Glue the tile on the wall: the subtleties of the process

In order to create a high-quality coating on the walls of a bathroom or kitchen, which has a long service life, you need to know how to glue the tiles on the walls, observing all existing rules and strictly following the requirements of the process.

The main distinguishing features of such a finishing material as tiles are resistance to various kinds of negative influences, ease of care and durability. It is these qualities that become decisive when choosing a material for decoration, but it is equally important that you can do all the upcoming work yourself.

Training

Before starting work, you need to carefully prepare the surface on which the installation will be carried out. Having made your choice between ceramic and tile, you need to calculate the required amount of material. To do this, it is not enough to know the area of the surface to be treated, it is important to take into account the need for small inserts or trimmings, which means that after determining the required number of tiles, an additional number of products are added, conditionally increasing the installed surface area by 1 sq.m.

When choosing a tile, you should pay attention to certain qualities and characteristics of the material, the nuances in working with it. Tile and ceramic tiles have differences associated with the manufacturing process. As a result of special processing, the tile is characterized by higher strength.

Its main difference from ceramic products is that after firing in the oven, the tiles are coated with a special glaze, which ensures its impeccable appearance, resistance to damage, temperature extremes and the humidity level in the room.

Before sticking the tiles, you need to make sure that the base is absolutely even and dry.

The old coating is removed from the wall, exposing the plaster. If you have to deal with a structure painted with oil paint, then it is either completely removed or multiple frequent and deep cuts are made, striving to ensure a high level of quality of adhesion of the plaster and adhesive composition to the base. How to lay tiles on a painted wall - read on our website.

The second stage - puttying, carried out using gypsum-based compounds. The drying time, after which you can continue to work, is indicated in the instructions for each composition.
Preparation of components. Before gluing ceramic tiles to the wall, it is necessary to make the so-called dry layout. This will help to accurately determine the number and size of parts requiring trimming.
Adhesive preparation. After adding water to the dry mixture, it is thoroughly mixed to a homogeneous consistency with a drill with a special nozzle and given for 10-15 minutes. will insist.

While tiled glue is infused, you can prepare the entire tool, which will be required in the process of laying tiles.

If leveling the surface is a big difficulty, then learn how to lay the tiles on an uneven wall.

Layout Features

Thinking about how to properly tile, it is worth paying attention to various options for the layout of individual elements on the wall surface. To create a decorative coating, several methods are used:

All of these options are acceptable for gluing elements with smooth edges, which are most often used during finishing work. From which method it will be decided to stick the tiles on the wall, it depends on what point the layout begins. Before gluing tiles on the diagonal, you need to mark the middle of the wall, finding the intersection point of the diagonals.

Tile trim last

Knowing the parameters of the tile and the length of the diagonal, they calculate the number of elements that can be glued as a whole. Having determined the number of whole tiles, calculate the number and size of scoring.

With this installation, you will need certain skills in cutting products from tiles or ceramics. All clippings are done by a grinder, having previously noted the diagonal or oblique cut.

You can use a tile cutter only if it is a model on which an angled cut is provided.

If it is decided to stick the parts like a brickwork (unstuck), then, having specified the number of cut parts and their parameters, clippings are prepared in advance using a tile cutter.

Gluing the seam tile into the seam is much easier. Glue all the whole components that cover almost the entire surface of the wall, and lastly, you can attach trimmers.

On flat walls, all the cut parts with this layout have the same dimensions, so it’s enough to determine the parameters of one and cut the required number of elements from the resulting sample.

You can create a beautiful surface when solid parts are used. All clippings are placed in places that do not attract the attention of others. It can be corners or a frame of a doorway.

Performance of work

Having decided how to glue the ceramic tiles, after performing a dry layout and determining the number of cut parts using the level, they “beat off” the horizon and apply an adhesive composition along this line. The process of tiling the walls from the floor and the far corner begins.

Having prepared the tile glue, it is distributed with the help of a comb spatula over the surface of the wall. This should be a strip no more than 2 tiles high. Otherwise, the glue will dry before the decorative elements are laid. See how to properly lay the tiles on the wall in this video:

Plastic crosses will help maintain the same distance between the tiles

Stick the first tile in the corner without leaving an indent. Having tapped it with a rubber hammer, you need to remove excess glue from the side surface and immediately lay the second part. The glued tile will be securely fixed. To maintain the same distance between the parts and the constant width of the seam between the tiles, plastic crosses are laid.

Ceramic cladding does not have significant differences. It is only necessary to choose the right glue to ensure a secure fit. Features and purpose of each composition are indicated on the package.

The final stage is grouting. For this purpose, do not use tile glue. You need to purchase one of the grout mixtures, which are in a wide assortment presented on the modern construction market.

Features and Benefits

Tile is a common and popular finishing material, as it has excellent characteristics.

First of all, you should pay attention to the rigidity and reliability of this wall and floor covering. High-quality tiles will serve for many years, without causing any trouble to the homeowners. As a rule, it is not so easy to damage this material, which once again confirms the durability and wear resistance of tiled products.

Modern tiles do not require complicated maintenance. This is one of the good reasons why many consumers choose it. If contaminants or dust appear on the surface of this material, then it will not be difficult to get rid of them. It will be enough to wipe the desired place with a damp cloth and a cleaning agent.

