Cement Tile Wall Installation

The first step to installing cement tile on your wall is to prepare the wall for the tile.

Cement tile wall installation.

Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor. Cement board to the back wall. Next draw even and properly spaced horizontal and vertical lines to serve as your guide when placing the tiles. According to the installation instructions from riad tile their cement tile can be installed on drywall or cement backer board.

Once the cement is dry apply the bonding agent that should give the surface a rough texture. However unlike the concrete substrate required for floors your encaustic cement tiles can be installed over drywall plaster cement block and cement backer board for moist areas. Screw a full size 3 x 5 ft. Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage.

This will ensure that the tiles will stick to the wall better because unlike floor tile installation vertical tiles might slide as you work. Cement board screws every 8 in. Place special 1 1 4 in. Drive screws flush with the surface of the board being careful not to break through mesh.

If using backer board be sure to follow the installation. Any cracked surfaces must be scraped smooth and patched. Away from edges to avoid breakage. Find the center of your wall and use a carpenter s level to mark intersecting plumb vertical and level horizontal lines.

Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water. Walls require just as much care under your tiles as the floor prep we ve just outlined. Step 2 lay your tile pattern. Along each stud but 1 in.