DIY Tiling Essentials

Are you thinking of doing a bit of tiling? Make sure you are prepared with our guide to everything you will need to get your tiling job done and ensure it continues to look great.

Preparation

• ​Measuring tape - We will need to make sure we get the right amount of tiles and grout for your area. Measure all the walls and ceiling height to calculate the number of floor tiles and wall tiles you will need to get the job done. Remember to include about 10% extra for wastage and cuts. Even the best tilers do.
• Tile markers - a simple whiteboard marker will do the trick. We will use this to mark where we need to cut tiles to fit around corners and against walls.
• Tile cutter - there are a great deal to choose from. Most tile shops will rent them out or sell them but your best shot is to rent one cause we will only be using it once.
• Leveling clips - If you are using rectified tiles then you may want to get some levelling clips. All tiles shops should sell these and tilers use them all the time to make sure rectified tiles have the smallest grout joints and are dead flat with no lippage.

Laying your tiles

• Grout - to seal the tile joints between each tile and to prevent moisture from getting underneath the tiles and damaging the substrate, adhesive to walls, you need to choose a grout. At Nerang Tiles we have a large selection of different coloured grouts to suit all ranges of floor and wall tiles for indoors and outdoors. Some grouts need to be ordered in so make sure you select your grout early.
• Primer - depending on the surface you are laying the tiles on you may need to use a primer. Primer prepares the substrate by creating an even surface to tile on and making it rougher so that the adhesive has something to glue onto. Nerang Tiles stocks a number of different primers from reputable brands to suit any substrate surface.
• Tile adhesive - to fix the tiles in place on the floor or wall you will need proper glue. There are a few different tile adhesives that range from cement based, rubber based or rubber poly-modified and can be premixed or in powder form. Ask an expert at Nerang Tiles for advice and for trade prices on all adhesives available through the Nerang Tiles showroom.
• Notched Trowel, trowel and float - to help you spread the adhesive and grout appropriately and evenly you will need these items, all professional tilers will use them.
• Bathroom or wet room - if you are tiling one of these rooms you will need a few extra items that are specifically designed to waterproof, seal and last the test of time against being submerged or exposed to water. Ask an expert at Nerang Tiles for assistance in selecting all the right products, primers, sealers, waterproofing agents and adhesives for a wet room.

For a perfect finish

• Leveling tools - as described above these are used to level rectified tiles to ensure an even and consistent finish for your floor tiles.
• Spacers and wedges - use these products to ensure that all your floor and wall tiles have an even space all round. This will make sure your grout joints align perfect which makes a big difference to your end tile job.
• Grouting sponge - a special sponge designed to clean the excess grout that goes on top of your floor tiles or wall tiles after grouting without scratching or pulling up grout from the tile joints.