Tile is a non-capricious finishing material, as it easily withstands temperature extremes and increased dampness in the room. Thanks to these characteristics, such coatings can be safely installed in bathrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, pools and even baths. The increased humidity of these areas will not affect the tile in any way.

Of course, a lot depends on how the tile was laid out on the basis of the walls. If all stages of the work were carried out correctly, then the material will last a long time and will not cause problems. But if you neglected some stages of tile laying or used low-quality materials, then the finish may not last so long.

Due to improper installation, such a coating can move away from the walls and even fall off.

It should be noted the beautiful appearance of modern tiled materials. They are produced not only in plain colors, but also with imitation of other attractive coatings. For example, it can be a tile repeating the pattern of a tree. Also in stores often there are spectacular coverings with drawings, patterns and beautiful prints. They are often used in the decoration of bedrooms and living rooms. Such original design solutions are often used by experienced designers. So, with the help of a suitable tile, you can form an accent wall that will emphasize one or another style of the interior.

Laying tiles on the wall can be done on their own, without resorting to specialists. You can save money and gain experience in finishing work. However, in order for the tile coating to hold firmly on the floors, it is necessary to follow simple instructions and use the appropriate materials. Let's talk about this in more detail.

Types of Tiles

There are several types of tiles that can be used to decorate walls in a room. Each of them has its own characteristics, pluses and minuses.

Tiled

Tile is one of the most common types of tile materials. As a rule, it has a glazed surface. Today, tiles are available in a wide range. Each owner will be able to find for himself an option of a suitable color.

As for the positive aspects of this finishing material, then they can be safely attributed high wear resistance and durability. Tiles are often used not only for wall decoration, but also for floor decoration, as it easily withstands heavy loads.

The advantages of tile are:

fear of dampness and moisture, so it can be safely laid in rooms such as a bathroom, toilet or kitchen,
resistance to aggressive chemicals
tile does not suffer from temperature changes,
does not lose the brightness of colors and positive properties under the influence of aggressive sunlight.

Most consumers note that high-quality tile for many years retains its original appearance. It does not fade and does not become dull.

Serious disadvantages of this finishing material is not observed, but it is worth paying attention to its coldness. As a rule, in rooms where such decoration is present, it is always cool.

Ceramic

Ceramic tiles are made from clay, quartz sand and special components that are necessary to sufficiently reduce the temperature value of sintering. Also in such tile coatings, special additives are often found that make their structure more durable and durable.

Pottery happens:

Glazed options are single or double firing.

Brick

In the design of walls and facades of buildings it is permissible to use special clinker tiles. This is a tile material made of ceramics, which is subjected to single firing during the production process. Such coatings contain special clay with the addition of coloring agents and fluxes. In order for the material to take the required shape, a common method of pressing or extrusion is used.

This tile is fired in a special tunnel kiln at a temperature of about 1200 degrees Celsius. Thanks to this method of firing, the material acquires increased strength and a pleasant smooth surface.

The main advantages of modern clinker tiles are:

increased resistance to abrasion,
reliability and long service life,
fear of chemicals and ultraviolet rays,
water absorption ability,
unpretentiousness in leaving, rather easy surface cleanability.

Experts say that working with this material is very simple. Nevertheless, clinker tiles have their own weaknesses. For example, it does not have the lowest price, especially when compared with a simple tile.

There are several varieties of clinker tiles:

Technical clinker. This material is used for paving roads and sidewalks. Technical coatings are also used in flooring in public buildings.
Water resistant clinker. It is often used to decorate hydraulic structures.
Facing. A similar tiled coating is used to decorate various building components. It can be walls, stairs or floors.

Porcelain Tiles

This finishing material appeared on the market not so long ago, but has already managed to gain immense popularity among consumers. It is a kind of well-known ceramic tiles, but is characterized by higher strength and resistance to wear.

Porcelain tile boasts not only excellent performance, but also a spectacular design. It is its surface that best conveys various simulations. For example, today fashionable decorative coatings for brick, stone or wood are especially popular. Provided that the porcelain tile is correctly laid, it repeats the structure of other materials exactly and is not immediately recognized.

Ceramic granite is recognized as an environmentally friendly and completely harmless material.

It is created from:

kaolin clay,
spars
silica sand
metal oxides
coloring elements.

Modern porcelain tiles can withstand significant loads. At the same time, it is rather difficult to damage it. That is why this material is chosen by many consumers.

Mosaic

If you prefer more original design solutions, then mosaic tiles are what you need. It is distinguished by an unsurpassed external performance, which is able to fundamentally change the image of the interior and give it a twist.

A distinctive feature of the mosaic is that it does not need to be laid on the base in the form of many individual elements. Often, such coatings are combined into a single canvas or original panel. For walls, such decoration is a great option.

Mosaic tiles have a number of positive qualities, for which many consumers choose it:

These coatings are characterized by durability and resistance to wear.
They are not afraid of high humidity.
Mosaic is not afraid of temperature jumps.
It is possible to customize the mosaic canvas with your own hands to the desired size.

Relatively “young” finishing material is PVC tile. It is possible to replace the standard design with tiles.

