How to Lay Tile

Tile must appear square and level to look its best, but this isn't always the easiest of tasks, especially because floors and walls are not as square and level as you may hope. Successfully laying out tile has more to do with adapting to your home's unique circumstances and making everything appear right visually, than with actually achieving perfection.

Laying Tile Step-by-Step

Inspect the tiling surface for square, level, and plumb - for the most part you can expect some inconsistencies, although if the surface is out of alignment by more than a certain amount, you may have to adjust the surface by adding furring strips to a wall or shim up a subfloor. If you can't do this, simply avoid using narrow tile pieces in corners to make the unevenness less noticeable.
To check for squareness in a small room, set a frame square at inside and outside corners. In large rooms you will have to use the 2-4-5 method. This entails measuring along one wall 3 feet from the corner, then along the other wall 4 feet. If you can measure a distance of 5 feet between the two spots the floor is square.

To find out if the floor is level, use a 2- or 4-foot level along each wall. Put the level on the edge of a straight 6-8 foot board to check levelness over a larger area. Floors that are only out of level a little bit shouldn't be a problem, especially if you won't be placing the tile up the wall.

Use a plumb bob or position a level vertically on the wall at several different spots to check walls for plumb. To find out how flat the wall is, set the level horizontally on the wall. Wavy walls have to be repaired before installing tile even if it is plumb.

Reference lines are key if you want a tile installation to run smoothly and have a successful outcome - and they must be precise. First, trace around a piece of plywood with 2 factory edges or chalk 2 lines that are perpendicular. Put the first tile at the intersection to set up the alignment and position of the other tiles.

Before laying down the tiles for real, a dry run is critical. When you have the reference lines drawn, you can measure from the lines to the walls and make calculations that will help you determine how the tiles will be laid. The best way to plan ahead, however, is to place the tiles along the reference lines without using any adhesive. At this point in time you have the freedom to rearrange tiles if need be and find the perfect layout for the room.

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