Installing Ceramic Tile on Floor

Many homeowners have been installing ceramic tile on floor surfaces in recent years and for good reason. For one thing, ceramic tile is one of the most durable of flooring materials. It is inexpensive considering the long life and permanence of the floor.

It is also a great looking flooring material that coordinates well with natural elements in home decor, such as house plants, bamboo shades, and shabby chic wooden furniture. Installing ceramic tile on floor or counter tops is a real investment in the value of a home.

There are a couple of negative aspects of installing ceramic tile on floor surfaces. For one thing, it is very hard. If it is installed in a kitchen, you are sure to break every dish you drop. They are not likely to survive as they might with resilient vinyl flooring.

Ceramic tile floors are also permanent. It will not be a simple matter to remove the tile and change the decor on a whim, so you'd better be sure you like the look of the tile you pick. Another down side is that the grout, the material that shows between the tiles, can mildew and be rather hard to keep clean.

Still, for those who wish to install ceramic tile on floor surfaces, the stylishly classic look of these floors is all the encouragement they need. Ceramic tile can be installed over plywood or concrete, or a special subflooring material called cement board. Cement board forms a hard flat surface that is perfect for applying ceramic tile. If plywood is used, it must be absolutely flat and smooth, and be installed over subflooring. If the material under the tiles is able to give or bend at all, the tiles will break off or pop up and not adhere well.

When installing ceramic tile on floor surfaces over a concrete slab, it is very important to repair any cracks or uneven places before beginning to lay the tiles. If the concrete construction is new, it is imperative that the homeowner wait at least 28 days before installing ceramic tile. It would be better to wait even longer, since concrete can shift and crack for up to a year. You want to see any cracks that are going to happen and fix them before laying ceramic tile over them.