How to Lay Ceramic Tiles on Concrete Steps

Installing the Tile

• 1

  Thoroughly clean and dry the existing concrete steps. Dirty or wet steps can degrade the glue's adhesiveness and weaken the grout between tiles.

• 2

  Lay the tile glue on the tiles and on the concrete steps according to the manufacturer's directions. Different glues have different modes of application (e.g., a caulking gun or a bucket-and-trowel) and different curing times, so read the instructions carefully.

• 3

  Put the glued tiles on the concrete. If the tiles have a decorative pattern, follow that pattern. Use the thin edge of a tile to serve as a spacer. Use a tile-scoring tool to cut any tiles that will not fit the available space, and put the cut tiles along the inside edge of the step.

• 4

  Grout the tiles after the glue sets. Wipe up excess grout quickly to avoid damaging the tiles.

• 5

  Seal the grout and the tiles with a wax or other environmental sealant, if this is recommended by the grout or tile manufacturer. Some tiles are outdoor-ready, so check the package instructions to see whether your particular brand of tiles needs to have a seal, especially if the tiles will be outdoors.