Tiling Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Guide to Do it Yourself Tiling

Choosing the right materials for the right project might be more challenging than you believe!

The long term outcome can be great or very expensive to fix and don't think tiling is for dummies. Many dummies unfortunately claim to be contractors and the unsuspecting home owner can loose thousands.

This guide change all of that.

Lets start with indoor wall tiling. For wall tiling any tile can be used as there is no load and very little if any movement. 

As far as high moisture areas, backer with either a moisture barrier or a moisture paint over tile backer needs to be applied.

On walls all natural stone tiles and grout lines needs to be sealed about once every 12 months depending on the chemicals used to clean the surfaces or grout lines. Many tile sealers are water based and easy and fast to apply.

On the contrary ceramic tile or porcelain tile does not require sealing yet the grout lines still needs sealing like the above.

Indoor floor tiling exclude several ceramic wall tiles as the tile simply cracks under load. There are however some ceramic tile that is suitable for floor tiling.

Natural stone tile and porcelain tile can be used at any time for floor tiling unless there is super load or chemical conditions which might affect the stone tile.

A factor that should not be overlooked is movement in the sub floor and bigger tile have more chance for a stress fracture.

At all times backer needs to be installed for floor tile unless when tiling onto a indoor concrete surface.

Outdoor floor tile needs to be chosen with care. Ceramic tile over time tends to deteriorate in freeze thaw conditions and natural stone needs to be sealed to prevent moisture absorption which might damage the tile in open areas.

Porcelain tile in open areas is the best tile to use when tile is always expose to the elements of nature.

Indoor backers are  not advised and cement backer board needs to be applied over any wood structures.

See our additional information about thin set mortar, how to choose the right grout, what size grout spacing, what type of tile trowels, how to pour a custom shower pan, the types of grout and other useful information which will help you stay informed and ensure a great outcome!