Today, many choose ceramic tiles for flooring. This is a reliable and durable material suitable for absolutely any room. However, when installing some users, the question arises – how to apply it correctly? Especially if the base has an atypical shape. In this article we will talk about how to lay tiles on a wooden floor.
Preparation of a wooden foundation
Before the tiles on the wooden surface are laid, it should be prepared properly. For this, the existing coating is inspected. It should be even and not creak. In general, the base should look reliable. In the event that there are any deflection or flaws, we begin to sort through the lags and level them in level. Between wooden lags we pour expanded clay. It performs the function of heat – and sound insulator. On top of it, plywood, GVL, CSP sheets that are attached with self -tapping screws are laid on the lags.
Polyethylene or parchment paper is often placed on top so that moisture from an earthen or concrete base does not fall on the tile. We remember that between the wooden floor and the wall there should remain a gap of 1 centimeter (later it is filled with mounting foam). This is necessary in order to prevent coating deformation when expanding it. In addition, in some cases a typical concrete screed can be made. To do this, a metal mesh is laid on a waterproofing material (expanded clay). It is also attached to self -tapping screws. Lighthouses are placed in level and pour screed or self -leveling mixture up to 3 centimeters thick.
Preparation of tools and materials
The tile on the plywood is laid using certain tools and materials. These are: rubber spatula, glass cutter or tile cutter, level, roulette, gear spatula, adhesive container, rubber hammer, coated cord. It is also necessary to prepare the tile itself. To begin with, it is important to calculate correctly (how much material is required for the room). This is determined as follows: the area of the room is divided into tiles. 10% are added to the resulting amount (taking into account the cut). After the tiles are delivered, it is carefully examined for the presence of a marriage.
At the next stage, it is necessary to lay out the tile throughout the room. It is important to make sure that the previously done styling does not interfere with the doors and in general it looks beautiful. Before direct application, the tile must be put in water for 15-20 minutes. In the event that spots are formed from the water on it, it is better to wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Next, the adhesive is prepared (preferably on a cement basis). The mixture is diluted with water in those proportions indicated on the packaging. Stir it using a mixer.
In order to make the best clutch sometimes add 10-15% of plasticizers. Preparing glue is desirable in small batches. This is justified by the fact that it dries quickly, literally in 3-4 hours. Apply glue with a special gear spatula. The size of the teeth directly depends on the size of the tile. For example, if it has a width and a length equal to 30 cm, then the size of the teeth should be from 0.8 to 1 centimeter. In general, you can start applying tiles, only it is important to first make markings with a coated cord.
How to put tiles on a wooden floor?
As already mentioned, the tile on the wooden floor is placed on the marking. Determine the center by which they are oriented in the future. Moreover, the location of the tile is better planned so that there is a smallest number of cuts. However, if the masonry is carried out diagonally, then it will not be possible to avoid this. Next, they begin to glue the tile in small areas. Apply the adhesive composition and apply tiles to the floor on top, tapping with a rubber hammer.
And, be careful, the glue drying time on one tile is an average of 10 minutes. If you do the wrong styling, it will not work to fix the situation then. Have to remove the flooring. For uniform arrangement of the rows and the formation of a clear structure between the tiles, crosses are installed. The distances between them should be the same, and the ranks are as smooth as possible. So gradually, process the site behind the site. In those cases when you need to cut the tiles use tile cutter (usually it is needed for places near the walls, threshold).
After all the tiles are laid, the excess glue from the seams is removed using a rag. Wait for two days and begin to be grouting. Or otherwise it is called seaming seams. It is necessary in order to give the whole coating aesthetically pleasant appearance. Use a special composition for this, which is correctly selected in color (elastic silicone is also suitable). First, the seams are moistened with a brush, and after a rubber spatula, the grout itself is applied. After 20-30 minutes, when the composition is absorbed into the seams, the excess grouts are washed off the tiles.