Laying tile this weekend

[sugardumpling]

We leveled out the floor last weekend and this weekend going to tile a 5x7 1/2 bath/laundry area. We dry fit and already we've argued about layout. ::::SHOCKING::::. lol.

Anyway, the tiles are 13x13 (i think). Any tips or tricks would be great.

[FoxInFiji]

What did you use to level the floor? Is the floor cement or a wood structure?

I wrote out a simple guide to laying large format tile (which your tile is just barely considered) with some tips, tricks, and lots of pictures here:
threeacres.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/and-we-have-tile/

HTH

[kaylie]

No advice, but a question for anyone who might know the answer: If you're laying tile in a kitchen and you're planning to add an island, can you add the island over the tile or should you add the island first and then tile around it?

[sugardumpling]

The hubs used self-leveling cement over hardie board over subfloor.
Thanks Fox will check out your blog now.

[FoxInFiji]

Jun 28, 2012 9:58:21 GMT -5 kaylie said:

No advice, but a question for anyone who might know the answer: If you're laying tile in a kitchen and you're planning to add an island, can you add the island over the tile or should you add the island first and then tile around it?

You build the island first. Otherwise you have to cut down the cabinet base and toekick to make it the same height as the surrounding cabinets. You can level the island on the subfloor with shims that way (tile is rarely perfectly level...which will leave you with an unlevel countertop). You have no way of nailing through tile to secure the island. You are wasting money tiling under the island if it's intended to be a permanent fixture. If you have water or electrical in the island you'll have to tile around those and plan that out ahead of time (can't move them once they are tiled in place). I could go on but you get the point.

[FoxInFiji]

Jun 28, 2012 9:59:31 GMT -5 sugardumpling said:

The hubs used self-leveling cement over hardie board over subfloor.
Thanks Fox will check out your blog now.

How did that process go? We're looking to use self leveling cement for our master bath in floor heating mat and I've read lots of bad experiences with it. Did he prep the floor by caulking every crack and hole first? How thick of a layer did he need to put down? Any cracking (superficial or not) in the layer?

[kaylie]

Darn - I really want to get rid of my vinyl planks sooner than that! Thanks Fox.

[FoxInFiji]

You could always go with a moveable island if you want to do the tile now. But you won't have electrical outlets in it and a cart might be too small if the space is big.

[sugardumpling]

Fox - sorry i did not get back to you sooner. He did not caulk everything. There were no cracks. I think the best advice he can give you is take it slow and get a float with long handle.