Installing the Tile

• 1). Lay out the tile across the surface you wish to cover, starting from the side of the room with the door or entrance to the room. Leave 1/4 of an inch of space around each tile (the tiles should be 1/4 of an inch from the walls, and 1/4 of an inch from each other) to make sure you have enough tiles.
  
  
• 2). Measure the size of any extra space at the end of the rows of tile to determine how many tiles you may have to trim, and how much you will have to trim them, to complete the job. If any tiles will be cut to three inches wide or less, space your tiles out farther instead of cutting such small tiles.
  
  
• 3). Mark guide lines along the spaces between the tiles with the chalk line marker.
  
  
• 4). Pick up the tiles and set them outside your work area starting at the front of the room, and spray hairspray over the chalk lines as you go to keep the chalk lines from wearing away too quickly.
  
  
• 5). Sweep your work area to clear away any debris.
  
  
• 6). Mix the thin-set mortar in the bucket according to the instructions on the mortar.
  
  
• 7). Start at the back of the room and spread the mortar over a four-tile square area with a notched trowel, holding the trowel at a 45-degree angle and dragging it along the floor in parallel lines.
  
  
• 8). Place the tiles on the mortared area, making sure to space them so that the tiles are 1/4 of an inch apart (or the wider spacing you determined) and press down firmly across the surface of the tiles.
  
  
• 9). Sponge away any access mortar from the surface of your tiles and repeat the mortar and tiling process until your surface is covered with tile.
  
  

Grout the Tiles

• 1). Mix the grout mixture in your second bucket according to the instructions that came with your grout.
  
  
• 2). Spread the grout between your tiles with the grout float by scooping grout on to the bottom of the grout float and sweeping it across the tiles at a 45-degree angle.
  
  
• 3). Clean any excess grout from the surface of the tiles with a damp sponge after every section of four tiles you grout, as the grout dries quickly.
  
  
• 4). Wait about 15 minutes to see if any drying grout appears to linger on the surface of the tiles and wash it away with the sponge.
  
  
• 5). Let the mortar and grout dry for a minimum of 24 hours before allowing traffic over the tile, or up to 72 hours for the best results.