Laying tiles: the complete guide from substrate to grout

By Osman Orman · Tile and technical specialist at Tegelmonsters

How do you lay tiles, step by step?

The main line

Laying tiles follows fixed steps: checking and leveling the substrate, marking out the pattern from a clean corner, setting the tiles in the correct adhesive, grouting at the chosen width, and installing expansion joints. Adhering to this sequence prevents most problems later on.

Broadly speaking, the process looks like this:

1. Check the substrate for flatness and adhesion, and level it with a self-leveling compound if necessary.
2. Lay out the pattern from a perfect, right angle, so that the cutting edges meet at the edge.
3. Spread the adhesive in the correct bed and set the tiles with the necessary pressure.
4. Maintain the chosen joint width using spacers or wedges.
5. Install expansion joints and grout only when the adhesive has sufficiently cured.

Each step has its own effect. The common thread is that a small mistake at the beginning, regarding flatness or expansion, only becomes larger further down the floor. That is why the profit lies in the preparation.

How do you prepare the surface?

Substrate

A good substrate is flat, dry, clean, and load-bearing. Flatness is the most important requirement: the larger the format, the tighter the flatness class must be, because a large tile cannot bridge irregularities. A hollow space under the tile is the most common cause of loosening and breakage.

Check the floor with a straightedge and fill low spots with a suitable leveling compound. Then vacuum to remove dust and, on a highly absorbent or smooth surface, apply a primer to ensure good adhesion of the adhesive. For large format tiles and completely filling the adhesive bed, the approach is detailed in the guide on tile adhesive for large format tiles.

What tools do you need to lay tiles?

Tools

Good tools make the work faster and more accurate. The basics are a notched trowel of the correct size, a straightedge or laser to check flatness, a tile cutter or wet saw, spacers or wedges for the grout, and a rubber mallet with a spirit level for adjustment. The right tools prevent most beginner mistakes.

You choose the notch width based on the size: the larger the tile, the coarser the notch, so that the adhesive bed remains full. For large formats, you often use the combination method, where you notch both the substrate and the back of the tile. A wet saw provides a cleaner cut than a hand cutter on thick or hard tiles, and a rubber mallet prevents damage when tapping. Check every row with a straightedge or laser; laying a floor level by eye is almost never successful.

How do you set out the pattern at right angles?

To expand

Accurate setting out starts with a true right angle. A room is rarely exactly perpendicular, so you set out your own axes instead of starting against the wall. This way, cutting edges line up neatly at the edge and the pattern does not veer off as you progress.

The most reliable method without a large set square is the 3-4-5 rule for setting out at right angles : measure 3 along one line, 4 along the other, and at an oblique measurement of exactly 5, the angle is at a right angle. If you want the grout lines to run continuously from floor to wall, additionally lay out the tiles flush , so that the seams align.

Which adhesive and which joint width do you choose?

Glue and grout

Select the adhesive and joint width based on size, substrate, and zone. A flexible adhesive and a fully filled adhesive bed prevent voids, and the joint width must match the dimensional stability of the tile. Joints that are too tight with non-calibrated tiles create a restless appearance and tension.

The complete guideline per zone can be found in the selection guide for joint width . The depth of the joint is a separate choice, detailed under joint thickness . Tighter dimensions apply to rectified tiles, described in the guide on joint width for rectified tiles.

Where do you place expansion joints and how many tiles do you order?

Dilation and quantity

Expansion joints accommodate movement and should be placed along walls, around obstacles, and at fixed intervals in large spans. To determine the quantity, calculate your surface area plus cutting waste, which increases significantly with diagonal and herringbone patterns. Ordering too little will result in reordering from a different batch, with a color difference.

Never skip expansion joints for the sake of appearance; their proper placement is explained in the guide on expansion joints for tiles . Cutting waste varies significantly depending on the laying pattern:

Calculate it precisely with the guide on calculating cutting loss per pattern , and always add a reserve for breakage and later repairs.

What are the most common mistakes when laying tiles?

What often goes wrong

Most problems do not arise during the installation process, but from a few recurring mistakes: starting on an uneven surface, expanding against a slanted wall, a half-filled adhesive bed, and skipping expansion joints. Each of these four manifests later as loose tiles, crooked lines, or cracks.

What does work, briefly summarized: a flat surface, setting out from a perpendicular axis, a full adhesive bed with the correct notched trowel, a joint width that matches the tile, and expansion joints where they belong. If you take the time for those five, the laying itself is the easy part.

Two practical habits make a big difference. First, lay out a few rows dry to check the pattern and cutting edges before applying adhesive. And only grout when the adhesive has sufficiently cured, usually after a day. Grouting too early draws moisture from the adhesive and results in weak, unevenly cured joints.

How do you put together a sample pack for your tiling project?

Assemble sample package

How a tile is laid depends on size, calibration, and edge finish. A rectified, calibrated tile lays straighter than a tile with natural edges. Assess this on your own subfloor beforehand so that you can match your laying pattern and grout width accordingly.

Frequently asked questions