Installing Tile On Concrete Walls

Ceramic and porcelain tile are so frequently installed at or above grade level on a cement board underlayment or directly on plywood that it almost seems novel to install tile directly on concrete.

Installing tile on concrete walls.

Laying down tiles on a concrete wall is not much different than laying tiles on drywall. These substrates must be structurally sound meet deflection requirements and meet on plane requirements. Clean the wall surface thoroughly removing all loose and granular materials to give a sound surface. You may also use floor tiles on a concrete wall if you don t like to use wall tiles.

Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage. Let the cleaned wall dry. You may install the tiles on the surface directly without the need for cement boards. Installing tile directly on concrete.

Apply even pressure to force the air out of the thinset and to make firm contact between the layer of thinset on the tile and the layer on the wall. Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water. Installation tips the standard thickness of floor grade cement tiles is usually 5 8 16mm up to 3 4 18mm for larger format tiles. For highly wet areas such as showers and bathtub surrounds cement board typically is attached directly over the wall studs and the studs may be.

Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor. Spread the adhesive on small surfaces to avoid getting it dried use a level to check the quality of your work rent a wet saw to cut the tiles accurately. The ceramic tile installation procedure illustrated in the photographs that follow involved the following steps. Yet this application does make sense since concrete is heavy solid and is typically thought of as an unbending uncompromising material.

However make sure that the surface is smooth and flat before doing anything. Spread a smooth layer of thinset on the back of the first tile and press it firmly into the notched layer on the wall. Check the tile for plumb and level then proceed to the next tile. Seal the wall surface with a tile mastic compatible.

Allow for adequate room under doors and consider the height difference when transitioning to other materials.