Facing the floor with ceramic tiles – the right cladding

Ceramic tiles are a common option for flooring because of their enduring quality, low maintenance requirements, and visual appeal. The way your room turns out depends greatly on the tile you choose and how well you install it, whether you’re building a new room or remodeling an existing one.

Ceramic tiles come in a huge range of patterns, hues, and textures, so they can fit into any style, from traditional to modern. Beyond appearances, though, careful planning, accurate installation, and finishing touches are what make a flooring project successful.

This post will walk you through the fundamentals of ceramic floor tiling and provide helpful tips to make sure your cladding project is both elegant and durable. These pointers will assist you in achieving a polished finish whether you’re an experienced do-it-yourselfer or a novice.

Ceramic tiles and their advantages

Ceramic tiles facing the floor have several benefits that are worth researching before purchasing:

• Refers to hygienic building materials – tiles are easy to clean;
• The tiles do not burn, perfectly tolerate high temperatures;
• Aesthetically attractive, its surface is able to repel water;
• The tiles are characterized by increased strength and hardness and will last for a long time;
• The price of the material is not so high and all the work can be done completely with your own hands, this factor adds to the number of people willing to do the work themselves.

Be aware that you must decide where to put the tiles before you purchase them. This determines its quality and practical application. Additionally, since the amount of waste will vary depending on the tile size, it is crucial to select the appropriate size.

Choosing the tile

The right material selection is the first step in the installation of ceramic tile flooring. Ultimately, this material comes in a variety of forms:

• For example, if you need to lay tiles in the bathroom or kitchen, then you should choose this material for interior work.
• For cladding the facade of a building, select facade tiles. It can withstand changes in external temperatures and high humidity, which will not pass through.
• For finishing the floor, use the appropriate tiles that do not wear out and have an increased density.

You should also choose how to handle the variations in its front section:

• Dense and porous base;
• Glazed and unglazed coating;
• Pressed and extruded composition.

The bases of ceramic tiles can be ribbed or smooth. Artificial, natural, patterned, single- or multicolored tiles are all possible.

Prepare materials and tools

It is essential to prepare tools and materials for continuous work. When work starts, we won’t have time. You’ll require:

• The presence of drying oil and rosin, gypsum, glue and turpentine;
• It is necessary to prepare synthetic mastic and a cellular metal mesh to hold the soil;
• For facing the wooden surface, you will need roofing felt or roofing felt;
• Ceramic tiles.
• You will need a dry mixture for a flat surface. If your plane deviations are more than one cm, then you will need to plaster the surface, and for this you should prepare sand and cement.

• A cord for making markings;
• A trowel for plastering and a ruler;
• A spatula with a glass cutter, a nail brush and a chisel;
• You will also need a tile cutter;
• A plumb line and a level.

Facing technology

Ceramic tile flooring is relatively simple to tile; the key is to ensure that the surface is properly prepared and that the proper markings are made. To fully understand what and how we need to do, it is worth looking at photos and videos before beginning work. Order of action:

• We take measurements.
• We make markings.
• We prepare the adhesive composition.
• We lay the tiles.
• We grout the seams.

Let’s now take a closer look at each of these work phases.

We prepare the surface and mix the solution

The proper base plane preparation is the first step in the technology of ceramic floor tiling. After all, the tiling won’t last very long if this isn’t done.

• We begin preparation with a thorough cleaning of the plane. We completely remove the old coating. If there are cracks on the surface, then they should simply be gouged out with a chisel;
• Now we need to measure the plane using a building level. If the surface is not on the axis, then we need to make a floor screed. The plane must be flat. The tile will completely repeat it

If the surface deviations are less than one centimeter, take note. The tiles must then be placed on a cement mortar. That difference can then be eliminated with a simple tile installation.

• If the surface is within the norm, then you just need to prime it. This will increase the adhesion of the surfaces and strengthen the adhesion of the surfaces;
• For priming, you can also use the mixture on which you will make the fastening. It is made more liquid and applied as a primer.

Floor tiling

Tiles are first cleaned with a moist cloth before being individually placed on the floor, particularly if cement-based glue or organic water-based mastic is being used.

Be mindful that you should start laying the floor tiles from the furthest corner of the space. When the work is finished, the master installer needs to move toward the exit without interfering with the finished finish.

The technique of tiling walls is comparable to the technological process of installing ceramic floor tiles. The material is placed on the wall from the bottom up, and the floor tiles are laid from the farthest corner of the space. That is the only distinction. Thus:

• The adhesive is applied with a comb or a notched trowel. From the very beginning, a small amount of glue is applied to the inside of the ceramic tile with the flat side of the comb, at an angle of 30 degrees, while it is necessary to press a little. A suitable layer option is 2.5-3 mm.
• Next, the adhesive must be smoothed with the notched side of the comb at an angle of 45-75 degrees. The grooves should be the same height, so the coating will look neat.
• We apply the tile to the surface and press. There should be no air pockets in our solution. This is not acceptable. Sometimes you can shrink it with a rubber mallet.

Attention: Read the manufacturer’s suggestions and guidance before beginning to install ceramic tiles. This kind of information is typically printed on the glue’s packaging.

• Lay the tiles from the extreme corner of the room to the exit. To make the work convenient, you need to use a stretched thread and a level.

• You also need to pre-calculate the number of whole elements that will lie in a row. We need to create the correct placement;
• We cover the entire plane of the tile with adhesive. We make sure that the glue lies in an even layer. The tile should be level with the level of the stretched thread, for this you need to tap the tile with a wooden hammer or the handle of the trowel.
• The same process must be repeated with the subsequent tiles, between which you will need to install crosses. The inter-tile joint should be 2-4 mm thick.
• At the end of the work, the tile should be cleaned of mortar and the joints should be rubbed with grout. But you should not do this right away. You need to let the surface dry a little and wipe the seams after that. Otherwise, the solution will simply spread over the surface.

Investing in ceramic tiles for your floor is a wise choice since they offer classic style and longevity. You can choose from a large selection of designs of tiles that not only complement your style but also withstand normal wear and tear.

To ensure that your tile floor looks fantastic and lasts for many years, proper installation is essential. Following the right procedures will result in a polished finish that improves the appearance of your area from surface preparation to exact tile placement.

Ceramic floor tiles are a useful option for both commercial and residential spaces. They can withstand a lot of foot traffic, are stain and moisture resistant, and require little maintenance. Ceramic tiles offer a dependable and beautiful flooring option for remodeling bathrooms, kitchens, or any other room.

It’s crucial to select the appropriate supplies, prepare the surface appropriately, and apply the tiles precisely when facing the floor with ceramic tiles. Appropriate cladding guarantees long-lasting outcomes while also improving the floor’s toughness and aesthetic appeal. Taking the proper precautions when tiling a kitchen, bathroom, or any other area will significantly improve the floor’s appearance and usability.

Video on the topic

How to properly prepare floors for laying tiles.

Laying ceramic tiles on old tile cladding (Training video)

LAYING TILES ON THE PORCH

Facing the floor with ceramic tiles. All stages.

06 – Installing profiles

Laying tiles on a wooden floor.