If you are a DIY enthusiast, you should know that with a little experience and know-how, you can turn your ideas in reality. This is applicable to a wide range of people from woodworkers looking for making cabinets and other furniture look more professionally done to people interested in creating their own herb garden. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the steps to tile a bathroom. Read through this DIY tutorial for insights.
WHERE TO BEGIN
While the type, color, shape, and texture of your tiles can make or break the overall appearance of your bathroom, if the job is not done properly, you will have lost twice. And, before you start to think you should leave the job to professionals, consider how much money you could save by doing the job yourself, especially if you are on a tight budget.
By following these simple and easy steps, anyone can learn how to tile a bathroom. After all, it isn’t rocket science!
If it is your first time tiling a bathroom or any room, The Seattle Times expresses that you will have to firstly decide on the right type of tile for that particular room. Size, color, material, and design are therefore the most important considerations.
SIZE
The general rule of thumb is as follows: Small rooms, small tiles. Big room, big tiles. It is that simple. The reasoning behind this is that larger tiles can make a small room look even smaller than it really is, whereas smaller tiles in that same room can make it appear larger than it really is.
MATERIAL
Most tiles are either porcelain, ceramic, glass, stone or quarry tiles. Traditionally, bathrooms have porcelain and ceramic and are able to withstand hardwearing.
Recently, however, natural stone tiles have become increasingly popular however these are best handled by professionals. Your best bet is to follow the common decor or theme of your house to see what will work best with what is already there.
For instance, if you already have ceramic tiles on your walls and are only interested in tiling your floors, then you should probably follow suit.
DESIGN AND COLOUR
The design and color of the tiles you choose are also very important. These tiles will be in your bathroom for quite a while so be sure they are something you actually like.
It is much easier to decide on tiles in store, however, if you are ordering tiles online, be sure to order sample tiles beforehand to see how they actually look in real life and how well they will mesh with the look and feel of your home.
PURCHASING TILES
Once you have decided on the tiles you want in your bathroom, it is time to purchase the tiles along with the other tools and materials you will need to lay them. But before you can actually do that, the big question to be answered is “How many tiles will I need?”.
To answer this, you must accurately measure, and re-measure your bathroom to get a correct measurement. Then, ascertain the measurements of the tiles you wish to purchase. And, while many of us hate math, to avoid buying too many or too little tiles, we must do some.
There are many calculators online that make this a lot easier but it isn’t something you can’t do with a pen, paper, and a calculator. Once you determine how many tiles you need, it is advised that you buy at least 10% more tiles than you need as anything from breaking to chipping a tile can happen whilst tiling your bathroom, especially since you are a beginner.
STARTING THE TILING PROCESS
Once you have all the tiles you will need, it is time to begin the tiling process.
STEP ONE: PREP
The first thing you will need to do is prepare the floor or wall for tiling. This includes cleaning your work surface by getting rid of any wallpaper, stickers, fixtures, old paint, old adhesives and so on.
This will ensure that the process goes smoother and there aren’t any obstructions that will make your job harder or cause any problems in the future. Use a spirit level to ensure the surface is perfectly level.
STEP TWO: GAUGING
This step is especially important for beginners or persons with little experience in tiling. This step involves acquiring a piece of wood with markings which indicate the size of your tiles. This is what will help you to properly space them.
To do so, place a tile horizontally beside your gauge stick. Mark the ends until you have run out of space but be sure to leave room for a tile spacer between each marking/tile. Repeat this step but with another stick, this time placing the tile vertically beside the gauge stick.
Keep your stick close by as it will come in very handy.
STEP THREE: TILE BACKER
Tile backers are extremely important for moist environments such as bathrooms, kitchens, and washrooms. It stabilizes the tiles and is compatible with a variety of file types. There are several different types of tile backers to choose from and the type of tiles you choose helps to determine which tile backer is best for your bathroom tiling project.
The measurements you have obtained for the bathroom come in very handy when purchasing tile backers and will give you an idea of how much you will need to buy.
STEP FOUR: GRIDDING
This is where your gauge stick comes into play. Start from the center and use this to create a grid in order to map out tile placement.
You may discover that at the edges and corners, you have less space than is needed to fit an entire tile. This is not too much of a problem and should be expected. All you will need to do is measure the space and trim them down to the sizes needed.
STEP FIVE: LAYING THE TILES
If you are laying wall tiles, begin at the bottom then go in an upward direction. For floors, begin in the center and work your way towards the ends. Where tiles need to be cut, make a line at the back of the tile to indicate where it should be cut to avoid discoloring your brand new tiles.
Any of these tile cutters can be used to cut the tile and then place it into its position. Be sure to use tile spacers to leave space for actually securing the tiles to the floor or wall.
STEP SIX: ADDING ADHESIVE
After you have laid your tiles in the positions you prefer, it is time to add your adhesive. For your bathroom, ensure the adhesive is waterproof in order to avoid mold in the future.
Because you are a beginner, it is advised that you purchase premixed adhesive. Use a notched trowel to spread the adhesive directly onto the tile and ensure it is evenly spread. It is best to work in rows as this makes it much easier on yourself and you won’t miss or forget to add adhesive to a tile.
STEP SEVEN: GROUT
The grout is what fills the spaces you have left in between your tiles and help to keep them in place and prevents water from going underneath them.
After the adhesive has dried, mix your grout by adding water until the mixture is thick and creamy. Allow a few minutes before the application and use a trowel to apply the grout onto the tiles.
Remove excess grout by using a sponge to wipe in a serpentine motion and allow the grout to sink into the spaces between the tile. Allow the area to dry then apply a grout sealant.
Would you believe that you are done? All you need to do is let it sit for a while then clean your tiles. You now have a perfectly tiles bathroom. Now was that difficult?
Knowing how to tile a bathroom yourself is extremely beneficial and once the job is completed you will feel so fulfilled and accomplished. Gone are the days when everything needs to be handled by “the professionals” in order to look good. Follow these steps and your bathroom will come out perfectly fine!
