How to Install a Tile Floor: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to install a tile floor with this simple guide. Follow our step-by-step instructions for prepping, laying, and grouting your new tile floor.
- •Notched trowel
- •Tile cutter or wet saw
- •Rubber grout float
- •Level (4-foot)
- •Tape measure
- •Rubber mallet (optional)
- •Tile spacers (optional)
- •Tile nippers (optional)
- •Bucket for mixing
- •Floor tiles
- •Thinset mortar
- •Grout
- •Tile spacers
- •Cement board or underlayment
- •Silicone sealant for expansion gaps
Tell FigsiT your exact setup and get your personal tools list, materials, and steps in seconds.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1.Clear the room of all furniture and remove existing flooring down to the subfloor.
- 2.Verify the subfloor is level and solid using a four-foot level to prevent future tile cracking.
- 3.Install cement board or underlayment over the subfloor to create a stable surface for the tile.
- 4.Measure the room and snap chalk lines to establish a centered layout for the tiles.
- 5.Mix the thinset mortar in a bucket according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches a consistent, spreadable texture.
- 6.Spread the thinset onto the floor using the flat side of the notched trowel and then comb it with the notched side to create ridges.
- 7.Press the first tile into the thinset and twist it slightly to ensure full coverage.
- 8.Place tile spacers between tiles to maintain uniform grout lines as you work across the floor.
- 9.Cut tiles to fit around edges and obstacles using a tile cutter or wet saw.
- 10.Allow the thinset to cure fully for at least 24 hours before walking on the floor or applying grout.
- 11.Apply grout into the joints using a rubber grout float held at a 45-degree angle.
- 12.Wipe away excess grout from the tile surface using a damp sponge after the grout begins to set.
- 13.Install baseboards, shoe molding, and transition strips to cover expansion gaps along the walls.
Part of The FigsiT DIY Bible. Browse every guide by category.