Tile Installation
The most popular tile is the ceramic tile which offers a very attractive look and durability to floor finishes. These can be found in many different sizes and colors to match the decor of any room and are easy to install on floors as well as on walls. These tiles have one major prerequisite: you must have a smooth and rigid floor to support the installation. Ceramic tiles are not flexible, so they can crack if installed over a rough surface or thin floor. Therefore it is important to make the floor smooth and plain before installing the tiles.
For installation of the tiles, a layout must be prepared beforehand. The pattern should be a square pattern. There are different methods of tile layout like the Quarter Method, Diagonal Method and the Complex Method. The Quarter Method is the standard procedure where squares are drawn and tiles are placed. The room is actually divided into four quarters to make the layout. The first step is to measure and mark the midpoint of the floors and walls. Before you start you should always remember to make sure the area is free of dirt and dust. Tiles can be also laid diagonally across the room. Two diagonal lines can be drawn to make an “X”. You may also chose a mixed design to obtain an artistic look, but this is usually more challenging and needs expertise. It may be more complex. These designs will need different shapes and sizes of tiles. Therefore very careful measurement and cutting is important. You must always start from the center of the room to have a symmetrical tile pattern.
It is easy to install the larger tiles in flat areas; larger tiles of about 12-16 inches result in a nice, orderly appearance and are available in a wide range of materials. They can be cut to various sizes and shapes. Is it easier to install larger tile pieces than installing smaller tiles. It takes comparatively less time than installing the small tiles. Sometimes small tiles are also useful in small or curved areas like mosaic tiles as they are no larger than 1- to 2-inch squares. Mosaic tiles are available with or without a moisture-resistant glaze.