Replace current flooring with ceramic tiles

[lattestar]

We just bought a new Manufactured home and want to replace the vinyle sheet tile to ceramic tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms. How do we go about doing that project?

[David Oxhandler]

Ceramic tile is a great enhancement to any home... I had it installed thru-out most of my MH and we have and a lot of years of use from it. While the carpet areas need to be recovered the tile is as good looking as it was 17 years ago.

Ceramic floor tiles are not all the same. Many ceramic tiles have different hardness and wear characteristics. It is best to pick the right tile. Ceramic tile comes in a mind-numbing number of grades and classifications. Salespeople who work at stores that sell primarily nothing but ceramic tile know which tiles will withstand light traffic and those that will take the harshest abuse

If you have not installed tile before you might want to find a reasonably priced installer to do the job. There are many different skills invloved in the layout, installation and finishing. If you do attempt this solo the first time you will probably regret the outcome.

Just to give you an idea.. you will need to have these tools on hand.

Standard Tools:
Carpenter's Levels
Chalk Line & Chalk
Tape Measure
Hammer
Framing Square
Rubber Mallet
4 Ft. Straight Edge
Large Sponge
Stiff Blade Putty Knife
Foxtail Hand Broom
Extension Cords
Marking Pencil
Low Speed Drill with Paddle Mixer

Tiling Tools:
Tile Nippers
Tile Cutter
Wet Saw
Notch Trowels
Margin Trowel
Grout Float
Wood Beating Block

Safety Equipment:
Dust Mask/Respirator
Safety Glasses
Rubber Gloves

If you are handy or have some experience the best guidance would be available from the tile manufacturer or retailer. You can get a good idea of how this project might be best done from Ceramic Tile Installation Guide OnLine

A few pointers essential in manufactured homes

If your home is a double wide start by making sure that the 2 sections of your home are level to each there so there is no ridge in the floor between them.

Ceramic floor tile is a hard product that has great strength when you compress it, but it is fairly weak when you bend or stretch it. Vinyl flooring, particle boards of any type, luan plywood, OSB (Oriented Strand Board) are unsuitable to directly install ceramic tile over.

It is best to cover the floor first with an underlayment. Cement-fiber board is most often recommended by floor tile manufacturers. This added layer is strongly recommended in ALL manufactured homes or any wood framed floor system, as they tend to have a degree of movement that will crack your tiles if installed directly to the wooden floor.

[lattestar]

Thank you so much all this information was so helpful! Now I know what we are getting into. I am sure that I will be asking some more questions since we are trying to change things in and around our place.