How to Lay Dura Ceramic Flooring
- 1). Decide whether you will separate each unit into four separate tiles or install it as a single piece. For ease of installation, leave the tiles as they are. If you wish to mix and match different colors or patterns, use a utility knife to score the back of the tile along the joint lines. Once they've been scored, you will be able to snap them into four separate units.
- 2). Consider whether you wish to grout your tiles. If you are leaving each group of four tiles connected as a single unit, you can either grout the tiles or butt them together without grout. If you have separated the tiles into four pieces, you must grout the floor when you are finished with installation.
- 3). Cover the floor with DuraCeramic underlayment. The vinyl side of the underlayment should face down, and rows should be butted tightly together. There is no need to fasten this material to the subfloor.
- 4). Lay out your tiles without using adhesive. Start along the most visible wall in the room to minimize the appearance of crooked or out-of-plumb walls. Once you are happy with the pattern of your tiles, stack them in order of installation.
- 5). Spread DuraCeramic DS100 flooring adhesive over half of the floor surface using a notched trowel. Let this material dry completely before installing the tiles. The glue will change color from blue to clear when it is ready to receive tiles.
- 6). Press the tiles into the adhesive. If you are grouting the tiles, leave a 1/16- to 1/4-inch gap between units. Use plastic tile spacers to help with this task as needed. If you are butting the tiles, press them tightly together so there is no space at the seams.
- 7). Cut tiles with a tile cutter as needed, or score and snap them, using your utility knife.
- 8). Repeat steps 5 through 7 to cover the second half of the floor. Once all the tile has been installed, roll the floor with a 100-pound roller to ensure that the tile is firmly adhered to the subfloor.
- 9). Grout the tiles. Mix DuraCeramic grout with water according to the instructions on the package. Use a grout float to push the grout into each joint. Wipe away excess grout immediately using a damp sponge.
- 10
Seal the joints. If you have chosen not to grout the tiles, you will need to apply DuraCeramic sealer to the joints between the tiles. Use the integral applicator to insert the sealer into the joints; then wipe away excess material from the surface of the tiles. It is not necessary to seal the joints on grouted tile floors.
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