Knowing the kind of subfloor you’ll be installing ceramic tile flooring over is important. There are three main types of subfloors you might encounter: Vinyl, plywood, and concrete floors. Installing ceramic tile flooring directly to your vinyl or linoleum subfloor surfaces is greatly discouraged. One, it may contain asbestos fibers; and two, vinyl flooring is not a solid as good ol’ concrete flooring. When installing ceramic tile on vinyl, experts would recommend rough-sanding, or scarifying, the vinyl floor surface first so your tiling mortar has good grip to set on.

For plywood subfloors, be sure that the wood is at least 1 and 1/8 inches thick and is supported by an equally strong underlayment. Otherwise, your ceramic tiles will dislodge easily, or worse, break and need replacing. Concrete floors are the most ideal subfloor surface to work with. But before you can start installing ceramic tile flooring over it, it must be cleaned thoroughly. For dust and other debris, sweep and then mop your concrete subfloor surface, and allow it to dry completely. Smooth concrete surfaces must be rough sanded just like vinyl floors to allow the tiling mortar some grip.

You can begin window-shopping and canvassing for ceramic tiles once you have the space or area estimated. Ceramic floor tiles come in a variety of prices, shapes, textures and styles. Pick a tile type that’s within your price range and ask to see it in what a palette of colors. The most common ceramic tile size is one square foot. But ceramic tiles may come in a wide array of sizes; from one inch, to two feet.

Prices can vary according to tile type. Natural stone tiles made from granite or slate may sell for two dollars per square foot. Glazed ceramic tiles run from a dollar to twenty dollars per square foot, while unglazed quarry tiles may average around $2 per square foot.

An important thing to remember is to use ceramic tiles with a slightly rough textured surface when tiling the bathroom. This is so you won’t encounter accidents on a floor that’s always wet. Smooth glazed ceramic tiles, especially, are ideal for kitchen or back porch flooring. But you shouldn’t use them bathroom floors, as they can be treacherous when wet.

It’s also important to get the right equipment and tools for the project. You can buy most of the tools and materials you’ll need at you neighborhood hardware store, or home center. For equipment that might over your budget like tile cutters, try asking your local home center or tool rental yard if they have the tools you need for rental. Basic ceramic tiling tools include A pair of safety glasses, heavy leather gloves, tile spacers, notched trowel, a handheld tile cutter, and a pair of tile nippers. Have some sandpaper handy for smoothing out cut edges. Sponges and clean dry rags will come in handy for cleaning and wiping off excess mortar material and grout lining from your newly-finished ceramic tiling floor.

Of course, you can always consult a professional if you are hesitant over how to start installing ceramic tile on your floor. From choosing the right tiles and color, to tearing out existing ceramic tile floors without damaging the subfloor, to installing ceramic tile that will last you a lifetime, a home improvement professional will be able to help you with information, at the very least, or assist you when you start installing ceramic tile.

Discover how to install ceramic floor tile. Grab your guide on installing ceramic tile floors in simple steps.

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1) Identify what kind of floor you have – or rather, your subfloor. Knowing the kind of subfloor you’ll be setting your ceramic tiles over is important. There are three main types of floors (or, subfloors), that you might encounter, when starting on your ceramic tile installation:

a. A concrete floor – Working ceramic tiles over a concrete subfloor is the most ideal, but you have to check and clean it of debris before you start. All the cracks and holes need to be repaired and filled in before your ceramic tile installation can start. Once your start working on your project, each of your ceramic individual tiles will be bonded directly to the concrete floor. If the cracks widen, this will affect your tiles, as well. Some cracks may even be that large that it would be best to replace the larger sections of your concrete floor rather than patching up all the cracks. If you have a lot of large cracks, especially ones that run up the wall, consult a specialist before your start working on your tiling project.

b. A plywood subfloor. If you’re moving into a second floor apartment, most likely you’re subfloor will be in plywood. Because you will be putting ceramic tiles over wood, your plywoord subfloor has to be structurally sound and capable of supporting your ceramic tile installation. Your plywood floor has to be at least 1 1/8 inch thick, and supported by an equally strong underlayment beneath it. Ceramic tiles are heavy and would need a subfloor that can support their combined weight. And they will become dislodged, or even break. Otherwise, it would be unwise to do a ceramic tile installation on wood.

c. An existing ceramic tile floor. Ceramic tile floors would more often than not, require the new room occupant to remodel. There are two options for remodeling an existing tile floor: One, leave the tile floor in place and work your ceramic tile installation directly over it; or two, remove the old tiles. If the current tile floor is set over a mortar bed, the easiest way to remove them would be to use a large flat-bladed chisel and just hammer away. Be sure to keep yourself protected.

2) Try to get an estimate of the project by taking down the length and width of the floor area that you will be tiling. When you go window-shopping, make sure to bring your measurements and discuss it with your hardware or home center specialists. Those measurements will help you a lot in estimating how much ceramic floor tiles you need to buy. It will also help you estimate how much cement and grout, and the tools you’ll need for your ceramic tile installation.

3) Identify the look you want to achieve with your floor. Choosing ceramic tiles can be made easy by considering these general factors: Desired look, tile size and durability.

a. Choose based on your desired look. Tile turn-on. What is the look you want to project with your ceramic tiles? Going for that rugged and rustic feel? Or are you more at home with that natural earthy adobe color? Choose a ceramic tile that fits the room’s total appearance. It would not work, if you have got a shiny orange tile floor to go with your French windows.

b. Look around and compare tiles before buying. After you’ve made the estimates for the floor space that needs to be tiled, window-shop for your ceramic tiles. Ceramic floor tiles come in a variety of prices, shapes, textures and styles. Pick a tile that’s within your price range. Then, ask to see in what a palette of colors that tile comes in, so you can select one that fits the look you want to make. The most common ceramic tile size is one square foot. But ceramic tiles may come in a wide array of sizes; from one inch, to two feet.

c. Whatever look you want to achieve, it is a given that your tiles should be durable. The kind of ceramic floor tiles you are looking for should have three main qualities: The ability to withstand water absorption, impressive resistance to abrasion and constant use, as well as high aesthetic qualities. Most hardware stores are open to requests for information like details tile strength and ability to withstand regular use and scratching, and resistance to physical stress and liquids. Gaining information will help you a lot in your ceramic tile installation, and maintenance.

When hesitating between two options, it never hurts to seek assistance from your tile dealer or someone who knows tiles better than you. From choosing the right tiles and color, to tearing out existing ceramic tile floors without damaging the subfloor, a building professional can help you with information, at the very least, or assist with your ceramic tile installation. These professionals are always open about sharing what they know about home improvement and making beautiful tile floors. You can get referrals for tiling specialists from your hardware store, home center, or equipment tool rental yard.

Tips to installing ceramic tile may be all you need to give your floor a new look. Get your ceramic tile installation procedures for free.

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