Technology of laying tiles. The subtleties of laying ceramic tiles with your own hands. Tools for tiling work

Laying ceramic tiles on a wall is a simple process, but requires strict adherence to the instructions.

In addition, before laying it is a good idea to learn a little about the material itself - its properties and how to choose it.

You can learn about all this from the article.

A step-by-step technology for laying ceramic tiles on the wall (including in the bathroom) and a video will help you do everything correctly with your own hands and thus save significantly on repairs.

Material selection and preparation

Tile - perfect material to finish walls or floors in rooms where there is high humidity and there is also a high risk of staining the surface of the walls.

Most often, ceramic tiles are placed on the walls and floors in the bathroom or work area kitchens.

The main distinguishing feature of the material is moisture resistance.

Besides quality tiles has long term services, and the drawings and patterns with which it is now made will help you choose material to suit every taste.

When choosing a material, make sure that it matches the floor and the overall concept of your room.

The tiles are easy to care for; dirt does not stick to them, so it is enough to wipe them with a cloth and a cleaning agent from time to time.

Finally, the technology of laying tiles on a wall or floor with your own hands is not so difficult - even a non-professional can do it.

Wall coverings differ from floor coverings: floor tiles are thicker, always ceramic, and are treated with fire for greater durability.

Thanks to this, the material does not deform and does not lose its properties. The surface of the tile is most often glazed - this can be seen by its characteristic shine.

Before starting work, you need to prepare materials:

• tiles;
• grout;
• sealant for processing seams;
• tile adhesive;
• corners.

Tools you will need:

• markers and pencils;
• level and tape measure;
• tile pliers;
• plumb line;
• spatula for styling;
• comb;
• sponge;
• cord for marking;
• trowel for plaster;
• construction corner;
• whetstone and sandpaper;
• tile cutter;
• gloves;
• spatula.

Before laying tiles, you need to decide what you want the end result to be.

Before you start work, you need to decide how the tiles will be laid on the wall in the kitchen or bathroom - in the form of a rectangle or square, make markings on the border of laying the material and, if necessary, trim the edges.

Surface preparation

Preparing walls for laying tiles (including in the bathroom) with your own hands begins with markings.

To mark the walls, stretch the cord through the middle of two adjacent walls.

The material below describes how to prepare the walls in the bathroom (including priming) before laying the tiles.

Use paint to mark this area with a line. After marking all the walls, if everything is done correctly, the lines should intersect in the center of the room at right angles.

To check the correct angle, use a builder's angle.

To check how the coating will look, place several tiles from the center to the corner. If the cuts of the tiles turn out to be different, move them to the side and make the markings again.

Preparing the walls means that uneven surface will be leveled and a primer will be applied.

If you lay tiles (in the bathroom or in another room) on an uneven surface, the end result will be far from what you expected.

Before you start priming, check how smooth the wall is. at the moment, then remove the plaster or other coating from the wall with your own hands and clean it of accumulated dust and dirt.

If your wall is painted, then you do not need to remove the paint - just make notches with an ax so that the glue adheres better to the surface.

If there was already a similar coating on the wall, then it is necessary to remove it before work. old glue, because it will interfere with the clutch.

Do-it-yourself leveling technology involves the following methods: in the first case, the wall is plastered using a sand-cement mortar, in the second, the uneven surface is leveled with special moisture-resistant gypsum fiber sheets.

It is easier and cheaper to implement the first option with your own hands, and the result will probably be the same, so it is recommended to choose this one.

The walls must be primed before laying tiles in the bathroom or any other room. It is better to take coarse-grained material - this will improve the adhesion of the glue and the surface.

Do-it-yourself primer is done as follows: apply the product in an even layer on the wall using a spatula or roller.

It is necessary to prime evenly so that the surface of the wall remains level. For best quality The primer is done twice - the second layer is applied on top of the first.

Watch the video below on how to prepare the wall surface before pasting with this material.

Stages of gluing ceramic tiles

The technology for gluing the material is selected based on the location of the rows.

The calculation of horizontal rows is done from above, and it must be taken into account that between the tiles there should be seams of about 3 mm in size. The row ends when a whole piece cannot fit.

Then the second row begins and so on until the entire wall is laid.