Original vinyl tiles have a structure consisting of several layers, which include polyvinyl chloride and polymer. In addition, PVC materials are composed of quartz chips. Thanks to this component, the material is more durable and solid.

PVC tiles are presented in several varieties:

With a lock connection. Such tiles are interconnected using special spikes and grooves present in their design. It is necessary to lay such materials on a previously prepared crate. At the same time, a ventilation gap is always left between the cladding and the ceiling. According to home masters, the installation of these elements is not the easiest and fastest.
With adhesive mounting. The glue is applied with a spatula on the back of such parts and is evenly distributed over their surface.Then the tiles are pressed tightly against the prepared walls and rolled with a rubber roller to get rid of air. If surplus adhesive appeared on the finish, then they should be removed using a clerical knife.
Self adhesive. It is necessary to carefully remove the paper layer of protection from the bottom, after which the tile must be firmly pressed to the surface of the bases.

Such thoughtful finishing materials have many positive characteristics:

They are represented by a large assortment. PVC tiles can have almost any color and print.
Such material is moisture resistant.
It is strong enough.
Stacked easily and quickly.
It is cheaper than ceramics, which attracts consumers.
It has good soundproofing characteristics.
Undemanding in care.

As for the weaknesses of PVC materials, the following nuances can be attributed to them:

This finishing material can hardly be called environmentally friendly, since it is synthetic.
PVC tile does not last long (up to 10 years).
Such coatings may be damaged by contact with solvents.

Glass

Beautiful glass tiles are often used in the decoration of both residential and public buildings. Glass perfectly combines with many materials in the interior, which indicates its versatility.

It is recommended to use such tiles when decorating a small room, as it visually expands the space. These mirror materials look very expensive and elegant. In stores, you can find glass tiles with a matte, multi-colored or surface with patterns.

If you want to make an interesting ensemble and make the atmosphere more voluminous, then glass tile is quite suitable for this. You can choose the materials in black and white. Checkerboard tiles will visually change the layout of the room.

Many consumers opt for such finishes, as they have a beautiful design and do not require complicated maintenance. Dust and contaminants can be easily and quickly removed from the surface of such materials without resorting to aggressive chemical compounds. But if you still need those, you can not worry that the finish will suffer, since the glass tile will not suffer from contact with chemicals.

Glass tiles can be safely laid in the bathroom, and in the toilet, and in the hall. In all cases, this finishing material will refresh the interior and make it more aesthetic.

Such a beautiful tile is available with different parameters. It can be not only standard square or rectangular options, but also long strips. The latter elements can be safely combined with ceramic matte and glossy coatings.

If you want to bring something truly unique and fashionable to the interior, then you should take a closer look at the beautiful glass mosaic. As a rule, it consists of small sparkling tiles. Such details look especially impressive in environments designed in white, beige, blue, red and blue shades.

These finishing materials have the same advantages as conventional tile options, but are more fragile. Work and handle them very carefully so as not to damage.

How to stick?

Wall tiles must be glued using the following materials:

Adhesive solution. You can mix it yourself, taking sand and cement, or you can buy a ready-made mixture, which does not need to be prepared for finishing work. To apply the adhesive solution, use a spatula.
Priming. A primer is necessary to ensure better adhesion of materials. In addition, it protects the walls from contact with moisture and moisture, which have a detrimental effect on any substrates (even if they consist of durable concrete).
Putty. It is recommended that tiles be laid out on perfectly even floors. To get rid of significant differences on the surface, it is worth using a starting putty. Most often, you can do without a finish layer and immediately proceed to laying tile material.
Crosses. These small details are necessary to fix the distance between the individual tiles. As a rule, they are made of plastic. Grouting seams. Using this mixture, you can fill the voids left at the joints. In addition, the grout perfectly masks minor defects and gives the surface a more aesthetic and neat appearance.
Silicone sealant. It is necessary for high-quality and reliable insulation of joints. Thanks to the sealant, the joints between the tiles are protected from moisture. In addition, with the help of this tool, borders and baseboards are glued.
Antiseptic. This is a special fluid that is needed for processing walls and joints between tiles. It prevents the development of fungus and mold.

Preparatory work

You can start laying wall tiles only after quality preparation of the bases. To achieve good adhesion of the adhesive for the tile, it is better to plaster the walls in advance using a cement-sand composition. For this, beacons will also be needed - working with them is much more convenient.

When applying plaster, it is not necessary to grout. The main thing is to achieve a perfectly smooth and accurate surface of the base. It should not have the slightest defects.

Wall alignment

If the walls in the room are curved and have significant differences, then they can be leveled using plywood or ordinary drywall. This material is inexpensive and durable. It is not subject to decay. Of course, if we are talking about finishing in the bathroom or in the kitchen, then you should buy waterproof sheets of drywall, which can easily endure such conditions.

Drywall is installed on a metal frame made in advance from a high-quality profile.

Ceramic tiles can not be immediately laid on a plaster surface, especially when it comes to the design of the bathroom. First, a special fiberglass mesh is attached to the leveling sheets. This is recommended using a construction stapler. After this, you need to putty the foundation with high-quality tile glue and allow the composition to dry thoroughly.

