Laying floor tiles is an art that we at Bridport Glass & Tile Centre consider ourselves experts at. It takes a keen eye and a perfectionist’s attitude to get a truly stunning finish – and we’re here to help you do it at home!
Renovating your home yourself seems a great idea until you realise you don’t know how to tile a bathroom floor! And there are a fair few things you need to know before you get started.
Our tiling experts have put together this handy, straightforward guide with everything you need to know, from picking your materials to actually laying your tiles to keeping them looking shiny and new for as long as possible.
Get your grout ready!
Understanding The Basics Of Laying Floor Tiles
Before we dive into the how-tos, let’s run through the basics of floor tiling and what materials you’ll need.
The two most common types of tiles used in flooring are ceramic tiles (which are harder but more expensive) and self-adhesive PVC or vinyl tiles, which usually come with a foam backing and can be easier to lay.
Every single step in laying tiles is so important, and you’ll want to make sure you nail them all for a beautiful finish. You’ll need to understand how to prep sub-floors, cut tile, lay, and grout – but we’ll get onto this later.
The most important thing to start with is getting all the tools ready for when you begin tiling.
Choosing the Right Tiling Tools
The first thing you’ll want to buy is the tiles themselves. Looking at current tiles and decorating trends will help you find your ideal look. We have a whole blog post laying out our top 11 tile trends for 2023, so be sure to take a look for some inspiration!
Once you’ve decided on your ideal look, you’ll want to stock up on all the tools needed for your perfect tiled floor.
We suggest:
- Tile scorer for clean breaks
- Tile nippers
- Tile cutter
- Pencil for marking design and cuts
- Spirit level
- Stanley knife
- Scraper
- Spacers
- Trowel and bucket
- Grout spreader, float and finisher
- Dustpan and brush
You might find you don’t need every single one of these tools, but having them all ready to go at the start will save time and frustration.
Preparing Your Surface for Floor Tiling
Prep is one of the most essential steps of tiling. You want a smooth base to lay your new tile for the perfect finish and the key to a seamless tile application is a flat, clean and dry subfloor.
Here are the key things to remember to ensure this happens:
- Remove any old adhesive and nails
- Remove any dirt, dust and oil from your surface
- Use a suitable sealer or floor leveller if necessary
If you’ve managed to nicely and neatly remove your old flooring, an oil removal cleaner along with a dustpan and brush should be enough to clean up the last little bits of mess before you start laying your floor tiles.
But sometimes, snags and bumps are left behind, or unfortunately, chunks of the subfloor can be removed with old tiles. If this is the case, you’ll definitely want to use some kind of levelling compound or self-levelling screed.
Planning Your Tile Layout
Whether you’re figuring out how to lay self-adhesive floor tiles or plain-backed ceramic tile, you’ll need to get your pencil at the ready and get planning.
Taking a step back, you want to start marking your floor, keeping the shape of your tiles in mind. Layouts should be balanced and centred with your ideal design in mind.
Calculate the square footage of your room and take note of your tile size to help you decide how they should fit. You can then begin marking your floor and cutting your tiles accordingly.
Shaping and Cutting Tiles
Get your tile cutter ready; it’s time to start cutting and trimming to size!
This process can be the most nerve-wracking. After all, tiles are expensive, and you want to make the most out of your purchases without having to replace any casualties.
Here are our easy-to-follow steps so you can avoid mistakes and redecorate quickly and cost-effectively.
Step One: Mark your tiles using a pencil and metal ruler for guided cutting. Make sure you hold the ruler firmly for precise lines.
Step Two: Use a tile scriber to score your pencil line. Be sure to run over this line several times and score your line fully from end to end of the tile to ensure a clean break.
Step Three: Place your pencil directly under your scored line and press down firmly for leverage over the tile for a clean split. Alternatively, you can use a tile cutter, pushing against the cutter for more control as you follow your score line. You definitely want to make sure you have protective gear on, particularly gloves and goggles, so your hands and eyes are safe.
Step Four: You’ll want to use a tile file to neaten your tile’s edges. This will provide you with even cleaner lines for easy laying. If your tile edge is slightly more uneven than you’d like, you can use a tile nipper to remove excess before filing.
Mixing Your Mortar
When it comes to mixing tile adhesive, we have the tips and tricks to achieve the right consistency.
We recommend adding water to your bucket first, before your powder, to reduce the dust that enters the air. You may think the stated mixing time by
manufacturers is too long (usually five to ten minutes) but following this guidance allows for necessary crystals to build in your mortar, which provides the strength needed for the tiles to stick to.
You should aim for a consistency like smooth peanut butter. A slightly thicker mortar is better, as too much water can weaken your mix.
Slaking is also a very important stage to remember. This simply means letting your mix sit. This will ensure your mix is properly hydrated and will avoid it from becoming stiff and unworkable too quickly, allowing you more time to perfect your tile placement.
