How to Install Tile on a Pier and Beam at Home

Locate the floor joists in the pier and beam floor using the stud finder. Mark the direction of each joist using the chalk. Screw a long, corrosion-resistant screw into the joist every 1 1/2 feet along the floor using a hammer drill, to reduce the amount of movement in the subfloor and therefore prevent cracking.

Measure the length and width of the floor using the tape measure. Measure your cement backing boards and cut them to the right length and width to fit on your floor, using a circular saw. Screw the backing boards to the subfloor using corrosion-resistant screws. Prepare a small amount of mortar from four parts sand and one part cement, mixed with a little water.

Apply mortar in the joints between the backer boards with the trowel. Press lengths of jointing tape into the mortar. Coat the lower left-corner of the floor with a layer of mortar. Lay the your tiles on the floor, beginning in the lower-left corner of the pier and beam floor and working out. Place tile spacers at the corners of the tiles to ensure proper spacing. Add more mortar to the floor as you go.

Leave the floor alone for 24 hours so it cures enough that you can continue to work on it later. Remove the tile spacers from between the tiles. Prepare some tile grout according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fill the gaps between the tiles using a grouting tool. Wipe away any grouting from the tiles using a damp cloth. Fill the gaps around the outside of the tile floor with silicone caulking. Wait 24 hours for the grout and caulk to set.