7 Tips For Bathroom Tile Installation The Best Way

Ceramic tile works great anywhere it's wet.  That's why tile is the perfect choice for bathroom floor tiles and walls.  Bathroom tile installation is often a favorite do it yourself project too.  Install tile and you get a more beautiful and useful home and a more valuable one too.  You see ceramic bathroom tiles make your home more valuable and easier to sell too.  If you plan to install bathroom tile, here are seven tips for a successful project.

Think Creative With Bathroom Tile Installation

Tile comes in so many shapes, colors and textures that you can design an endless variety of looks.  Of course you can install a wall or floor that's all the same design, that's fine.  That's not the only way to do it though.  Why not use different colors of tile is a pattern.  Maybe you prefer to just mix in a few different tiles of a different pattern just for some variety.  Another option is to choose border tiles of a different color, texture or pattern.  This is a chance to practice some art in floor design.

Design Then Shop

Try sketching out some ideas before you do much shopping.  Try different patterns and colors on paper until you get a general idea of what you like.  See, choosing the tile is a major part of the project.  Once you have some ideas, shopping will be easier since you've narrowed your choices.

Gather Tools

If you will install the bathroom tiles yourself, you'll need to gather your tools.  Any project is worth buying a few new tools.  Tile installation requires just a few special tools.  The major decision is how you will cut tiles.  A professional saw is the best option, but you're looking at major money.  You could rent a saw, but that puts pressure on you to hurry.  You could also buy a light duty saw.  That may be plenty good enough for just a few small jobs.  Other tools you need are trowels, a mixing attachment for your drill, tile nippers and then a host of other small items.

Get The Base Right

In the rush to lay tiles, it is easy to overlook a basic step.  You can lay tile over all kinds of surfaces.  But whatever the surface, it should be smooth, clean and solid.  Bouncy floors that move result in cracked tiles.  Often the first step for a professional tile setter is to put down a layer of cement board. 

Lay Dry Tiles

An easy, cheap way to get the tile in the right place is to practice.  Put tiles in place with no adhesive to see how the surface will look.  That beats sticking tiles down and then pulling them up again. 

Cuts Are Key

Tiles are cut with a wet saw.  Also you can use a cutter board and tile nippers.  The nippers are the main cutter for small cuts and they are the key to curved cuts too.  Planning cuts will help you put the cut tiles in the right place.  Put the cuts where they are least visible for best results.

Spacers Keep It Straight

Get the first tile in the right place and you're off to a good start.  Tile spacers come in different widths and are the best way to keep going straight.  Experienced tile setters can keep all the lines just right by eye.  Less experienced tile setters use spacers, chalk lines and carpenter squares to get the same result just a little slower.

Bathroom tile installation is a step by step process.  A little thought and planning saves time and money.  Think of the satisfaction you can get from designing a bathroom tile surface just like you want.  Do it yourself and you can point to a project that's a result of your own efforts and new skills.