Installing Wall Tile

Ceramic tile not only is attractive, it's a practical solution for bathrooms and kitchens because it's waterproof, durable and easy to clean. It also works well on floors.

Tile is made from clay that has been fired. Glazed tile, available in matte or shiny finish, has a hard surface that is impervious to stains, but it can be scratched. Glazed tile is the standard tile around sinks and tubs. Unglazed tile, made only in matte finish, picks up stains from grease and oil but resists scratching. Unglazed tile is often used for floors.

Flat tiles are called field tiles; trim tiles are those with finished edges or that are shaped to fit around corners. Tiles larger than 4x4 inches are sold loose; smaller tiles can be purchased in sheet form, with a few square feet of tile bonded to a thin webbing on the back.

Hanging back board for tile
The material required for tile backer board depends on the tile's location and the type of adhesive used. If you're using organic mastic adhesive and the area will not get consistently wet, standard (or water-resistant) drywall panels are adequate. However, if the area will get regular soakings (such as a shower stall or kitchen-sink area), you should use a cement-based backer board. This material also works well in areas that call for a heavy underlayment, such as a tiled half-wall around a woodstove, where the surface must be fire-resistant.

Cement backer board, which is made from portland cement and fiberglass mesh, comes in 1/2- and 5/8-inch thicknesses. You can purchase 4x8-foot stock, but the panels typically measure 32 or 36 inches wide by 5 or 8 feet long. Fasteners must be spaced more closely than with ordinary drywall – 8 inches apart along the studs. You'll also need special fasteners for cement panels: use 1-1/2-inch galvanized roofing nails or 1-1/4-inch galvanized-steel screws. Regular drywall nails or screws will rust through. Cement-panel joints must be taped as well: use tile-setting mortar or tile adhesive instead of joint compound. Tape the joints with a fiberglass mesh tape specially designed for backer board.

In baths and kitchens, as well as other high-moisture areas, you can spread a thinset bed over cement board. You also can spread a thinset bed over drywall. Use a towel with a notch depth specified by the tile manufacturer.

Grout
You can grout seams when the tile has set up. (Set-up time depends on the set method and adhesive used.) You can choose a grout based on its color, the type of tile and its expected wear and tear. Many manufacturers offer dozens of color choices. Use a shade close to the tile to minimize the grid effect of seams and to hide irregular spacing between custom tiles. Generally, lighter grouts highlight the grid, and darker grouts highlight the tile – a good choice on layouts where accent tiles form a pattern.

If you add colorant to a grout mix, set aside a sample and let it dry to get a true reading of the final color.