Laying of floor tiles has become a do-it-yourself project for many homeowners because the results are outstanding and by doing it yourself you can put the money you save from installation cost into the tile you choose. Both preparation and laying the tile require more patience and work. The floor must be leveled and prepared before laying the tile.

The old floor must be removed. If it is vinyl, you can lay cement board down over it. Make sure all pieces of the old flooring are removed and that all areas that need to be tiled are easily accessible. Take a level and check the floor in several different spots to be sure it is level.

If it is not, you will need to take measurements on exactly how much it is off because the cement board underlay will need to account for it. The underlay will need an adhesive on the back to secure it to the sub-flooring. Then, use a nail gun and place nails to secure it. Tile layout should begin in the middle of the room.

A dry run of the tiles should be made before you begin placing them with the thin set or tile adhesive. This will help you decide on the patterns and angles of the tiles and help with any cuts that need to be made with the tile saw.

Once you lay the tile alone on the floor to get proper measurements, you need to place the spacers between them. Make sure you stand up to look at your pattern, because the different angles change your perspective. Once the dry run of the chosen pattern design is done, you can move on to laying the tile.

Begin by mixing your thin set or tile adhesive, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once it is at the correct consistency, you can begin.

Find the mark at the center of the room and apply the thin set with a notched trowel to the underlay, in about the same square footage as your tile. Use a 45-degree angle to apply the thin set to the underlay and to the back of the tile. Make sure the coating is consistent and trowel marks are made (they help the tile adhere).

Lay the tile down at the correct angle for your chosen pattern, and then wiggle it to secure it. Be sure when you lay it that the adhesive covers the entire back of the tile. Place the grout markers on each edge and repeat to complete your pattern.

Once you need to cut tiles, use a pencil to mark the back of the tile where the cut is needed. Try to be as precise as possible to avoid wasting tiles. Be sure to wipe any excess adhesive off with a wet cloth while it is still wet. Allow the adhesive to dry overnight or for as long as the manufacturer suggests.