How to Install a Porcelain or Ceramic Tile Floor

A porcelain or ceramic tile floor is a great addition to areas of your home that see a lot of traffic. Tile floors are durable and easy to clean. Follow these steps to install a tile floor in your home.

The following instructions are for a simple stacked pattern using 12" square tiles. Pre-assembled patterns with a mesh back are available for easy installation with similar instructions. Other sizes of tiles also are available.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• ceramic tile
• installing tile
• porcelain tile
• tiling
• flooring
• mastic
• thin set
• DIY
• home improvement
• grout
• underlayment
• lowes
• lowe's

[congtusacto]

hi, i have two questions. one is should i install glossy tile in the bath room and kitchen area? is it safe to do those types of tiles. two is can i install tiles over vinyl floors? thanks lowe

[Lowes]

@congtusacto Only if you want a glossy tile in the kitchen and bath. You didn’t say if it’s for the wall or floor. Wall tiles are fine glossy and will be easier to clean. For the floor, you might want a matt finish or a tile that has some texture as it can be slippery when wet.

As far as putting over vinyl, There are too many variables to be able to answer for your specific installation. Here is a guide that will give you more information: goo . gl/5J6VJ

[Shaylatheforestfairy]

A do-it-yourself book I read said you should turn the tiles ocassionally so that you don't see a pattern. Is this correct or not necessary? Is there a standard number of tiles in each box that has a different pattern?

[quazzard]

@SalehMagrabi Think of the build up of food, dust and hair if you don't grout. Gross

[quazzard]

Check for high spots once you've laid them? Lift them to see if there's enough adhesive? DITCH THE TROWEL, DAB, AND LEVEL AS YOU GO...OR YOU WILL FAIL!

[tsiemens]

Not having any grout joints is a nearly impossible installation salehmagrabi because most tiles are not perfectly the same size so you will end up with your lines running out especially if you don't do this stuff regularly. I've been doing this for 10 years...

[68NYC2]

Wow the tile at 0:14 seconds is one of the ...things that can go wrong pic for sure.

Kind of a here's a D.I.Y but don't try this warning in a way...

Helpful video.

Thanks.

;0)

[Thom87Thom]

@SalehMagrabi

Yes. Grout stops moisture getting in between tiles and prevents chipping with tile movement. I would recommend using at least a 1mm (or 0.03937" in imperial) grout line. Use a wood-colour grout to help blend the tile to the grout. Trust me, it will look better with a grout then without. (It is recommended that you use at least a 3mm grout line with floor tiles due to the pressure of foot traffic)