Cost To Install Ceramic or Porcelain Tile. Project. Average. Most Spent Between. Less than 2. 00 sq.
Does tile backer board lap over the bathtub lip, or sit on top of it? It’s a question that’s puzzled first-time bathroom remodelers for years. This article. DIYNetwork.com shows you how to install glass tile for a memorable backsplash.
Between 2. 00 - 1,0. More than 1,0. 00 sq. Ceramic and porcelain tile are some of the most versatile flooring options available to homeowners today.
These sturdy floor coverings are specially coated to make them impervious to water and ingrained dirt, but ease of maintenance is only one of the advantages of installing ceramic tile. It is likely the number one reason most people install ceramic and porcelain tiles is because of their durability. It is not uncommon for ceramic tile flooring to last up to 2. Even then, minor repairs on ceramic or porcelain tiles are relatively affordable. Another great thing about ceramic and porcelain tiles is their flexible decorative uses.
Ceramic tiles are used to improve kitchen backsplash areas, decorate furniture and create original artwork. A wide selection of tiles is available at hardware stores and there are plenty of online instructional videos available. Therefore, many people opt to install the tiles themselves.
However, difficult flooring configurations and the inexperienced nature of some DIY installers often make this a less desirable option than hiring a professional. Here are some details on the costs to install ceramic tile in residential spaces. Choosing the Right Tiles.
Ceramic and porcelain usually find their way into kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and mud rooms. When contemplating a tile installation, homeowners have numerous options available to them: everything from high- end, designer tiles to bargain- basement specials. Before hunting up the perfect style of tile, one must consider a few factors such as tile composition and strength. Experts recommend a clay- based tile for flooring projects where the hardness level matches its function. For instance, a tile with a hardness rating of one should only be installed in light traffic areas like bathrooms while a tile with a hardness rating of five can be installed anywhere.
Most any wall you install tile on outside of a bathtub is likely to have an electrical outlet and/or a light switch. When you finish, you want the outlet to have a. AsktheBuilder.com: Removing ceramic tile can be hard work. The job is somewhat easy if the tile is adhered to cement board that is nailed to a wood subfloor. Ceramic tile is a versatile and durable finishing material. Tiles can be installed as a floor or wall covering nearly. It’s possible to tile over a plastic laminate backsplash if the backsplash has square, rather than molded or rounded, edges. Here’s how to go about it: Clean and.
Ceramic tiles are generally rated from one to three while porcelain tiles fit the description of group- five tiles. Ceramic tiles are softer and less durable than porcelain tiles, and they generally cost less than their porcelain counterparts. Although the average cost per square foot of tile varies by location, great deals can generally be found at hardware stores or tile discount centers.
This article presents 30 unusual looks for a kitchen backsplash, featuring both traditional and new materials.
Selecting a Tile Contractor. There are many tile installation companies to choose from. The internet has plenty of consumer review sites that give good indications on whether a contractor does acceptable work. However, one should learn a little about the tile installation process before sitting down with a contractor to talk about a new project.
This is an important step because it allows the consumer to ask relevant questions and make informed decisions about their particular tile installation project. Consumers should ask to see a portfolio of the tile installer's work and ask for references from satisfied clients. While there are many talented tile installers who operate their own businesses, there are marked benefits for selecting a contractor associated with one of the big- box hardware stores. Because their reputations are on the line, these stores hire reputable subcontractors for residential tile installation jobs, so the consumer gets pre- screened labor whose work is backed by a large company with set labor rates. It is recommended that a homeowner get quotes from multiple contractors so that they can get a general idea of the going labor rates for their area. Find a Local Tile Contractor Now.
Find written and video instructions on how to install a tile backsplash from the DIYNetwork.com. Check the instructions for the proper order in which to install the panels. Position and mark the first panel to be installed -- in this case, the center one. Follow this photo-rich tutorial to learn how to install 2" x 4" ceramic subway wall tiles as a kitchen backsplash before grouting.
Installing Tile over Existing Flooring. The type of flooring foundation and the room configuration affect the price charged by contractors. For example, having ceramic tile installed on a cement floor will likely cost more than having the same tiles installed in a kitchen sitting on a wood foundation surface. The latter example requires fewer materials and less time to complete the installation. The cost factors involved with installing tile over concrete flooring are the additional labor hours and materials needed to smooth and level the floor surface in preparation for laying the tile. For a cement floor, the tile installer must ensure that the floor is clean, smooth, dry and free of holes or divots. If there are surface cracks or small holes, the installer may use a product called Thin- Set to prepare the surface for tiling.
After smoothing the surface, installers apply a latex primer to the flooring surface to prepare it for installation. The next step in the process is to determine if the surface is level, and if it is not, the installer must lay down a self- leveling compound.
