DIY Tile: Things We’ve Learned and Products We Love
This is for all of you DIY badass humans out there looking to do your own tile job. (They’re also helpful tips to know even if you’re hiring someone to do your tile for you.) By no means is this everything you need to know about tiling, but hopefully it gives you a little insight before you dive in.
The biggest thing to prep first is… your mindset. You’re going to mess up. It’s going to take longer than you plan. And it’s not going to be perfect. But, you’ll have done it yourself and there’s a lot of pride in that. So if you can be okay with the bumps in the process, then it’s time to do some tiling.
“I was VERY intimidated my first time laying tile. I had my dad to lean on and learn from, but watching and doing are two totally different things in the world of construction, let me tell you. These tips reflect all the trial and error I’ve already gone through, so you can take my learnings and run with them!” - Ashley
TIP ONE: Do your homework
This is where you study up on all things tile to make sure you’re selecting the right product. Things to think about: Are you doing walls, shower floor, bathroom walls, mudroom, all of the above? This is important because there are certain types of tile that can be used for backsplash, but NOT the floor. Make sure you’ve read the SPECIFICATIONS sheet thoroughly before you select and install your tile. (This info is typically found online on the product’s landing page.)
Next, you’ll want to order a few samples of each tile. Do not order just one sample and here’s why: A lot of tile has color variations that cannot be seen in only a single piece. By ordering a few samples, you get a better idea of what those variations are going to be. As for shape, if this is your first time tiling, we recommend going with a square or rectangle. Anything hex, star or otherwise, complicates things SIGNIFICANTLY.
TIP TWO: Choosing and ordering your tile
Consider the size of the room you’re tiling. Large-format tiles tend to make a space feel bigger because there are fewer lines to break up the surface visually. Using smaller tiles will give you lots of grout lines, which can give the bathroom an appearance that can promote the feeling of being boxed in making your bathroom feel smaller.
If you’re tiling multiple areas in one room (i.e. bathroom floor + shower walls + shower pan), aim for two or three tile colors, but no more than four. Too many colors will start to feel too busy. Stick with a classic palette of complementing colors. Have a little fun varying the tile scale and pattern. Think large and small. Busy and subtle. This will create interest in the space.
Tile with more of a polished finish will be much easier to clean, but can stain. So it’s better in less trafficked areas, like in a powder room, on fireplace and on walls. Honed tile holds up to scratches and is less slippery when wet, so it’s better for high-traffic areas, like floors for the bathroom, living room and entryway.
Definitely read through the tile specifications before you order. Certain types of tile require a very specific application, grout type and sealers. Some tiles also do better in wet environments, so you want to make sure you select a tile that will work in your specific space.
As a rule of thumb always order 10-15% more tile, this will cover you if installation issues come up, such as finding out that you have damaged tile in the box, mis-cuts or other types of loss. Here’s a Tile Calculator to help you out.
TIP THREE: Choosing grout and grout color
We only use one brand of grout: Mapei. We use Mapei CQ mainly, but have used Mapei FA for Cle tile and marble shower pans. Both are good! Just depends on the look you want. Want to shop around for more recs? Ask your tile vendor what type of grout they recommend for that style of tile.
Choosing a grout color is as important as choosing the tile because they visually work together. Plus, different colors of grout can completely change the look of a space. There are a few ways to go here:
Match the grout color to the tile, so it completely blends in. This creates a seamless look that does not distract your eye away from the tile itself.
Think monochromatic. Find a grout that is one to two shades lighter or darker than your tile. This will subtly accentuate the shape of the tile and not draw too much attention to the grout.
If you’re looking for something bolder, go with a contrasting color that can really frame your tiles. This is a fun way to draw attention to unique features of the design.
TIP FOUR: Layout is EVERYTHING
Before you cut or install anything, you want to map out the layout and cuts. We’ll be honest: This is the hardest part of the process because it really determines the outcome. One of the first questions to ask is: Do you want the orientation of the tile to be horizontal or vertical?
