Easier, More Enjoyable Installation and More Professional-Looking Results
Proper material selection for a DIY tile installation can make your project easier, more enjoyable, and result in a more professional-looking finish. Materials include tile, underlayment, and setting materials such as adhesives, mortars, grout, backer board, primer, spacers, transition strips, caulk, etc. Materials will vary from one project to the next.
If you’re deciding whether to take on your own project or hire a professional, we recommend first learning about your DIY tile project. It covers the bigger picture, such as the project scope, scheduling work alongside your other activities, and estimating your cost savings.
This article focuses specifically on material selection. Choosing the right materials can make or break your experience. Trust us. We install tile daily and know firsthand which materials would be easier for first-timers and which would likely cause frustration.
Choosing the Right Tile for DIY Installation
For homeowners in San Luis Obispo County who are new to installation, ceramic tiles are a great beginner-friendly option. They are more lightweight, affordable, and easier to cut than other types of materials. Porcelain is denser and more durable, but also more difficult to cut. Natural stone is thicker, more expensive, and may need to be sealed. Make sure to pick ceramic materials made for your specific job. Floor tiles for floors. Wall tiles for walls.
For homeowners doing their own projects, we don’t recommend using DIY tile installation materials that require sealers, topical finishes, or enhancers, as these products can be tricky to apply correctly and often lead to issues if misused.
Materials Needed for Flattening an Uneven Surface
Absolutely. High and low spots under your floor can be problematic. If the substrate isn’t flat enough, tiles can end up at different heights (called lippage), resulting in chips along edges and cracks. The tile adhesive might not stick properly, and the grout lines can loosen. Scott Carothers, Academic Director of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), authored an article on the subject, Out-of-Flat Ceramic Tile Floors Cause Many Problems, for Floor Trends & Installation. He writes,
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifications require the substrate (the surface to which the tile is installed) to be flat for the proper installation of ceramic and porcelain tile. ANSI A108.02 states the following; section 4.2.2 Substrate flatness for tiles 15 in. (0.38m) or longer: “For tiles with at least one edge 15 in. […] or longer, the substrate shall have a maximum permissible variation of 1/8 in. in 10 ft. […] from the required plane, and no more than 1/16 in. variation in 24 in. […] when measured from the high points in the surface.”
Grind down high spots. Flash patch low spots as part of proper surface preparation. For more extensive substrate prep details, read on…
When Underlayment Is Required for DIY Tile Projects
In most cases, the answer is yes. The only exception is when your materials are installed over flat concrete that does not have any cracks.
The type of underlayment necessary will depend on whether you are installing over a concrete slab or a wood subfloor, and selecting the right underlayment option becomes important.
Underlayment options for concrete include:
- Flowable hydraulic cement underlayment (FHCU)
- Liquid-applied crack isolation membranes
- Peel-and-stick crack isolation membranes
- Uncoupling membranes
NOTE: Even a perfectly flat concrete slab with no cracks may require surface preparation if it is coated with curing compounds, which must be removed before installation to ensure proper adhesion.
Underlayment options for wood subfloors include:
- Cement backer boards
- Uncoupling membranes
- FHCU – best when used in combination with a liquid-applied crack isolation membrane
Read our guide to tile underlayment.
How to Select the Proper Mortar for Your Tile
Choose the most appropriate mortar to help ensure the long-term success of your project. For beginners, mortar selection may seem like a daunting task. A Tile Letter article, The Right Everyday Mortar Sets You Up for Success, may help demystify your mortar selection process. Read the full article for more details.
The article states, “When choosing a modified mortar, look for the three American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards that govern modified mortars.” For modified dry-set cement mortar, use an A118.4 mortar. For improved modified dry-set cement mortar, look for A118.15. For exterior glue plywood, go with A118.11.
