Because of its natural ability to repel moisture, mold and bacteria, floor tile is a popular choice for areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Most homeowners choose either porcelain or ceramic tile. Porcelain is very expensive, very heavy and difficult to install. Ceramic tile, on the other hand, is budget-friendly and simple to install, even for someone trying tile installation for the first time.

Preparing to Install Tile Flooring

Before you begin your tile installation, check to make sure you have all of the necessary materials. In addition to the obvious floor tile and grout, you’ll also need the following supplies:

• Buckets
• Chalk
• Grout float
• Level
• Notched towel
• Putty knife
• Rags
• Rubber mallet
• Setting material
• Sponges
• Tile cutter or wet saw
• Tile spacers
• Trowel.

Make sure the subfloor is level, clean and dry. Check the doors to make sure they’ll still be able to swing open over your new floor, especially if your ceramic tile is thick. A quick way to check is to stack two tiles together and see if they’ll fit under the door. If they do, then your floor tile is all set. But if there’s not enough room, then you’ll need to trim the door before you can begin the tile installation.

Floor Tile Installation

Draw a chalk line down the center of the room. Draw another chalk line perpendicular to the first, creating a cross in the center of the room. Begin placing floor tile along the edges of both lines, leaving space for grout. Continue working from the center outward until you reach the walls. You may have to cut some of the ceramic tiles at the edges of the room so they’ll fit.

Stand outside of the room and look at the tile and spacing with a critical eye. If it looks good, then it’s time to proceed with the floor tile installation.

In order to install tile flooring, you’ll first need to mix the setting material, and apply it to a small section of the subfloor using a trowel. Place the floor tile on the setting and use a rubber mallet to tap it softly into place. If the setting material oozes into the grout area between the ceramic tiles, simply remove it before it dries.

Once the tiles are set, allow the floor to dry overnight before applying grout. Mix the grout powder and water in a small bucket until the grout is thick, but still liquid. Use a grout float–a flat metal piece that you can find in the hardware store–to apply grout to the grout lines in between the floor tiles. Use the grout float to remove extra grout by running it over the tile at a 45-degree angle, then go over the grout with a damp sponge. Let the grout set for 10 minutes, then wash it with a clean sponge. Seal the floor at least 10 days after this final step in the tile installation process.