How To Install Ceramic Tile Floor On Cement

If you take the time to level the floor install a membrane and layout your tile properly you can improve the look of a concrete floor within a week.

How to install ceramic tile floor on cement. A flexing subfloor results in cracked tiles and grout and a lot of headaches. To install ceramic tile over wood the wood surface must be structurally sound enough to support the weight of the tile. Installing over wood. Install a cement based backer board following the manufacturer s instructions.

A concrete sealer prevents moisture from staying underneath the ceramic tiles. Steps part 1 of 4. Chipboard cushioned vinyl flooring particle boards of any type oriented strand board osb interior grade plywood tongue and groove planking and hardwood floors are unsuitable substrates for direct installation of ceramic tile. A thinner subfloor will cause the floor to flex due to the weight of the tile.

As you move on to the subsequent rows use the spacers to keep your pattern square. Ceramic and porcelain tile are so frequently installed at or above grade level on a cement board underlayment or directly on plywood that it almost seems novel to install tile directly on concrete. Step 3 plan your layout. Yet this application does make sense since concrete is heavy solid and is typically thought of as an unbending uncompromising material.

This is an optional step but can really benefit your tile installation in the long run. Installing tile directly on concrete. Most tile manufacturers recommend installing a cement backer board instead of any other type of underlayment such as plywood. Use a polymer modified thin set a type of mortar to attach the backer board to the subfloor.

Before you lay any sort of tile whether it is stone ceramic or peel and stick vinyl you must prepare your concrete floor to ensure that the tiles will go down properly and stay where they re. Once a tile is set try to avoid touching it again. Lay the tiles into the mortar and using the spacers make sure you are running even with the chalk line. It will also provide a stronger adhesion between mortar and concrete.