How To Install A Hexagon Tile Floor | Columbia MO
How to install a hexagon tile floor over Ditra XL.
In this video I’m going to be installing a hexagon tile floor. This is being installed over freshly set Ditra XL that was installed in my last video.
Before we set any tile we always layout the tile we’re installing. We like to do it this way to get a good visual on where our cuts will roughly be. If it looks like we’ll have a skinny cut somewhere, we’ll adjust the layout to eliminate it. We don’t want to install slivers, we want the tile to be a decent size everywhere.
As you can see in the rough layout, starting with fulls and halves at the tub will give us good sized tiles in this bathroom. We’ll cut a little off the tile under the window to give us a nice straight edge there as well.
I do use and recommend a good laser for laying out tile. I line the laser up with each edge I want the tile to be straight with and that gives me a great reference line. If you do the same thing it will work out nicely for you as well. When we spread thinset mortar over the laser line it won’t cover it. Actually it will make it stand out better.
A great practice to get into is back buttering your tile and checking for coverage. You should also pull your mud in straight lines, don’t swirl it. Doing these three things will greatly improve your bond to the substrate and give you a better finished tile floor. Check multiple tiles for coverage to make sure your arms aren’t getting fatigued and your notches are staying up properly.
Work your way from the furthest point of the room, towards the door. Don’t walk on freshly laid tile, bad things will happen. Most mortars require 24 hours between setting and grouting. We use Schluter Set and it has an initial grab of 12 hours so overnight is good enough for us.
Do try and keep your joints clean as you set. If you get some squish up that’s still there the next day clean it up. The longer you wait the harder the mortar will be to remove.
For notch customer we use a wet saw. Measure tight to the wall and deduct 1/4” for the cut. This gives you room for the 1/8” grout joint and some expansion between the drywall as well.
Thank you for watching my video. If you have a comment or question be sure to share it below. Click the subscribe button and ring the bell to keep updated with our latest videos. If you’re in the mid-Missouri area and you need a tile installer give us a call. We’d love to interview for your project.
EJ Flooring
Eric Blumer
Certified Tile Installer #1329
(573) 289-1045
https://www.ejflooring.com
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