How to Glue Tiles

Use the level and pencil to make a horizontal line along the base of the wall, up from the floor by the height of a tile plus a quarter inch. If you are hanging 5-inch tiles, the line will be 5 1/4 inches up from the floor.

Make a vertical line up through the center of the wall, from bottom to top. Spread tile mastic over the bottom section of the wall, below the horizontal line and across the whole width of the wall, using the notched tiling trowel.

Set a wall tile into the mastic, so the top of the tile is lined up with the horizontal line and positioned along one side of the vertical line.

Hang additional tiles off the first one, in both directions, building out toward the edges. Set spacers between the tiles as you go.

Cut tiles for the two ends of the row, as needed, with the tile cutter. Cut tiles to be a quarter inch smaller than the remaining space to make a thin gap in the vertical corners. Hang tiles with the cut sides facing into the corners.

Spread additional mastic along the width of the wall above the bottom course of tiles. Press the next course into place the same way you did the first, starting at the center and working to the sides. Repeat, working your way up the wall, course by course. Cut tiles for the two ends of each course on your tile cutter, as needed. Do the entire wall.

Let the mastic set overnight.

Spread grout over the wall, starting at the top and working down. Press the grout into the spaces between the tiles. Wipe up excess grout with a damp sponge.