A new tiled floor in the living room or a fresh wall in the bathroom instantly gives your home a significant upgrade. Hiring a professional tiler can be quite expensive. Are you a bit handy and do you have a good dose of patience? Then tiling yourself can be a fantastic project that can save you hundreds of euros.
Truth be told: it's hard work and requires precision. But with the right preparation, good tools, and this step-by-step guide, you can lay a floor or wall yourself that you'll be proud of for years to come.
What do you need?
A good start is half the battle. Make sure you have the following materials and tools ready before you mix the first bucket of adhesive:
Materials:
- Tiles: Calculate the square meters and add a standard 10% for cutting loss (if you choose herringbone, calculate 15% to 20%).
- Primer / Pre-treatment: For good adhesion to the substrate.
- Tile adhesive: Choose the right adhesive for your type of tile (e.g., flexible powder adhesive for underfloor heating or large format tiles).
- Grout and silicone sealant: In a color that matches your tiles.
- Tile Leveling System: Clips and wedges (or spin caps) to get the tiles perfectly level. This is truly indispensable for beginners!
Tools:
- Tile cutter: And possibly an angle grinder with a diamond cutting disc for tricky corners.
- Notched trowel: The notch size depends on the tile size.
- Spirit level, tape measure and pencil
- Large bucket and a drill with mixer paddle
- Grout float and a wash bucket with wash sponge
- Knee pads: Believe us, your knees will thank you!
The step-by-step plan: From bare floor to sleek tile
Step 1: Prepare the substrate
A sleek tiled floor starts with a sleek base. Make sure the substrate is clean, dry, dust-free, and grease-free. Are there large cracks or holes in the floor or wall? Fill them first. Is the floor very uneven? Then you may need to level it first. Finally, apply the primer and let it dry thoroughly.
Step 2: Determine the laying pattern (measure twice, cut once)
Never just start laying in a corner! Houses are almost never 100% square.
- Determine the center of the room.
- Lay a row of tiles (without adhesive) from the center towards the walls.
- See how you end up at the edges. If you end up with a very narrow strip of less than a few centimeters, shift your center line slightly so that you have a decent, wide edge tile on both sides. That looks much calmer.
Step 3: Mix and apply tile adhesive
Mix the tile adhesive according to the instructions on the packaging. Use cold water and mix until you have a lump-free, smooth paste. Scoop the adhesive onto the floor or wall and spread an even layer with the smooth side of the notched trowel. Then use the notched side to create straight ridges in the adhesive. Tip: Don't spread too many square meters at once, otherwise the adhesive will dry out before you place the tile.
Use the Butter & Float method (double adhesion). This involves not only spreading adhesive on the floor but also applying a thin, smooth layer of adhesive to the back of the tile. This prevents hollow spaces under the tile and ensures maximum adhesion.
Step 4: Place the tiles
Place the first tile firmly into the adhesive with a slight sliding motion, so that the adhesive ridges spread well. Press it down (use a rubber hammer if necessary). Now place your tile leveling clips under the edges of the tile, place the next tile snugly against it, and slide the wedges into the clips to pull them exactly level.
Step 5: Cutting and sawing
At the edges of the room and around pipes, you need to cut tiles to size. Measure this accurately and cut the tiles with a good tile cutter. For tricky corners (for example, a U-shape around a pipe), use an angle grinder with a diamond cutting disc.
Step 6: Grouting and sealing
Allow the adhesive to cure for at least 24 hours (check the adhesive packaging). Then kick or knock away the leveling clips. Mix the grout, scoop it onto the wall or floor, and spread it diagonally into the joints with a grout float. As soon as the grout begins to dry (it becomes dull), clean the tiles with a damp sponge. Finally, seal the internal corners (between floor and wall) with an elastic silicone sealant to accommodate movement.
Common mistakes
- Using the wrong notched trowel: Small tiles need fine notching (e.g., 6mm or 8mm), large tiles need coarse notching (e.g., 10mm or 12mm).
- Not leaving an expansion joint: Tiles can expand and contract, especially with underfloor heating. Always leave at least 5mm of space between the tiles and the wall. This space will later be covered with a plinth or sealed.
- Sponging out grout with too much water: If your sponge is soaking wet, you'll literally wash the grout out of the joint, causing it to dry deep and patchy. So wring your sponge out extremely well!
Ready for your tiling project?
A sleek floor or wall starts with quality tiles. At Budget Tegels, you'll find everything you need to make your DIY dream a reality, at the sharpest price.
