Kitchen floor tiles are a very popular choice for several reasons. They’re durable, visually appealing, resistant to moisture and stain and also relatively easy to maintain and install especially when compare to wall tiles. This is a task that can be done by any competent DIYer but requires a lot of patience as well as confidence. If you lack these attributes, then we’d recommend that you hire a professional floor tiler who can guarantee the best results the first time. In this article we’ll take you through the kitchen floor tiling process. Let’s get started!
• Prepare The Subfloor
✓ Ensure the subfloor is very secure to support both the tile and the people working across it.
✓ If necessary, you can strengthen the kitchen floor with the help of a vinyl, heavy felt or any other good backer board.
✓ After successfully securing the floor, proceed to clear out all dust and dirt.
• Mix The Mortar
✓ Mix a thinset mortar be referring to the instructions on the package. ( Mix only the quantity you can apply within 30 minutes).
✓ Once the mixture looks similar to the thickness of mayonnaise, allow it to rest for about 10 minutes before application.
• Apply The Mortar
✓ Apply a thin layer of mortar
✓ Do not cover extensive areas as the mortar can become very dry.
✓ Spread the mortar with a trowel in curved patterns to make it flat on the floor.
• Set The Tile
✓ Set down the tile slowly, apply a little pressure until its holds firmly to the surface. ( Apply a consistent amount of pressure throughout to ensure equal heights for all the tiles)
✓ Continue with the process until all full tiles are well positioned
• Cut The Tiles
✓ Once all the full tile pieces are in place, start cutting to cover the edges requiring smaller tile pieces.
✓ Take accurate measurements of the outer edges needing smaller tile pieces.
✓ Cut the tile pieces to fit the measurement taken with the help of a wet saw or hand tile cutter.
• Grouting
✓ Remove all spacers and mortar residues and lay the grout
✓ Apply the grout along the tiles’ seams with a grout float
✓ Clean out excess grout with a damp sponge after leaving it to dry for about 30 minutes
✓ Once the grout is fully dried, apply the sealer (the drying process normally takes within 3 to 4 days).