Ceramic tile installation is usually left to the pros. That often is a good idea too because there are quite a few tricks to laying ceramic tile. But people having been installing tile for many hundreds of years. Tile setting isn’t exactly rocket science. If you get the general idea right, most anyone can complete a tile project. On the other hand, if you take the project lightly, you can make expensive mistakes in several different ways.

Tile installing is mostly the same no matter what the project. Not to over-simplify but if you can lay floor tile, you can set wall tile or tile a counter top for that matter. The really trickiest project is building a ceramic tile shower pan. But even that just requires an understanding of a few tricks. Getting started on a tile project just requires getting the basics done right.

Often the first stumbling point is the base itself. The surface on which the tile is laid must be correct. Now there are many surfaces that are a fine base for tile. Tile standards exist that specify how much movement is permitted for a given amount of load applied. Why you can even lay tile over tile itself. But whatever the base, it must be solid. That means little moving around is allowed. If the base moves, the tile or grout will crack. So a solid foundation is the place to start a tile project. Once you have a solid base you can lay that first tile.

Before the first tile gets set though, do some careful measuring and marking. Decide where you want the tiles that will be cut so they are least visible. That could very well determine where the first tile goes. Then you’ll want a way to mark lines to guide you in setting the tiles. Straight tile joints are key to a professional installation. Get the tile started right and half the job is done. Getting the proper base and the proper alignment and layout is truly half the project or more.

Pros hurry because time is money, but you can take your time. With care you can carefully align tiles and get an installation that’s straight and level. It just takes time and care to put each tile in exactly the right place. There are quite a few tricks for cutting tile and getting the spacing just right. Plus there are several tricks to help you keep tiles aligned just right.

Ceramic tile installing may be a project that you want to do. With the right tools and some instruction, you can install tile like a pro. Tile installation depends on getting a few basic steps right. Get the basics right and the only thing separating you from a pro is speed. If you can learn a few tricks even the speed will come with practice. That goes for installing ceramic tile on walls, countertops, or floors as well as it does for building a tile shower pan and a custom tile shower.

Author Bio: Get access to tutorials and tricks of shower pan installation at another of our articles. Check out our free shower pan installation guide for answers to your tile questions.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: ceramic tile installation,installing ceramic tile,laying ceramic tile