Install Wood Tile

by beaujgraham in Workshop > Home Improvement

5133 Views, 49 Favorites, 0 Comments

Install Wood Tile

temp_4232009.jpg
Hey Everyone! A little tile project at my friend's house on the second story. It was two rooms that are 12 x 10. We started with the carpet, baseboards, and all doors removed. Hope you enjoy and make sure to follow.

Tools and Equipment

temp_-621848100.jpg
temp_-2091775390.jpg
temp_88232653.jpg
Here is a list of the tools and supplies that are needed for the job. I used a grinder instead of a tile saw because it worked for this project.

Tools:
Margin Trowel
Notched trowel
Pencil
Duct Tape
Grinder with diamond tip blade
Thin-Set mixing paddle
Drill
Level (2 and 4 foot)
Ruler
2 Buckets
Sponge

Supplies:
Drywall Nails (size: 6 x 1 5/8)
Thin-Set
Grout
Cement Board
Water



Installing Cement Board

temp_-2111131798.jpg
temp_13308178.jpg
temp_-622751211.jpg
temp_1458592576.jpg
We are installing on the second floor so, we need to install cement boards.

1. Place the cement boards on ground off centered. Try to place the boards to cover the maximum amount of area.

2. Screw drywall nails at each corner of each board. Place screws every 6 to 8 inches on the edges and through out the board.

Cement Boards Part 2

temp_-1408140120.jpg
temp_-245800457.jpg
temp_1233399799.jpg
temp_154788469.jpg
To finish installing our cement boards, we need to install our cuts and tape the joints.

1. Measure from the cement board to the wall. Mark and cut your cement board using a grinder with a diamond tip blade.

2. Install your cuts with your drywall screws. Ensure you get each corner and around the boarder.

3. Once all your cuts are installed, you'll need to duct tape the joints. Use duct tape and make sure it's kind of flat.

*TIP: If you have long cuts then you can use your 4 foot level as a straight edge.

Firguring Your Layout

temp_486166467.jpg
temp_862297444.jpg
This is the hard part. You need to figure out how the tile will be laid. We decided to have a joint running down the center of the door. We also decided to have a slight slope downward, so we wouldn't use to much Thin-Set. Just remember these hints:

1. Which direction will the tile go?
2. Where do the joints need to be?
3. How much slope, if any, would I like?
4. Any obstacles that can mess up your lay?

Making Your Thin-Set

temp_-1305164753.jpg
temp_-913640265.jpg
We used MultiSet 50 lb. Modified Thin-Set Mortar.

1. Cut open and place the Thin-Set in a bucket.

2. Add water and mix with a Thin-Set mixing paddle.

3. Add more Thin-Set or water as needed till your Thin-Set looks like paste.

4. Fill your second bucket up with water and clean the paddle in the bucket. it makes for easy cleaning.

Laying the Tile

temp_2084522904.jpg
temp_-353505176.jpg
temp_-1114631151.jpg
temp_86409769.jpg
Take your time and make sure to get flushed tile.

1. Place the Thin-Set on the ground or on the back of your tile. Next, notch the mud with your notched trowel. Clean the side of the tile, so Thin-Set doesn't get inbetween the tile.

2. Give light pressure and shimmy the tile back and forth. This will remove some of the mud from underneath and lower your tile.

3. Lift the tile up and add mud if needed.

4. Place your level across to ensure that all your tile is touching the bottom of your level. This will show you that the tile are flushed at the angle your achieving. The angle of the room should be pretty close to almost even.

5. Repeat

*You want your tile pretty flushed, but grout will help cover up most of the edges. So, don't worry if you're slightly off.

Cutting Tile

temp_2083444190.jpg
You'll be doing cuts through the entire project. Your project may even start with cuts.

1. Mark from the tile to the wall. If you are placing baseboards down then your cut has to be pretty close. However, if you're not placing baseboards then your cuts have to be exact.

2. Use a tile saw to make your cuts. However, if you dont have one then you can use a grinder with a diamond tip blade that has smooth smooth edges. I only recommend this if you can hide the edges of your tile under the baseboard.

3. Mark and cut your tile the same way you did with the cement board.

4. Repeat till all cuts are made.

Grouting

temp_-73242972.jpg
temp_357532832.jpg
temp_-2045328633.jpg
Let your Thin-Set dry for 24 hours. Now it's time to add the grout.

1. Make the grout the same way you would your Thin-Set. You're going to want it pretty wet for thin joints.

2. Place a scoop of wet grout on the ground. Use a grout float to push the grout into the joints.

3. When the grout dries up then place back into the buck and mix.

4.Let the grout dry till you get a slight white shade on the tile. Should take around half a hour.

Clean the Grout

temp_-1285817008.jpg
temp_-1893443087.jpg
Final step is to clean the grout.

1. Once the grout is dry or close to dry then get a sponge with water.

2. Use a slightly moist sponge and clean the faces of the tile.

3. Hit the joints lightly to smooth them out.

4. Look for holes in the joint and fill with leftover grout. Just use your finger to smooth it out then hit it lightly with the sponge again.

5. Repeat 3 times.

6. Use a dry towel to get rid of any left over grout.

That's It!

temp_2052203859.jpg
temp_-1785295280.jpg
Put on your baseboards and call it another successful project. You now have awesome looking tile in your home. It was a fun project and if you have any questions then just send me a message or leave a comment.