Ceramic tile flooring: one of the best DIY kitchen investments to increase the value of your home!
It's well known that improvements in the kitchen and bathroom can be quite costly. This is usually predicated on the assumption that you'll be replacing cabinetry and appliances, sinks and other pricey items. However, there's one kitchen or bath improvement, which, short of a complete makeover of these rooms, exponentially adds to the value of your home, but doesn't require taking out a home equity loan, or maxing out a credit card.
In fact, installing ceramic tile flooring is a relatively easy DIY project, requiring just a few specialized tools, such as a tile cutter and a square to complete. While this is an easy project, you do need some patience and attention to detail to achieve a professionally installed final appearance.
What are some of the advantages of installing ceramic tile flooring? Clearly, tile floors provide a sophisticated, elegant boost to the appearance of your entire kitchen or bath. Ceramic tile flooring can also last a lifetime. It's also incredibly easy to clean and never requires polishing.
One of the two disadvantages to choosing ceramic tile flooring is that it takes slightly longer to cut and fit the tiles, when compared to sheet vinyl. When you consider appearance, longevity and its low maintenance requirements, this disadvantage is fairly insignificant. The second is that you may need to install cross bracing beneath the sub-flooring to provide adequate support for the weight of the tiles. Again, this isn't more than 1-2 days work, even for a large kitchen.
Here are some factors you'll want to consider before you go shopping. If you want to repaint your walls, that's a task best done before tiling. You won't need to deal with any paint spatters, as your ceramic tile flooring will cover over these drips and splats. Less work!
How about your kitchen appliances? Do they all match? Do they fit in with your proposed new color scheme? If not, purchase matching appliance covers, after you've settled on the color or pattern of your tiles. (Appliance cover panels are inexpensive and come in an array of colors. If you're installing ceramic tile flooring in the bath, keep the color of your plumbing fixtures in mind when choosing your tile design or color.
If you've always dreamed of having a kitchen island and have the room building and installing this unit prior to installing the tiles is most convenient. You'll also save a few bucks on tiles you won't need in that section of the floor.
Go to the library and check out some of the kitchen and bath decorating magazines for ideas on ceramic tile styles, sizes, colors and patterns that you find appealing. This helps you visualize what a certain tile color or design might look like in your kitchen. Check online for tile vendors for a greater variety of choices. If you find one you love, note the manufacturer and product number.
Next, take a trip to the DIY store, bringing with you the measurements of the room. and take a look at their tile displays. Talk to a sales person and let them know you're doing a DIY ceramic tile flooring project. They can show you exactly what the project entails, tools and grouting types and colors, as well as valuable insider tips and tricks to a good installation. Ask for any brochures they have which might be helpful, including the large 'paint chip' style with a thumbnail photo of each manufacturer's tiles.
You should also consider buying one of the DIY books on tiling. These books are a worthwhile investment, especially if you've never installed ceramic tile flooring, leading you step-by-step through the entire process. Go home with your brochures and a tiling how-to book and read it, cover to cover. This way, should a section seem confusing, you can get clarification from your sales person when you go to pick up your materials.
When you've found your perfect tiles, buy the necessary number of boxes, your tools and grouting. Before you know it, you'll have a 'new' kitchen or bath, with fabulous ceramic tile flooring!
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