When it comes to home improvement projects, it can be extremely gratifying doing them yourself. Not only that, but paying for an installation can be costly. Not only are they gratifying, but they don’t have to be difficult, especially if you are experienced at using tools and doing your own projects.

Does your next project involve laying down your own ceramic tile? Well, it is an easily doable project to take on as a do-it-yourself. The great thing about ceramic tile is that unlike installing vinyl flooring, if you cut a tile incorrectly or lay one down wrong, you can always fix it. Installing other types of flooring, for example vinyl, can be a lot more difficult.

Here are some tips that will help you learn how to lay ceramic tile. For more detailed instructions you may want to do some additional research. But, this is a great place to start.

Gather the Tools and Materials

Your first step is to choose the ceramic tiling. After you do that, you will need to gather the necessary tools and materials needed to complete the project. For materials you will need the tiling, tile adhesive, grout, grout sealer, and tile spacers. For tools you will need a tile cutter, chalk line, grout float, level, rubber mallet, notched trowel, tile nipper, and tape measure. You also may want to do some additional research to confirm that you don’t have a special case that may require special tools.

Prepare the Floor

What kind of surface will you be installing the ceramic tile on? Is it wood or cement or something else? Keep in mind that before you even get started you will need to prepare the floor. Make sure the surface is clean and free from problems. A dirty surface may affect how the adhesive sticks.

Lay down the tile

Your next step is to lay down the tile without any special adhesive to make sure they fit properly. Make sure to lay them down in a way that allows for the space you will need for the grout. It is okay to approximate but be as accurate as possible.

This is the step where you will want to cut any tiles to help them fit better. Keep in mind you don’t need to lay down all the tiles- just one row across the width and height just to make sure the tiles are a good fit and look good in the room.

After you lay down the tile to see how they fit, you will need to apply adhesive. Choose an adhesive that is compatible with your needs. It may depend on the type of tile and the type of floor that will be underneath the tile. Then, apply the tile, leaving enough space for the grout. After all the tile is applied, you will need to work in the grout. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all these products to make sure you are using the right tools.

That is a basic overview of the process. In order to get into more detail, you may want to look on the internet for a home improvement book to get even more detail. Remember, this can be extremely gratifying and keep in mind that this is a project that could take several hours, depending on the nature of the space and your skill level.​​​