Porcelain tiles are clay-based tiles made up of compressed clay dust fired to extremely high temperatures. They are one of the hardest and most durable materials on the market for tiles today, and come in a wide range of sizes, including 16-inch squares. Porcelain tiles install similarly to other tiles, although their dense nature means that they require a tile wet saw for cutting. Because of the high temperatures used to fire the tiles, some larger tiles may warp slightly in the process. To help prevent problems during installation, take steps to ensure the 16-inch tiles are laid perfectly flat.
Pour self-leveling floor compound over the area you want the porcelain tiles to be installed. The compound seeks out high and low spots on the floor and levels them. This creates a smooth, flat surface for installation. Let the compound dry according to the manufacturer's directions.
Locate the wall furthest from the entry door. Measure the wall and find its center point. Snap a chalk line from this point across the floor to the opposite side of the room. You will set your first tile against the wall on this line. This places any cut tiles on the edges of the room where they are least likely to be seen.
Dry fit the porcelain tiles by placing them on the floor without mortar to test their fit. Set the first tile on the chalk line and the next tiles evenly out to each side. Use tile spacers if necessary to keep your tile lines straight. Cut the tiles to fit the edges of the room with a tile wet saw and return them to the dry layout to double check their fit.
Take up the tiles in the opposite order you laid them down in and stack them nearby. Spread a thin layer of thinset mortar onto the floor. Rake the mortar with the notches in the trowel until it is a uniform depth.
Press the tiles into the mortar in the same order you determined in the dry fit. Wiggle the tiles slightly into place as you set them down. Beat each tile evenly into the mortar with a rubber mallet. Watch for corners that stick up higher than the tiles around them. This is called lipping and begins to occur in tiles 16 inches and larger. If lipping occurs, beat the tiles in deeper to level them.
Tile yourself backwards out of the room to avoid stepping on the newly laid tiles. Let them dry undisturbed for 24 hours.
Grout the porcelain tiles. Spread grout over the joints with a grout float held at a 45-degree angle. Direct the grout from several different directions to pack the grout between the joints. Let the grout dry for 10 minutes, then wash the surface of the tiles with a damp grout sponge. Work the sponge in circles over the tiles until they are clean, rinsing the sponge as needed. Let the grout dry for 24 hours.
Things You Will Need
- Self-leveling floor compound
- Measuring tape
- Tile wet saw
- Thinset mortar
- Rubber mallet
- Grout float
- Grout sponge
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