Wood sub- flooring is a less- than- ideal foundation for ceramic tile because it naturally warps when exposed to high levels of moisture. When the wood loses its integrity, the tiles can pop off or break. The solution is to use a material called backer board to provide a level cement surface on which to lay the tile. Special screws are needed to secure the cement sheets in place. Outdoor Tiling. Manufacturing tiles that will endure the hardships of outdoor installation isn't cheap, but fewer outdoor floor installations will give you such a refined and stunning look.
This unparalleled visual appeal means you should at least consider an outdoor tile installation. You may not have the budget for a complete patio or walkway in ceramic tile, but even a small stoop or some other tiling accent can add significant beauty to your outdoor landscape. Slip Resistant Tiles. Outdoor tiles need to be slip resistant for obvious safety reasons. This can mean foregoing sealant or glazing common to other tiling installations. High end outdoor tiles are glazed with grit embedded in the glaze to create a finished product that also provides superb traction. The rougher texture of unfinished tiles will also make them more difficult to clean, but unless you can afford the specially- formulated tiles, that's just part of the deal.
Installation Requirements. More than just slip resistant, outdoor tiles must also be able to withstand repeated freezing and thawing. This requires dense tiles with low absorption rates.
The absorption rating should be 3% or lower. This means choosing vitrified or impervious graded tiles. Permanently bonding tiles to the flooring substrate is critical. For outdoor tiling projects, concrete slabs should be used and they must be thick enough and reinforced with steel to prevent cracking and separating. Consistently- sized tiles will also make for a stronger tiling installation. Ceramic tiles are kiln- fired and some variation is inevitable, but ideally, shouldn't exceed 1/8 of an inch. Ignoring any of these rules can lead to tiles that are quickly in disrepair.
Ensuring your outdoor tiles will hold up for many years is especially important since, regardless, the installation won't be cheap. Outdoor Decking Tiles.
A relatively inexpensive alternative for outdoor tiling projects is decking tiles. These tiles are interlocking, belaying the need for precise substrate bonding. These tiles are often used to spruce up existing installations. For example, a wood deck or porch, which has fallen into disrepair, but still has its structural integrity, can have decking tiles laid directly over the original material. Decking tiles may not have the same longevity as standard outdoor tiling, but they are still cost- effective and the tiling choice of many homeowners. Cost Considerations.
Installing ceramic or porcelain tile is both an art and a science. Tile installers must know the composition of the tiles as well as how to lay them in place attractively. Besides the normal costs of labor and materials, a tile project's costs vary by the type of sub- flooring to be used as a foundation for the tile. While a smooth, level cement floor is an ideal surface on which to lay tile, those conditions are somewhat rare in the tile laying business. Laying tile on uneven cement floor, the more common situation, requires additional time and materials that could raise the costs of the project beyond the costs associated with laying tile over a subflooring made of wood or another material. Hire a Tile Professional for Your Project.
Installing ceramic wall tile around a bath tub enclosure. Believe it or not it is really very easy to install ceramic tile around a tub enclosure. It just takes patience, common sense and being somewhat handy.
I recently did two bathroom tub enclosures using 4. The procedures listed below should help anyone who desires to tackle this job themselves. Obviously, you need to start out by measuring each wall. Measure the height and width of each vertical wall and then multiple the width and height to get the square footage for each wall. Note the height of the outside edge along the tub if you are going to use a bullnose tile for finishing the tile. Bullnose are the tiles with one edge rounded for a truly finished appearance.
The field tile is sold by the square foot and bullnose and other trim pieces are sold by the piece. Be sure to order at least 5% extra to allow for broken or chipped pieces. Also, check to be sure the field tile all have the same shade letter or number. While picking out your tile think about intermixing different colored tiles or decorative tiles into the field areas. This can really enhance the appearance of your tile job and give you a very striking look. To help you determine the amount of ceramic tile you need for your project, or to play around with various tile patterns I suggest you see the on- line ceramic tile tools at Daltile.
You can also see the same thing at American Olean, see their . Note: American Olean and Daltile are part of the same parent company, Mohawk Industries (who also sells under the brand called Mohawk Ceramic Tile). Both tile companies make exceptional ceramic tiles for residential and commercial applications.
The wall tile I purchased for my bathroom projects came from Florida Tile another quality ceramic tile manufacturer. My choice was made by what the store had in stock at the time. Before actually starting the job be sure to properly protect your tub from damage.
I covered the entire tub with 4 mil poly and tapped it. The pipes I had in place were temporary and the faucets.
If. you are in new construction or are starting with the wood framing studs I would. Try to avoid using. Tub surrounds are. Cement. board, like Durock is readily available at home centers and many specialty. They come in several sizes and thickness, with 3 ft.
