A more difficult home remodeling project is to install tile floors. With some tools and advice though, most people can do this do-it-yourself project. Here are some tips on doing it the right way. 

Start off right by buying one of the many home design software packages. Most will have a section on laying tile, which can help you avoid mistakes, choose design alternatives, and make measurements. They also can help you give you tips on dealing with glue, cutting tile, etc. Try to choose a tile design that fits your style.

Ceramic tiles can be less expensive then stone or slate tiles. Tiles require sealing after the job is done to make them easier to clean. Be sure to select floor tiles, not wall tiles. Wall tiles are thinner and won't be strong enough to support the pressure of walking on them.

Preparing Your Floor

Next, think about how to prepare the area. Old vinyl or linoleum can be used under the tile as long as it is not too worn, but over time it is prone to warping. Soft spots under the tile can cause cracking. If you're starting with a concrete surface, check to ensure there are no high spots. You can do this in a few different ways. For a long level, (3 ft. or more) lay it across the surface to see if you any light is coming through. This can also be done with a 2" x 4", but it’s hard to get one straight enough. To check, take two boards and lay them against one another.

Lay the other against it again after turning one board 180 degrees. Now turn one around 180 degrees and lay it against the other again. That prevents being fooled by both being curved in the same direction. If you have high spots, a coarse belt or disc sander can smooth them. You can chisel away any small bumps. Tile surfaces aren’t totally flat, but a 1/16-inch difference will lead to rocking. Since they're glued in place, they don't actually rotate. Beware of pressure differences, which are prone to cracking during use.

Floor surfaces also need to be strong enough to prevent flexing that would lead to the same 'rocking' problem. Uneven floors can be smoothed and strengthened with cement-fiber board or by using a composite spread across the surface with a very flat, wide tool. Find the center by laying two strings across the floor diagonally. Use a chalk string to mark the lines and a permanent marker to mark the center.

Practice Laying Some Tiles First

Dry lay a few rows of sample tile, starting from the center, to get a feel for the pattern desired and to experiment with spacing for grout. Try to space tiles so that you have no less than a half-tile width at the walls. Some tiles have built in spacers making alignment easy. You can properly space them with rubber or plastic spacers. For an even look, it's important that the width of the grout (the spacing between tiles) does not vary by more than 1/32nd of an inch (0.8mm).

Trowel out adhesive using a notched or saw-toothed trowel. For tight spots, lay the adhesive on the tile instead. In both cases, aim for low, long ridges. To seat, rotate slightly back and forth. Once a few rows are laid, before the adhesive sets hard, take a rubber mallet to tap the tiles into adjustment. In addition, you can use the surface-checking tool.

Grout is easier to apply with a tube that has a nozzle then one without. Lay a bead of grout a few feet long, and then wipe the excess with a damp cloth before it sets. Floors should cure for a few days to a week before use.