The article also states, “Most, if not all, ANSI A118.15 mortars meet/exceed ANSI A118.11 specifications. ANSI has a designation of “E” for extended open time, “T” for sag resistance on vertical surfaces, “H” for large and heavy tile, and “F” for fast set. These extra letters are listed after the ANSI specification.”
Modified thinset mortar will be appropriate for many installations. Unmodified thinset will be required for installing over an impervious membrane or a waterproof or moisture-resistant substrate. Make sure you precisely follow the manufacturer’s instructions for selecting the appropriate mortar for your type of tile and substrate, as well as mixing the product.
Learn more about modified thinset and when to use it.
Choosing the Best Grout for Your Installation
- Epoxy grout is hard to work with, even for professionals, so we do not recommend epoxy grout for homeowners doing their own projects.
- Sanded grout is not good for refinishable surfaces because the abrasives in the grout will cause scratches on the surface of the tile during the refinishing process.
- Unsanded grout is ideal for vertical surfaces. It is not ideal for situations with high floor traffic.
Adam Copher, Owner and President of Copher Tile & Stone, shares his thoughts on grout:
Read the instructions on grout for appropriate grout joint sizes. Many 118.7 grouts have fine sand or other aggregates and which can be used in joints from 1/16″-1/2″. Always test grout with any aggregate on softer and polished surfaces to make sure it won’t scratch the surface. Glass tile and polished stones are particularly susceptible to scratching. Use sanded grout if necessary but never in joints over 1/8″ unless grout manufacture says otherwise.
Tips to Reduce Material Waste in DIY Tile Work
- Start with a small, inexpensive project so that you can get the hang of cutting and setting. Then, you can move on to a bigger project with more expensive materials.
- Remember to cover nearby surfaces with plastic, drop cloths, and tape to prevent damage from messes or spills.
- Use a quality tile cutter or wet saw for the cleanest cuts.
- Set aside any usable off-cuts for room edges.
- Mix tiles from multiple boxes to blend slight color or texture variations. Do a dry layout to make adjustments before using adhesives. Then, when you set the tile with adhesives, use spacers and a tile leveling system to maintain consistency from one tile to the next. These suggestions will help you avoid removing (and destroying) mislaid tiles.
- When you purchase material, get plenty extra. This may seem like a counterproductive way to avoid waste, but the fact is that brand-new installers will go through a lot more materials than a professional installer because of newbie mistakes. Anyhow, it’s always a good idea to have extra replacement tiles in case of damage down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best materials for a DIY tile installation?
Ceramic tile is often the best choice for a DIY tile installation because it is lighter, easier to cut, and more beginner-friendly than porcelain or natural stone. Choosing the right mortar, grout, and underlayment is also important for long-lasting results.
2. Do I need underlayment for a DIY tile project?
In most cases, yes, underlayment is recommended to create a stable and flat surface for tile installation. The type of underlayment needed depends on whether you are installing over concrete or a wood subfloor.
3. How can I reduce mistakes and material waste during DIY tile work?
Planning ahead, using the proper tools, and doing a dry layout before applying adhesive can help reduce mistakes and wasted materials. Buying extra tile is also recommended since first-time installers often need additional pieces for cuts and adjustments.
Conclusion
When selecting materials, go beyond just choosing a tile that looks great. Tile installation is a blend of artistry and science. Like any skill, it takes time and practice to get the results you want. Even with the best materials, first-time results might not be perfect. And that’s okay as long as you go into the project with realistic expectations. We encourage thoughtful material selection and planning, since we’ve seen firsthand how challenging DIY tile installation can be for homeowners.
by Alice Dean
Copher Tile & Stone proudly stays up to date on tile installation with ongoing education with Mapei Technical Institute, Ardex Academy, the National Tile Contractors Association, Laticrete, and Schluter. Copher is a Certified Tile Installer (#1644).
Do you want a quote for tile installation? Contact us online or call 805-286-7460. We are San Luis Obispo County’s preferred installers, serving Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, San Simeon, Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, Shell Beach, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, Los Osos, and Grover Beach.
