How To Install Ceramic Wall Tile In A Shower

One key to success is to remember that grout has a limited working time and can dry before you know it if you grout an area that s too large the grout will set up and become difficult to work with or remove.

How to install ceramic wall tile in a shower.

What s the best way to tile a shower wall. Then pick your shower tile and use this guide for step by step instructions on how to tile a shower. In our project we set the tile for the wall opposite the shower door first. To install ceramic wall tile use a level and measuring tape to mark the tile locations on the wall with chalk.

With over 10 years of experience he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Bathroom course ht. Grouting is the final step of installing ceramic wall tile after the tile adhesive has fully cured. So let s look at the basics of wall tile installation that will make everything go a lot smoother less frustrating and less costly.

Before applying your tile to the wall decide on the layout and orientation of your tile by positioning the tiles on the floor. If you can t find matching numbers mix tile from different boxes when installing so any color variation won t be as noticeable. Install full piece tiles first and fill in with cut pieces as you go or install them at the end. Use long sweeping motions to apply mortar to the wall and start placing your tiles in the marked locations.

Grouting is not difficult to do well but it is even easier to do poorly. Add up the wall areas and add 10 so you have extra tile for mistakes or future repairs. After all the penalty for poorly installed wall tile is a lifetime of having to look at the stuff. On the ceiling and floor of the shower we used 2 x 2 tiles and on shower walls 2 x 4 tiles.

Be sure to put spacers between each tile as you go. However wall tile installation has its own set of rules that you dare break at your own risk. If you wait to install the cut pieces use a notched trowel to scrape the thinset from the wall so it doesn t dry before. When using ceramic tile try to find boxes with the same dye lot number.

Tiling a shower is a diy project that you can usually accomplish in a few days with the right tools and equipment. Before you start setting tile take some measurements and see how the tiles will all lay out image 1. Save time by setting several tiles at once.