Installing wall tiles can set a specific set of challenges for the homeowner. Let’s take a look at some tips on installing wall tiles.
While just laying tiles on the floor can be pretty difficult, but anyone who is new to the process of installing tiles, tiling walls will in all likelihood present a much greater challenge. While you can always get professionals to do the job for you, sometimes our budget does not allow us to do so.
We all have limitations to our budget and after having spent all that money on buying the tiles, you would want to save as much money as possible in the installation process. While it is always recommended to get it done by professionals, if your budget does not allow it, then the tips listed in this article will go a long way in helping you tile your walls properly.
Just for your information, know that this is an advanced skill but if you can pull off the job, then you can save a lot of money which you may invest in some other part of the home.
The Tile Material
The first step in any tile installation process is the process of choosing the material. There are a wide array of materials to choose from and to help you make a better decision the following tips will help you in picking the best tiles that make sense for you.
Make sure that you stick to tiles which are especially made to be used on walls. You should get the help of your local home supply store salesperson in order to help you find the right kind of tiles. The reason why you will need tiles that are made for walls is because floor tiles can be especially heavy and may not work on walls at all.
If you want to do the job properly yourself, make sure that you stay away from glass. Tiles made out of glass are very difficult to install in the proper way. In fact the skill is so difficult that even professionals who may have a lot of experience in installing tiles will still need special training for installing glass tiles.
Ceramic tiles are the way to go if you want to achieve the best possible results. These are very durable tiles and they also happen to be inexpensive and the best part is that they are available in a very wide range of colors and designs. For non-professionals, these tiles are the easiest to install.
Prep Work
If you do not have the right tools or supplies, the end result of your job will suffer. These are some tips for proper prepping before starting the process of installing the tiles.
Make sure that you have the necessary safety equipment. Even people who have done this literally hundreds of times still should make sure that they use goggles and gloves when undertaking this task. Also make sure that you properly read the instructions on any equipment or tools that you are getting for the job. Know more here: https://www.tileclub.com/blogs/news/how-to-peel-and-stick-tile-for-a-diy-remodel
The walls should be properly cleaned and should also be totally dry before installation starts. Make sure that you scrape off any extra paint and also remove wallpapers if there are any. If the walls happen to be glossy then make sure that you sand them. Cement boards really help with installing tiles so you may want to install this surface at first.
Make sure that you patch up any hole before you start installing the tiles. While it cannot be seen once the tiles are installed, it does have the very real potential to cause problems down the line.
Installation
The most difficult part of this job is starting laying the tiles on the wall while also ensuring that they remain square and level. The following tips will help you get the best results possible.
It is a fact that most walls in most homes are not completely perfect. This can make it difficult to lay a straight line. Make sure that you do not start at one particular end of the wall or at the floor. You should instead try to find the center of the wall and start from there. Make use of a level tool in order to create a reference line and then follow it.
You should attach a level piece of wood below the initial guideline in order to make sure that you are creating a straight row. This will also make sure that the tiles don’t slide down the wall.
Make sure that you use spacers. Spacers can really help you with creating grout lines that are properly straight. There are a lot of ceramic tiles which come with spacers that are built-in and that can save you a step of the process. Do not forget that you will have to remove the spacer before you begin the process of grouting.
