How to lay tiles in the kitchen: laying tips from the pros

The kitchen space is a work area. It should be functional and as convenient as possible. Housewives spend more time in the kitchen, so it is important that it is comfortable there. Food is cooked on it, evaporation occurs. Wall and floor materials must be able to withstand numerous damp cleanings. Resist moisture, dirt and grease. In this article, we will consider how to properly lay tiles (tiles) in the kitchen.

Preparation for laying tiles in the kitchen

Tiling surfaces is not an easy job, but doable if you have some power tool skills and patience. First you need to decide on the choice of ceramic tiles, the installation option, calculate the exact number of elements for based on the area of ​​the surface to be repaired, prepare the necessary materials and tools, as well as prepare the surface for styling.

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Types and characteristics of tiles

Ceramic tiles are the general name for finishing materials. Ceramics is fired clay with additives in the form of sand, feldspar. There are the following types:

1. Tiled - coated with glaze, used for cladding walls, stoves, fireplaces.
2. Porcelain stoneware - obtained by dry pressing, and fired at higher temperatures. Has increased resistance to abrasion, mechanical shock and aggressive environment. It is indispensable for premises with a large flow of people - offices, airport halls, supermarkets.
3. Clinker - released by extrusion through the mold. Possesses high technical characteristics. Frost and moisture resistance are additional qualities that distinguish this material. It is used for lining the bottom of the pool.
4. Cotto - This is a tile made of red clay, made by extrusion - the method of extrusion. Used when decorating the walls of churches, museums.

In the design of the kitchen space, tiles have the following advantages:

• strength;
• moisture resistance;
• environmental friendliness;
• hygiene;
• long service life;
• wear resistance;
• a large selection of colors and structures;
• wide range of applications;
• convenience and ease of cleaning.

Materials, tools and calculation of the number of tiles

A set of tools before laying use the standard:

1. A set of metal spatulas for cleaning the surface from old paint, wallpaper residues, for applying adhesive mixture to walls, a rubber spatula for grouting.
2. Glue or special sand-cement mixture.
3. Plaster for leveling the surface.
4. Grout or joint filler.
5. Deep penetration primer.
6. Crosses are inserts between tiles.
7. Tile cutting machine or glass cutter;
8. Aluminum rule for leveling walls.
9. Level and plumb line.
10. Primer and brush.
11. Antiseptic.
12. Rubber mallet.
13. Construction mixer for mixing the mixture.

In small kitchens, it is appropriate to use small tiles of 10 by 10 mm or a mosaic for the apron, and use 15 by 15 mm on the walls. Before proceeding with the calculation of the required amount, you need to decide:

• how the tiles will be laid;
• design - one-color, with inserts, ornaments;
• material size;
• the presence of a drawing;
• the presence of decorative elements.

It is better to count the tiles for each wall separately. The halves must be taken into account in the calculation for the whole. The calculation is carried out in rows. The height of the walls is divided by the vertical size of the tile and rounded up to an integer to give the number of rows up. The width is divided by the horizontal size to get the number of horizontal rows.

When using tiles of different colors, areas with drawings or ornaments, the calculation is made separately for each finished fragment. With a standard stacking - rectangular - it is necessary to have a margin of 5% to the amount received. With diagonal styling - up to 15%, with pattern fitting - up to 20%.

For the amount of glue, refer to the instructions and the area of ​​the cladding. The amount of grout is determined as follows: the sum of the two sides of the tile in meters is divided by the area of ​​the tile in sq. meters and multiply by 0.03 m (seam width).

for instance: for tiles measuring 30 x 30 mm, 0.6 / 0.09 x 0.03 = 0.2 kg / m² is required. Then it is multiplied by the amount of material.

Surface preparation of walls and floors

Aligning walls begins with determining which surface, covering. With complex alignment, drywall is attached, and tiles are attached to it.

Small irregularities, cracks are filled with putty, deep potholes are filled with cement mortar. The wall is plastered and remains in this form until completely dry. After that, a primer is applied and again time is given for complete drying. The last moment is the finishing putty. Then the tiles are laid.

If there is an old coating on the walls in the form of paint or wallpaper, it is required to clean and plaster. The paint does not need to be cleaned to the end - just notches are applied for an even adhesion of the solution or glue. Smooth surfaces are lightly plastered to give a more uniform surface.

