Porcelain Tile Install DIY

[MikeyZ78]

Hello everyone!

Updated: See Post 9 for final pics!!


First I want to thank all the porcelain tile flooring threads for helping me with this idea and lending tons of knowledge to get it done, hopefully as good as possible, for a guy who has only done 1 other tile job.

Details: 2 car garage in the northeast. Home mechanic/ Harley flipper. I’m using an Imola Terrazo PEI 4 tile with Laticrete 254 mortar and Mapei Charcoal grout. Using a Schluter reno ramp for the entrance. Doing a 1/2” trowel with thin back butter on each tile (with my kids help haha)

I picked up the tile from a commercial installer for $500 for 600 sqft!! So lucked out. The mortar is the expensive part for this job.

As you can see I have a “plus” sign expansion gaps cut into my slab. I’m honoring the cuts and using them as my guides for laying the tiles and splitting it up into quadrants. I’m going to caulk the expansion gaps.

I have approximately half done now, still need to finish the sides and the entrance with ramp.

Let me know what you think and anything I should/ could do differently (even though it may be a little late).

I’ve learned a ton from this site since I bought my house. Currently have electric on demand heat, insulated plywood walls and a high lift side jack door opener.

Thank you!

 

[Fav Onefour]

Looks pretty cool.
Glad to see you are getting some help with back butter.

I'm no pro, but I've had to fix a lot of tile projects. Most of them were inadequate mortar coverage or too much flex. You shouldn't have flex issues.
The intended use of your space will create some impact and point stress on the tile. More than some bath project. The fancy mortar is pretty easy to use. Just use enough and make sure contact is consistent. Any gaps under the tile mean the tile has to do the job on it's own. Tool drops are one thing, and any floor will show abuse. I'm talking about the breaks from loaded dollies or floor jacks. Get it done right and you can avoid most of that damage.

My wife leases office space in a building with new owners. The new owners installed tile over an existing aggregate floor in the lobby area. (The floor was in good shape.) Anyhow, I could hear the ladies heels pinging the new tile and knew that stuff wouldn't last long. It failed dang fast around doorways and higher traffic spots. If I had to guess, it was probably something simple like moving dollies that did most of the damage. Within the year, they laid down big ol floor mats to cover the busted tile sections. The tile crunches and shifts under those mats. It's actually kinda sad. The poor install made things worse in the long run.

BTW, I like to keep a stash of full spec tile stored aside after project is done. You already know the grout color, but matching tile is usually not feasable. It isn't a bad project to pop out and redo busted tile if you have a match.

 

[Cairo94507]

I installed a Porcelain tile floor in my last 3+car garage. I never had any issues with it. I used PEI 5 but 4 is fine. You got a killer deal on the tile. As long as you fully back-butter the tiles and keep your floor grout application nice, you will be fine. Keeping a tile floor clean is a piece of cake. I would blow mine out weekly and mop it monthly. Always looked like new.

 

[duneslider]

looks like you are doing a nice job with it. Getting full coverage is the key to it lasting a long time. That's a pretty good looking tile, it should look great when done and I like how you are covering the stem walls.

I would suggest Mapei Flexcolor CQ for the grout, especially the movement joints. I find it has enough flex to work most of the time. For example tile that abuts a wood floor in the past I would have caulked those joints but with the Flexcolor I just grout it and have not had any issues with it cracking and coming out which would happen with regular grout. I have found the flexcolor to provide enough flex to work fine in these types of situations. Caulk is fine but tends to be an ongoing maintenance item. I have also had good luck with ColorFast Ultra Performance color matched caulk. You can get that stuff in mapei charcoal and it is much better than the mapei brand acrylic caulk.

Most people don't really understand the difference between PEI 4 and 5 and a 4 is more than fine for home garages. It is only a measure of the glaze on top of the tile. Nothing else.

 

[Jayman17]

That is a great looking tile for a garage imo. I like the size and it kind of looks like a terrazzo or polished concrete floor.
Nice work!

 

[MikeyZ78]

Got some more done today using the Schluter renoramp. Worked great, we will see how it holds up.

 

[larry4406]

Very nice floor and welcome to the forum.

 

[drmarkr]

Great looking floor! My main work bay is PEI 4 1x2 similar to yours and I love it. So easy to maintain.

Back butter every square inch and you will be golden! Zero voids is absolutely the key to strength and durability.

