How to install floor tiles size 12" x 12" and what cement mixture?
Question:
Answers:
"Square" the area
snap two perpendicular chalk lines
lay out a course with spacers just to determine "cuts"
Make all your cuts at the same time, working from any area to them.
Work with the notion that the tiles will not be stepped on for at least 24 hrs.
Insure that the floor/ substrate is proper and level
Use a Poly Blend thinset mortar
mix to a mashed potato consistency
Apply with a 1/4 inch tooth, flat blade knife
do not press tiles deeply into the mortar
use 1/4 or 1/8 spacers
remove cove base first, allowing for any OOPS at perimeter cuts
Use a level, working in small areas at a time 3 x 4 run your hand over the tiles checking raised or dipped edges.
After dry/set and moisture evaporated, remove spacers
prepare "Sanded" grout, also poly blend is a similar consistency
Use a rubberized faced trowel to spread and create a decent amount in each seam to over fill then trowel back, angling at 45 degrees of so, NOT STRAIGHT ON with the grout lines.
As the grout begins to set (More rapidly than Mortar) Wipe gently with a flat GROUT SPONGE, just damp
As the excess is cleaned up in the process repeat the sponging with slightly increasing dampness. (Any filmy residue left can be mopped after the fact.
Allow at least 24 hours dry/set time for the grout
Steven Wolf
hundreds of thousands of sq. ft. of tile
what do you need to know? This is what I do for a living.
first level your floor to determine the highest level of your flooring. from there give at least 1 inch from the existing floor to serve as guide to your level for the entire floor.
then determine your setting point, probably in your front door.
make a nylon guide used as a guide for your tile. at least two nylon guides perpendicular with each other.
use a mixture of 1 part concrete 2 parts sand.
everything else is skill.
Go to Home Depot, get your materials there, all pre-mix, find out when the next class on tile is and attend. You'll be doing yourself a favor rather then try and understand what some of these people here are trying to tell you.
It takes some sort of experience and skill.
was going to write a full guide for u but not a fast typer,best thing u can do is phone a tile shop preferably a marble tile shop cause they should know everything u need to know.
You need to provide more information.
I assume this is a floor application. What's the substrate (concrete, wood, existing tile, cement backerboard)?
Different thinsets are for different applications. For instance, if you go to the home center and buy the "ready mix", as somebody here suggested, you'll be awfully sorry if you use it in a bathroom or other wet area.
Some thinsets will work on plywood, others won't. Etc., etc.
Bottom line: your floor (or wall) determines what products you will use. Get more information and get back.
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