If there are neat walls (without bumps) in the room where you plan to lay the tiles, but there is a layer of paint on an acrylic base on them, then it will need to be cleaned.
If the floors were previously covered with lime, then before gluing the tiles they should be primed.
If the walls were finished with water emulsion, then you need to walk on them several times with a wet rag. After the floors have completely dried, they must be primed.
Old wallpapers also need to be removed from the surface of the floors.

After aligning the walls, you need to level the floor. To do this, use a cement-sand screed and lighthouses.

Markup

Before gluing the tile material, it is necessary to mark the bases.

To do this, you may need the following devices:

Level. Better use the bubble option.
The rule is made of aluminum with a length of 200-250 cm.
Roulette.
Pencil.
Special jack thread.
Hammer.
Steel dowels.
Board with smooth ribs.

The markup is as follows:

On the screed parallel to the wall, you need to lay the rule (on the edge). Then they put a level on it.
In the course of this work, the highest point on the screed is revealed.
Moving from this point, on a nearby overlap you need to make a mark with a pencil. It will be zero.
After that, just above the first mark, having indented 10 mm, one more line should be set on the wall. Thus, there is a margin for the adhesive layer and the thickness of the tile itself.

How to glue with your own hands?

If the preparation of the walls and their marking were done correctly, then you should not have any problems with laying the tiles.

Consider the process of sticking such a finish in stages:

Laying tiles on the walls is recommended in areas so that the adhesive does not freeze and does not dry in the bucket. In addition, in this way it will be much more convenient to align the warps of the rows.
If the tiles have different sizes, then fitting should be done by reducing or increasing the seams between them.
To tile joints were uniform, you should use small crosses made of plastic. They need to be inserted at the corners of the tile.
If you are gluing tiles in the bathroom, then to align the rows in height, you need to lay plastic wedges (under the first row).
Glue the tiles with mixtures with a cement base or mastic.
Mastic is applied to the ceiling or to the tile itself. The layer should be thin and should be leveled with a notched trowel.
If the glue on the wall begins to dry, then it is better to clean it off and apply a fresh layer, otherwise the tile will not hold reliably.
The tile needs to be pressed to the surface of the ceiling, however, it is not worth pushing too much. After that, you need to check the masonry using the level. This is necessary to make sure that the newly glued tile is located exactly relative to the neighboring elements.
To make sure the rows are even, you should use a long level.
Never leave on the basis of voids. To do this, you should tap the surface with a rubber mallet to notice a characteristic sound.
Adhesive protruding from the seams must be removed immediately.

A day after laying the tiles, grouting is necessary. Experts advise buying a ready-made mixture of high quality for this.

If you purchased dry grout, then it must be diluted in accordance with the instructions on the package. After this, the composition must be applied to the seams with a rubber spatula.

After 30 minutes, when the grout begins to harden, it should be sanded, removing excess elements with a damp sponge. If there is a white coating on the tile, it can be removed with water or felt.

To seal the joints between the bathroom and the wall, you need to use silicone sealant.

In the kitchen, tiles are installed in a similar way. Before starting work, it is also necessary to get rid of bumps and wall defects. It is worth considering that the tiles in the kitchen are laid with an apron where the stove and sink are installed.

In these areas, increased humidity is always kept, so it is necessary to buy a moisture-resistant finishing material, then ensure proper care for it.

If your house has wooden walls, then tiles can also be laid on them, but for this it is worth using a special adhesive composition on an epoxy basis or silicone glue.

In this case, you also need:

Prepare the surface for tile installation.
Attach a reinforced mesh.
Apply a layer of plaster on it and wait until it is completely dry.
Then the tile is glued.
When the masonry dries, grout the joints.

Tiles can be laid out on the foam block. To do this, you need:

Apply pre-prepared adhesive to the base. To do this, use a spatula with cloves.
Attach the first tile to the wall and press firmly.
Next, you need to check the correct fixation of the material using the level. Keep in mind that you are given no more than 15 minutes to level the finish.
Similarly, the remaining tiles should be laid out. Do not forget to install plastic crosses between the elements.
After a day, the crosses are removed and grouted.

Grouting and cleaning

At the end of the finishing work, grout the tile joints.

To do this, you can use the following devices:

Puffer (suture filler).
Special rubber spatula.
Stationery knife.
Sponge.
Rags.

First you need to remove plastic crosses from all the seams. Then, all the tile slots must be cleaned from the adhesive to a depth of about 5 mm. For this, the sharp edge of a small clerical knife is best suited.

After thorough cleaning of the tile joints, 0.5-0.8 l of warm water should be poured into a medium-sized container. Then you need to add dry grout to it (if you purchased one, not a ready-made version). After this, you need to mix the composition to get a homogeneous mixture.

When you thoroughly stir the grout and it is ready for work, you need to take a rubber spatula and fill in the areas between the tiles. After this, wait 30-60 minutes (average drying time). Then you need to wipe the finished surface with a sponge well moistened in water. Next, the overlap is re-treated with a piece of rag.

Repair Tips

So that you do not have problems associated with the decoration of floors in the room, it is worth using exclusively high-quality and durable materials (and mixtures) from famous brands. Low-quality tiles will not be securely attached to the wall base and will simply fall over time.

