A Guide to Installing Tile Floors
If you're considering installing a new floor for your home or business, you can't go wrong with tile floors. Tile is a durable, versatile and water-resistant material that can make your floors last for a long time to come. They can also be used in multiple areas of the premises, from bathrooms and walls, to living room and kitchen floors. Tile floors present limitless creative potential for your premises.
To get the best quality tile flooring, it is important to work closely with a tiling contractor that pays attention to your needs. Tilers install floors using a specific process that ensures quality and durability in the final product. Most tile floors are installed in the following manner:
- Removing old flooring
The process begins with removing the old flooring material in preparation for the new tile floors. Old flooring needs to be carefully removed to avoid damage to the subfloor layer and other parts of the floor that will hold up the tiles.
- Cleaning the top floor surface
Once old flooring materials are removed, the next step is to clean the top floor surface of any debris that is present. This ensures that the tiles will be laid out in a level manner across the entire floor.
Moisture also needs to be removed so that mold and other substances don't grow in the subfloor layer.
- Planning for the layout
The tiling contractor will then plan for how the actual tiles will be installed. The process can vary according to the type of tiling material used. Ceramic tiles may not be laid out in the same manner as porcelain tiles.
- Carrying out a dry-run
Once the plan for the floor has been established by the tilers, the next step is to carry out a dry run. This involves laying out the tiles just to ensure that they fit perfectly across the entire floor. The edges and corners are typically tricky to plan for, so the tiles may need to be shaped to uniquely fit such areas.
- Applying the thin-set layer
The tilers will then apply a layer of adhesive to the floor and tiles so they can remain firmly in place during installation. The thin-set layer allows for the tiles to adhere to the subfloor without easily popping out.
- Laying the actual tile
The actual tiles can now be strategically laid out across the entire floor. The tiling contractor will ensure a proper and firm fit across the entire floor so that water and other liquids don't easily penetrate to the subfloor and cause damage.