The first row is most often laid with the trimmed part of the material, because there the uneven material will be less noticeable.

Vertical rows are considered similar to horizontal ones - the number of solid tiles that will fit in a row is calculated from the corner. For symmetry, the beginning and end of the row can be started with cut tiles.

If symmetry is not important, then you can start a row with a cut tile and end with a whole one, or vice versa.

However, the symmetrical installation technology looks much more attractive.

The rules for laying the covering are as follows: in the places where the row will begin, secure the profiles - they will serve as support for the next row. The profiles are fastened with dowels.

All profiles must be installed strictly horizontally - this can be checked using a level.

After they are fixed, dilute the glue, observing the proportions that you can read on the package.

Some people use a solution of sand and cement instead of glue; if you decide to do this, then before laying, the tiles need to be soaked in water so that they do not absorb water from the solution.

You can choose either domestic or imported adhesive; just make sure that the packaging indicates that this adhesive is suitable specifically for wall tiles.

After you have mixed the glue with your own hands, use a spatula to begin applying it to the wall. The calculation is this: one layer is enough to stick no more than 4 tiles.

Once the glue is applied, you can begin gluing the first row.

If you have chosen a symmetrical gluing technology, then you need to start laying out the material from the whole part, and then from the trimmed part.

Don't forget to check as you work. correct position tiles using a level.

Between each tile you need to place a special cross so that the seams are the same size.

After gluing the row, the crosses are removed - don’t forget about this, otherwise the glue will harden and you won’t be able to tear them off.

After one row has been laid, check how level it is using a building level.

To do this, press it with an edge - if there are no gaps between it and the coating, then everything is in order. If you see cracks, then you need to hammer the tiles a little into the wall with a hammer (rubber only).

All subsequent rows are laid out similarly to the previous one, only crosses now need to be inserted not only between the material itself, but also between the rows so that they go smoothly.

Check how level the individual tiles and the finished row are.

Most likely, it will take several days to install it with your own hands without helpers, but the technology itself is not complicated.

After you have done part of the work, you need to remove the excess glue and take out the crosses, and tomorrow you can continue working.

As you work, you may stop in front of a pipe, outlet, or other obstacle.

In this case, the material is adjusted to the size of the obstacle - you can make holes in it using diamond crown or a tubular drill.

The last row is laid “on the floor” - close to the surface. To achieve this effect, the tiles must be cut to the appropriate size.

Grouting joints

The last stage of work is to grout the joints. Their treatment is needed not only for beauty, but also as protection against water getting there.

See the video for step-by-step rules for laying the coating.

The seams are rubbed with a special mixture, which is applied with an awl or other small sharp object.

At the end of the work, each seam should be even and smooth.

As you can see, laying ceramic tiles on the wall (including in the bathroom) is not so difficult task- You can do it yourself.

Tiled flooring is not subject to periodic cosmetic repairs indoors. High quality material with proper installation will ensure long-term operation of the tiled floor. He's very practical. When carrying out repairs yourself, laying tiles with your own hands not only captures the excitement of creativity, but also significantly reduces financial costs for the arrangement of the premises. An excellent result will be achieved provided that the work is carried out consistently with the obligatory completion of all stages.

Work prior to laying tiles

With this view finishing works The proverb “measure seven times…” is more relevant than ever, so special attention is paid to the selection of tools.

To install tiles, you need to have the following tools on hand:

Important! Carefully executed preliminary work guarantee high-quality styling tiles.

The preparatory stage of installation is given to great value. Briefly speaking, the following work is performed:

• inspecting floors using a long rod or ruler, identifying irregularities and eliminating roughness if necessary;
• final adjustment with minimal deviations using a level.

There is another, more expensive way. Use special mortars, by filling which, the floor surface is leveled;

Methods for laying tiles on the floor

Work performed when laying tiles on the floor

The markings show the location of each unit of coating, so now is the time to apply adhesive base. Special cement-based adhesive for tiled covering in powder form, dilute in small parts with water, according to the instructions, to the desired consistency.

Most handy tool- This is a spatula. Its working serrated surface, set at an angle of 45˚, allows you to apply the base of the same thickness evenly to the tile. The grooves formed in this way distribute the glue evenly over the surface, creating a stronger adhesion of the tiles to the floor.

