Strategies Anyone Can Use to Learn How To Lay Tile
I needed to learn how to lay tile. And fast! After all, my wife had been nagging me for weeks (okay, months and months) about the pitiful state of our utility room. I had run out of excuses.
Why was I so hesitant about installing tile? Well, I had seen the finished results of some friends tile work and they were, quite frankly, amateurish. My wife would not stand for that standard of workmanship! A couple even had to get someone in to sort out their mistakes. How to tile well did not appear to be an easy skill to learn.
There are lots of tiling books on the market and I bought a couple. But they did nothing to raise my confidence on how to lay tile. All they're doing is gathering dust on the bookshelf! I realised what I need was someone to SHOW me what to do. Where was I going to find someone? I couldn't find anyone who taught how to lay tile in our local community. What was I going to do?
A short spell on the web and I had my answer. Isn't the internet wonderful? Yes, I found the solution to how I was going to learn to lay tile. My saviour was Randy Davis and his set of videos. Just one viewing of these videos gave me the confidence I needed to tackle tiling the utility room.
What's so great about Randy is that, as well as being a tile setter for more than 20 years, he's also a certified teacher. Believe me, that makes a big difference. Here's someone who can explain things in terms a novice understands. And he explains how to lay tile step by step.
It's a good idea to watch all the videos before you start installing tile to get an overview of what's involved and then, as you are about to tackle each task watch that section of the video again. It's great if you have a TV and player close to where you're working. Also I found a great tiling tools & materials checklist that’s now pinned up in my workshop.
Was I pleased with the finished result of my learn how to lay tile job? You bet! And the wife takes great pride in showing friends and family our beautifully tiled utility room.
Brad Crane
p.s. Looks like I'm not going to have many free weekends in the coming months. The wife has just drawn up a list of work she wants done. Tiles on the covered porch, ensuite bathroom re-tiled.... Thanks to Randy, I'm looking forward to these tiling challenges.