Tile must appear square and
level to look its best, but this isn't always the easiest of
tasks, especially because floors and walls are not as square
and level as you may hope. Successfully laying out tile has
more to do with adapting to your home's unique circumstances
and making everything appear right visually, than with
actually achieving perfection.
Laying Tile Step-by-Step
 Inspect the tiling surface for square, level, and
plumb - for the most part you can expect some
inconsistencies, although if the surface is out of alignment
by more than a certain amount, you may have to adjust the
surface by adding furring strips to a wall or shim up a
subfloor. If you can't do this, simply avoid using narrow
tile pieces in corners to make the unevenness less
noticeable.
To check for squareness in a small room, set a frame square
at inside and outside corners. In large rooms you will have
to use the 2-4-5 method. This entails measuring along one
wall 3 feet from the corner, then along the other wall 4
feet. If you can measure a distance of 5 feet between the
two spots the floor is square.
To find out if the floor is level, use a 2- or 4-foot level
along each wall. Put the level on the edge of a straight 6-8
foot board to check levelness over a larger area. Floors
that are only out of level a little bit shouldn't be a
problem, especially if you won't be placing the tile up the
wall.
Use a plumb bob or position a level vertically on the wall
at several different spots to check walls for plumb. To find
out how flat the wall is, set the level horizontally on the
wall. Wavy walls have to be repaired before installing tile
even if it is plumb.
 Reference lines are key if you want a tile
installation to run smoothly and have a successful outcome -
and they must be precise. First, trace around a piece of
plywood with 2 factory edges or chalk 2 lines that are
perpendicular. Put the first tile at the intersection to set
up the alignment and position of the other tiles.
 Before laying down the tiles for real, a dry run
is critical. When you have the reference lines drawn, you
can measure from the lines to the walls and make
calculations that will help you determine how the tiles will
be laid. The best way to plan ahead, however, is to place
the tiles along the reference lines without using any
adhesive. At this point in time you have the freedom to
rearrange tiles if need be and find the perfect layout for
the room. |
