WHAT WE CAN DO | Arizona Tile (2024)

FAQs

What is the most important thing to do when laying tile? ›

Floors can often become uneven over time due to moisture and cracking. So before laying your tile it's important to make sure that your floor is clean, dry, any small cracks or holes have been patched up. Also most importantly, making sure the concrete is level.

Tiles are usually thin, square or rectangular coverings manufactured from hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, metal, baked clay, or even glass. They are generally fixed in place in an array to cover roofs, floors, walls, edges, or other objects such as tabletops.

Lay down the first tile on the reference line in the center of the room, twisting it slightly while pushing down to make sure you're getting full adhesion. Install tile along your reference line, placing spacers between each tile. Every couple of tile, pull one up to make sure there's full contact with the thinset.

Learning how to lay floor tiles is a fairly simple process, but it's something that takes a bit of preparation. Tile comes in a variety of styles, colors and patterns. Use these tips to get started: Find out all you can about the types of tiles available before you decide.

The first and most important rule is that the tiles should be clean and dry when you start placing them. There should be no grease, curing compounds, wax or other substances on the surface of the tiles and all forms of contamination should be avoided.

Tiles have been around for a long time. In fact, the earliest known tiles were found in an archaeological dig in Egypt, and they date back to about 4,700 BC. Tiles have been used in buildings around the world since the 19th century B.C. TIP: The best way to clean tiles is with a mixture of hot water and vinegar.

You can tile a wall easily by yourself, you just need to ensure you have the right tools, have measured the space correctly and follow a few simple steps. View our quick how-to video and our detailed step by step guide as we take you through how to tile a wall.

One can learn the trade and work with only on-the-job experience and no certification. However, those who choose this path remain limited in career advancement and independence. Billaud recommends participating in an apprenticeship program or the basic training courses provided by the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation.

The general rule of tiling a floor is to work from the centre outwards so the main aim is to make sure the centre of the floor is positioned correctly. From there you can extend the tiling pattern towards the edges of the room.

“The 1/3 offset tile pattern is installed where the edge of the tile is shifted by a third in each row, rather than a half, which is found in a traditional brick lay pattern,” Becca says.

Where to start tiling for beginners? ›

You have to start pretty centrally in your room and fan out in each direction, as most rooms aren't perfect squares – if you start at the edge, you'll end up with a real mess. From the centre of your room (the centre of the key tile), dry lay a row of tiles from one of the centre lines to the wall.

The length of time it will take to become a qualified tiler will depend on your prior experience and the level you wish to train to. For complete beginners in the industry who want to achieve their NVQ Level 2, the training to prepare you for that will take roughly seven weeks.

Laying tile is easy, but laying tile and doing it well is difficult. If you have never tiled before, prepare for this project to be time-consuming and tedious, as it's not easy to make repairs or adjustments if it's done incorrectly.

You can choose to study through on campus, online or traineeship learning. The average duration to complete the CPC31320 Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling is 18 months.

When it comes to floor tiles, starting from the center of the room will make your job easier, and the tiling pattern will be symmetrical.