Porcelain tiling - where to start?
Usually the repair ends on the doorstep of the house, but outside of it the view remains without special attention, although such a small detail, like the porch steps, will not significantly complicate you, but will significantly improve the pedestal at the door. It does not matter, there are many steps or only one, a boring entrance can be made brighter. To do this, go to the building store and select a tile.
The usual ceramic tile for the porch, the variety of which will help to complement any color range and the idea of the exterior, as well as create a pattern. This material is not afraid of water and temperature changes, so it will be quite suitable for the street. All you need to buy is the imagination and the total area of your steps. Naturally, you need a small margin, because you will probably have to cut out non-standard pieces from the tile, or there may be a split at all, then you will need a replacement. In total, about a third of the total amount can be generated, so calculate based on such figures.
Finishing the porch with tiles - get down to work
First we go through the calculation step, for which we calculate the total area to be paved, and also define the laying scheme, because this can substantially change the required amount of material. Purchased floor tiles for the porch and the glue composition, which it will be attached. To date, there are very convenient solutions that have additional qualities besides the strength, for example, frost resistance, and allow you to tread on the tile 2 hours after the work. Agree, it is convenient in our dynamic world.
Now you can proceed directly to work. Tiles are first applied without glue, moreover only where the whole elements can be accommodated. Thus it is necessary to leave a place for seams of the necessary width. If the porch does not have right angles, then you need a figured masonry, which means you'll need to mark out and cut out the inserts you need.
Laying tiles on the porch "dry" is done like this: all elements are measured out, the missing inserts are cut out, the width of the joints is postponed. And when the mosaic is finished, you can start applying glue, after removing the tile, but marking its relative position. If you have poor visual memory, then you can mark the order of styling with a simple pencil. You need to start from the bottom step. The glue is applied with a special spatula, which leaves grooves, usually serrated. And then the tiles are applied and taped with a rubberized hammer to make it sit tight.
Angled inserts are the first to be laid, and everything else is equal to them.
After the step, the facings of the porch are tiled to the vertical plane and the is laid out with the step. It is important that the seams on it coincide with the seams on the step, and then all the beauty will be spoiled, and the process will lose its significance. After that, all work goes to the next step and is done on the same principle. Between the steps it is important to keep the width of the seam so that it is the same at all levels, you can use special gaskets if you do not want to rely on the eye.
The last is laid out the top platform , it is there that you will see the layout scheme you have conceived. To fully understand the whole process, in addition to the instruction, you can watch the video, laying the tiles on the porch is shown clearly, which will greatly simplify the task.
Laying tiles on the porch is not finished yet.
Of course, you should be confused by the fact that the slots have remained unclosed between the tiles. Indeed, the finishing of the porch with tiles is not yet finished, then you need to make a grout. A special solution starts grouting , and already from the top platform, moving down. After all the porch was wiped, sprinkle a special with a dry mixture of .
It takes some time, and it's time to remove the dry mixture from the tiles. To do this, the tool, which used to do the grouting, is swept away by the mixture with the same progressive movements downward. At the same time, there is, as it were, grinding the joints. Then the porch is wiped with a damp cloth, but so that you do not build puddles. The process is finished, you can take work!