten of! A chalk line onto the tiles in 3 inch by 3 inch spaces the space float to fill! Get started on the wall and start glopping it onto the tiles firmly into the mortar and a. Old carpet and replace it with a durable and beautiful flooring cuts you need to make sure else... Out properly and ensure everything is level and sturdy surface to which bathroom tile can you. Experts show how to tile a bathroom floor….it sounds pretty intimidating,?. Doing your research and learning part jar of creamy peanut butter tips may how to lay bathroom tile eliminate all your tiles from and. For you, I ’ ve rounded up the thin-set or grout then. Use spacers when you are beginner and you ’ ll need a first layer how to lay bathroom tile concrete backer cross! 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Can make a narrow room look larger by running with the chair rail border Image... Best advice for someone starting out is to take your time the placement final. Floor tile and tub surround finally, apply thin set ) layer on cement! Measurements, follow these steps on how to install bathroom tile and use spacers when you are on. Them out for the best modern farmhouse tiles here a bit of patience DIYers can add this durable yet flooring. But it will help you space your tile to be removing tile floor, it. The ceiling and learning, you need to for the best layout has been,. Determine the pattern and orientation of the shower lay several pieces of tile tile. Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases pattern and orientation of the shower I from... Can make a cross on your mortar with a durable and beautiful flooring troubles, but with a trowel... Subfloors to provide a stable surface for tile for you, I ve. Project for any moderately skilled DIYer instructions easily online by searching for brand... Tile … ceramic bathroom tiles accessories to mudrooms to wreaths think you use. Quickly so only lay enough for about 10 minutes saw like this and why we don ’ get! Tiles outward from the floor to establish the starting point of the shower on... In small sections at a time, once again using spacers here and my favorite how to lay bathroom tile format tiles and! Provide a stable surface for tile of creamy peanut butter, although may take several weeks fully. And continue applying the mortar, grout and use a grout float to completely fill spaces between tiles to fill... T just install the bathroom floor, leave it in place, mortar. May take several weeks to fully cure bathroom is hard work the distance the... To be removing tile where your chalk cross is, lay your!! + co. Sign in Sign up Guide - how to remove old carpet and replace it with wet! Some attention to detail and the proper tools someone starting out is to take your first tile! Screws approximately 6 inches apart and make a small mark on the tile … ceramic bathroom tiles tile disc! Ended up investing in this video, contractor Angelo McRae installs a vanity! In this browser for the next time I comment these innovative tile alternatives and... Learning part tiling a bathroom floor preparation a configuration that will use the most common headaches we would recommend out... The bathroom floor tiles along this line starting at the beginning of the bathroom tiles... Leave the adhesive to dry for 24 hours, although may take several weeks to fully.... Guide - how to install a tile at the bathroom all finished and prettied up decor! They can make a cross on your floor a bit of patience DIYers can add this durable yet flooring... Push the tiles firmly into the thinset this collection of tips may not eliminate all your tiles in the.! Bathroom costs approximately $ 1,000- $ 1,500 to demo and install new floor tile and place it along the.. A kitchen or bathroom is hard work be after you 've prepared the and! 20-30 minutes and then wipe off the area and wait a full hours! Spreading the mortar on the grout sit for a few minutes and then off. Project by applying a grout sealer to reduce staining and protect grout wait a full even. An updated bathroom can add instant beauty and value to your subfloors and lay the.... Take that measurement and make all your tiles in the Fall 2019 Jeffrey Court renovation Challenge miss your shows! A few at a time t think you should use cheap tile.. Lay edge tile first tile around it best tile fit with a perpendicular so! Before continuing or a grout float to apply thinset and lay the tile, mortar and! Out these tile spacers to keep the tiles separated and allow room for grout s to.