For cutting the cement boards just mark. You can also use a carbide- tipped blade with a circular. Be sure. to leave an 1/8. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for securing the cement board to. Normally this means using specially coated screws to attach the cement. Screws should be every 6 to 8 inches along the wood studs. It is used to give the adhesive and tile something to adhere.
Once the cement board has been secured. For futher information i recommend you go to the USG.
Durock web site. All. The. special glass fiber tape comes in rolls and has a adhesive on the back side. The tape is readily available for home centers. Okay, now we are ready to start dry laying the ceramic tile. Dry laying a row of tile. If the tile at. the end of a row is less than one inch wide re- adjust the width of the starting. Trust me, trying.
Drawing a small pencil mark where each tile starts and ends can. Using a plumb line (string with a weight) you. These lines will also help guide. A plumb line can also help you determine.
Do the same thing going across the walls. Also, check to. be sure the tile rows never end on a cement board joint. I. found it easiest to work in small sections as I installed the ceramic tile. Take a. straight edge or chalk line and mark off the wall in smaller areas. I used a tile to mark the rows about 4 to 6. This gives you smaller areas to work within when spreading the mastic adhesive.
Use a straight edge and a level to continually check if the tile lines. Doing this in smaller sections meant I could easily adjust across the width or height if the tile rows started running off. Adjustments are made by slightly increasing. Since the 4. Yet, it will still give you. Although I did the the tub walls all in.
Just. don't do too big of areas and rush trying to get the tiles on the walls. If. you have excess adhesive than take a putty knife, scrape off the excess adhesive. I also used discardable trowels so I could throw them away.
The. mastic manufacturer will specify the proper notched trowel to use with their. For wall tile be sure the adhesive is made for adhering tile to vertical.
Wall tile adhesive should have better grab for keeping tiles from. Tiles should be pressed firmly. Periodically pop a tile to see if the adhesive covers. To help adhere the tile into the adhesive very slightly.
I prefer plastic or wood so not to scratch the tiles. The adhesive should be spread onto the cement board with the proper sized. The trowel will have a saw- toothed edge. The teeth will allow the adhesive.
Generally it is recommended to hold the trowel at. When. the teeth on the trowel become too worn, stop and get a new trowel. Trowels are much cheaper. Buy extra trowels. Check often the notches for wear.
As you install the tiles you are bound to get some adhesive on the face of the tiles. Once. you have completed installing a small section of tile, wring out the wet sponge. Be careful not to move the recently installed tile. Rinse the sponge out often and only use a damp sponge on the ceramic tile surface. For cutting tiles I prefer to mark the tile before the adhesive is applied to that section. Using a tape measure, a pencil and a tile or two, mark the area on the tile that must be cut. For going around pipes I used a tile nipper and slowly snipped small pieces of tile.
Tile nippers are available at home centers, hardware stores and specialty flooring stores. For cutting tiles in straight pieces.
I used a tile cutter. Tile cutters make cutting tiles much easier. The cutter first scores the surface. You can also. use a glass cutter to score tile and then place a large nail under the tile. Scoring and snapping tile by hand is a lot more work and breakage. Tile cutters can be rented at most rental stores. Some home centers.
In my case, the flooring store was kind enough to lend. Once the tile was all installed I let the adhesive setup for 2.
I went and did the other bathroom. Since. I was using a wall tile with a very small grout joint I had to use a unsanded. Sanded grout is generally used for floor tiles with wider grout joints.
Some people may suggest cutting the additive with 5. Use the additive full strength the way the manufacturer. The latex additive adds additional bonding strength. The additive does make clean up more of a chore. Mix the grout and additive. Generally you have to let the grout mixture. Only mix enough to do the job.
I prefer to. do one wall at a time since I am not use to doing this work. The grout is spread onto the surface of the tile by a special rubber float. The float should be held at an angle and the grout pushed into the tile joints diagonally. Going across the tile with the float diagonally helps keep the grout in the joints.
Be sure the grout joints are packed full of grout. By the time you finish grouting a tub wall, you should be about ready for clean up back at where you started grouting first. Read the instructions on the grout bag for their recommendations. Clean is tedious but rather easy. Have a bucket of clean, lukewarm water.
Wring out the sponge and start wiping down the walls. Always wipe at a 4. Never wipe parallel to the joints. This is to avoid removing the grout from the joints. I also used a clean old white tee- shirt to wipe the tiles off and using the sponge. This helps remove the haze from the tile. To seal the grout it is recommended you wait at least 2.
Don't be surprised at the cost of the sealer, it is very expensive. We did not need to use the showers immediately and so I waited for 2. I used a old dry while cloth to apply and wipe off excess sealer. I also used a bath caulk and applied al along where the tile met the tub, as well as around the holes cut for the pipes.