Finished grey tiled bathroom floor with neat grout, threshold strip, sponge and grout float

How to Lay Floor Tiles: Layout, Adhesive, Cuts and Grout

Difficulty6/10
ToolsTile cutter / notched trowel / spacers / knee pads

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Finished grey tiled bathroom floor with neat grout, threshold strip, sponge and grout float
Safety note: Floor tiling involves heavy tiles, sharp cuts, dust, wet adhesive and trip hazards. Wear eye and dust protection, ventilate while cutting, use wet/manual cutting where possible, and check subfloors for movement, damp, asbestos risk and underfloor heating before starting.

1. Check the subfloor and dry-lay the pattern

Floor tiling stage 1 with prepared bathroom subfloor, dry-laid tiles, spacers and layout lines

The floor needs to be sound, clean, flat and suitable for tiles. Mark centre lines, dry-lay tiles with spacers and check where cuts will land at the doorway, bath, vanity and walls. Avoid tiny slivers in obvious places if a small layout shift fixes it.

2. Use the right adhesive and work in sections

Floor tiling stage 2 with combed adhesive, first grey tiles, spacers and levelling clips

Mix adhesive as instructed and comb it with the correct notched trowel. Lay tiles into fresh adhesive, use spacers and levelling clips where helpful, and lift the occasional tile to check coverage. Do not spread more adhesive than you can tile before it skins over.

3. Cut edges and thresholds carefully

Floor tiling stage 3 with perimeter cuts, tile cutter, nippers, grinder and levelling clips

Measure perimeter cuts individually because walls and baths are rarely perfectly square. Use manual or wet cutting where possible to reduce dust. If using a grinder, wear proper eye, ear and respiratory protection and control dust carefully.

4. Grout, clean and protect movement edges

Finished grey tiled bathroom floor with neat grout, threshold strip, sponge and grout float

Let adhesive cure before grouting. Work grout diagonally across joints, clean haze before it hardens and leave movement edges flexible where needed, especially around baths, walls and thresholds. Fit the doorway trim only when the floor is ready for light traffic.

Useful tools

  • Tile cutter, nippers and safety gear
  • Notched trowel and mixing bucket
  • Spacers and levelling clips
  • Spirit level, square and tape measure
  • Grout float, sponge and silicone gun

Planning tools

Use the Tile Count Calculator and Grout & Adhesive Calculator before buying. Add extra tiles for cuts, breakages and future repairs.

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