Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - tile wall or floor first?
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joeperi
09-28-07, 10:01 AM
I am finishing a bathroom with some tile. The floor will be tiled as will the walls about 4ft up. I can't seem to get a clear answer on which comes first: tile the wall first or the floor. It seems logical to me to do the wall first and then the floor but I've heard other opinions. Comments
Also, the tile is porcelain. I've chewed up quite a few masonry drill bits trying to drill through the stuff. It is much harder than ceramic. Short of buying diamond tipped bits, any other suggestions?
Also, the tile is porcelain. I've chewed up quite a few masonry drill bits trying to drill through the stuff. It is much harder than ceramic. Short of buying diamond tipped bits, any other suggestions?
HeresJohnny
09-28-07, 11:19 AM
Joe
I do walls first and then floor but you could do it either way. My reasoning is simply that I dont want to make a mess of the finished floor while doing the walls. Its walls first except for the first row of tile at the bottom of the wall, then the floor, then fill in the first row of wall tile. Keep in mind that the bottom row of tile will be something less than a full tile, as the floor wont be perfectly level and each piece of wall tile may be a slightly different size. To get started on the wall, screw some strips of scrap wood to the wall level at where you want to start the second row and work your way up.
As to drilling porcelain, bits like these work great.
http://www.constructioncomplete.com/FlooringEquipment/TileEquipment/TileDrillBits/PorcelainTileDrillBits/PorcelainTileDrillBits.html
I do walls first and then floor but you could do it either way. My reasoning is simply that I dont want to make a mess of the finished floor while doing the walls. Its walls first except for the first row of tile at the bottom of the wall, then the floor, then fill in the first row of wall tile. Keep in mind that the bottom row of tile will be something less than a full tile, as the floor wont be perfectly level and each piece of wall tile may be a slightly different size. To get started on the wall, screw some strips of scrap wood to the wall level at where you want to start the second row and work your way up.
As to drilling porcelain, bits like these work great.
http://www.constructioncomplete.com/FlooringEquipment/TileEquipment/TileDrillBits/PorcelainTileDrillBits/PorcelainTileDrillBits.html
joeperi
10-03-07, 03:09 PM
Yeow $60 for a 1/4" drill bit!! Okay is there anything a LITTLE less expensive?
HeresJohnny
10-04-07, 08:03 AM
Joe
You can find cheaper ones like this in HD and Lowes. They may not last as long, but will certainly survive a couple of holes.:)
You can find cheaper ones like this in HD and Lowes. They may not last as long, but will certainly survive a couple of holes.:)
spta97
10-04-07, 02:07 PM
My buddy gave me a great idea for drilling though tile. Take a scrap piece and drill a hole through it. Then flip it around and use the piece over where the new hole will be.
The old tile with hole will stabilize the drill bit and stop it from wondering.
The old tile with hole will stabilize the drill bit and stop it from wondering.
sbandyk
10-05-07, 02:27 PM
Joe
As to drilling porcelain, bits like these work great.
http://www.constructioncomplete.com/FlooringEquipment/TileEquipment/TileDrillBits/PorcelainTileDrillBits/PorcelainTileDrillBits.html
You can find these just about anywhere. They aren't cheap but they're rarely $60. I picked one up at Sears Hardware for, I think, just under 10 bucks.
It's marketed as a tile and glass bit.
I didn't have porcelain but it goes through regular tile like butter.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Power+Tool+Accessories_Drill+Bits?keyword=glass+tile+bit&sLevel=0|1|2
steven.
As to drilling porcelain, bits like these work great.
http://www.constructioncomplete.com/FlooringEquipment/TileEquipment/TileDrillBits/PorcelainTileDrillBits/PorcelainTileDrillBits.html
You can find these just about anywhere. They aren't cheap but they're rarely $60. I picked one up at Sears Hardware for, I think, just under 10 bucks.
It's marketed as a tile and glass bit.
I didn't have porcelain but it goes through regular tile like butter.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Power+Tool+Accessories_Drill+Bits?keyword=glass+tile+bit&sLevel=0|1|2
steven.
MissTFried
10-05-07, 02:58 PM
For what its worth, I use a 3/16 Tapcon bit to drill a pilot hole and then follow up with any old masony bit that I have.
As you may have noticed drilling through the porcelain skin is the problem. Once past the skin, the rest of the tile is pretty soft.
As you may have noticed drilling through the porcelain skin is the problem. Once past the skin, the rest of the tile is pretty soft.
joeperi
10-05-07, 04:24 PM
Dear sbandyk and MissTfried. Thanks for your suggestions. Tile and glass bits get fried in about 30seconds on porcelain. I have tried the small to large and while it works, porcelain kills the bit. I just tried a diamond tipped 1/4" coring bit that worked well. It must be kept wet, but works well. Runs about $15 at Lowe's. HOWEVER, porcelain bits typically come in mm sizes. A "1/4"" is actually 6mm which is a tad smaller than 1/4". I found that after having drilled with my 6mm diamond core bit, I could follow with a 1/4" masonry bit to finish up. I am think now I am have to spring for the more expensive bit since I am seeing more and more porcelain in my bathroom remodels.
allendorothy
10-05-07, 07:59 PM
I am finishing a bathroom with some tile. The floor will be tiled as will the walls about 4ft up. I can't seem to get a clear answer on which comes first: tile the wall first or the floor. It seems logical to me to do the wall first and then the floor but I've heard other opinions. Comments
I think either of the two will do..which ever you will be more comfortable finishing first. :)
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I think either of the two will do..which ever you will be more comfortable finishing first. :)
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joeperi
10-06-07, 08:20 AM
HeresJohnny, I also do the walls first to avoid a mess on the floor. I like your suggestion of the walls 1st except for the bottom row, then finish after the floor done. question: Do you grout the wall, lay the floor, grout floor and then go back and lay and grout last row?
Lorne in GP
10-08-07, 08:32 AM
I have a brother and a close friend of mine who are both professional tile setters. They always do the floor first for the simple reason that the tiles on the walls will hide the cuts in the tile along the floor. From a standing position you'll see the cut tiles on the floor alot easier than you would if they're on the bottom of the wall. It all comes down to looks.