How to Install Kitchen Tile in Your Home

How to Install Kitchen Tile in Your Home

The chore of having to install kitchen tile in your home can be a daunting task. You know you will be on your hands and knees most of the time. You can lessen your time on the floor if you just know how to do it the right way. The job that you thought would take a professional to do properly can be part of your own list of achievements.

Follow these steps if you want to install kitchen tile in your home:

1. First things first, you need to prepare all the things you need for the home improvement project. Items such as backer boards, tile spacers, wax pencils, sponges, cloths and a bucket will be highly useful.

2. Cover the floor surface that you want tiled with backer boards. Make sure that the edges meet and that you secure them properly. This will serves as an important foundation for your kitchen tiles. You can use coarse thread 1 ¼ inch screws to secure the backer boards into place.

3. Next step to installing kitchen tiles is to find the center of the floor. A neat trick to do this is to draw a line using chalk from one corner to the one across it. Repeat this step for the other corners and there you will find the center of the floor. X marks the spot.

4. Mix the mortar for the tiles according to the instructions and make sure to remember to use tile spacers when laying down the tiles on the floor. After that, you should let the tile set for 24 hours and then you already have install kitchen tile in your home.

Tired of your old lifeless kitchen? Learn how to install kitchen tile and turn your dream kitchen into a reality. Install ceramic tiles now!

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Selecting the Right Kitchen Tile

Selecting the Right Kitchen Tile

Tile, especially porcelain or ceramic tile, is an excellent choice for a kitchen floor because it's easy to maintain, durable, and given the variety of colors and sizes available for every budget, you're guaranteed to find kitchen tile perfect for your home. Here are a few tips to follow before hitting the tile showrooms to better prepare you to choose the right kitchen tile.

Types of Kitchen Tile Available

Kitchens typically see a lot of action, from high traffic to food splatter, to accidentally dropping a dish. This means that the tile floor you choose should be both durable and easy to clean. If, however, your kitchen is seldom used, and is mostly for show, you can be less discerning of what materials you need.

For instance, natural stone, such as slate, is beautiful and comes in a variety of shades and sizes, but will most likely chip if a heavy pot is dropped on it and could stain if not sealed properly. Natural stone also requires upkeep, such as sealing the tile once a year (sometimes more if your kitchen falls into the first category), so you might want to consider a natural stone for elsewhere in your house or perhaps as a backsplash.

The most durable and popular forms of tile are glazed kitchen ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles. These tiles don't need to be sealed, so there is virtually no upkeep other than routine cleaning. Also, you can choose porcelain or ceramic that was designed to simulate a natural stone product so you get the beauty of natural stone without the hassles of the real thing.

You can also purchase tile that mimics hardwood flooring, also without the upkeep of actual hardwood. Glass tile and mosaic tiles are best used as accents in areas that won't receive high traffic or best reserved for a backsplash, especially since these are more expensive and will get the most attention above your counters rather than under your feet.

Measure, Determine Budget and Gather Samples

Measure your kitchen (multiplying length by width) to get an approximate square footage-don't worry about being exact because you'll need to figure in about a 10 to 15 percent surplus for cuts and mistakes. Then, determine a budget and divide it by your kitchen measurement so you have an idea of the price per square foot you're willing to pay once you're in the store. Don't forget about paying for labor if hiring a contractor when determining your budget.

Also, gather color samples from your kitchen, such as a paint swatch, a cabinet door and even a countertop sample if possible. This way, once you're in the showroom, you'll be better equipped to choose possibilities that will work with your current color scheme. It's best not to buy impulsively, even if you fall in love with a particular tile. Take several samples home so that you can see tiles in your lighting, in your home, and make sure to put it against any flooring that might connect to the kitchen as well as pay attention to how it looks in both natural and artificial light. You'll be surprised what looks great in the showroom could look completely different in your home. It's best to take your time and get it right, because tile is not something easily replaced once installed.

Bob Fischer contributes to KitchenDesignsRemodeling.com, which specializes in offering kitchen design ideas, as well as kitchen ceramic tiles.

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