Laying the tiles in the bathroom with their hands

Tile is probably the best material for finishing bathroom, available today.It is ideal for rooms with high humidity levels - does not absorb moisture, resistant to aggressive cleaning chemicals, is long, and if it is correct to choose, decorate a room.We are not in vain mentioned the intricacies of choice, because it depends on them half the successful finish.In this article you will find answers to all questions regarding the proper selection and installation of the tiles in the bathroom.

Laying tile in the bathroom itself is quite simpleand to cope with the work even a layman, so we decided to start an article with tips for choosing finishing materials.On this depends the future of not only the aesthetics of the interior, but also the complexity of the installation.For example, if you enjoy a large tile, but the bathroom has, to put it mildly, modest quadrature, such a finish turn it into an even darker room, but when it turns out layout that can not do without cutting tiles.

Advance mode allows you to choose the optimal number and size of the tiles specifically for your bathroom.Make it pretty simple: you have to calculate the area, which is subject to the finish, and then compare it with the size of tile selected model.It is best to do this work in a computer program for interior design - for clarity.But if you have the delights of interactive progress does not appeal, you can simply arm with a pencil and make invisible the provisional marks on the wall according to the dimensions.This principle will help you to measure any bathroom for each tile.

As you can imagine, is a specific suite room with high humidity, so the tiles must be difficult for her.What should I look for when choosing:

1. strength - any tile is classified into five classes of abrasion resistance, where the most robust products belong to the last fifth class.That they should be selected for floors in rooms with high permeability.The cost of such tiles is quite high, but fortunately for the bathroom need to buy so durable coating.To fit the floor tiles class 3, and for the walls - 2 or even 1.
2. Dehumidification - despite the apparent absolute hydrophobicity tiles it can still absorb some water.This happens very slowly and is completely transparent, and water absorption depends on the product composition.There are 4 classes of moisture absorption, and most waterproof products are first class (details can be found in Roman numerals on the package).Next to the class number is always the Latin letter a or b.In the first case it means that the tile is manufactured by extrusion, in the second - pressing.For the bathroom, with its special "climate" suitable products labeled Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb.
3. dimensions - we have said that most of the tiles should not be selected for a small bathroom, otherwise it will visually make the space even smaller.In this case, better to limit conventional products or make the way of small tiles in the bathroom with their hands.
4. form - traditional tile has a rectangular or square shape, but if you want something extravagant, you can find in the sale of polygons, triangles and other unusual shapes.It is necessary to warn that for the original finish of this tile will have to pay not only his own purse - installation time will take much more work and require professional skills.So if you never put a tile is better to start with a simpler product.By the way, and they can be used to create original interior composition and "play" with the visual perception.So, if you put a rectangular tile vertically, the room will seem higher than it really is.
   
5. color - here you need to make a start, not only on your personal preferences, but also from practical considerations.If the home has small children, that and strive to smear toothpaste wall or vytvorit that pohlesche from stylish black matte finish is better to refuse.In addition, a bathroom - a place where wake up in the morning and get ready for bed in the evening, and therefore it is better that it reigned easy, but the possibility of a peaceful atmosphere.Popular decorative wall tiles in the form of panels.
   
6. Relief - the last on our list, but no less important position than the same strength.The bathroom is always something spills, and therefore good that the floor was a slip.Otherwise it is necessary to lay all kinds of cloth, rugs or walk very carefully, at the risk of slipping.Anti-slip embossed tiles can cover the entire floor, and maybe only that part which is adjacent to the bath or shower.

Which adhesive is suitable for the bathroom?

astute reader will probably think that if you need a special bathroom tiles, then glue it to be appropriate, and will be absolutely right.Adhesive mixture must be chosen not only from the high humidity space considerations, but depending on the material from which the walls are made.For a concrete example, there is nothing better composition based on cement.

mixture is applied to the surface of the wall or the back of the tile.There are no strict rules, and each master is doing as it is convenient.But for the application it is recommended to use not ordinary, and a notched trowel, in order to get high-quality grip.

bathroom floor will be subjected to much greater stress than the walls, so the glue it is necessary to select separately.By the way, it should be done, too, depending on the base material.The best option is a flexible adhesive mixture (universal or specifically for concrete, underfloor heating, metal or wood).

Installing tiles in the bathroom

When you have decided on the choice of tiles, you can begin the preparatory work - to make measurements of the walls and floor.If you plan to also decorate the space between the floor and the bathroom itself, it needs to make a special box.

stages of the preparatory work:

1. Measure all surfaces that require finishing, building level.They must be perfectly smooth, otherwise the tiles will not stay.If the drop is more than 2-3 mm, the surface must be leveled using plasterboard.There is a special drywall for areas with high humidity, so keep in mind when purchasing this point.Buy Cheap conventional material, and the walls are very quickly come into disrepair - gypsum dampen, soften, and tiles fall off.If we are talking about a very small area, it is easier to align the special plasters.
2. Remove the old tiled covering, if any.This work is not easy, noisy and dusty, so the striker arm, warn neighbors and patience.If the machine tool is not able to get, come to the aid conventional crowbar and a hammer.
   
3. When the wall is smooth and free of defects, cover it with a primer of deep penetration.It will create additional protection against moisture and provide good adhesion to the adhesive mixture for the tile.The primer should be just water resistant, and even better - antiseptic, so the walls are not covered with mold.

Wall application

Laying tile in the bathroom with their hands always starts from the walls, then the job goes to the floor and the last to trim box.The first element can be laid from the corner, the very bathroom or near the floor, but no matter where you begin, you need to chalk markings in accordance with the dimensions of the tiles.

Tip: Before you stick the tiles, lay the bottom row along the wall without mortar, to be seen placed all the elements or some of them should be cut.How to cut tile, we will tell in the end.