In all cases, remove the old wall trim before gluing the tiles. On the basis of it is impossible to leave even the smallest pieces of wallpaper or paint, since these elements will impede sufficient adhesion of the materials.

Do not use glue in large quantities. This can lead to the fact that over time, the tile will begin to move away from the base, and then completely fall off. However, the adhesive solution should not be too small. This can also lead to unreliable retention of tiles on the walls.

If you notice that the tile has moved away from the base, then do not be scared. Fallen parts should be returned to their old place. To do this, clean the freed surface and cover it with glue. Place the tile on the prepared area and remove any excess adhesive (if any).

When choosing a wall tile, keep in mind that too many seams can contribute to the penetration of dampness and moisture into the finishing material. Over time, mold and fungus may appear in these areas, as well as an unpleasant odor of dampness. Getting rid of such defects can be very difficult. That is why experts recommend giving preference to larger tiles, between which there will be fewer joints.

See how to lay tiles on a wall yourself in the video below.

Features

Tile is a popular and sought-after decoration material. This is due to its aesthetic qualities and rich assortment. Today, it is possible to choose materials of a suitable style and shade for any interior. It is worth noting the fact that high-quality tiles can be laid even in rooms with a high level of humidity (in the bathroom, kitchen, toilet).

The main condition is a perfectly even and prepared base before direct laying of the material. If you neglect this work, the tile can lie sloppy. Keep on such a basis, it will not be reliable enough.

Level the base in various ways. Different owners turn to a variety of materials. It can be a PVC canvas, high-quality leveling plaster, plywood or gypsum lining. Such materials are indispensable, especially when it comes to applying tiles to bricks or wooden walls, since these bases themselves are not ideally even.

Most experts recommend dividing the base into several separate squares or zones when pasting tiles. Due to this popular method, installation of finishing materials will be faster and easier.

A distinctive feature of working with tiles is the fact that laying can be done with your own hands, but for this you need to take care of the high quality of the materials purchased and sufficient leveling of the walls.A low-quality tile not only looks poor, but is flimsy: it easily remains damaged. Maximum care should be taken in choosing tile adhesive, since a low-grade composition will not hold the tile on the walls or will, but not for long. There are several ways to tile. If you want to save money, confident in your abilities, you can finish the walls or floor in the home yourself.

Plywood

Laying tiles on plywood is one of the most common ways. With sheets of this popular material, you can quickly and easily get rid of bumps and various surface defects. Tiles can be glued to a plywood sheet on universal glue or a special solution designed for wood materials. The second option often has a more fluid consistency, so it is perfectly distributed on the surface of the base of the floor or wall.

Experts recommend the use of such compounds also because after all the finishing work you do not have to tap the tile with a mallet.

Tiles are less often attached to plywood with liquid nails or special liquid glass. Their rare use is due to the fact that such tools cannot provide a sufficient guarantee of the adhesion quality of materials. Over time, the tile may move away from the wall. That is why experts recommend giving preference to special adhesive mixtures.

It is worth considering that the tile cannot be glued to the finishing base from plywood, so some steps will have to be taken to improve the adhesion of the finishing materials.

To do this, experts recommend treating the plywood lining with a special antiseptic and a moisture-proof mixture. These works must be carried out even if you purchased waterproof plywood sheets. After that, in order to improve adhesion, a special net (sickle) is attached to the leveling plywood sheets. This part will provide better and more reliable adhesion of the lining to the tiles, waterproofing structures.

Drywall

When choosing material for leveling the bases, consumers often prefer drywall. It is environmentally friendly and malleable. Using such raw materials, you can save yourself from a long wait until the base dries, and you can glue the tile on it. During the installation process, no dust or dirt remains from the drywall sheets, which is also an important advantage of this leveling method.

Lightweight sheets made using special gypsum fiber are produced by semi-dry pressing of a mixture in which gypsum, cellulosic components and other binders are present. As part of such materials there are no dangerous resins and other toxic substances, so they can be safely used in the decoration of residential premises. Drywall boasts excellent thermal insulation characteristics. To stick tiles on the surface of drywall, you must use high-quality and reliable glue.

For this, the following compounds are suitable:

Glue with cement, which is often treated with paper substrates.
Flexible tile adhesive. This composition is sold dry. It must be stirred independently. If you do not want to spend time on this process, you can find ready-made solutions in stores.
Liquid Nails.

It is necessary to prepare the adhesive composition in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, which are usually present on the package. If everything is done according to the instructions, the tile will lie on the drywall carefully and reliably, and will not peel off over time. Before laying drywall sheets, it is necessary to install metal strips (or guides). There should be a distance of at least 40 cm between them. If this parameter is not observed, the tile will begin to move away from the base over time, and the joints will undergo deformation. Drywall sheets are attached to the guides using self-tapping screws or special staples.

If you follow Western technologies, it is worth installing drywall in two layers and only then proceed with finishing the base with tiles.

Plaster

Often, plaster is used to prepare the base for the tile. A similar method is considered universal, but plastering various surfaces is not so simple, and it takes a lot of time. But if all the alignment work was done neatly and correctly, then the tile can be laid on such a basis quite quickly and easily. It will look aesthetically pleasing. Even an inexperienced user who does not know how to lay tiles professionally can handle this job.

