Floor tiles

Preparation for tiling

Ensure that the floor to be tiled is clean, dry and level. Floorboards must be overlaid with 0.5" (12mm) exterior quality plywood, screwed at 12" (300mm) intervals. Old tiles must be securely fixed down and free from polish. New floor surfaces must be sealed.

Cutting Guidelines

We recommend the use of protective goggles while cutting tiles.

Straight cuts

Using a floor tile cutter, score the glazed side of the tile. Place the scored line over a matchstick keeping the glazed surface up. Press both sides firmly to ensure a clean break (1).

Round Cuts

Score the tile as above. Using a tile nibbler carefully break small sections away until required shape is achieved (2). To smooth rough edges use a tile file. Always file away from the glazed surface.

Setting out

Mark out two centre lines at right angles across the floor. Place the tiles along both lines, with a minimum of 5mm grouting gap between each tile, adjusting to give an equal space at each end to avoid narrow cuts. Ensure you have sufficient tiles to cover the area and mix tiles from a number of boxes to give an acceptable blend of colour.

Fixing

Use a ceramic floor tile adhesive which is suitable for the floor surface on which you are working and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Spread adhesive over an area of approx. 0.5 sq m to a depth of approx 6mm (0.5"). Ensure the tiles are laid with the lines on the back of the tiles running in the same direction. Clean surplus adhesive from the face of tiles immediately.

Grouting

Allow 48 hours for the tile adhesive to set before grouting. Use a flooring grout and remove any excess immediately.