Work should start from the corner of the room opposite the door. Do not process large area up to 1 m2 in size. A quick-drying cement-based adhesive mixture is applied in even stripes, and the elements of the tile covering are laid on it along pre-marked boundaries. Carefully press down on top, tap, slightly turning around the axis, to the sides for more complete adhesion to the adhesive solution.

Attention! The tile with adhesive mortar can be slightly rotated without moving from its place. Otherwise, the seams of the connections will become clogged. Their further processing is not possible.

This is how the entire pre-treated area of ​​the floor is filled one by one. The adhesive consumption depends on the type of tile used: the more massive the laying material, the more adhesive mass is required to fix it.

A level should always be at hand to check the thickness of the masonry, the horizontal position of each laid element, as well as maintaining the level along all diagonals. The height of the flooring is adjusted by applying a smaller or larger layer of mortar under constant instrumental control. When half the room is ready, work continues on the remaining area.

There is a rule: first, the floor area is filled with whole tiles, and then specially cut pieces are laid against the walls, forming corners and thresholds, etc.

Processing cut parts of tiles at home

Attention: floor tiles are more durable than wall tiles. Its thickness exceeds its wall counterpart by almost a quarter and is 8 mm or more. Therefore it is processed worse.

Almost always, not only the whole material is used for masonry, but also its fragments in the form of cut strips. Make smooth edges and give the fragment the required form You can do it at home using a glass cutter. This is a simple, affordable and popular processing method. Its modification is an oil glass cutter. A mixture of kerosene and machine or spindle oil when cutting improves the performance of the work. You can cut tiles with a grinder, on stone cutting machine etc. The wet cutting machine not only performs processing efficiently and at high speed, but also smoothly cuts corners.

By the way: if there is a need to create a gap between the elements of the covering being laid, you can use plastic crosses.

Once installed, they are removed and ready for use elsewhere. If you are laying tiles on the floor with your own hands for the first time, and such a separator is not available, then ordinary matches, rods, cardboard strips, etc. are quite suitable for these purposes. And then the entire coating will look equally “lined” with such gaps.

Final stage: the joints are filled with paste-like polymer grout of the required color using a small rubber spatula. The composition of the jointing material is complex polymer composition, having different properties depending on the purpose of the room. The jointing is carried out using plastic, silicone or moisture-repellent compounds. Excess is removed using a damp sponge immediately after drying, and the floor covering itself is washed.

Although laying tiles requires certain skills, patience, accuracy and precision, this technology can be mastered by anyone who is familiar with technology, does household work with their own hands, and has carefully studied the technology of performing the work. Your own apartment will become more comfortable and elegant, and, at first glance, unsightly packs of tiles in skillful hands will be transformed into a skillful panel and will delight the eye with their unique ornament. We tried to clearly and simply describe the process of laying tiles, and in order to “reinforce” the material, we suggest watching a training video.

Ceramic tiles confidently hold the “palm” among the entire mass finishing materials, which the modern construction market can boast of. With its help, they carry out not only internal, but also facade finishing. The rooms in the house that most need tiled cladding are the bathroom, kitchen and hallway. They are subject to increased load, which is what causes such demand. Here we will look at the nuances of installing tiles and one of its varieties - mosaics on the floor.

In many ways, the popularity of ceramic tiles is due to their useful performance characteristics. It successfully resists moisture, factors causing wear, mechanical influence, demonstrates decent resistance to impact loads, scratches, ultraviolet rays. According to statistics, every second owner of his living area gives preference to ceramic tiles when decorating certain rooms. In practice, it has been proven that even a person without experience can cope with laying tiles, provided that he follows all the instructions and rules of the accepted methodology.

It is impossible to understand how to lay tiles without using special tools and devices. Their list is as follows:

• tile cutter (a tool for cutting tiles);
• glue ( special composition for planting tiles);
• grout (composition for improving the aesthetics of tile joints);
• bubble level;
• gloves;
• pencil, tape measure, cord, corner (for marking);
• spatula (toothed profile);
• rubber straight spatula (for working with grout);
• rag, sponge (for cleaning);
• plastic container;
• deep penetrating primer.

