Top 3 FAQs: Ceramic Floor Tiles

Thinking about carrying out DIY across the home this summer, but not sure where to start? Maybe you’re finally getting around to installing brand-new floor tiles in your home but you’re not sure how to get started. If you’re looking for some answers, you’ll be glad to know Tile & Stone Online have you covered. Here are the most frequently asked questions about ceramic tiles.

 

 

How to Clean Ceramic Floor Tiles

 

If you find your ceramic floor tiles are looking a little tired and dull, you’ll be pleased to know they are one of the simplest tiles to maintain and clean. Ceramic tiles are extremely durable and won’t scratch easily, so you’re free to scrub away any dirt that may have accumulated on the tile.

 

If you’re looking to maintain your tile’s shine for as long as possible, investing in some microfiber dusters is a must. You can use these on ceramic tiles every day to keep your flooring looking as new as the day you bought it.

 

You’ll also find that ceramic tiles can handle most cleaning products and not lose their shine over time, so feel free to clean as much, or as little, as you see fit!

 

How to Lay Ceramic Floor Tiles

 

The prospect of laying ceramic floor tiles can be a little daunting, and you may not know where to start. Thankfully, it isn’t quite as difficult as you may think; the main thing you always need to consider when completing this task is slow and steady definitely does win the race. The following guide will walk through the installation of ceramic flooring anywhere in your home:

 

• To avoid any issues with the subfloor flexing, make sure you’re installing your ceramic tiles over a subfloor that’s no less than 1 1/8 inches thick. Most tile manufacturers recommend installing a cement backer board instead of any other type of underlay, such as plywood.

 

• Make sure that the layout is even from side to side in both directions. To do so, dry fit the tiles along the layout lines in both directions.

 

• Use a trowel to spread a layer of mortar over a 3×3-foot section at the intersection of the layout lines.

 

• Begin laying tiles at the centre point of the two layout lines, setting each tile in place using a rubber mallet. Once you have done this, continue laying the ceramic tiles until you have covered the mortared area. Continue this process in other sections of the area you are laying tiles until you reach the wall.

 

• Once you hit the wall, this next step will probably require that you measure and cut the tile. To start, you’ll need to set a scrap tile against the wall which will allow some space for the grout once you have laid the tile.

 

• Next, place a loose tile over the last full tile you laid. Then place another tile on the loose one and end up against the tile on the wall, you’ll then need to mark this tile and cut to fit the space between the wall and tile.

 

• Once all of your tiles have been laid and set into the mortar, you’ll need to mix some grout and apply this using a rubber grout float.

 

• The final step is to clean up the excess grout and let this dry slightly. A haze will appear as the grout is drying – be sure to wipe this off before the grout fully dries.

 

 

Can You Put Ceramic Tile Over Vinyl Flooring?

 

The answer to this question is, it depends… If you are looking to tile over vinyl flooring that was glued down firmly to a concrete base, then you should be fine. However, before doing this, you’ll need to thoroughly scrub the floor first to remove any grease or dirt that may have accumulated on the vinyl. Once this is done, you can go ahead and begin laying the tiles as explained earlier in this article.

 

If the vinyl has been applied over a wood subfloor, you should look to install a cement layer across the top of the flooring first. Installing directly on to a wooden surface can lead to uneven surfaces which can cause the tiles to break. Ensuring you have an even base layer of concrete gives the perfect foundation for ceramic tiles to be laid.

 

If you’re looking to purchase Porcelanosa tiles online, look no further than Kendal Tile and Stone online. Take a look at our range of floor tiles today.