 

[MikeyZ78]

99% done. Going to cap the walls with some painted wood and it’ll be 100%!

 

[larry4406]

Looks fantastic! Great job.

 

[Toolfool]

Nice job.

 

[snaware]

Hello everyone!

Updated: See Post 9 for final pics!!


First I want to thank all the porcelain tile flooring threads for helping me with this idea and lending tons of knowledge to get it done, hopefully as good as possible, for a guy who has only done 1 other tile job.

Details: 2 car garage in the northeast. Home mechanic/ Harley flipper. I’m using an Imola Terrazo PEI 4 tile with Laticrete 254 mortar and Mapei Charcoal grout. Using a Schluter reno ramp for the entrance. Doing a 1/2” trowel with thin back butter on each tile (with my kids help haha)

I picked up the tile from a commercial installer for $500 for 600 sqft!! So lucked out. The mortar is the expensive part for this job.

As you can see I have a “plus” sign expansion gaps cut into my slab. I’m honoring the cuts and using them as my guides for laying the tiles and splitting it up into quadrants. I’m going to caulk the expansion gaps.

I have approximately half done now, still need to finish the sides and the entrance with ramp.

Let me know what you think and anything I should/ could do differently (even though it may be a little late).

I’ve learned a ton from this site since I bought my house. Currently have electric on demand heat, insulated plywood walls and a high lift side jack door opener.

Thank you!

Awesome job!! Do you or anyone have recommendations what tile I can use for my 400sq ft garage. I'm in New Jersey and have some big bx stores as well as some tile ones, no one recommends Porcelain tile for garages, not sure why?

 

[Boon]

That looks super nice. Good job.

 

[Jayman17]

great looking floor you have, nice work!

 

[bugnut]

outstanding love the look!

 

[MJK]

Nice work! A tiled garage is awesome. Pressure wash & squeegee every once in a while and it is like parking on and working in your own little showroom. I hope I'll never own another garage without tile.

PS - I have the same ramps for years now - you'll have no worries.

 

[juddspaintballs]

That is beautiful

 

[mike93lx]

Great job

 

[Shea]

Great job! Easy to clean and it will last years and years.

 

[drmarkr]

Awesome job!! Do you or anyone have recommendations what tile I can use for my 400sq ft garage. I'm in New Jersey and have some big bx stores as well as some tile ones, no one recommends Porcelain tile for garages, not sure why?

Who is "no one"...?? Loads of members here have porcelain tile in their shops and it is an awesome floor! Look for PEI 4 with thru color, and shop around for closeouts. I got mine for $0.69 a foot at Lowe's on a closeout. I had to hit a couple of stores to get enough, but I was doing 780sf. The people claiming you can't/shouldn't use porcelain tile, simply don't know what they're talking about. At all. Properly installed it might be the best flooring you can have in a shop...IMO, it IS the best.

 

[juddspaintballs]

The tile I'm looking at for my house is PEI 3. I was planning on carrying it out into the garage as well. Is that a bad idea?

 

[mike93lx]

The tile I'm looking at for my house is PEI 3. I was planning on carrying it out into the garage as well. Is that a bad idea?

Depends on how you are using the space. Just parking cars or storing bikes? Yeah it's likely just fine. But if you are doing work that could be rough on the floor, I would go at least 4.

The rating doesn't determine slip resistance, but the higher rating stuff tends to be better for that, afaik.

PEI Ratings Explained

 

[Shea]

The tile I'm looking at for my house is PEI 3. I was planning on carrying it out into the garage as well. Is that a bad idea?

The PEI rating dictates the hardness of the glaze and helps to determine durability in terms of wear. Vehicle traffic is not recommended for anything less than a PEI of 4.

 

[juddspaintballs]

So I need to pick out a better tile for at least the garage, or the entire 1st floor if I want it all to look the same. Thank you.

 

[ixlr8]

I have been looking for flooring for my shop, not sure I want to go with epoxy. This looks like a great option, first time I have seen porcelain tile in a garage.. Looks great, I've got some research to.

 

[spectrum1c]

Wow, looks great! How long did it take?

 

[77thor]

That looks awesome!

Will that hold up in winter with snow & ice?

I've never done tile so sorry for asking a dumb question but
what does the term "Back Butter" mean?

 

[duneslider]

That looks awesome!

