Kitchen floor tiling

If you love your DIYing, then a bout of kitchen floor tiling might be just the challenge you're up for. Beware, though, that tiling can be a tricky game, and the preparation can reveal a few hidden extras. Sometimes, it might be better just to call in the professionals.

Kitchen floor preparation

If your flooring materials have been down there for quite some time, such as old linoleum or carpet, lifting it can reveal some nasty surprises, such as holes, dry rot, uneven flooring and more. This all needs to be resolved before tiles can be laid. If the floor is in a particularly bad way, we'd recommend you stop at this point and call in some professionals.

If, however, your floor is not that bad or you still stand unperturbed, then it is more than possible to lay floor tiles yourself - and this could save you loads of money too. Some things to make sure you add to your list, aside from the tools (listed below), is extra budget. Whatever you think it's going to cost, add at least 10-15% for any mishaps.

Which kitchen tile?

Choosing which tiles to use not only depends on taste, but also on practical concerns, such as strength, durability and how easy they are to keep clean. Some tiles may look fantastic in the showroom, but need extra treatments that jack up your budget. For instance, quarry tiles are very hard wearing and do not need sealing, but they have to be laid on a very solid foundation. If your floor is in any way weak, then the quarry tiles will not be the answer for you. Speak to the tile professional when buying them about these concerns.

Hiring a professional to tile can alleviate these concerns. They can take a look at your existing flooring, fix any pre-existing problems, and show you a wide range of options that suit both your needs and budget. They also ensure that the right amount of tiles are ordered, meaning that any second round of ordering doesn't end up in a slightly different batch (this often happens with tiles, especially those made form marble, granite of other natural products).

Tiling tools

If you do decide to DIY, then here's a list of tolls you will need to get you started (and hopefully finished too!):

• Enough tiles to cover the whole area in one session, plus 10-15% extra for breakages and cutting mistakes
• Adhesive
• Grout
• Snapping Pliers
• Tile Saw (for tricker tile cutting, such as around pipes)
• A tile scorer for cutting tiles along a straight line
• Tile cutter
• Tape measure
• Plumb line
• Spirit level
• Tile spacers
• Sponge (for grouting)
• Plastic bucket
• Straight edge
• Battens
• Silicone sealant (for grout)

Obviously, if you know what you're doing with tiling and/or flooring, you'll no doubt be fine tackling the task yourself. However, if you're feeling confident and you follow all the proper guidelines, there's nothing stopping you from attempting to learn if you aren't experienced. It may be a good idea to have someone with knowledge of the subject assisting you. If you're not comfortable with the idea of risking mistakes, it's probably a sign to call in the professionals.