DIY How-To Guides

Learning how to tile floors, countertops, and walls is easy when you use our 4 simple steps. Watch our do-it-yourself (DIY) videos and follow our step by step guides to discover how to install tile the easy way. Pick your tile installation project:

Prep Preparing your Surface
Set Setting the Tile
Grout Grouting the Tile Joints
Care Caring for your Installtation

Overview: Install Tile on Sheet Vinyl Subfloors

Prep

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Prepare your floors properly for a long-lasting tile installation. The tile must be placed on a rigid, level, structurally sound surface that is clean, dry and free of contaminants that could prevent a good bond.

Measure, Layout & Cut Tile

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Laying out the installation ensures your tile is set in a straight line and is square and level with adjacent surfaces. Often the best approach is to center the main field of full tiles in your project area, and adjust the field to leave partial, cut tiles-that are about the same size-around the edges. A scale drawing on paper can help you visualize what the installation will look like and estimate the number of tiles and cut tiles needed.

Prep

Step 1

Clean surfaces prior to tiling.

Step 2

Using a 1/4" x 1/4" x 1/4" square-notch trowel, apply

Marble & Granite - Fortified Premium Mortar

to subfloor.

Step 3

With label side down, place ¼" or ½"

WonderBoard^® Cement Backerboard

on fresh mortar. Anchor WonderBoard with backerboard screws.

Measure, Layout & Cut Tile

Step 1

Mark centerlines of the floor. Use a 3-4-5 triangle to check for square.

Step 2

Do a dry run to determine tile placement and cuts. Place a row of tiles along each line, using spacers.

Step 3

If the space at the wall is less than 1/2 tile, shift centerline to eliminate small cuts. This will allow wider tiles at both walls.

Step 4

Work in chalked grids (typically 2 tiles by 2 tiles) allowing space for grout joints.

Step 5

After setting your full tiles, go back to set tiles requiring cuts. Mark cuts with a grease pencil or china marker.

Step 6

Make straight cuts using a tile cutter or wet saw. Notched or curved cuts and v-cap or quarter-round tile cuts require a wet saw.

Step 7

For unique shaping, use tile nippers to cut away small pieces of tile.

GO TO STEP 2: Set

Overview: Install Tile on Sheet Vinyl Subfloors

Set

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Creating a strong bond is an essential part of tile installation. In areas that may be exposed to water or heavy usage, we recommend using a polymer-modified thin-set mortar.

Set

Step 1

Creating a strong bond is an essential part of tile installation. In areas that may be exposed to water or heavy usage, we recommend using a polymer-modified thin-set mortar.

Step 2

Set tile firmly into place while slightly moving the tile back and forth to help tile settle. If tiling a wall, ensure the first row is level before adding more rows.

Install Tile on Sheet Vinyl Subfloors set set 3

Step 3

Use spacers to ensure proper distance between tiles.

Step 4

Clean off any mortar left between the tiles or on the surface of the tile with a sponge or scrub pad.

GO TO STEP 3: Grout

Overview: Install Tile on Sheet Vinyl Subfloors

Grout

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Polyblend^® Grouts

are easy to use; just add water and mix. Choose from 48 impressive colors to match your style.

Grout

Step 1

Using cool, clean water mix the grout to a lump-free, non-pourable consistency.

Step 2

Using a grout float held at a 45° angle, spread grout firmly into tile joints. Make sure grout joints are completely filled.

Step 3

Allow grout to set for 10-20 minutes then lightly clean tile and shape grout joints with a damp sponge. Use a damp, not wet sponge for best results.

Step 4

Buff off remaining grout haze with a clean, dry cheesecloth after grout has dried for about 2 hours. Let grout dry 48-72 hours before sealing.

GO TO STEP 4: Care

Overview: Install Tile on Sheet Vinyl Subfloors

Care

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Following proper maintenance techniques with TileLab^®, AquaMix, or StoneSpecific™ sealers and cleaners will keep your stone, grout and tile looking like new. Sealing stone or grout after installation ensures future maintenance will be quick and easy.

Care

Step 1

Wait 48-72 hours after installation to seal. Even if your tile is glazed, the grout can get stained and needs to be sealed.

Step 2

For best results, apply

TileLab SurfaceGard^® Penetrating Sealer

with a sponge, or sealer applicator.

Step 3

Test sealed surfaces for effectiveness every year. Sprinkle water on the surface at various locations; if it penetrates, then renew by applying one coat of sealer.

Routine Cleaning

For everyday cleaning,

TileLab OneStep™ Cleaner & Resealer

contains SurfaceGard^® to seal as it cleans.

PRO Tips

Preparing the Surface

Flooring material does not have to be removed before installing tile if it is thoroughly bonded to the floor.
Clean flooring thoroughly and remove all waxes, coatings and other contaminants.
Subfloor under linoleum must comply with requirements of wood subfloor and should be well bonded.

Setting Tile

The notch trowel size depends on the tile type and size. Large tile require a deeper thin-set bed to make up for the minor adjustments in flatness of floor and tile.
Check for complete coverage of thin-set mortar by pulling up one tile -- it should cover at least 80% of the back of the tile.

Grouting

Clean out as much mortar from the grout joints as you can.
Prevent grout staining and remove grout residue easily by pre-sealing porous stone or tile before grouting.
Use clean water and grout sponge, changing water frequently. Minimal clean-up water should be used to ensure proper grout curing and maintain color uniformity.