When purchasing tiles, always be sure to take into account the so-called compensation number. This figure is added to total area cladding in order to cover the cost of cutting tiles. For traditional laying it is 10%, and for diagonal laying 15%. As for the tile itself, there are basic rules for its selection. The quality of the material can be indicated by its uniformity, with minimal or no pores on the back side. When joining two tiles, there should be no gaps or gaps. Just take a few tiles and try to fit them on all sides, including the front edge. A thorough inspection will help you choose suitable option. Make sure that the tiles have the correct geometric shape, and also that they belong to the same batch. The fact is that material from different batches may differ in shade, which will certainly affect the external perception of the work.

Secrets of choosing ceramic tiles

Before installing tiles on adhesive, it is necessary to properly prepare the base. Laying should only be done on a leveled, smooth and dry base. In the case of a wooden house, in which, most likely, the floor is made of boards, leveling is carried out by stuffing a plywood layer with a thickness of at least 12 mm. If the house has a concrete foundation under the old covering, the solution to the leveling issue is more traditional. The contractor can pour the cement-sand screed along the exposed beacons, or use self-leveling mixtures as an alternative.

The latter option will not be able to cope with the elimination of large irregularities, unlike a screed. In order for the solution to gain full strength, it must be kept for 3-4 weeks, although after just a few days it will be possible to walk on it. You can spend your waiting time usefully and proceed to the next steps. For example, plan the location of the future tile covering. If you do this in advance, the actual installation process will become much easier.

Markings are applied to the prepared base. Using marking tools, mark the middles of opposite walls and connect the points with a line or a stretched cord. A similar operation is carried out with the second pair of walls. The point formed as a result of the intersection of these lines will be the center of the floor. Perform preliminary layout. The first tile finds a place in any quarter of the base; at one corner it should touch the center of the room. Next in order along the row and the beginning of the next one. It is possible that the center of the room will have to be shifted if the expected symmetry of the tiles is not observed. This often happens when the geometric shapes of the room are irregular. It is advisable to surround various large structures such as a fireplace with a symmetrical gap.

Pour the dry solution into the prepared container with water and mix thoroughly automatic device. This could be a drill with an attachment and the ability to work at low speeds or a construction mixer. Following the instructions for preparing glue on the packaging is the main requirement. The fact is that the products different manufacturers varies, and there is still no universal recipe, so paying attention to the recommendations is very important. After mixing, the homogeneous composition is left for 10-15 minutes so that the polymer components can complete all the chemical reactions assigned to them.

After this, you can begin to apply glue to the prepared surface. It is recommended to apply the adhesive to an area comparable to one square meter in the shape of a square. It is believed that, in this way, installation will go quickly and without hesitation. True, one should also take into account the preparation of the performer; for a beginner, an application area that would be enough for 4-5 tiles will be enough. After about 15 minutes, the glue begins to harden and becomes unusable. If you don’t have time to lay the tiles on it, you will have to peel off the glue from the base and apply a fresh batch. If after this time it turns out that a certain tile is lying incorrectly, it will be too late to correct it; you will also have to tear everything off, now from the tile and the base, and reapply the glue. Such errors will lead to loss of time and additional expenses material. An even layer of glue can be applied with a special notched spatula.

Preparing tile adhesive

Then they place the tile on the glue and press it to the floor with slight circular movements. If patterned tiles are used, installation is carried out according to a previously accepted sketch. Each laid element is carefully checked with a level to ensure its location is correct. When laying the next tile, you need to take into account how the previous element lies. Most types of tiles are installed with gaps. This fact has not only an aesthetic, but also a functional component. The distance between the tiles is the so-called temperature gap in case of expansion of the material structure under the influence of various factors. Seam uniformity is ensured by simple plastic fixtures in the form of crosses. Their thickness for different conditions are selected individually. It takes about 30-60 crosses to lay a square meter of tiles, depending on the tile format. Two spacers are sufficient for one side of the tile.

