Ceramic tile can decorate a stylish ceiling.
Ceramic tile is a common application for countertops, floors and other surface areas, but some homeowners choose to install the same surface on ceilings. Whether you want to match the rest of your bathroom or kitchen or are simply looking for a resilient protective ceiling cover, proper preparation and installation can provide you with a ceiling that will last for years.
Instructions
1. Run a level across the ceiling surface. If you find low or high points, use filler putty or sandpaper to level the surface. The tile must sit on a perfectly flat area.
2. Wipe down the a damp cloth to remove all dirt and dust. Measure to the center point of all walls surrounding the ceiling, using a measuring tape, and mark those spots with a pencil. Snap a chalk line between the center points of opposite walls to create a grid for your installation. The point at which the two lines intersect is the center point of the wall.
3. Mix tile mortar or thinset per specific product instructions. Starting at the center point, spread mortar across a 4- to 5-foot section of ceiling with a notched trowel, working at a 45-degree angle to create waves in the mortar. Work only in a small section so that the mortar does not dry before you can work with it.
4. Set your first tile at the center point of the ceiling. Twist it slightly as you press it into the mortar to ensure proper coverage. Lightly tap it into place with a rubber mallet to firmly secure it into place.
5. Apply mortar and lay tiles, tapping each one of them in, across the whole ceiling surface. If you have to cut a tile to make it fit, score the backside along the cut line with a sharp utility knife or a tile cutter and snap it along the line. Allow the mortar or thinset to dry overnight.
6. Place long strips of painter's tape across the surface to apply additional pressure as the mortar dries if you are afraid that the tiles will not hold.
7. Mix grout and water per product instructions. Spread the grout over the tiles with a rubber grout float, holding the float at an angle and working diagonally across the tiles. Each joint should be filled with grout.
8. Wipe down the tile surfaces with a damp sponge to remove excess grout. If the tiles become hazy, buff them with a dry cloth to remove the grout haze. Allow the grout to dry overnight before exposing the tiles to any moisture.
Tags: center point, along line, ceiling surface, ceiling with, cloth remove