Tiling a Bathroom is a Common Home Improvement Project

It takes a lot of planning, precise measuring, and careful attention to detail to complete a tile installation successfully in any area. A person with minimal experience tiling a bathroom may quickly become overwhelmed by the number of potential issues that must be addressed.

However, the first step of any tiling project is to take precise measurements of the areas to be tiled. Calculate the square footage of the area you intend to tile, and add 10% for waste. Once you’ve included your calculated surface area and the percentage, you can determine how many tiles you’ll need to cover the area. The extra tile will be utilized for finishing touches, ensuring a snug fit and allowing you to hone your tile-cutting and -forming skills.

To get an accurate design for your project, you will also need to rent a professional wet saw tile cutter. If you’re working on a floor, remember to account for the trim that must be installed between and around any existing fixtures and moldings.

Essential Equipment

Cut and measured tiles. Soapy water and a sponge
Tile cement, grout, caulk, a square, fiberglass tape, and a trowel are all needed to install new flooring in a bathroom.

Putting a floor in a bathroom is a simple project that can be completed in a day. After the old flooring has been removed, you should check the condition of the baseboards. If the floors are not in good shape, a new one must be laid before the tile can be installed. If the floor is in good condition, the tiles should be laid out in a pattern that radiates from the room’s center. This procedure lets you check that each tile was cut precisely and that no measuring mistakes were made. Pay close attention to the tile’s fit around the toilet and any cupboards or other fixtures in the vicinity.

Tile nippers should be used to trim away any excess glue or other material, and then a glob of tile cement should be carefully dropped onto the bottom of each tile as you work your way out. When you’re done, give the tile at least 24 hours to dry before walking on it.

The Tub’s Back Splasher Region

You should take the exact measurements as you would for a floor if you need to redo the tile in the backsplash area surrounding and behind a tub, taking care to account for any curvature in the floor or along the top. The key to a successful outcome is precise measurements and pre-cutting of the curved border tiles. Be sure that all of the tiles will fit in their designated locations before applying glue.

In-Room Shower Enclosure

Even though tiling a shower stall can be challenging due to the sheer volume of tiles involved, it is still possible to complete a successful project by following the steps outlined above. Furthermore, you should have very little cutting to do to ensure a good fit, with the possible exception of your shower stall having odd curves. Arrange the tiles in any pattern you desire, but remember to allow a gap of at least a quarter inch between them for the grout and caulk to fill and seal.

Once you have your dimensions, you can lay out the tiles beginning at the bottom corner of one end and working outward and upward, just like you would when working on a floor or backsplash. Caulk and grout the areas you created between the tiles to prevent water damage. Don’t touch the tile for at least 24 hours so it can dry.

Joe Wallis is the editor of the website Learn How to Lay Tile [http://www.learnhowtolaytile.com/], which explains how to set tile for several different home improvement tasks, including tiling a bathroom

admin