Before you start
- Make sure to choose floor tiles.
- See our buying guide on ceramic tiles for more information.
- Decide on the pattern of your tiles: you will need it to draw the reference lines.
Tile can be installed over various types of subfloor. The most suitable materials for the subfloor are concrete, plywood and cement board. A plywood subfloor needs to be 1¼ in thick, which is the thickness of two 5/8 in panels. Another option is to lay a thin synthetic lath (about 3/16 in thick) if you don’t want to raise the floor level too much.