How to Combine Wood & Ceramic Flooring For In-Home Decor

Install your hardwood floor before installing any ceramic tile. The reason for this is that wood tends to be thicker than ceramic tile or natural stone; and while you can adjust the height of the finished product when working with ceramic tile or natural stone by varying the thickness or type of thinset mortar used, wood does not have that flexibility. It has a specific thickness, as does the padding installed underneath it.

Measure the height of the finished wood installation to determine the type of thinset mortar you need to use with your ceramic tile installation. In addition, check this measurement to see if you need to use a deep-notch trowel versus a smaller-notched trowel. While 1/4 inch is standard for 12-by-12 material, larger-body stones or ceramics will require deeper notches, and you may need to use a deeper notch to build up the ceramic tile to match the height of the finished wood surface.

Check the height to ensure that you do not need to build up more than 1/4 inch of height with thinset mortar. If you need to build up at least 1/4 inch of height you should install a layer of 1/4-inch fiber board or concrete board to create a stable base for the ceramic tile installation. A 1/4-inch notched trowel will provide roughly 1/8 of an inch of finished mud height under the ceramic tile during installation. Use these measurements to determine whether you should install a substrate board for the ceramic tile installation.

Finish the area by installing your ceramic tile. Use a fortified thinset mortar to make additional adjustments to the height of the finished tile installation. Mix it with less water than is suggested on the container because the added thickness will create a tougher mud that resists the weight of the tile and thus allows you to build up additional height if needed.