How Do You Tile Part of a Wall?

Tiling part of a wall involves careful planning and execution to ensure a professional-looking finish. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Planning and Preparation

Determine the Tiled Area: Clearly define the area you want to tile. Consider factors like symmetry, existing features (outlets, windows), and desired visual effect.
Gather Materials: You'll need tiles, adhesive, grout, spacers, a notched trowel, a tile cutter (or wet saw), a level, a measuring tape, a pencil, safety glasses, gloves, and cleaning supplies (sponges, cloths).
Prepare the Wall Surface: The wall must be clean, dry, and structurally sound. Remove any loose paint, wallpaper, or debris. Consider applying a primer to improve adhesive bond, especially on porous surfaces.
Layout is Key: Dry-lay the tiles on the floor to visualize the final layout and plan for cuts. Adjust the starting point to avoid small, awkward cuts at the edges. This is critical for aesthetics.

Find the Lowest Row's Position: Use a gauge rod (or a length of tile) to determine the position of the lowest horizontal row of tiles. This helps avoid very small cuts against the skirting board or floor.
Mark the Top Row's Position: Mark the position of the top row on the wall, taking into account the desired height and the tile size.
Use a Level: Ensure all lines are perfectly level using a spirit level. Horizontal lines are essential for a professional finish.

Apply Adhesive: Use a notched trowel to apply adhesive to a small section of the wall at a time. The notch size depends on the tile size and manufacturer's recommendations. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle to create consistent ridges.
Place Tiles: Carefully position the tiles onto the adhesive, using tile spacers to maintain consistent grout lines. Press firmly but gently to ensure good adhesion.
Cutting Tiles: Use a tile cutter or wet saw to cut tiles to fit around obstacles or at the edges. Always wear safety glasses when cutting tiles.
Install Cut Tiles: Fit the cut tiles along the bottom row to fill the gap between the first full tile row and the skirting or floor. If you’re lucky and your wall/skirting is even, you may be able to avoid cutting tiles altogether by starting with whole tiles.

Allow Adhesive to Dry: Let the adhesive dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions (usually 24-48 hours).
Remove Spacers: Remove all tile spacers before grouting.
Apply Grout: Apply grout using a grout float, working diagonally across the tiles to fill the grout lines completely.
Clean Excess Grout: Use a damp sponge to wipe away excess grout from the tile surfaces. Rinse the sponge frequently.
Polish Tiles: Once the grout has partially dried, polish the tiles with a clean, dry cloth to remove any remaining grout haze.

Seal Grout Lines: Consider sealing the grout lines with a grout sealer to protect against stains and moisture. This is particularly important in wet areas like bathrooms.