Tile Instalation
Installation of Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile can be installed in almost any house and by anyone. Ceramic tile is resilient, nearly waterproof and adds beauty to any room. The do it yourself homeowners can install tile and grout relatively easily and in most cases a room can be completed in two days. The cost of having a professional come and install the tile can vary depending on what region of the United States one lives in. A home owner can save more than half the cost by completing the installation their self. In most cases two days spent in preparation, laying tile, grouting, and clean up can add thousands of dollars to the value of a home. It is important to keep in mind a few simple instructions when preparing to install tile so that the job goes smoothly. First it is important to consider the type of sub-floor that exists in the home to determine the preparation process. If ones home has a concrete or terrazzo foundation then the preparation is quite easy, simply remove the existing decorative flooring. Whether it is carpet and padding, vinyl, or wood a simple removal of this type of flooring and a good cleaning will complete the preparation process. During the removal of the carpet it is important to also remove the tack-less strips that run along the edges of the floor and hold the carpet in place. However, if ones home has a pier and beam foundation there could be a number of steps to complete prior to the tile installation. If the home is a pier and beam it is important to determine the thickness of the sub-flooring many newer pier and beam homes have ¾ inch plywood and although, this is fine for carpet or vinyl flooring it is insufficient for tile, as the movement or give in the floor will crack the grout and may loosen the bond of the tile to the floor. A sub-floor thickness of 1 to 1.5 inches is recommended for a tile floor. Older pier and beam homes normally have a ½ inch tongue and groove sub-floor with a ½ inch tongue and groove top
Ceramic tile can be installed in almost any house and by anyone. Ceramic tile is resilient, nearly waterproof and adds beauty to any room. The do it yourself homeowners can install tile and grout relatively easily and in most cases a room can be completed in two days. The cost of having a professional come and install the tile can vary depending on what region of the United States one lives in. A home owner can save more than half the cost by completing the installation their self. In most cases two days spent in preparation, laying tile, grouting, and clean up can add thousands of dollars to the value of a home. It is important to keep in mind a few simple instructions when preparing to install tile so that the job goes smoothly. First it is important to consider the type of sub-floor that exists in the home to determine the preparation process. If ones home has a concrete or terrazzo foundation then the preparation is quite easy, simply remove the existing decorative flooring. Whether it is carpet and padding, vinyl, or wood a simple removal of this type of flooring and a good cleaning will complete the preparation process. During the removal of the carpet it is important to also remove the tack-less strips that run along the edges of the floor and hold the carpet in place. However, if ones home has a pier and beam foundation there could be a number of steps to complete prior to the tile installation. If the home is a pier and beam it is important to determine the thickness of the sub-flooring many newer pier and beam homes have ¾ inch plywood and although, this is fine for carpet or vinyl flooring it is insufficient for tile, as the movement or give in the floor will crack the grout and may loosen the bond of the tile to the floor. A sub-floor thickness of 1 to 1.5 inches is recommended for a tile floor. Older pier and beam homes normally have a ½ inch tongue and groove sub-floor with a ½ inch tongue and groove top