My How To Guide To Tiling A Wall The Diva Way !
Welcome to my tiling a wall how to page! Here, I'll take you through my step by step guide on how to install wall tiles like I did. Who do I go to for professional tiling advice?Why, Chris Perfetto of North Tiling of course! He's my Tile Guy for my professional jobs and my personal tile guru! We'll talk to Chris a little later. I asked him some really common tiling a wall questions...stay with me! Want to know the 2 worst things about tiling?<#1 The Noise/b>eThe wet saw makes a lot of noise and it can be intimidating, but after 1 tile it's so easy. It scared the heck out of me at first, but now I feel like a pro. You may want to wear some ear plugs, though. (just change the water frequently and you'll be fine. I know I don't have to tell you to use common sense and wear safety glasses and never operate power tools under theinfluence, right?) #2 The Mess! Yup, it's messy. Mixing the grout isn't too bad, troweling it on the walls is however, so be prepared! Wiping it off the tiles is a pain, and so is cleaning the buckets and the tools (maybe you can get the guys to do that:) but, in the end it's so worth it, especially the money you save by doing it yourself! Ok, so let's get to the tiling a wall how to info... What should you do first when tiling a wall? Make a design plan: Plan what kind of design you want to put on your walls. This is probably the hardest part! I used a subway tile with a brick laying pattern with a border on the top and cove tiles on the base in my powder room bath. I planned it out on graph paper. I gathered tile ideas from decorating magazines and websites...
   Figure out how much tile you need with this tile calculator from The home Depot Tile Calculator The ceramic subway tiles I used tiling the walls in my powder room were self spacing. I bought them at Lowe's. I used self spacing tiles in my master bath as well. They were really easy to use because I didn't have to use spacers to allow for grout lines.
Tiling Materials Needed: • Notched Trowel (size will depend on thickness of tile) Tiling A Wall- Where To StartTiling a wall is a lot different than floor tiling and a lot easier.1. I drew a straight line on the wall at the height that I wanted my tile using a level and a pencil. 2. I found the center of the wall and made a mark and butted up two tiles to each other with the joint lining up with that center wall mark, starting from the bottom of the wall working in a row outwards( start in the center and work outwards) after applying thin set to the wall (only enough for 3 - 4 tiles, so it doesn't dry)and gently pushing on the tiles to get good adhesion to the wall. 3. The end pieces needed to be cut, so I placed a full tile in the leftover space. It overlaps of course so I made a mark where it overlapped and that gave me my cut. 4. The next tile: Since I used a brick pattern I started the next row using a full tile and after applying thin set to the wall I placed the full tile lining up the grout line of the 2 tiles below it to the center of the full tile above(like a brick pattern)and worked out. 4a. I Checked the level often 5. Once completed, I let it dry for 24 hours. 6.I mixed the grout according to directions (should be a peanut butter consistency) 7. Using my rubber float I slathered on the grout (non sanded as to not scratch the tile) and made sure I got it in the grout lines, and wiped off all the excess by rinsing several times with my sponge. 8. I waited another 24 hours for it to dry and haze over and gave it a final buff with a dry cloth. I did not have to use a grout sealer since I was directed to add it to the grout, but you may need to, so follow the directions for the products you use. So, Did My "Tiling A Wall - How To tiling Guide " Inspire Your Next Do It yourself Tiling Projects? Let me know.I'd love to hear from you! And so would my visitors! Hop To The Forum Do you have a tiling "how to" or even just some great pics of some tiling projects you've done? Send them in, I'll be happy to show them off for you on your own web page! It's so easy, see how...
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I Decided what kind of tile I wanted. Stone tile, Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass tile. Each may have a different application, so choose what you like, taking into consideration how it will blend with the rest of your home and consult with a professional for the best tile installation instructions for the tile you choose. If you need extra help choosing a pattern, deciding on a style, you can always get my 