The main disadvantage of plaster is that working with it is quite difficult. In the process of applying it to the base, a lot of dust and dirt remains. The plaster dries for a long time, so before applying the tile you will have to lose some time. If the base contains the previous finishing material, it is necessary to get rid of it.

Putty

It is recommended to putty the surfaces before laying the tiles in those cases when there are no significant irregularities or defects on them.

In this case, the composition should have some important characteristics, which should include:

Moisture resistance. Special gypsum putty, which is not resistant to moisture and moisture, can be applied only in dry and warm rooms, in which there is no difference in air humidity.
Clutch. Putty should adhere well to the base and not affect its quality characteristics. For example, for walls from gas silicate blocks or foam blocks, special mixtures are produced that differ in silicone, lime-cement or silicate base.

When buying putties, it is necessary to consider for which surfaces you select it. Today, stores sell compositions for exterior and interior decoration, having different characteristics.

Before direct work, the base must be cleaned of dust and dirt. If cracks and chips are present on the surface, they must be repaired with building foam or plaster.

Next, apply soil to the base. A primer is necessary to strengthen the base and protect it from fungus and mold. It will provide better adhesion with putty. When the soil layer is completely dry, you can proceed to puttying. The putty layer should not be more than 5 mm. There are times when this thickness is not enough to fully align the base. Then you can apply several layers of putty, each of which should be covered with soil.

Do not tile the surface just covered with putty. Experts strongly recommend waiting for the base to dry completely, then again treat it with a deep penetration primer. Before tiling, make sure that there are no voids under the putty layer and that it is firmly held on the base. To do this, tap the surface with a special rubber mallet.

Wall or floor preparation is an integral part of tile laying. Without this stage, all the work will be useless, since the finish will not hold on to high quality.

Sex

In order to qualitatively mark the floor, it is necessary to stock up on the following simple devices:

ruler
in pencil
building level
tape measure.

For marking, draw on the surface of the floor or walls a neat outline along which the tile will be installed in the future. Adhering to the drawing, the material will be attached to the base exactly in the given sequence.

Standard

The following types of layouts are standard:

From the visible corner of the room. A similar option is suitable for a rectangular layout. With this method of marking, the first tile is placed in the corner of the available space, and the next two tiles are laid from it, looking in different directions.
In a run. This type of tile laying is a good solution for rectangular rooms. However, such finishing work is quite complicated. First you have to calculate the center of space, where the first tiles will be laid. After that, vertical lines are drawn from the midpoint of the first element, and then on the left and right side the second and third tiles are laid out for the next rows. They will be followed by the third, fourth, fifth and sixth rows.

In perpendicular rows. This layout is ideal for a room with a non-standard layout. In such cases, it is also necessary to find the central point of space for laying the first part. After that, two perpendicular central strips are marked on this tile. Following them, tile is laid from wall to wall.
Diagonally. If you want to lay the tile diagonally, you will have to draw diagonal lines (excluding axial lines). To determine these elements, it is necessary to combine the opposite corners of the room.

Unusual. If you like interesting and original interiors, you should turn to non-standard layout, which will allow you to lay out tiles in the form of interesting patterns, geometric compositions and mosaics. To create such a unique element, experts recommend using special graph paper or checkered paper. On such canvases, it is much simpler and more convenient to mark up, for example, the floor. The drawing can be made independently, although today many owners turn to experienced designers for this in order to bring really bright and non-trivial surfaces into the interior.

Using the resulting drawings and patterns, you should calculate the required materials, trimmed tiles, as well as decor elements, based on the ratio of the dimensions of the piece material.

Choose glue

Floor or wall tiles must be laid out using high-quality and reliable glue. A cheap sealant will not provide a tight hold on the lining on the base, which after some time can lead to the peeling of tiles.

You can stick the tile on the following compositions:

inexpensive silicone sealant (one-component),
universal adhesive solution
water-repellent glue,
highly elastic tile adhesive with the effect of increased fixation of the lining.

According to their characteristics and composition, tile adhesive is divided into the following types:

epoxy
dispersive,
on a cement basis.

The most expensive is an epoxy compound, so buy it not so often. It is characterized by increased strength characteristics, water resistance, frost resistance, durability (does not crack and does not crack with time). Dispersion glue is not so expensive. It has increased flexibility of the hardened mixture. Therefore, such a composition is most often used in tiling rooms with uneven surfaces (for example, wooden walls). Dispersion glue dries quickly and is suitable even for painted surfaces.

A cement-based adhesive is standard. Such a composition is inexpensive, is sold in many stores, has good performance. It is worth noting that such adhesive mixtures can be selected for any base and tile, which indicates their versatility and easy selection. Cement glue is easy and quick to apply. Even an inexperienced user can work with it.

How to cut tiles?

Various tools are suitable for cutting tiles, which can be easily found in many stores today. These devices should be selected based on the volumes and distinctive characteristics of the raw materials present in the composition of the tile.

Most often, this finishing material is cut with the following convenient tools:

glass cutter,
diamond glass cutter (often used for cutting mirror tiles),
electric tile cutter
manual tile cutter
special tile cutters
angle grinder (or grinder).

How to make holes?