Before installation, wooden floors are inspected for integrity, as well as rotten places, fungus. All this is eliminated. Large gaps are sealed with chips using glue and nails at an angle. This simultaneously tightens the boards and eliminates squeaking.

All boards are additionally pierced with nails for strength and rigidity. All nail heads are recessed. They are sanded to give a smooth surface, coated with linseed oil.

The concrete floor, which does not have large cracks, irregularities, is degreased and cleaned of stains. Defects are eliminated with a solution of sand and cement. It is given to dry for 12 hours. The floor is processed with coarse sandpaper, cleaned of debris and dust.

If the concrete is all battered and there is no point in covering it up, a screed is used. This is the leveling of the entire surface using a special mixture for laying. Preliminarily, a damper tape is glued to all joints between the floor and walls so that the solution does not flow into the cracks.

The plane is pre-coated with a primer two times with each layer drying. The leveling mass spreads by itself, forming a perfectly flat plane. If air bubbles appear, they are removed with a needle roller. Drying time 12 hours. Layer thickness 2–4 mm.

Methods for the correct laying of tiles and the sequence of actions

The tiles are laid in different ways - depending on the location, kitchen style, personal preference:

• option "seam to seam»- simple and low-cost, tiles are located under each other, as in a school notebook;
• «bandaged" or "scattered»- the laying looks like brickwork, each next row is shifted by half of the tile;
• styling "diagonally"- a more laborious option, it takes a lot of material, visually expands the space;
• «chess"- a variant when two contrasting colors are used;
• «modular"- this is when at least three types of material are used, different in size and shape (rectangle, square), which are laid horizontally and vertically.

Before laying, markings are made on the walls. When planning the coverage, work begins from the corner below, a rail or corner is pre-strengthened by level, a vertical line is drawn along a plumb line.

For the apron, everything is done the same, but to a height from the floor where the table will stand. It is better to attach a metal profile horizontally. There is a pattern direction arrow on the reverse side. On the front side opposite it, a risk is made with a pencil. You can cut tiles with a tile cutter or glass cutter, some also use a grinder.

The width of the trowel must match the width of the tile. The glue mixture is diluted according to the instructions and mixed with a mixer until the consistency of thick sour cream. The adhesive is applied to the wall, the rule applies for an even layer. To prevent the glue from remaining on the spatula, it is constantly immersed in water.

The adhesive is applied to the material with a flat notched trowel held perpendicularly. Nestles slightly against the wall. Placing a few tiles is checked by the level and rule. Corrected if necessary with a rubber mallet. Inserts are inserted between them - crosses so that the seams are even. After drying, grouting is performed.

Laying tiles on the floor is no different from the sequence of working on the walls. Marking and placement of beacons is being carried out. If desired, an underfloor heating system, steam and sound insulation system is installed. Installation starts from the far corner.

Decoration of corners and slopes at windows

Window slopes and corners can be decorated with brick or stone tiles. They have special corner elements, with which you can simply and neatly make the corners of the slopes. Notches for adhesion are made on the surface for laying.

The slopes are primed, glue or mixture is applied. The plaster material is sawn with a hacksaw, the cement samples are cut with a circular saw. A smooth edge is made from the side of the window frame. The edge along the wall creates an uneven edge.

Under the tile, it is necessary to level the surface of the slopes and the window sill (if it also needs to be revetted). Plaster mix and sheet materials are used for these purposes: drywall, chipboard and others. The cladding of the wall around the window begins with whole elements under the window sill; a grinder is used to cut the ledge. Then they are laid out in whole parts on the sides of the window. Above the window opening, a plank is nailed from above at the level of the beginning of the row on the wall.

The clipped tiles fill the rest of the window space. Then the slopes get off. When laying tiles on slopes, narrow inserts at the joints are not used. First, the sides are revetted, the top, then the window sill.

Supports are used for the upper surface of the window so that the tiles do not fall off before drying. The seams are rubbed every other day with a rubber spatula after complete drying. Putty or sealant is used. For a beautiful decoration of the inner corners, plastic corners are used, which are fitted and glued with a special sealant.

Video: how to put tiles in the kitchen

Covering walls or floors with tiles - a material that is beautiful and practical - is certainly an interesting option. Doing these works with your own hands saves money and gives confidence in your abilities.