LAYING TILES IN SIMPLE STEPS

Tile as both floor and wall is a perfect alternative to your home as it is easy to keep clean, looks good in any room and is also fun to lay. When you are going to lay tiles, you need some good tools and accessories . All for as successful a result as possible. We have listed many of the tools for a successful tiling and so that you can lay tiles without setbacks:

• Fixing compound in the form of fix
• Dental putty
• Mixer
• Bucket
• Water level
• Tile cross / joint cord
• Tile cutter/cutting table
• Joint use
• Joint board
• Sponge for cleaning
• Washboard
• Polishing cloth
• Drill/Screwdriver for mixing fix and joint compound

Laying tiles is fun work and creates a lovely atmosphere throughout the home . In many cases, you can lay tiles yourself. However, if you are renovating a bathroom, it is wise to let a qualified craftsman do the job to avoid mistakes that could lead to water damage. Ask us at Stenbolaget and we can help you find a good contractor to lay tiles.

Before you start laying tiles, it is good that you have planned how you will lay your tiles. How many rows it will take and where you need to cut and adjust your tiles. Try to avoid small pieces and preferably not cut less than ⅓ of the smallest side of the slab and only cut next to walls and obstacles. Which tile cutter you use also depends on the type of tile you plan to lay. Our granite ceramics are an example of tiles that have a particularly high density and should be wet cut for best results! This with a cutting table and a machine adapted specifically for granite ceramics.

When you calculate the consumption of your clinker tiles, you take into account how many rows you need based on the dimensions of the tiles. Also take into account that a joint width of between 2-7 mm is added. Then you add 5 percent of the calculated number as a spill margin. You need to make adjustments and cut the tiles in almost every room and angle. Allow the cut to end up against the wall and then be hidden under the floor plinth. Do not let your cut sections lie in plain sight on either the floor or the wall. Laying tiles is fun, but good planning and time are two important factors that must be taken into account.

Once you are ready to start laying tiles, you need to mix the fixing compound and get the fix to the right consistency. Use a machine and mixer for an even mixture. Work through the fix to ensure that all dry powder has been mixed and that your fix does not contain lumps. Always mix in a completely clean bucket to avoid a bad and difficult fix. Then apply your fix to the floor surface where you will lay your first tiles. Work out the fix using a notched putty. The tooth trowel builds grooves against which you then lay the tile. Work with small areas at a time as the adhesive dries quickly. An important factor is that you get full coverage under your tiles so that your tiled floor and granite ceramics sit properly.

After you have laid out a smooth surface with the fix, use the serrated side at a 90 degree angle to the surface to make the grooves form. If you use larger tiles that are to be attached to the wall, you may also need to put adhesive on the underside of the tile. Laying tiles in this way gives a durable result and is called double gluing.

Laying tiles can be done with different joint widths. The most common is to use a distance of 2-7 mm , but it differs depending on how the tile looks and what you personally want. Some tiles are recommended with a certain joint width, so it is good to look at what applies to the tiles you have chosen. If you choose to lay tiles with soft edges, you get a wider joint than what sharp edges give. Granite ceramics are examples of sharp tiles that can be laid with a small joint! With a small joint and a shade on the joint that is as close to the slab as possible, you get an almost non-existent joint line and avoid a floor and walls that feel checkered.

For a neat and even tiling where the tiles keep the same joint width, we recommend that you use either a tile cross or joint cord in the selected joint size. It facilitates the laying and makes the project run smoothly. If you are going to lay tiles on the floor or even put tiles on the wall, it is neat to put them so that the joints meet in a line. You choose which pattern you want to lay tiles in. Straight joints or a certain connection, 3/4 part connection or third connection are preferred. Half-joints should not be mounted on plates 60x30 and larger, this to avoid joint gaps. Look for recommended installation patterns for your clinker tiles and granite ceramics.

When it's time to lay tiles, you start from the surface that is most visible and the visual part of your room. In some cases it's in the middle of the room, otherwise get a straight wall and work your way from the side of the room and towards the door so you don't close yourself in. Make sure the line is straight by, for example, stringing a string between the walls or using a laser level. The planning in how you place your tiles and tile rows is of great importance for the most aesthetic result possible. If you intend to lay tiles in the bathroom, however, you should start from the well and with whole tiles. Double glue the tiles with your adhesive if necessary and press firmly so that the tile is firmly attached to the fix with full coverage. If you use tile crosses, let them remain between the tiles before the jointing step. Even wedges often need to be mounted against the wall as these are rarely completely straight. The important thing is that you start from your laying pattern and that you get joints that run evenly over the surface.

After about 1-2 days, the fix has dried and you can then walk on the surface and join the tiles. First clean the joints of any adhesive before starting. This way you can ensure that your joint compound goes down to the bottom of the joint.

Mix fixer and then grout according to package instructions with machine and mixer in a clean bucket. The joint is then applied with a joint board diagonally across the joints so that they are properly filled. Then wait 30-60 minutes and clean the surface with a sponge and water. Feel free to use a washboard for even pressure with the sponge when you move it over the surface. Rinse the sponge clean and change the water many, many times so that your tiles are thoroughly clean. Repeat the process until you achieve a nice result. If you happen to damage a joint, you can easily add new joint compound at this stage, but avoid jointing when your joint has hardened.

Finish with a final cleaning with a polishing cloth when the joints have dried up, usually after a couple of hours. To get a joint that solidifies properly and becomes really hard, you should also moisten with a water spray for a few days after tiling.

In the space between floor and wall and around pipes and the like, use a soft joint/Silicone-based joint.

Hope you now have a better knowledge of the stages when you intend to lay tiles.

Good luck!