Will that hold up in winter with snow & ice?

I've never done tile so sorry for asking a dumb question but
what does the term "Back Butter" mean?

With the correct materials yes tile will hold up just fine to winter snow and ice.

Back butter means the thinset is spread across the back of the tile to key the mortar into the tile to create a better bond. I think some on here incorrectly use the term though. What you are looking for is full coverage and full adhesion. To do this the thinset needs to be keyed into the concrete and the back of the tile and then the appropriate sized notch trowel used to put enough mortar between the two to achieve "full" coverage when the tile is squished down. So, if you pull up a tile that has been set you should NOT see trowel marks.

 

[Montauket]

After all the complaints of off gassing with epoxy I'm going to porcelain. Can I ask the brain trust what the opinions here are on tile size. This is more of a workshop for me as my truck is to big to fit in the door. I've seen photos that go the gamut from 12x12, 16x32 all the way to large format 36 sq . Went looking around a tile shops yesterday for full body, pei 4. Would love to find something in the 1-3 dollar range but thats not looking promising at the moment.

OP- nice job on the install. You scored on those tiles.

 

[mike93lx]

After all the complaints of off gassing with epoxy I'm going to porcelain. Can I ask the brain trust what the opinions here are on tile size. This is more of a workshop for me as my truck is to big to fit in the door. I've seen photos that go the gamut from 12x12, 16x32 all the way to large format 36 sq . Went looking around a tile shops yesterday for full body, pei 4. Would love to find something in the 1-3 dollar range but thats not looking promising at the moment.

OP- nice job on the install. You scored on those tiles.

If price is a priority, solve for that first, especially if you want to be near a $1 price point

Really large tiles tend to not be super flat, making the installation a little harder, besides the added weight and handling challenges.

 

[snaware]

Who is "no one"...?? Loads of members here have porcelain tile in their shops and it is an awesome floor! Look for PEI 4 with thru color, and shop around for closeouts. I got mine for $0.69 a foot at Lowe's on a closeout. I had to hit a couple of stores to get enough, but I was doing 780sf. The people claiming you can't/shouldn't use porcelain tile, simply don't know what they're talking about. At all. Properly installed it might be the best flooring you can have in a shop...IMO, it IS the best.

Oh I did inquire at HD and Lowes as well as Worldwide flooring and noone recommended Porcelain. But it does seem folks are happy with it and it will be my choice. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[drmarkr]

Oh I did inquire at HD and Lowes as well as Worldwide flooring and noone recommended Porcelain. But it does seem folks are happy with it and it will be my choice. Thanks for the suggestions!

Well.... you were asking people who have zero knowledge or experience with tile choices for garages or shops....hence the answers you got.

 

[juddspaintballs]

After all the complaints of off gassing with epoxy I'm going to porcelain. Can I ask the brain trust what the opinions here are on tile size. This is more of a workshop for me as my truck is to big to fit in the door. I've seen photos that go the gamut from 12x12, 16x32 all the way to large format 36 sq . Went looking around a tile shops yesterday for full body, pei 4. Would love to find something in the 1-3 dollar range but thats not looking promising at the moment.

OP- nice job on the install. You scored on those tiles.

I'm going to porcelain tile my entire first floor and garage in one shot (radiant slab foundation). 36x60 slab. The retired builder I'm working with built mostly hotels (Hilton brand, usually) and he highly recommended sticking to a tile no bigger than 12x24 because anything bigger tends to curl a bit and make installing it a royal PITA.

 

[inphx]

Royal pain in the knees...

 

[micro2112]

99% done. Going to cap the walls with some painted wood and it’ll be 100%!

That floor looks GREAT!!! So jealous. Wife and I are signing on to build a house 3+car garage, and I am for sure going to tile that floor as soon as it cures.

 

[Montauket]

Anyone other than Judd have an opinion on tile size? Found a pei 4 full body color high cof on clearance for 2 bucks a square.

 

[Toolfool]

The larger the tile, the more chance of flatness issues. Not necessarily in every tile in the box, but enough to piss you off.

 

[Montauket]

these are 18x18

 

[mike93lx]

these are 18x18

Check a few with a straight edge. They won't be dead flat, but might be ok.

Definitely back butter

 

[Angelfire]

Well done and welcome to the Porcelain Club. Did mine ~5 years or so ago and still completely happy with it.