To make a hole in the tile, you can use several methods. Different tools are suitable for each of them. Let's consider them in more detail.

Drill for ceramic tiles. Glazed tiles can be drilled using a special ceramic drill. It is not so easy to work with such a material, since such a tile has a reliable top coating (glaze), which it is coated with after being sent to the oven, and it is fired. This layer is slippery, so a conventional drill in working with it can quickly become dull and not cope with the task. This kind of drill has a special shape of the cutting element, complemented by a carbide plate having a pointed tip.
Carbide drill for concrete. The use of carbide drill bits for concrete is one of the most popular ways to create holes in a tile. Such a simple device is inexpensive, it is not difficult to work with it.

The main distinguishing characteristic of drilling a tile with this tool is that it is necessary to start work at the minimum speed of the power tool, otherwise the finishing material may be damaged.

Diamond coated crowns. This method is most often accessed if you need to build a cavity for outlets, the withdrawal of outlets for installing a mixer and other similar trifles. Using such devices, drilling is carried out by rotating the crowns worn on the guide drill. The quality and aesthetics of the hole largely depends on the quality of the spraying state and the direct magnitude of the tool grain.
Circular drill. Otherwise, this part is called a "ballerina." The essence of drilling holes with such an element is a movable cutter mounted on a rod and rotating in a power tool along with a guide drill. Such a device can be easily adjusted to any diameter of the hole (it is limited only by the width of the rod).

Drilling large diameter holes. If you need to drill large diameter holes on a tile, you should use the following technique:

Mark the center, and then draw a circle of the desired diameter.
Insert a special drill for ceramic tiles (or a simple drill on concrete) of small diameter into the electric drill. Using this part, drill the required holes on the inside of the circle. They should be located as close to each other as possible.
After that, it is necessary to remove the drilled inside. Using nippers or pliers, remove the remaining burrs on the resulting hole.
At the end of all the steps, you should grind the diameter of the circle from the inside using sandpaper or a special abrasive stone.

How to glue?

Proper gluing of tiles to the prepared surface requires accuracy. First you need to remove the old finishing material (wallpaper, water-based paint, linoleum, carpet) from the base. Then decide on the layout marking. For example, for the floor you can choose an original decorative and mosaic composition, if you are a follower of the old traditions, it is worth giving preference to standard options. After that, it is necessary to level the surface, and it does not matter what it is (wooden, concrete, brick or consists of MDF, OSB boards). Any foundation must be made smooth and even, even if it has minor defects.

Let's take a closer look at how to glue tiles on the walls and floor in the room.

Cladding

In wall decoration, you should adhere to the following work plan:

It is necessary to apply an adhesive composition to a specific section of the wall or floor with a spatula with teeth. Get rid of air bubbles and voids under it. The layer thickness should be at least 5 mm.
In accordance with the markup, it is worthwhile to make a sticker on the first tile, and then fix the remaining elements, moving from the starting part from the bottom up. You can also stick tiles from the center of the wall, if we are talking about finishing floors. Materials must be pressed to the base, but do not press too much. Tap the tile lightly with a wooden hammer.
After fixing the second part, a special plastic cross must be inserted into the seam. Next, you must act on the same principle. Small crosses made of PVC are necessary so that the tile does not move, and grout can be applied between different parts.
The glue that has come out at the seams must be removed immediately, and not put off, because the high-quality adhesive is quick to dry.

Use a tile cutter if you need to cover the remaining small areas (where the area is less than the width of a standard tile).
After all work, you must leave the room open for a day. This time is quite enough for the complete drying of the finishing materials.

Grout and washing

Grout must be applied to the joints of the tiles. To do this, use a rubber spatula. This work can only be started after the tile adhesive has completely dried. If we are talking about a room with high humidity, it is recommended to buy moisture-resistant grouts.

After filling the joints with grout, it is worth removing the excess solution with a rag. You need to do this optimally quickly. Choose mixtures that match the shade of the tiles. The grout must be diluted portionwise to such a consistency that it does not flow down the coating, but looks like a thick paste. At the end of all work, carefully wipe the facing material with a soft cloth, remove dust and dirt.

Useful Tips

If you decide to lay the walls or the floor with tiles yourself, it is worth listening to some expert advice:

Be sure to use high quality, reliable materials and tools. In the pursuit of low prices, you run the risk of unreliable gluing of tiles and after a while to find a fallen off tile.
Always remove the old coating on the walls or on the floor, otherwise the adhesion of the finishing materials will be compromised.
Do not use too much glue. This can lead to the fact that over time it will begin to delaminate and crumble.
The solution should not be too small. An insufficient amount of glue can lead to the fact that gluing the bases with tiles will not be reliable and durable.

If the tile fell off the base, do not panic. Fallen elements should be returned to their place. To do this, it is necessary to qualitatively clean the surface on which the tile was located. Then you need to apply the adhesive and install the finishing material in its original place.
When choosing a tile, do not forget that a large number of seams between the elements can lead to the penetration of moisture under the tile, this can trigger the appearance of fungus, mold and an unpleasant putrefactive odor. Experts do not recommend choosing too small tiles: there will be many vulnerable gaps between them.

See how to lay tiles correctly in the next video.

