Installing Tile Flooring

If it’s time for a new look in your home, or your current flooring material is worn out, you may find yourself looking at installing tile flooring. Although many homeowners leave tile flooring installation to the professionals, it is actually a relatively easy process and can be accomplished by a competent do-it-yourselfer.

With a little research and a few flooring tools, you will be well on your way to installing your own tile flooring. If ripping up your old flooring material is not a task you want to do, it is usually possible to lay the tile over your old vinyl, marmoleum, or hardwood flooring.

What it Takes to Install Tile Flooring

• First, remove the old flooring material or prepare it to be covered
• Snap an even chalk line to align your tiles with
• Mix thinset mortar and apply it to the floor with a trowel
• Set the new tiles
• Fill the joints with grout
• Finally, clean the excess grout and residue from the floor

Depending on the flooring material, tiles can be installed using a glue-like adhesive or thinset mortar. Adhesive is usually reserved for thinner materials like vinyl tile, while thicker tiling such as ceramic tile is installed with mortar. Tile flooring is installed using tiles and adhesives (or setting materials, as they are sometimes called).

Setting Materials for Tile Flooring

There are several types of setting materials you may use when installing tile flooring. The most popular, aside from glue, is thin set mortar: a cement that is very useful and cost-effective when installing tile over cement flooring. Organic adhesive or glue (aka organic mastic tile adhesive) is only used to install tiles to walls and counters, not for installing tile flooring.

Thankfully, setting materials and sealants have become easier to use. Thanks to the handy directions available on most setting material labels, the average homeowner can install their own tile flooring without much hassle. Thanks to regulations and new awareness, today’s sealants and setting materials are without many of the harmful solvents that used to be used and are thus much better for your health and the environment.

Don’t Forget About the Grout!

Grout is a cement used to fill in the joints or spaces between tiles. When selecting grout, it is important to choose the right color. In general, you want the grout to match the darkest color in your tile. This will look attractive and help ensure easier clean ups as well.

Installing Tile Flooring is Worth the Effort!

Though installing tile flooring is a job you can do yourself, keep in mind the effort it will take, especially given the size of the area you want to cover. Also, if you need to remove previous flooring, be prepared for a process of heating old tiles and scraping off old setting materials, or chipping them away.

If you do decide to install your own tile flooring, do know that it is easier and safer than ever before. Installing tile flooring can also be an extremely rewarding and valuable project. Most home experts claim that flooring can increase a home’s value considerably, making installing tile flooring a great investment.

Visit our Los Angeles Flooring showrooms for more information about Flooring.