Using similar actions, the entire floor is filled with tiles. When laying, you must not forget about orientation to the marking lines and to the outer line of the previous row. At the same time, they move in the direction from the center to the wall. After tiling the floor, the room is left for a day to allow the tiles to adhere to the coating and the glue to gain full strength. Next, the joining seams are cleaned of glue residues and the jointing process is carried out. It consists of filling the seams with a special grouting compound on a cement base. A rubber spatula is used as a tool. After three hours, remove excess grout with a damp cloth or sponge and proceed to general cleaning. That's all, the tiling of the floor is finished. Along the edges of the rows, the tiles will most likely have to be cut. Cutting is carried out special tool called a tile cutter. There is nothing complicated in the cutting process; a cutting line is marked on the tile, inserted into the tool and drawn with a lever 1-2 times. Then they lightly press it on both sides of the cutting line, and it strictly breaks off along the intended mark.

DIY tile laying instructions

Today, tiles can be seen in any home, if not in the full cladding of certain rooms, then in partial tiling for sure. Designers have long used a simple technique that involves tiling specific areas in a room with mosaic tiles. Typically, such tiles are used to decorate the living room area, where it is customary to organize gatherings with a group of close friends and relatives. Undoubtedly, such a decoration element as mosaic is the highlight of any interior. This is largely due to the stable trend of increasing popularity of such material.

Mostly, for interior decoration they come to use exactly ceramic mosaic. Much less often they prefer wood, glass, porcelain, clay, and metal. By the way, despite the choice, any material in the form of a mosaic can create a unique impression on the viewer.
The determining factor when choosing a mosaic material is the type of room that you plan to decorate. For example, for a bathroom the most appropriate option in terms of reliability and performance characteristics will become smalt. This material is a type of moisture-resistant glass.

The more complex the pattern or ornament used in the mosaic, the more interesting it looks. The nature of handling it is distinguished by the particular “pettiness” of the work. The contractor must have certain knowledge, dexterity and be especially careful during installation. The process itself is very exciting and will probably bring pleasure to the installer.

The entire process of laying mosaics is based on the following nuances. As with everyone facing works, first you need to prepare the base. If, for example, there are significant unevenness on the floor, leveling is carried out by pouring a cement-sand screed or self-leveling floor. If they are not there, you need to remove dents, cracks, deep scratches and even debris. Only after this is it allowed to lay the mosaic.

The principles of laying mosaics are reminiscent of the features of handling tiles or ceramic tiles. The base can be either plywood or a concrete surface.
Before laying on concrete, the base must be treated with a primer in order to increase adhesion. If the composition is quickly absorbed, priming is carried out in two or even three layers. Mosaics can be attached to plywood using dowels and self-tapping screws at intervals of 25-30 cm. If this method of fastening is preferred, the contractor must exercise extreme caution so as not to damage the material when drilling and tamping. The thickness of plywood for such purposes is at least 9 mm.

​

How to lay a perfect mosaic

There are two main methods of laying mosaics: straight and diagonal. You need to immediately prepare yourself psychologically for a long process. Experts have found that at the most better conditions, in a day it will be possible to tax only square meter surfaces. The pieces themselves can be laid according to the method brickwork, or seam to seam. At the end of the work, the tile joints are grouted with a special epoxy compound and concluded with general cleaning. And finally, if you plan to cover not only the floor, but also the walls, then it is better to start with the last planes.

Laying tiles on the floor is an excellent solution when arranging flooring in rooms exposed to increased external influences. In kitchens, bathrooms, toilets and corridors, tiled flooring has no equal in practicality, strength, wear resistance and durability.

When carrying out almost any renovation in an apartment, the question arises of purchasing finishing materials. Available at construction markets and stores large number goods, including various floor tiles. When choosing tiles, you need to consider a number of recommendations:

1. The ceramic coating on the floor must be hard and durable. Floor coverings are not allowed wall tiles, because she does not have the necessary characteristics.
2. Increased demands are placed on the chemical resistance of tiles aggressive environments(alkalis, salts, acids, etc.). You need to purchase coatings belonging to classes A and AA.
3. Abrasion resistance is an important selection criterion that directly affects the service life of the material. IN kitchen areas Floor tiles with wear resistance class 3 are laid. For corridors, class 4 is more suitable; for bathrooms, class 2 is sufficient.
4. Floors should be covered with non-slip tiles that have a rough or textured surface with a friction coefficient of 0.75 or more.
5. The tile should harmonize well with common interior rooms both in color and texture.

