Wall tiling can appear quite daunting, but if you plan and prepare well it is quite simple.
Setting out wall tiles
- Plan to keep all cut tiles at the bottom (expansion joint) of the wall. All full tiles are placed at higher elevations to be more pleasing to the eye
- Level base
– It is important to select a level base when tiling. Use a spirit level to determine the lowest point along the bottom of the wall. Place a single tile at this spot and mark the wall just above it. Nail a horizontal batten at this point with the straight edge at the top
- True vertical
– At the centre of the wall to be tiled, establish a true vertical line with the aid of a plumb bob or spirit level and mark it on the wall
– Place a row of tiles against the horizontal batten and make any necessary adjustments so that equal cuts in the tiles are made at the edges of the wall
– The plumb line should then be repositioned at the centre. Start tiling from the centre ensuring that the tiles are positioned correctly
Fixing wall tiles
- Using a notched trowel spread approx 1m2 of adhesive on the wall in a horizontal direction
- Press the dry tiles into the ribs of the adhesive before it skins, ensuring the whole back of the tile is in good contact with the adhesive (80% of the tile must be in contact with the adhesive)
- Most tiles require spacing. Your tile retailer can advise you on a complete range of tile spacers. Leave the horizontal batten in place until the adhesive has set
- Cut corner tiles to fit leaving a minimum 4mm expansion joint
Cutting wall tiles
- Cut tiles must always be positioned last
- To establish the cutting line, place the tile face down, in position, up against the wall and mark the tile in line with the already laid tiles. Remember to allow a gap for grouting
- To cut the tile, use a tile cutting machine, which can be bought or hired from your local tile retailer
- To cut half circles, scratch the shape on the glaze with a screw driver and nip off small pieces with a sharp pair of tile nippers until the correct fit is achieved. Hold the tile as close as possible to where the cut is being made
- Smooth off sharp edges with a round file or sanding block
- For cutting and shaping tiles to power points, taps and other fittings use equipment such as scribers, tile cutting machines, rod saws and rotary tile cutters. For larger jobs, manually operated tile cutting machines can be hired