At the bottom of a wooden rail or fasten plastic profile - this will be a support for the first row.Relies on the tile floor in any case should not be.Remember that the floor has not yet been faced with, and direct intimate contact of the two tile surfaces will lead to premature wear of both.Take a plumb and draw a vertical line, which will help to control the evenness of packing.

Tip: If you use tiles of different colors or upload a mosaic pattern, it is better to make the layout of the entire wall and immediately chalk mark the place of attachment parts of a certain color.

The video below is a tutorial on tiling in the bathroom with their hands:

Installation Tips:

1. Experts recommend start laying the tiles on the wall from the second row on the floor, leaning elements of a pre-attached rail.The first row is passed.
   
2. Glutinous mixture in this case it is better not to smear the tile and the wall using a notched trowel.It should capture area, the size of which is slightly greater than the dimensions of the tiles to several centimeters on each side.
3. Do not push the tiles to the wall too much, otherwise it may crack.
4. After mounting another tile or series immediately remove adhesive speaking damp cloth - when it dries, it will not be easy to do.
5. Do not forget to insert slip crosses between the tiles.Joint width should be 3-5 mm.
6. After laying each row, especially the first one, check its horizontal building levels.Even if the first number turned out perfectly flat, it does not guarantee that the same will happen with the rest.Warping can arise due to defects in the most tiles.When buying a noticeable difference in the measurements, but is often the case with the products of domestic manufacturers.

For laying tiles in a bathroom at the corners with their hands it is often necessary to cut.The same applies to difficult places, such as behind the toilet, or around pipes.You can not avoid it, and at facing outlets.

laying on the floor

When finished with the walls, you can proceed to the floor lining.Starting work also need to prepare the base - it must be perfectly flat, clean and dry.To achieve this on the floor is more difficult than on the walls, so often decide the issue with the help of leveling compounds and cement screeds.

How does laying tiles on the bathroom floor with his hands:

1. Draw a chalk line from the edge of the tiles laid the first row of the wall.
2. Mark the location of the elements that are different from the basic, if you lay out drawing.
3. start laying from the farthest corner from the entrance to the bathroom.
4. necessary to make a preliminary layout that was placed at the entrance of one-piece element (Uncut).
5. When the layout and calculations also take into account the width of the tile joints.
6. convenient solution is also applied to the surface of the floor, not on the tile.Thus it is better to capture an area equal to one element rather than coat several rows - you just do not have time to shut it down before the glue dries.

more detailed process is shown in the video on the tiling in the bathroom with their hands:

laying around the tub

If you want to close the space under the bath (most places there is quite a bit, so that the lockers to store household items will not work) need to first build a frame for the box, and then sheathe his flat panels.You can use the same water-resistant drywall or Styrofoam (polystyrene) blocks to create such a screen.Also ready screens for baths can be found in specialized stores (whole and sliding).

frame can be made of metal profiles.If you are sheathed his plasterboard, tiles can be laid immediately.Mount Technology is no different from working with the walls.

Grouting

Finally, when all sides you are surrounded by a tile, you can proceed to the final part of the work - grouting.This should be done only after the complete drying of the adhesive, ie a few days after laying.If overwrite "fresh" tile, it can be displaced.

grout for a tile as much as of the tiles - different compositions, colors and costs.But then again - for the bathroom should choose water-resistant formulations, cement, epoxy or silicone based.The choice of color depends on the color of the tiles.You can select the invisible grout neutral color (white or gray), and you can enhance the beauty of the tiles, skirted its contrasting seams.It looks juicy yellow tile with grout green and black-and-white combination will create a unique elegant style.

How do grouting after laying the tiles on the bathroom floor with his hands:

1. Fully lined, clean the surface from dust and glue residues.With the latter you will greatly benefit ordinary vacuum cleaner.
2. Seal the edges of the tiles masking tape to then again it was not necessary to wash it.
3. To apply grout you will need a rubber spatula.Scoop them a bit of the mixture and with gentle pressure slide along the seam to push the grout inside.
4. That same trowel, remove any excess, again conducted in the seam, but without too much pressure.
5. When the grout is completely dry, remove the masking tape and remove the remnants of the mixture with a damp cloth.

How to cut tile

As you can see, the very laying of ceramic tiles is not so difficult, if properly prepared and to calculate its amount is correct.The only thing that can cause difficulty and that confuses many self-taught artists - the need to cut the tiles.This requires special tools and some skills to work with them.

Cut a thin wall tiles can easily be ordinary glass cutter, which is not the durable flooring products.Well, that is not on the floor outlets and not too many difficult places, so try as much as possible to make laying tiles in the bathroom with their hands so that it does not have to be customized.

If you've ever cut glass with hand tools, problems with the tiles should arise, because the technology is almost the same.First you need to make a markup on the glazed surface, and then with the power once to spend on her glass cutter.Tile thus must lie on a flat surface.When you've got to cut the sturdy layer of glaze, it remains only to make a neat line for scrapping.

Tip: It is better still to get a tool for cutting tiles exactly, rather than glass, because Tile diameter of the wheel much more acute.

If this complexity was limited, and it would be something to talk about.But in addition to the flat sections in the tile have to travel curly hole sockets, wires, or to get around water pipes.This work will require a lot of effort and concentration.First you need to make a layout, then with a push to spend on her wheel Tile cutters, pliers and then bite off a small piece, until you get the desired shape of the product.Of course, in this case, the cut will leave an uneven, and therefore it must be smooth with a file or sandpaper.Much faster to do it with a special circular diamond tips on a drill.

to summarize all the above information is another useful video, in which we are talking about the intricacies of technology choice and laying of tiles: