How to Lay Floor Tiles

Laying floor tiles is not a difficult DIY project if you do it right. The first thing you want to do is to measure the entire surface that is to be tiled. Allow for any cutting you have to do around permanent fixtures in the room. This will give you a good idea of how many tiles you will need to finish the job.

To apply tiles to a wooden floor, it is best to place plywood board over the wooden floor. Over time and with the addition of moisture, wood floors have a tendency to warp and crack. The plywood should be screwed into the joist if possible. Make sure you sink the heads or you will have problems with the tile in terms of laying it and how it holds up in the future. Cover your plywood with two coats of PVA adhesive. Dilute the PVA with a 2pva per 1 water ratio. Allow the surface to dry completely before starting to apply the tiles.

If you plan on tiling a cement floor, make sure to clean it thoroughly. It should be free of dust and flaking. If your cement floor is not level, then apply a self-levelling floor screed. This is a liquid made of latex and other material and it does as the name says.

It is not recommended that you lay your new tile over existing tiles, vinyl tiles, or linoleum flooring. If you insist upon doing that, you will need further instructions.