Moisture-resistant drywall prices

How to align the walls yourself for decoration?

Do not be scared in advance of this task. There are many affordable technologies that are quickly mastered even by beginners. Moreover, under the laying of the tile does not require perfect smoothness of the surface - just the correct geometry. Ways to align the walls in the apartment are considered in detail in a special publication of our portal.

Ceramic tiles are most often laid in rooms with high humidity, so you should think about reliable waterproofing. To a greater extent, this applies, of course, to the floor, but on the walls it makes sense to provide a waterproof "belt" at least 100 ÷ 200 mm high from the floor around the entire perimeter. In addition, it is desirable to strengthen sections of the passage through the walls of water and sewer pipes, the areas around water outlets, with waterproofing.

Waterproofing of wall surfaces - with a belt along the floor and around pipe penetrations.

And in frankly “wet” areas of the wall, for example, around a bathtub, washbasin, shower cubicle, etc., it is generally better to perform continuous waterproofing. Approximate dimensional standards for these sites are shown in the illustration:

Areas of walls in the bathroom that are recommended to be covered with continuous coating waterproofing before laying ceramic tiles

Finally, the wall should be carefully primed with a deep penetration compound. This measure completely dedusts the surface, eliminates the phenomenon of moisture absorption. That is, the wall material will not take water from the tile adhesive, allowing it to freeze under optimal conditions. The best adhesion rates are achieved. In addition, many primers also have antiseptic qualities, and such preventive treatment will never be superfluous.

The wall must be primed with a deep penetration composition.

If the absorbent qualities of the material are high, then the primer treatment is performed twice, always waiting for the first layer to completely dry. As a rule, the primer is applied immediately after the preparatory work. But if, for some reason, a significant time gap arises between this stage and the finish, it would be advisable to apply the primer again - one day before the installation of the tile. So a quality result will be guaranteed.

Now the surface of the walls can be considered ready for decoration with ceramic tiles.

Ceramic tile prices

A very wide variety of formats are on sale. But you should not immediately chase large tiles. Firstly, it does not look appropriate everywhere. Secondly, when laying it, a lot of waste can remain, and since it is usually not cheap, it turns out overhead. And thirdly, the installation of such a cladding requires some experience, and the novice master may not be able to cope with the task - any mistake will be visible.

It is undesirable to acquire a large format tile without work experience - you can make mistakes

If the first independent laying of the tile is ahead, then it is better to proceed from its average sizes, for example, up to 300 ÷ 400 mm along the long side.

Tiles for bathrooms should have a water absorption of not more than 3% - this is usually indicated on its packaging.
If wall cladding is planned in unheated rooms or even outside, then you should look for material marked with a snowflake pictogram - it is not afraid of freezing.
Without fail, all purchased packages of tiles of the same type are checked for the coincidence of the party. The fact is that the same article, but released in different shifts, may differ slightly in tone colors. Visually in the store, this is most often not noticed. But after laying on the surface, even a small difference can spoil the overall look.

The article is checked with the tone number and, necessarily, a batch match for all purchased packages.

Of course, they are trying to purchase tiles of the highest grade. Even at the factories, products are sorted, and products with distorted shapes go on sale as second - or even third-rate. With them you can get tired when laying.
Sort tiles manufacturers and calibers. It is clear that they always try to approximate the size of the finished product to the declared standard. However, the specifics of ceramic production does not yet allow for a unique match in the sizes of all tiles without exception. On the packaging of the tile may indicate its caliber - alphanumeric designation, and a plate with its decoding.

The more accurate the caliber, the easier the styling will go. This is especially important for beginner finishers.

It is clear that tiles of the most accurate caliber have a higher price. But all preference should be given to her, since unjustified savings can lead to unsuccessful finishes, and as a result, the total costs will clearly be "minus".

In any case, it will not be possible to do without waste tiles. And sometimes it becomes impossible to acquire the missing amount - the necessary lot may not remain on sale. That is, the stock is made in advance. Usually they come from 10% - with proper layout and high-quality cutting of the material, this is enough. If a diagonal layout is supposed, the stock can be increased up to 15% - there will be more waste anyway. But immediately note that to communicate with the diagonal installation without a good work experience is not recommended. Therefore, in this article, intended more for beginners, it will not be considered.
Do not hesitate in the store to require verification of all purchased tiles - there is no guarantee that it will not be damaged during transportation. Yes, and explicit marriage sometimes comes across.

Everything seems to be fine, but during the final sorting it may turn out that the tile is somewhat behaved in the plane

Even first-class tiles of one batch and the most accurate caliber should still be carefully sorted into several groups at home. The best quality, with perfectly matching sizes, is best set aside for facing the most visible critical areas. Tile a little worse - push "to the periphery." And having the most significant size distortions or with minor defects - already use under cutting to fill areas along corners or the floor.
The number of tiles is usually calculated individually. This can be done if a quality scheme is drawn up. And even more so, you have to do it when it is planned to use several varieties to create a special decorative interior.

But in the case when it is supposed to cover the entire area with material of the same type, you can use the calculator, which is located below. There you will need to indicate the finish area, tile dimensions and the width of the inter-tile seam. The reserve 10 or 15 percent will be taken into account when choosing the layout principle.