When purchasing, you need to take into account not only the beautiful appearance of the tile covering, but also a number of performance characteristics.

Required quantity calculator

Required tools and materials

You can lay the tiles on the floor correctly and carefully with your own hands, then you won’t have to resort to the help of master tilers and you’ll be able to save money. First of all, you need to prepare necessary tools and calculate the amount of materials.

For tiling work you will need:

• rubber spatula for grouting tile joints;
• trowel (trowel);
• notched spatula 16-20 cm wide;
• tile cutter (grinder, nippers);
• pliers, sandpaper, needle file;
• rubber hammer(mall);
• 2 building levels: 30-40 and 60-80 cm;
• plastic bath for mixing mixtures;
• plastic crosses or wedges for fixing gaps between tiles;
• marker, pencil, tape measure, gloves, clean rags.

Laying ceramic tiles on the floor yourself is not that difficult, you just need to follow the appropriate instructions and recommendations.

Adhesive mixtures

Available for sale large selection glue mixtures. They are available in the form of ready-made glue, packaged in large plastic buckets, as well as in the form of dry mixtures in bags or bags. Dry compounds need to be diluted with water; they can be made before installation. When preparing them, be sure to follow the attached instructions and maintain the required proportions. The advantage is the ability to dilute and turn into glue the amount of material required for installing tiles; besides, the powders are cheaper.

Flow calculator

You can lay tiles on the floor using instead ready-made mixtures simple cement-sand mortar. The use of such a composition allows you to eliminate minor floor defects (unevenness, bumps, depressions, etc.) during the installation process. Working with a cement composition is more difficult, but with some skill the quality of the masonry will be no worse, and the cost will be significantly lower. The best option A combination of sand, adhesive powder and high-quality cement is considered. This composition is economical, reliable and easy to use.

Grout

Grout for joints between tiles (fugue) is a special composition that fills the remaining voids between laid tiles. She can be the most different colors. Tiled floors with contrasting grout look bright and unusual. The grout composition, similar in tone to the tile, creates the effect of monolithicity of the entire coating. The seam width varies from 2 to 20 mm.

Flow calculator

Solutions density coefficients:
The data in the list is approximate, so please check these coefficients with the manufacturers. The average indicator is automatically indicated in our calculator.
Kerakoll Fugalite Eco - 1.55
Kesto Kiilto - 1.6
Litokol Litochrom - 1.9
Litokol Litochrom Luxury - 1.9
Litokol Starlike - 1.55
Mapei Ultracolor Plus - 1.6
Mapei Kerapoxy Design - 1.6

Cement and epoxy grouts are used in residential premises. For industrial facilities A special grout based on furan resins is used.

How to lay floor tiles?

It is possible to lay tiles in a high-quality manner only if all stages of the existing proven technology are strictly complied with. If you follow the step-by-step instructions, the laying process will be quick and easy. Before starting work, preparatory measures need to be carried out.

The tile fits well on different substrates: on wooden and self-leveling floors, on concrete, as well as on a substrate made of OSB or plywood. But they all require some preparation before facing.

Preparatory work before cladding

Laying floor tiles with your own hands should only be done after preparatory work. Furniture, plumbing fixtures, baseboards and all things are removed from the premises. The room should be empty. If necessary, the old covering (tiles, boards, linoleum, laminate, etc.) is dismantled. Before laying a tiled floor, you need to remove debris, dirt and dust.

Preparing the base for finishing

Floor tiles should be glued onto a well-prepared surface, since the final quality of the work and the appearance of the laid coating directly depend on this. The surface of the base must be perfectly flat. Deviations from the horizontal cannot exceed 3 mm per 1 m, otherwise a leveling screed will have to be performed.

The concrete floor is carefully inspected for defects (sagging, bumps, cracks, chips, etc.). The protruding parts are cut off with a grinder or knocked down with a chisel, and all cavities and cracks are filled cement mortar.

In rooms with high humidity levels (bathrooms), it is necessary to apply coating waterproofing before installation. bitumen mastic. Then it executes concrete screed. It is done along the beacons with building cement mortar or using a self-leveling mixture (self-leveling floor). The dried screed is primed to improve the adhesion of the tile adhesive to the subfloor.