How to Lay Tiles In a Straight Line
Now you have your mortar, it’s time to start laying your tiles! Getting started can be a little tricky, but once you’re in the flow, you’ll really get the hang of it. Especially with our quick and easy steps!
Step One: Using a chalk line, mark your lines and intersections for precise application. You can use a dry layout before adding your mortar to confirm your placement and cutting.
Step Two: Grab your thin-set mortar and spread it evenly on the floor using a notched trowel.
Step Three: Gently lay your tiles along the straightedge. Using flat tile spacers ensures your tiles stay in place until you add grout. You can use a spirit level to ensure tiles are laying flat and even.
Step Four: Move your straightedge and begin laying your next row alongside the first, repeating the same steps for all the tiles. Continue spreading your adhesive and working in 2-3 foot sections at a time. This will give you good breaks and allow you to make more mortar for a regulated application.
Grouting Your Tiles
Now your tiles are laid, it’s time to get grouting. Grout lines can either make or break the look of your tiled floor, so it’s important to be patient and keep a steady hand.
There are four main types of grout:
- Epoxy
- Cement-based
- Latex-modified
- Caulking grout
If you’re using powdered grout, you’ll want to prepare it first, adding mix until you get a whipped cream consistency.
Now it’s time to apply!
Work your grout into the grout lines using a grout float for even coverage. You can use a damp sponge to remove the excess grout for a clean finish. The grout will cure soon after it’s applied so it’s best to work quickly and clean your tiled regularly after each application.
Sealing and Curing Your Finish
Once you’re all done applying your new tile floor, you’ll want to allow the tile surface to cure. This means leaving a good 48 hours before walking on your new floor to ensure your tiles are set evenly.
Once you’re all cured and set, you’ll need to seal your tile edges to repel mould and debris from any leftover gaps.
A Bridport Glass & Tile Centre favourite is CT1 for a strong hold sealant and adhesive. The revolutionary TRIBRID® Technology makes it three times stronger than a Hybrid Polymer, making it perfect for your new tiled floors.
You’ll want to clean any leftover dirt and dust from your new tiles before sealing their edges and surface. Using a sealant over your fresh tiles is great for preserving their look and repelling stains further down the line.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Tiles
Kitchen and bathroom tiles require regular cleaning to maintain their unique design and polished effect. We recommend a neutral pH cleanser to protect the ceramic or natural stone of your tiles whilst leaving them squeaky clean.
If you ever managed to chip or damaged your tiles once they are laid, you can use a tile filler to restore the finish.
Choosing Your Floor Tiles with Bridport Glass & Tile Centre!
With a huge range of bathroom, kitchen and floor tiles, you’ll be sure to find your perfect design with Bridport Glass & Tile Centre! We have tons of styles, colours, shapes and sizes for you to pick from, no matter your interior plans.
But if you need a little help, here are our favourite on-trend tile designs, plus some of our trusty tools to help you get the job done!
Dorset Floor Tiles
These decorative tiles are perfect for bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms where you need to add a bit of style! The Victorian touch is timeless and definitely on-trend.
Harrogate Floor Tiles
The Harrogate tiles are another fantastic Victorian-style floor tile, perfect for any room in your house. They add a bit of character to rooms that might be lacking in a little bit of charm.
Tileasy Bucket Trowel
A bucket trowel is an essential tool for mixing your tile adhesive and grouting your floor tiles, and this one from Tileasy is an excellent choice. With its ergonomic design, it’s comfortable to use and makes light work for any tiling job.
Tileasy Tile Spacers
You’ll want tile spacers to ensure that your tiles are even and look great when they’re finished. These Tileasy tile spacers give you quick, easy and accurate alignment of your tiles, making them perfect for the job.
Final Thoughts: How to Lay Floor Tiles with Bridport Glass & Tile Centre
We hope you’re feeling ready to tackle your new floor with our complete guide on how to lay floor tiles! At Bridport Glass & Tile Centre, we’re here to help you make your home the best it can be, from providing all the tips and tricks to offering top-quality tiles and tiling tools.
Why not come and take a look at our full range of floor and wall tiles on our website, or even come and visit us at our showroom in Bridport! We look forward to helping you through the tiling process. Feel free to contact us with any questions, we’re always happy to help!
Laying tile is an art that takes patience and a steady hand. With the right tools and guidance, you will be able to successfully lay your own tiles with ease and improve your own home!
The best place to start laying your floor tiles is to mark out the area with a chalk line. This will help you get an even finish. Starting at the edge of your room can help maintain even placement. If you’re choosing a specific design, you may want to start at the centre of your room and move outwards to achieve your look.
You should aim to leave your tiles 48-72 hours before walking on them if you can. This gives ample time for the tiles to cure in place and remain even.
Grouting tile is easy once you understand the basics. You need to ensure your grout is the right consistency and you have a damp cloth or sponge at the ready to clean up and keep your tiles tidy.
