A Basic Guide Installing Floor Tiles

Floor tile laying is the job of a professional tile or very knowledgeable handyman as it usually requires special tools and certain skills to look perfect. Laying square or rectangular tiles may seem relatively easy, but difficulties arise when the tiles have to be cut (as usual) and shaped around obstacles in the room.

Cutting hard tiles like porcelain stoneware or some types of natural stone is a job that only professional equipment can do well. It is possible to rent the right equipment, but they can be expensive and there is still a risk of ruining expensive porcelain tiles with a bad cut.

If you're sure you're going to be laying the floor tiles yourself or hiring a tile professional, the first thing you need to do is prepare the substrate on which the tiles will be installed. You can hire the best terrazzo provider to install tiles on the flooring of your home or office.

If the existing floor is concrete, then the work is quite simple – the mortar can be applied directly to the floor and the tiles laid on it can be laid.

Once the pad is prepared, the area must be measured and a layout plan for your tile size. This cement-based adhesive (thin mortar) is then partially applied to the subfloor with a trowel and each floor tile is placed on top, using plastic tile guides and marked partitions to create an even joint between the grout tiles. 

As each piece of floor tile is laid, its level must be checked with a high level of spirit, as the floor is rarely completely level. Additional mortar can be used to level areas with small elevation differences.

Hard tiles such as porcelain tiles are cut around solid obstructions such as sanitary ware, pipes, and doors with a wet saw with a diamond cutting disc.