Need advice- we would like to intall ceramic tiles in Entry way

 


Need advice - we would like to intall glossy ceramic tiles in Entry
way.

We are going to have a contractor install them.


Are there any pluses or minuses re: ceramic tiles ?

Any pointers on the grout ? thin grout better than thicker grout ?

or installation pointers ?

Any suggestions, input would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Anna

 

Go to the home depot tile department and look around.  You can talk to
the tile guy and get advice.

We have installed ceramic tile in 2 houses by  ourselves.  I learned not
to pick pretty like colored grout (we used peach) cause it discolors
with normal wear and washing.  We used a dark color the next time
around.  

Contractor installation isn't the most frugal way to go.  You can do it
yourself for 1/2 the price if you have the physical capibility.  Home
Depot does workshops to teach you the basics.  Even my 70 y/o neighber
laid her tile herself and it looks fine.

 

scoutdreams@webtv.net wrote:

home depot charges something like $400 for 10x10 installation.

materials extra, of course. and thats provided you have a decent
substrate to work with.

ive laid a lot of tile myself, and even bought a $50 wet tile saw. its
not rocket science. most of it is just having a good "eye". youll soon
find most walls arent completely even :)

 

anna wrote:

Go to a building supply store (Lowes, Home Depot) or a dedicated
tile/flooring store or your local library and get a book on installing
ceramic tile.  Even if you're not doing the work yourself, it will give
you an appreciation of what is involved. It will give you some design
ideas too (to the point where you'll want to tile everything :-) )

I have two:

Tiling Step-by-Step, Better Homes and Gardens

and

Setting Ceramic Tile, by Michael Byrne (A Fine Homebuilding Book)

Both are good.

(I just had a bathroom floor done by a contractor then did a bathroom
counterspace myself.  It was not hard, especially since I was able to
borrow the tile saw from the contractor to do my bit.)

--
Mr. Civility

 



Ceramic tiles can crack, and the entryway is more likely to have heavy
stuff dropped on it.  Make sure to have the contractor leave you a
dozen extra tiles.  Tiles are set in a material called thinset. it
must be level and contact all parts of the tile if you don't want the
tile to break.  You can tell if there is a gap by rapping on the tile
with the handle of a broom.  Poorly set tiles will sound hollow.

Marble tiles are set with minimal grout lines, ceramic is set with
wider lines.  I'd probably opt for smaller grout lines if possible.
Grout is a pain, even if it does help evaporate moisture that might
get trapped under the tiles.