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How to lay floor tiles
Overview
Laying tiles is a great way to refresh your space and give it a new look. This step-by-step guide will show you how to lay tiles and help you achieve a long-lasting, professional finish.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
Steps
Check your floor surface
Before you start laying tiles, check that your floor is flat and level. Use a spirit level or a straight edge to assess different sections of the floor. If you find any humps, use a diamond cup grinding wheel to grind them down. For dips or uneven spots, apply a concrete floor leveller to smooth them out.
Clean and prime the floor
Once your floor is level, give it a thorough clean by sweeping and vacuuming to remove any dust or debris. After that, apply a primer to the floor. This will help the tile adhesive bond more effectively to the surface, ensuring a stronger hold.
Plan your tile layout
Planning your layout before applying any adhesive is crucial. Start by measuring the length and width of the area. For example, if your room is 1.6m by 3m and you’re using 600mm square tiles, you’ll need about five tiles for the length. Next, find the centre of the room. Measure half the width of a tile (in this case, 300mm) and mark this point with a chalk line. This mark will act as your guide to ensure that your tiles are laid evenly, reducing the chances of having small cuts at the edges.
Cut tiles to fit the edges
When you reach the edges of the room, you’ll likely need to cut some tiles to fit. Measure the space carefully and use a tile cutter for straight cuts. For more complex cuts, such as around corners, use a grinder with a diamond blade. Always wear safety gear when cutting tiles.
Dry lay your tiles
Before applying adhesive, dry lay your tiles along the chalk lines to make sure they fit properly. This will give you an idea of how the final layout will look and allow you to make adjustments if needed. Once you're happy with the arrangement, stack the tiles in the correct order to keep everything organised.
Choose the right notch trowel
Here’s how to choose the right notched trowel size for your tiles: a 6mm notch trowel is for smaller tiles (up to 100mm x 100mm), a 10mm notch trowel is best for medium-sized tiles (around 300mm x 300mm) and a 12mm notch trowel is ideal for large tiles (600mm x 600mm or bigger), which require a thicker adhesive bed.
Mix and apply tile adhesive
Prepare the tile adhesive according to the manufacturer's instructions. You’re aiming for a peanut butter-like consistency—thick, but smooth enough to spread easily. Using a notched trowel, spread the tile adhesive over a small section of the floor, starting at the chalk lines. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle to create grooves in the adhesive, which will help the tiles bond securely.
Lay the tiles
Once the adhesive is dry, remove the tile spacers and clean off any excess adhesive from the gaps. Mix the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions, then use a grout float to apply it to the joints. Hold the float at a 45-degree angle and spread the grout diagonally across the tiles, ensuring all gaps are filled. Wipe away excess grout with a damp sponge, being careful not to remove grout from the joints. Allow the grout to dry as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
Apply grout
Once the adhesive is dry, remove the tile spacers and clean off any excess adhesive from the gaps. Mix the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions, then use a grout float to apply it to the joints. Hold the float at a 45-degree angle and spread the grout diagonally across the tiles, ensuring all gaps are filled. Wipe away excess grout with a damp sponge, being careful not to remove grout from the joints. Allow the grout to dry as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
Final touches
After the grout has fully dried—usually after 24 hours—give the tiles a final wipe-down to remove any grout haze. If your tiles are in a moisture-prone area, such as a bathroom or kitchen, consider sealing the grout to prevent water damage and keep it looking fresh for longer.
Now that you’ve laid floor tiles…
Learn how to tile a bathroom wall.
More D.I.Y. Advice
Health & Safety
Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.
Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.
Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.
Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.