How to tile a floor

Prepare a Base.

Start by removing all the junk. Wax, grease or oil with a good, environmentally safe chemical or cleaner. Adhesives will not adhere where oil or grease is a part of the base. Plane down high spots, re-nail any loose boards on wood floors. Any rough spots will gradually show through, and may ruin the appearance. Poor condition of the base. It may be necessary to cover it with sturdy plywood or untempered hardboard.
If you have to lay a new floor, then nail every 4" along the edge and 4" apart in all directions. Stagger the panels,start in the center of the panel and work toward the edges. Best to use coated or ring-shanked nails, and be sure heads of the nails are even with board level.

Where to start from.The exact center of the room.

The first run should be started from the exact center. Here is how so to locate the center of the room. Find the exact center on each wall and mark that center spot. Pick one of the center spots,hold a chalk line,run it to the center position on the facing walls. Do the same with other side. Where they cross is the exact center. Mark it.
For accuracy, measure 3' in one direction. 4' in the opposite (90°) direction. Now when measured from a true center, the distance from the 3' to the 4' point will be exactly 5'. If this is not the case, start again. You need to get this right for a quality finish.

Final Check.

From the center point lay a line of loose tiles along one of the lines from center you had previously marked . After you have laid a full run along the chalk lines, measure the remaining distance between the edge of the last one and the walls on each run. So if the gap is less than two inches or more than eight inches, you will end up with an extremely narrow cut. Now to correct this, get the center line so that is parallel to the wall by 4-1/2" (half a tile),then remark.

Prepare the plan for flooring.

Open all boxes of tiles that you are going to use. Arrange them so you select one out of each carton, on an alternating basis. This will reduce any noticeable color variation. It is critical to plan in advance. Is your choice to either alternate the run of the patterns or lay in one direction. For varying colors. Plan your design carefully before applying.

Next Apply the Cement.

Applying the adhesive. Skip this section,If you are using a self-sticking tile. Read the instructions for the cement. Spread an even coat of adhesive over one-fourth of the area you wish to cover. Now a days most adhesives are applied with a notched trowel, but some use a brush or roller application.
The cement, will dry to the proper consistency in about 15 minutes. So after 15 minutes, place your thumb onto the cement. It should feel tacky but should not actually stick to your thumb. If it does stick, wait a little longer for proper drying.
The cement is ready for the application,when tacky but not sticky,

Laying.

Start at your markings in the center of your base area. It is important that the first one is exactly square with the lines. If the first one is started wrong, all others will also line up incorrectly. Be sure each is butted firmly against the previous one, leaving no gaps. Do not attempt to slide into place. Lay each one firmly into position on the cement. Alternate as you go,this helps to counteract expansion and contraction while enhancing the appearance.

Border.

To cut the easily and accurately, place a loose one squarely over the last one in the row. Then take another, butt it against the wall and mark. Cut along the marked line using ordinary scissors. This will now fit securely into the border space. Be sure this is placed face-up and at right angles to the grain of the one below it. This ensures you get the correct pattern when it is laid.

Obstructions.

When it becomes necessary to get around pipes or other obstructions, simply cut a paper pattern of the obstruction,the trace and cut .