Installation Guide

Table Of Contents

Floor & Wall Tile Installation Guide

Understanding Substrates and Surface Preparation

Floor, wall, and mosaic tiles must be installed over a structurally sound substrate that is clean, smooth,

dry and free of moisture/grease/wax/chemicals. Concrete, cement board, plywood, and drywall

are examples of common and acceptable substrates. Any damaged, loose or uneven areas must

be repaired, patched and leveled. Remove any moldings, trim, appliances, etc., which could

interfere with installation. Door jambs may be undercut for tile to slip under. When prepared

correctly, these materials allow for proper mechanical bonding with the adhesive mortar materials.

Thinset, mastic, and epoxy are all examples of common tile mortars. Carefully read and follow all

instructions from the mortar manufacturer prior to installation.

Determining the Tile Layout

The ultimate goal when determining a layout is to minimize the amount of cut tiles across the entire

installation. This requires careful planning prior to mixing the mortar and setting the tiles.

For floor tile installations, begin by marking the center point of all four walls. Use chalk snap lines to

mark the center points of opposite walls and their intersection in the middle of room. Be sure that the

lines are perfectly square at 90 degrees to one another. Place a row of loose tiles (no mortar) along

a center line in both directions leaving spaces for uniform grout joints. Use tile spacers to achieve a

consistent distance. If this initial layout results in awkward or small tile cuts at the base of the wall,

adjust your chalk line and snap it again. Once satisfied with the layout, begin snapping additional

chalk lines parallel to the original two. These will serve as a visual guide throughout the installation.

For wall tile installations, determine the height and width of the installation area. Use a carpenter’s

(or bubble) level to mark an initial horizontal and vertical line in the center of the installation. Since

gravity won’t allow the tiles to be laid out across the installation area, create a “jury stick” tool out of

straight 1”x2” lumber to help visualize the tiles across the wall. Lay a horizontal row of tiles on the floor

and mark the placement of the tiles on the wood following the pattern you plan to use. Remember

to insert spacers between each tile. If the wall tiles used are not square, repeat this process to make

a jury stick for vertical wall tile placement.

Working with Mortar

Select the correct adhesive mortar for the substrate. Carefully follow all instructions and precautions

on the mortar packaging. Mix just enough mortar in the bucket for 30 minutes of installation to avoid

premature curing. Spread a 1/4" coat of mortar on the substrate using the flat side of the trowel

recommended on the packaging. Cover an area approximately 2’x3’ on the floor, or 1’x2’ on the

wall. Next, use the notched side of trowel to comb the adhesive into standing ridges by holding the

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Floor & Wall Tile Installation Guide Understanding Substrates and Surface Preparation Floor, wall, and mosaic tiles must be installed over a structurally sound substrate that is clean, smooth, dry and free of moisture/grease/wax/chemicals. Concrete, cement board, plywood, and drywall are examples of common and acceptable substrates. Any damaged, loose or uneven areas must be repaired, patched and leveled. Remove any moldings, trim, appliances, etc., which could interfere with installation.
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trowel at a 45-degree angle. This removes excess adhesive resulting in a uniform, ridged setting bed. Do not spread more mortar on the substrate than you can set tile in within 15 minutes. Setting the Tile in Mortar Variation in shading is an inherent characteristic of tile. Mix the tiles from several cartons prior to setting to avoid dramatic shifts in color tone from one area to the next. Begin installing tiles in the center of the room, one chalk line section at a time.