Wooden floor It's prepared a little differently. First, the boards are thickly coated with oil paint, then a layer of waterproofing is laid. The final stage of preparation will be pouring cement screed, which is performed after installing the reinforcing mesh. The base for the tiles can be made of moisture-resistant plywood with a thickness of 12 mm. Sheets of plywood are attached to the floor joists with screws or nails. In this case, the organization of a leveling concrete layer will not be necessary.

After preparing the surface, it is recommended to pre-lay out the floor. To do this, tiles are laid without using mortar. This procedure allows you to detect possible flaws in time (discrepancy in the pattern, lack of tiles, etc.).

Making the markings

It is extremely important to correctly mark the surface so that the coating lies evenly and neatly over the entire area.

The most commonly used methods for laying floor tiles are:

1. Installation ceramic cladding starts from the farthest corner. In this case, you need to gradually move towards the doorway. This option is considered the simplest and fastest, so it is often used by amateurs or beginner, inexperienced tilers. The masonry technique is suitable for rooms with small area or with complex geometric shape(presence of bevels, protrusions, niches, etc.).
2. A more complex option is to lay it from the center of the room to the walls. Most often used for covering surfaces in large spaces. Laying rectangular tiles begins from the central point determined when marking the floor. Draw 2 lines coming from the middles of the opposite walls; they divide the area into 4 rectangles. Any of the central angles is taken as the starting point. The tile material laid using this method will have to be trimmed along the entire perimeter. This work carried out with some experience.

There are the following tile laying schemes:

• Seam to seam. The easiest, simplest and most understandable method. The tiles are laid sequentially in straight rows one after another. The rows run parallel to the walls of the room. There are identical seams between them. Most often used for large-sized ceramics.
• Diagonally. Rows facing covering laid out at an angle of 45° to the walls, and not parallel. This more complex scheme allows you to visually mask the unevenness of the base. The consumption of tiles is higher because you have to cut them diagonally a lot. But the room looks more spacious and attractive.
• Take a running start. The coating laid out according to this scheme has the appearance of brickwork when the seam lines at the joints do not coincide. Each subsequent row is shifted by half a fragment.

There are more complicated types of tile laying:

1. herringbone;
2. network;
3. loft;
4. labyrinth;
5. carpet;
6. parquet.

With any type of installation, the coating must look aesthetically pleasing, so it is important to place the tile material so that the tiles are solid in the most visible places. All cut pieces should be hidden in less visible areas of the room or under furniture and plumbing fixtures.

Laying it down

Experienced tilers recommend following the rule: lay the tiles on the floor when the room temperature is about +20°C and the humidity level is not lower than 60%. Otherwise, the drying process may take a long time. First you need to prepare the adhesive composition. The dry mixture is diluted with water in the proportions indicated on the package. You can use ready-made glue. You need to decide in advance where to start laying the floor.

All options for laying floor tiles imply the following work technology:

• Glue is applied to the selected location. There is no need to cover too large an area, about 1 m² is enough. It is necessary to ensure that there are no voids left that are not covered with a layer of glue.
• The mixture is applied to the back of the tile with a trowel and evenly distributed over it with a notched trowel.
• Ceramic product turn over and carefully press to the floor in the right place. Use a level to check that the laying is horizontal; if necessary, the corners of the tiles are lightly tapped with a rubber hammer. Excess glue is immediately removed.
• According to the figure, the following elements are laid out. All tiles should be located on the same level, without height differences. This is controlled by a rule, ruler or building level. Sometimes it is advised to use a nylon thread stretched strictly horizontally.

1. The protruding parts are carefully pressed down with a mallet. If the corner has dropped below the general level, then the tile is removed and glue is added under it in the right place.
2. Plastic stops are immediately inserted between adjacent products so that the seams are the same. After 24 hours, the crosses must be removed.

We rub the seams

After complete polymerization and drying adhesive composition The joints are grouted at the joints of the tiles. The mixture is pressed into the space between the tile elements using a rubber spatula, which does not leave scratches. Excess fugue is immediately removed. The gaps near the walls are not filled with grout. After about half an hour, when the grout has dried a little, wipe the tiles with a wet sponge to remove small residues.

