Tiling your own bathroom floor can save significant costs on labour and materials, while potentially adding value to your property.
Last year, comparison site Go Compare revealed bathroom renovations are the UK's second most popular home improvement.
In fact, 41 per cent of people who had carried out major refurbishment work on their properties since 2010 had opted for a new bathroom and 29 per cent intended to do so within the next three years.
So if you're looking to embark on a bathroom DIY project, tiling your floor is a great start. Here are some top tips on how to achieve the best results.
1. Buy the right tools and materials
Before starting, you will need to purchase the right tools and materials for the job. These include:
• Tiles
• Measuring tape
• Tile spacers
• Tile cutters
• Floor tile adhesive
• Floor tile grout
• Notched trowel
• Grout float
• Chalk line
• Level
• Sealant
You should always buy more tiles than you think you'll need to account for unexpected breaks or mistakes - 10 to 15 per cent extra should be enough.
Many people also like to buy knee protection pads, as you will be working on your hands and knees for long periods of time, which can become uncomfortable.
2. Preparing your layout
Calculate the midway point of each wall and use a chalk line to find the centre of the room. This is approximately where the first tile should go.
Place your tiles outwards from this central spot towards the edges of the bathroom. You may need to adjust the original tile if there are very narrow gaps near the walls, as cutting tiles to fit these spaces will be difficult and will look odd.
It is usually recommended to avoid using partial tiles on the edge nearest the bathroom door, so adjust the layout to account for this. Mark any necessary reference lines, particularly for tiles that must fit around toilets or sink basins.
3. Laying tiles
Start from the corner furthest from the door and spread tile adhesive, which is available as a ready-made or mixable product, across the floor evenly using the trowel.
Place tile spacers as you go in order to establish even grout lines for later. Press the tiles into place firmly to avoid any air getting trapped underneath and make sure to check how even the surface is with a level.
Any tiles that must be cut to fit in gaps against the wall or around the sink and toilet should be very carefully measured. Use a tile cutter to complete the job.
Electric and manual cutters are both available. The former are more expensive than the latter, but they provide more accurate results. This can be useful if you're working with small, expensive or hard tiles.
Leave the adhesive to dry for as long as necessary according to the manufacturer's instructions before grouting.
4. Grouting
Once dry, it is time to grout the floor - so mix it and remove any tile spacers.
Push the mixture into the grout lines using the float, making sure to remove any excess with a damp sponge before it has a chance to dry on the tiles.
Be careful not to knock any of the grout out of the lines when sponging the surface or you will have to start again. Work in small sections towards the door.
Follow the grout manufacturer's instructions and wait for the grout to dry completely before applying the sealant. You should also avoid any heavy traffic on the floor for a day or two while everything settles.
After this, the job is finished and you can marvel at your newly tiled bathroom floor!