Guide for tiling a hallway floor to achieve a tidy, polished look, particularly in narrow areas
Transform Your Hallway with a DIY Tiling Project
Give your hallway a fresh, stylish makeover with a DIY tiling project. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve a professional finish.
Choosing the Right Tiles
When it comes to tiling a hallway, durability and water resistance are key. Porcelain tiles, stone tiles, ceramic tiles, and marble tiles are all suitable options. For a slip-resistant floor, consider 20 x 120cm plank format tiles, which work well with underfloor heating and have high slip resistance.
If you're after a statement-making look, opt for high-quality porcelain tiles. Smart ceramic tiles with a high gloss and white vein marble design are finished with a glaze to make them stain and water resistant, perfect for high-traffic areas like hallways.
Marble tiles, while durable and moisture resistant, are typically more costly than other tile types and may restrict design options. Natural stone tiles offer a unique and natural finish, but are not as durable or water resistant as porcelain or ceramic, and may be harder to install for a DIYer.
Preparation is Key
Start by measuring the width and length of your hallway to ensure an even and better-looking finish. Laying the tiles 'dry' before applying adhesive helps determine the best placement and pattern.
Use a decent tile cutter, such as the VonHaus Tile Cutter from B&Q, for straight cuts. Making sure the cuts on each edge are big cuts helps achieve a better-looking finish, while small cuts look bad to the eye.
Application and Finishing Touches
Use a dry floor tile adhesive like the Blue Circle Masterlay Flexi Semi-rapid Set Grey Wall & floor tile Adhesive from B&Q. Lay down enough adhesive for around 4-6 tiles and lay down whole tiles.
Once the tiles are laid, leave them to dry. After drying, wipe off any grout residue with a dry cloth to get a shine on the tiles. Use a grout float, such as the Vitrex Soft Grip Grout Float from Amazon, to spread and work in the grout. Remove as much excess grout as possible and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Ideally, do not walk on the tiles or put down any furniture for at least 24 hours after laying, and ideally for 48 hours.
Expert Advice
If you're tackling tiling a hallway yourself, knowledge of how to use a tile cutter is necessary to get straight, neat edges. Stephen Russell of Ashley Cross Tiling specializes in kitchen tiling, wall, floors, bathrooms, showers, and repair work. He advises to ensure doors can clear the new tiled surface by cutting them down if necessary.
For a more spacious look, consider laying plank style floor tiles lengthways so the long edge is in line with the wall. Using larger floor tiles can also give the illusion of more space in a hallway. Spending half an hour working out where the tiling looks pleasing to the eye is time well spent.
With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to transforming your hallway into a stunning, durable, and functional space. Happy tiling!
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