Installation Guide

CERAMIC & PORCELAIN TILE INSTALLATION GUIDE
Always consult a professional before starting.
Step 1: Check & Clean Subfloor Ensure subfloor is flat and structurally sound, the quality of your
installation will depend on this. Take your time to repair, patch, and level any damaged or uneven areas.
Also for best results, make sure your subfloors are clean, smooth, dry and properly adhered to the
substrate.
Step 2: Layout & Chalk lines Plan your layout to ensure you’ve dealt with all layout challenges
beforehand, sketch and dry lay your tile. For an efficient layout, start by marking the center point in the
room. Next, snap chalk lines between the center points to pinpoint the center of the room. Starting at
the center point, lay a row of loose tiles along the center lines in both directions, using tile spacers as
you go to for even, uniform joints. Once you reach the walls, you’ll need to cut tiles for a proper fit. If
the cuts needed are smaller than half of a tile, you can adjust the center line by snapping a new line a
half-tile size closer to the wall. If necessary, repeat this step along the intersecting or perpendicular
center line for a precise design. You may need to adjust your starting point in order to ensure at least
one half of a tile is present on the outside edge of the room (this will give a more professional
appearance). To do this, simply adjust your starting point after dry-laying your tile in all four directions.
To make a large room more manageable, divide each section into smaller 2’ x 3’ grids by snapping
additional lines parallel to the centerlines. For rectangular sized tiles, we recommend installation with
staggered joints (1/3 of the tile size) to minimize lippage or a bowing effect.
Step 3: Cutting the Tile Start by marking carefully measured cuts-to-be with a pencil or felt-tip pen on
the tile surface. You can use a tile cutter or wet-saw to achieve pinpoint straight or diagonal cuts. Make
curved cuts with a nipper or micro-cutter. Chipping away small pieces for best results. After your cuts
are made, smooth out any sharp edges with a carborundum stone to give a soft finish to your tile.
Step 4: Mix & Apply Mortar Only mix enough of the mortar to be used within 30 minutes. Thoroughly
mix the appropriate thin set for your project to a toothpaste consistency. Pay special attention to the
thin-set being used, as larger tiles should be installed with a “large format thin-set”. Using the
appropriately notched trowel for your tile and your installation, apply your thin-set working out from
your intersecting lines. After doing so, hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle and use the notched side to
comb the mortar into standing ridges. When you remove the excess mortar, you leave behind a uniform,
ridged setting bed for your tile. As another rule of thumb, do not spread a larger area of your mortar
than can be set in 15 minutes. Note: If the mortar has slaked over, please discard and start over as the
tile may not properly adhere. Using the flat side of the trowel, apply a scratch coat to the back of the tile
in order to ensure getting a proper bond
Step 5: Set Tile Now that you’ve primed the surface, created the layout, cut the tile and applied the
mortar, you are fully prepared for the actual installation of your tile. Begin by installing tiles in the center
of the room, one grid at a time, finishing each grid before moving to the next. Within each grid, it will
help to start with the first tile in the corner and work outward. Using a slight twisting motion, set tiles
one at a time and avoid sliding them into place. Be sure to either insert spacers as each tile is set or
leave equal joints between tiles. Save the perimeter tiles in each grid for last, leaving a ¼” gap between