trafficMASTER Matte Ceramic Floor And Wall Tile Installation Guide
- June 13, 2024
- trafficMaster
Table of Contents
trafficMASTER Matte Ceramic Floor And Wall Tile
Product Information
Installing porcelain tile is a process that requires proper preparation of the base for a successful installation. This guide provides instructions on how to complete your project successfully.
Preparation
- The success and longevity of tile installation rely on a solid base. If you are not dealing with new construction, remove the original flooring material before installing the new tile.
- Ceramic and porcelain tile should be installed on a clean, level, and rigid floor. Repair and add support to any uneven areas. Use a cement board or fibercement underlayment, which are resilient to moisture and impervious to liquids.
- Choose your installation pattern to reflect the desired tone and look.
- Map out your installation by finding the center of the room on two opposite walls and snapping a chalkline across the room. Create perpendicular lines on the other walls to ensure they are square.
- Dry fit your tiles starting from the center point, leaving enough spacing for grout joints. Work with as many full tiles as possible.
Installation
- Begin laying the tile from the center of the room, using reference lines as a guide.
- Spread thinset with a notched trowel. Larger tiles require more thinset and a larger notched trowel.
- Use plastic spacers to ensure straight grout lines while laying the tiles. Remove the spacers before the thinset dries.
- Clean up any excess thinset immediately following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- After installing a few rows of tile, set them with a tile level and a mallet.
- As you reach the perimeter of the room, cut and adjust tiles to complete the installation. Use a wet cut tile saw for cutting porcelain and avoid dry cutting with motorized equipment due to potential exposure to harmful silica dust.
- Allow the tile to set according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then grout the tile.
- Clean the tile surface with a damp sponge and clean water.
Maintenance Tips
General cleaning techniques for porcelain and ceramic tile depend on the surface, texture, and condition. Water and a soft sponge are usually sufficient for cleaning MS International ceramic and porcelain products. If using a cleaner, opt for a neutral pH cleaner that won’t affect the finish. Test the cleaner on a small area first. For heavily soiled tile or stone, consult a professional cleaning company for the proper technique.
Installing porcelain tile is a process; proper preparation of the base is an absolute necessity for a successful installation. Don’t let this dissuade you from a DIY porcelain tile installation! Below are instructions on how to complete your project successfully
PREPARE
- The success and longevity of tile installation rely on a solid base. Unless you are dealing with new construction, this usually means removing the original flooring material before you install your new tile.
- Ceramic and porcelain tile should be installed on a clean, level, and rigid floor. If your floors flex or have uneven areas, repair and add support where needed. Follow up with a cement board or fiber cement underlayment. Both are resilient to moisture and impervious to liquids.
- Choose your installation pattern. There are an endless number of options, and the pattern should reflect the overall tone and look you are trying to achieve.
- Map out your installation. Measure to find the center of a room on two opposite walls and use these points to snap a chalkline across the room. Do the same on the other walls to create a perpendicular line, and check to make sure they are square.
- Dry fit your tile starting from the center point, leaving enough spacing for grout joints. The goal is to work with as many full tiles as possible
INSTALLATION
- Begin laying the tile from the center of the room, using your reference lines as your guide.
- Spread thinset with the notched edge of a trowel. Larger tiles require more thinner set and a larger notched trowel.
- As you lay your tile, you can use plastic spacers to help ensure you have straight grout lines. You will remove the spacers before the thinset dries.
- Clean up any excess thinset immediately using the manufacturerʼs instructions.
- After a few rows of tiles are installed, set them with a tile level and a mallet.
- As you reach the perimeter of the room, cut and adjust tiles to complete your installation. A wet-cut tile saw is recommended for cutting porcelain. Do not dry cut using motorized equipment due to the potential for exposure to harmful silica dust. Use a wet saw or a score and snap tool when cutting is necessary during the installation process.
- Allow the tile to set according to the manufacturerʼs instructions. Grout the tile.
- Clean the tile surface with a damp sponge and clean water
MAINTENANCE TIPS
As with any flooring material, general cleaning techniques of porcelain and
ceramic tile depend on the surface, texture and condition of the surface.
Water and a soft sponge will usually be enough to clean the surface of MS
International ceramic and porcelain products.
If you clean with something other than water, however, opt for a neutral pH
cleaner that will not affect the finish. You can find neutral cleaners at most
home centers and tile showrooms. Always test the cleaner on a small area
first. If tile or stone is heavily soiled, we recommend that a professional
cleaning company determines the proper cleaning technique