How To Install Wall Tile

The best way is to arrange your wall tile in a pyramid shape.

How to install wall tile.

If you are tiling a shower or tub surround leave a 1 8 inch space between the tile and the tub or shower base to provide an empty space for caulk. Starting in the center on one side of your reference line apply a coat of tile setting adhesive to an area about 3x3 feet square. Mark the wall at the top of the tile. Inspect the grout joints.

Butter the tiles and press them into place. You have about five to 10 minutes to set the tile so don t apply too much adhesive over a large area. Install the remaining tiles working from the first row and column. If there are any remaining trim or border pieces to install complete the job by installing them now.

Then use a level to extend the line along the work area. To see where the tile will end at the top of the installation make a jury stick. Measure mark and trim any tiles to fill partial gaps at the top and bottom of the wall. To set the tile apply an even coat of mastic on only a small portion of the wall at a time.

Again apply the tile with a slight twisting motion. Take care not to cover your lines. Hold a tile at this spot accounting for a 1 8 inch expansion gap. Install tiles one through four as directed.

Then lay your tiles on the the floor in a straight line making sure you put spacers between them. Pull the tile up and look at the pattern that is create on the back. Mortar a small spot and then place a tile. Next use a tape measure along the tiles to see how much you have to cut from the first row of tiles you should install full tiles on the last row.

For the average small wall tiles which are currently popular you will want to use a 1x4 square notch trowel. If it seems complicated try this. Spread the adhesive with the smooth side of your notched trowel and then go over it with the notched side to create ridges in the adhesive. Tile layout measure the height from the floor up to the ceiling.

Then every subsequent row is a process of draping over the pyramid back and forth. The accent tiles go on the same way image 3.