When laying tiles on the floor with your own hands, you need to pay attention to the center lines of the window in the room, because sun rays The discrepancy between the tile seams is clearly visible. It looks unaesthetic and is very noticeable. If after placing the last tile in the row there remains a gap of 1-2 cm, then it is better to trim the first and last product, and move the entire row a little. This eliminates the need to cut too narrow strips.

If the quality of the masonry work is not too high, then it is preferable to grout the seams with grout to match the tile covering, since dark stripes will only highlight the imperfections. Epoxy compounds are not recommended for inexperienced tilers, because such grouts require extremely careful and gentle application. It is then quite difficult to remove excess composition from the surface of the tile.

Reading time ≈ 5 minutes

Tile floors are not only beautiful, but also durable, easy to clean and maintain. To lay ceramic tiles on the floor, the contractor only needs to have a small amount of perseverance, accuracy, artistic taste, as well as the ability to do something independently without the involvement of specialized specialists.

Before laying tiles on the floor with your own hands, you need to acquire necessary set materials and tools, without which this process will be difficult or even impossible.

Materials

• First of all, you will need to choose the floor tiles themselves, guided by the overall design of the room. Depending on the room in which the floor area for laying tiles is located, the material is selected with a glossy or matte surface. For safety, you should take tiles with a non-slip surface.
• When buying tiles for laying on the floor, you need to take into account that its actual consumption will exceed the area of ​​the room by 5-10%, since part of the material will be spent on cutting and breaking. You should carefully review all packages, sorting possible deviations by size and shade.
• You will need to purchase tile adhesive based on the consumption indicated on its packaging. The contractor must be prepared for the fact that the actual glue consumption, depending on the surface of the subfloor, may differ significantly from the declared one.
• To prepare the surface for laying tiles on the floor, according to technology, you need to purchase a deep penetration primer.
• To grout the joints you will need a special mixture. You can choose it in a variety of colors, focusing on your vision. general design floor.
• All building mixtures It is advisable to buy from the same manufacturer - this will ensure their correct interaction with each other.

Tools

To lay tiles on the floor you need a minimum set of tools and devices to ensure successful work.

• It is advisable to purchase a set of plastic crosses of the required size, a small trowel, plastic dishes for preparing the adhesive solution, a metal spatula with teeth.
• To prepare the adhesive solution, you will need a powerful drill with a mixer.
• In addition, you need: a rubber spatula, a rubber hammer, pliers (depending on the area of ​​laying the tile covering, it can be of the simplest design or in the form of a full-fledged machine with an electric drive for cutting tiles).
• To measure and mark the tiles, you will need: a tape measure, building level, pencil, square.
• To protect the performer’s legs and arms, it is advisable to purchase knee pads and gloves.
• To thoroughly clean the floor, you should stock up on a sponge and a rag.

Step-by-step instructions for laying tiles

1. When starting the process of laying floor tiles, you must first prepare work surface. To do this, you need to check the horizontal position with a level. rough coating floor, if necessary, clean it from roughness, vacuum it, removing dust and debris from the surface. The floor needs to be rinsed thoroughly to remove any possible grease stains. In order to ensure reliable adhesion of the tiles, the surface must be treated with a deep penetration primer.

2. Before laying tiles on the floor, it is necessary to mark the surface in such a way that a minimum of undercuts are visible and the new covering lies symmetrically to the room. To do this, it is advisable to look at photos and videos on the website demonstrating the nuances of the process. Experts recommend starting marking from the entrance to the room. Initially, the first row is laid dry to determine the correct layout.

3. Mixing the adhesive solution (using a mixer or manually) requires strict adherence to the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the amount of water added and the preparation technology indicated on the packaging. Experienced experts advise preparing a small amount of mortar at a time, focusing on the speed of laying the tiles.

4. Having prepared the adhesive solution, you can begin laying the adhesive on the floor surface using a trowel. Next, the glue is evenly distributed thanks to the use of a notched spatula-comb. If the tile large size(sides larger than 30 cm), glue should be applied to the tile itself.

5. The first tile must be laid, strictly focusing on the marking lines applied to the floor, after which it will need to be leveled horizontally using a rubber hammer and a level. Laying down next tiles in a row, it is advisable to use crosses to maintain the width of the seams between them.