Gather Your Supplies. Install cement tiles with a narrow grout joint on a clean, level surface Tiles should be laid on a perfectly level and clean surface. Call us at 1-251-968-3375 or e-mail [email protected] to discuss your project. Dry fit the tiles with spacers in your room before you begin. The tile should be completely clean as well; any dirt or mortar stains in the tile when sealed will remain there forever. Until you get to the sealing step, you’re going to have to handle these tiles with care (kid gloves wouldn’t be a bad idea.) After all your tiles are installed, block off the room and keep off the tiles for at least 24 hours while the thinset hardens. When installing a tile floor, you will need a tile cutter, a rubber mallet, tile spacers, a level, a tile trowel and thin-set mortar or another type of mortar. For this method there is a need for tiles to be laid by an experienced professional tile layer familiar with this technique. One method of installation of cement tiles requires a double spread of thinset adhesive. Avoid the temptation to lay more than a few tiles at a time. If laying on concrete, make sure the concrete has had time to cure and is completely dry. Ceramic and porcelain tile are so frequently installed at or above grade level on a cement board underlayment or directly on plywood that it almost seems novel to install tile directly on concrete. I was provided with materials for this project. Sealing the floor tiles too soon after grouting will trap humidity and spots may appear later. Here’s a video I made to help you learn how to install cement tiles properly and keep them looking beautiful! We have no first hand experience with this method, but give information here just as a help to people doing research or restoring an old home. After allowing the area to dry completely, clean any excess adhesive or spots, if any, with a #180 or #220medium or fairly coarse sand paper. A new coat of sealer should be reapplied every 6-12 months for floors, and every 2-3 years for wall tiles. Once it can bear weight, continue being very cautious. Now you can move on to installing the next small grouping. If you don’t soak them, the tile will absorb too much moisture from the mortar. Once the grouted installation is dry and clean, apply the final coat of NanoSealant. A non-tinted neutral gray is best for tiles with light and dark areas. January 28, 2019 Brittany Bailey 3 Comments. Porcelain and ceramic tiles do not need to be sealed. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are slick (often shiny) and aren’t absorbent on the surface. This is a DIY endeavor and I don’t have the extra money to install the expensive membrane that I should use. Check where the lines intersect with a carpenter's square to make absolutely sure the center point has a 90-degree angled quadrant. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to *subscribe to my YouTube channel! “TheBuilderDepot sells real cement tiles for less!” In fact they sell more than just cement tiles and their prices can’t be beat! Any sand you get likely includes tiny stones that … Do not use dark colored grout on tile with light colors. But, I’m about to let you in on my secret tile source. It is imperative to use a grout release. High performance tile adhesive can be used to lay tiles on existing tiles, on polished cement, on wooden substrates … A concrete surface acts as an excellent subfloor for the tiles, being both strong enough to bear the weight of the stone and easily prepared for laying the tiles. A DIY Blog Empowering You to Complete Your Own Project. This method is seldom used today, has several drawbacks, and requires that a few additional precautions are taken. Then scrape any excess grout off the tiles using a clean grout float. The calculations are made to determine the number of tiles needed. Do you love the cement tile look? The bottom layer should be a minimum of 3/4-inch thick. TheBuilderDepot sells real cement tiles for less, I used beautiful marble subway tiles from TheBuilderDepot when I was renovating my kitchen. Only use a sealant that you have first hand experience with if you chose not to follow our recommendations. Seal the Concrete. When you receive your cement tiles you’re going to be tempted to rip open the box and rub your grubby hands all over the smooth tiles (or am I the only weirdo that likes to stroke tiles?) Mix tiles from different boxes as you lay them. Load up your float with fresh mixed grout. Here’s a beautiful video showing exactly how encaustic cement tiles are made: Now that you know more details about cement tiles, you can have a beautiful cement tile floor. On exterior installations or very wet areas such as bathrooms, use wider grout lines with sanded grout. It may seem like a long process, but this insures the tiles will withstand regular use and resist stains. Installing our cement tiles is a fairly simple process, but it must be done with care. (If you use a fine sandpaper you can actually hone or polish the tile in that spot and it will show) See also more information on cleaning up after grouting in our printable Installation Instructions. Encaustic cement tile patterns are created by pouring different colored clay baked into the tile. Granite tile is an extremely strong and durable flooring product, which can be installed in both interior and exterior locations. If you don’t want to buy a wet saw, you can rent one. For improved waterproofing, you’ll want to cover seams with the recommended seam tape. A big thank you to The Builder Depot for providing the laundry room tiles for