How To Install Tile

I first became interested in learning how to install tile after we received our first bid for a 4x4 foot entry and a pad for a wood burning stove.  $900.00 just for labor!  Now, I am not opposed to paying a professional to work on my house, but I couldn't pay that for what was probably a few hours of work.  So my quest for getting a clue about laying tile began.

My wife and I have an agreement about any remodeling done in our house.
    1.  I will do the work for the project, she is in charge of design.
    2.  If the project turns out bad, ugly, unsafe, etc, she gets to hire the professional
         to fix the problem. 
    3.  It is never the designer's fault. 
    4.  I don't get to do any electrical work. 

As you can see, it was important for me to get this right the first time.  I became a little obsessed with reading about laying tile.  I had read enough to feel confident that I knew what needed to be done at each step of the project.  What was missing though was how it should look and the technique needed to get it right.  I am one of those people that learn best by watching and then doing.  My wife claims I figure anything out if it doesn't require reading a book, an article maybe, but not a whole book.

All of the reading was not doing it for me and I was just about to agree to pay the money.  That was when I came across a set of instructional videos that promised to teach me to lay tile in less than six days.  Then I read,       

"Assuming you have the average IQ of a twelve year old and the motivation it takes to pick up a few tools and watch me on TV for two hours, you can do this and do a damm good job too!"

I thought, watching TV is my specialty and as for my IQ, well, watching TV is my specialty.  I downloaded the program right to my computer and watched all 13 videos in an evening.  The videos are not shot in a studio and he is not an actor.  What I am saying is, you are watching a tile contractor from start to finish.  It is not flashy but after watching how he does it, I felt confident that I could jump in and succeed.  There were a few points during my install that I was freaking out, but I just went back to the computer and watched the related video (over and over) until I had it.  I would not have attempted this project without these videos, and I am sure they will help you learn how to install tile.  I really like the look tile adds to our house and we plan to tile the tub surround next.

Good luck with your tile project.