Let’s imagine you’re doing a mudroom wall behind your washer and dryer and up to the bottom of your cabinets. First, find the center of the wall. This is where you’ll start tiling. Why? Because if you start laying tile from the right or left, then you’ll end up with uneven cuts on one side of your wall. If you do have cuts at the ends, which you WILL, you want to ensure all of your cuts are equally balanced on both sides. Same goes for the bottom and top of the wall.
When it comes to flooring, the layout works a little differently, depending on the shape of the room and which direction you’re setting the tile. This video has more on flooring.
TIP FIVE: Using a tile saw
This is the most intimidating part, but fear not! It’s actually not that hard. For someone who is tiling casually or doing a one-off project, we recommend renting a tile saw from The Home Depot. It’s not worth investing in if this DIY thing is a one-time gig. If you’re doing a lot of tile or have a full house project ahead of you, then this Ryobi Saw is worth the investment.
TIP SIX: Installing tile
For backsplash areas that aren’t around water, we recommend Mussel bound adhesive. It’s so much easier to use. Make sure to read the instructions for the best way to install. For water areas (like bathroom floors and walls), you’ll want to use Thinset mortar and not sticky-back Mussel bound. You can either get premixed Thinset, or you can do the powder and mix it yourself. This is the cheaper option, but easier to screw up.
For all you first timers, this is a great how-to video. We recommend watching the whole thing.
TIP SEVEN: Grout line options
This is another one of those small details that makes a big difference. First thing to ask yourself: Do you want large dramatic grout lines that pop or do you want the grout to blend in so the tile speaks for itself? We love using a 1/16th grout line because it’s big enough that the tile is sealed from water, but a little more on the incognito side. We’ve done the 1/8th size as well, but definitely prefer the 1/16th.
TIP EIGHT: Ready, set, grout
Here’s the truth: grouting is tedious and messy. But, if you’re at the grouting stage then you’re also nearing the end of your project. Congrats! Before you start, make sure you mask off any surrounding walls and cover the floor as needed while you work. It’s going to take some practice to get the grout ratio just right, so we recommend working in very small sections until you get the hang of it. If you’re a visual person and need a video, this one for Mapei FA grout is awesome.
Make sure to buy a good rubber grout float. If you don’t know what this is, it’s used to push grout into the tile gaps to seal it from water.
Wipe and clean your tile with a tile sponge first and then work small sections at a time.
Keep in mind that overwiping creates divots and grooves in your grout lines. And you don’t want that!
Move your sponge in a circular motion versus vertical or horizontal. It distributes the grout better.
You will want two buckets of water for your grout sponge. One bucket with clean water and one to rinse off your grout sponge after each wipe session.
When it comes to tile edging, there are many product options, including bullnose, Schluter, mitered and pencil. Schluter is the easiest to use on a DIY project. It can be used on almost any tile and there are a ton of options, from material to color to shape. Bullnose tile trim is another great option. If you plan to miter, honestly, use an expert. It’s SO MUCH HARDER than it looks. You can also ask your tile vendor about what edge pieces work best with the tile you’re considering.
We could write an entire blog post on edging, but for now, this article should help.
TIP NINE: The clean-up
It’s completely normal to have grouting residue. It almost looks like a haze left on the tile. Having your two buckets of water will help prevent the haze as much as possible. To remove it, use a microfiber towel and Windex. That’s what our tile guy recommends and it works REALLY well. Just don’t do this step until your tile dries. Your grout packaging should give you all the info how long that will take.
TIP TEN: Sealing the tile
This is a step that we recommend for some, but not all tile types. Make sure to check your specification sheet to determine if you need to seal your tile. If you do, we like to use this one from Miracle Sealants. If you are tiling in a shower you will also want to caulk the ceiling, window casings and corners. This video is a great resource.