the Saving Etta project and for giving me excellent instructions for installing the cement tiles. For areas subject to moisture like showers, around pools, etc, the underlayment should be sealed with a waterproof membrane or other moisture-resistant product. Many sub-contractors may want to test their system as soon as the tile is set, so they can move on to the next job. Use … Install your tile after all other construction if at all possible. Sometimes a mix of sawdust and dry grout mix is used initially and the dry grout acts as an abrasive to scrub up the grout residue. Check Floor for Flatness. If you don’t soak them, the tile will absorb too much moisture from the mortar. (I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. The tiles must handled carefully to avoid damaging the edges. Lest you think you can seal the tiles before installation, don’t try it. The Builder Depot offers popular tiles at a discount because they cut out the middle man. The sawdust grout cleaning method is used more often in Europe than in the USA. Push the sawdust across the floor with a push broom with soft bristles, and you'll be amazed. “Cement tiles can be used on the floors and walls in the kitchen, living room, foyer, dining room, bathroom, and laundry room," says Melanie Stephens, director of design and marketing at Granada Tile. manufacturer’s installation instructions. There is a big difference between them. He agreed but on one condition; he asked me to write a tutorial on How to Install Cement Tiles and discuss the pitfalls and risks associated with improper installation techniques. (Using these self leveling spacers will eliminate any lippage on tiles.). The thinset must be spread on the floor and also over the entire underside of the tile. OR Another method to clean grout off the tile is the sawdust method: You need several bags of sawdust depending on the size of the floor. Grout applied over raw tile can penetrate into the surface of the tile. Eventually these may disappear, but only after frequent washing. One of the most important tips for working with cement tiles is to soak them in water before installation. Remember to add in the thickness of the thinset mortar you use to lay the tile. Encaustic cement tiles can transform any space in your home. The installation will need at least 24-36 hours to cure and dry before the pre-grout sealing. When this occurs, our NanoSealant can be carefully reapplied along the crack. Always use cement board screws. You might remember I used beautiful marble subway tiles from TheBuilderDepot when I was renovating my kitchen.) Cement board is a highly stable, cement-based, sheet material typically reinforced with fiberglass (Image 1). Change to clean sawdust periodically. Before sealing, the mortar and tiles should be completely dry. ©2008-2020 Villa Lagoon Tile® and VLT™ are Trademarks. Never leave anything sitting on the floor that could stain or scratch your tiles. Testing a sub-floor heating system beneath wet tiles can permanently damage your flooring. It will corrode the screws. You can use a score and snap manual tile cutter for straight lines, but nothing beats a wet saw for angled and more complicated cuts. *My followers on YouTube get sneak peeks of some of the projects I’m working on, so subscribe today! Plus, because we’re friends, I’m going to share with you my affordable source for real encaustic cement tiles! Tile mastic, or thinset, is a premixed adhesive that is easy to use right out of the can, and it bonds well to almost any surface. Allow them to soak for at least 30 seconds before laying them into the mortar. Make your entranceway a welcoming place with our warm natural looking tiles. You may need to touch up slightly with a sponge, but only slightly. Apparently customers were unaware of the proper way to install cement tiles. Before we begin, make sure you have these tools and materials. Porcelain and ceramic tiles can be grouted immediately after the thinset mortar has cured. Never use acids to clean the encaustic cement tiles as it will cause damage. Use non-sanded grout for joints under 1/8 inch. Be prepared to apply many coats before your cement tiles are fully sealed. Wait for them to dry or you could risk discoloration of your tiles. Even faint pencil lines can’t be easily removed from the tile surface. It is installed with special screws recommended by the manufacturer. It is commonly used directly on plywood or on cement board. A quick note on cutting the tiles. Call us or e-mail to discuss your project. On a complicated floor layout, be sure to do a "dry run" with some of your tile to be sure that your borders will fall where you want them and that any tile that you want centered in front of a doorway, is properly aligned. Any residue of mortar left on the surface of the tile must be cleaned immediatelyto avoid staining. Whether using our recommended installation method, or any other, cement tiles must be protected by a sealant or grout-release before grouting the tile. Dry Run Prep. The thinset must be spread on the floor and also over the entire underside of the tile. All opinions and ideas are my own. Apply the sealer in thin coats working in one direction. Shhhh, lean close so I can whisper it in your ear. Ring out and refresh your sponge with clean water frequently. ● Tile installation:- we know that tile installation process require adhesive material like clay of cement and cement mortar for laying of tiles at flooring and wall site. These characteristics add to the products natural appeal and do not compromise the performance of the tile.