Choose Materials

• 1
  Wall Tiles Design Center
  
  Choose the wall tiles you want for your tiling project. Some people like to use ceramic tile as wall art portraying a mural; others like simple designs that will complement their furniture or bathroom, depending on the room. Color, size and quality are all questions to answer.
  
  
• 2). Pick a style of spacing for your tiles. Some larger tiles will look better being spaced very close to each other, while smaller tiles can be spaced up to a 1/4 inch apart. If you lay out a few tiles on a plain background, you can get a visual for what it would look like with the different spacing.
  
  
• 3). Decide if you want your grout color to match your tiles, or if you want a bit of contrast to show off the tile work. Grout can be bought in many premixed colors, or you can ask for a specific color to match your tile.
  
  
• 4). Find a grout that's suitable for use with the spacing you plan on using on your wall tiles. There are different grades, based on how fine the grout mixture has been ground. The coarser or sanded grout is better for larger spaces because it will resist cracking.
  
  
• 5). Pick up the appropriate spacers to match the measurement of space between the tiles you have chosen. These are little plastic X's that you place in the thinset between the tiles to make sure the tiles set up perfectly straight and evenly spaced. They'll be removed before you apply the grout.
  
  
• 6). Buy your thinset mortar. If you're choosing a darker colored grout, use a gray mortar. If you're going with a lighter grout, use the white mortar. Pick a latex added mix if you're planning on using porcelain tile.
  
  

Prepare Your Wall

• 1
  Backer Board for Wall Tiles
  
  Remove any wallpaper or loose paint from the surface of the wall if you're working on a small project. In order for the thinset cement to stick to the wall properly, it can't be applied to a paper surface that will weaken under the application of the water-based thinset.
  
  
• 2). Install backer board on large walls before you tile, especially if designing a bathroom or kitchen. You can't just tile on top of regular sheet rock; it's not designed to hold the weight of tile. The best procedure is to remove old sheet rock so that the studs are revealed. This will take some of the weight off the structure.
  
  
• 3). Tape any of the edges and seams of the backer board so that you have a smooth surface to work with. Make sure the backer board is installed flush and that no screws are sticking out.
  
  

Install the Wall Tiles

• 1
  Install Wall Tiles in Thinset Mortar
  
  Work on a small section of a wall at a time. Lay a 1/4-inch-thick layer of mortar onto the wall with your trowel. Now go back over the mortar with the notched edge so that there are even ridges. The size of the ridge depends on the size of the tile--larger ridges for larger tiles.
  
  
• 2). Set the tile in place, starting at the bottom center. Place spacers on each side of the tile. Add your second tile. If using larger than 4 by 4 tiles, it helps to butter the back of the tile with the notched trowel with the mortar. Push the tile in place with a slight twisting motion.
  
  
• 3). Check the straightness of your tiles with the level. Adjust them as necessary while the mortar is still wet. If you wait until you have more than one row of tile in place, it might be too difficult to make adjustments, so check often.
  
  
• 4). Cut any edge tiles with your wet saw. This can be a little messy so it's best to work outside, if possible. Take your measurements and mark the back of the tile with a pencil. Cut your tiles and then make sure to dry them before you set them in place.
  
  
• 5). Clean off any thinset that has squeezed up between the tiles. A damp rag will wipe it up easily. If you wait, it will harden like cement and will be very hard to remove.
  
  
• 6). Allow the thinset to dry completely before you start with the grout. Wait at least 24 hours, even longer if working in humid conditions. Large tiles have more wet area that is covered by the tile and will take longer to dry than small tile.
  
  

Grout the Wall Tiles

• 1
  
  
  Remove all of the spacers from between the tiles. Some may be well secured and too hard to remove by hand. Use a pair of needle-nosed pliers to grip them and give a gentle tug.
  
  
• 2). Apply the grout to a small area at a time. Don't apply more than you can finish in 15 minutes. Push the grout into the cracks between the tiles using your float. First work it in so that there are no air pockets. Don't skimp on how much you apply.
  
  
• 3). Use the edge of the float to scrape off the excess grout so that the grout only comes up about 1/4 inch to the edge of the tile. Most tiles have a beveled edge that the grout should come up to.
  
  
• 4). Let the grout sit for 2 or 3 minutes so it can skin over. Use the large damp sponge to remove excess grout from the surface of the tile. Rinse the sponge out often. Don't worry about the haze left on the tile; it will be removed later.
  
  
• 5). Let the project dry again for at least 48 hours. This ensures that all of the moisture from the grout has a chance to cure out.
  
  

Polish and Seal

• 1
  Polished Wall Tiles
  
  Clean the tiles with a lightly dampened sponge and then dry with a dry cloth. You should be able to buff the tile to a nice shine.
  
  
• 2). A couple weeks later, apply the sealer that is appropriate for the tiles and grout you have chosen. Paint it on so that the grout is saturated, and allow it to dry. Follow the recommended numbers of layers and drying times, listed on the packaging.
  
  
• 3). Caulk any corners with a silicone waterproof caulk if the tile job is in a wet area like a shower or over a sink. Follow the directions for drying as stated on the packaging.