Bathroom Floor Tile -- Can You Do It Yourself And Save?

Many folks including me think the best bathroom floor tile is ceramic tile. That's not because of looks either. Ceramic tile is so practical anywhere there's a lot of moisture like in a bathroom. There are a few tricks to getting a perfect tile installation though. Wether you're installing tile yourself or getting a pro involved, the following are keys to a great installation.

Design is key to any building project. Choosing the right tiles can make the project look the way you want it too and make it easier to get done right too. Choosing colors is an important part of your project. Often lighter colors can help create an airy and timeless look. You might look at special antique or handmade pieces for use as accent pieces in a project. Choosing the tiles is an important part of a tile project. It's a basic step.

Not so glamorous but just as important is getting the foundation right. The base surface over which the tile will be installed is a key area. you see if the base surface can move, then the tile or the grout can crack. Actually if the base moves around the tile will crack. So it's basic to have a good stable surface to install the tile on. Often the easiest way to get a stable surface is to install a layer of cement board over the base. The cement board is stable and the perfect surface for holding adhesive. Cement board is also perfect in a wet environment like in a bathroom.

All that water in a bathroom is a major reason why tile works so well. But tile isn't waterproof and neither is grout usually. So anywhere that is exposed to constant water needs some extra care. Often an epoxy grout is used in bathrooms. That's because epoxy grout truly is waterproof. No need to worry about water getting through epoxy.

Ceramic or porcelain tiles can make the perfect bathroom floor covering. With your design and the right basic preparation, a ceramic tile floor can last for decades with no problems. There are a few other tricks that make getting bathroom floor tile installed correctly a sure thing.

Get access to video downloads showing bathroom floor tile installation on our ceramic tile website.

Al Bullington asks you to visit http://InstallingCeramicTile.net for answers to your tile questions.

About The Author Al Bullington is a retired engineer. He writes about his continuing home repair jobs.