How easy is it to tile a kitchen floor. Plus would you lay the tiles directly onto the concrete sub floor or lay concrete boards or chipboards underneath. I would also like to continue this to the hallway and under stairs. Thanks.
Depending on the age of the cement subfloor, it would be my first choice, even if I had to prep it first to insure a good bond. Definitely not cement board, it's not designed or engineered to be walked on, the results downstream would be disastrous. There is a grade of board specifically called underlayment, and it would be my second choice. It needs to be nailed down to cement subfloor about every 6 inches in both directions, very tedious. Not so bad on wood, can be screwed down.This is not hard job, just hard work. Hands and knees, get up to cut a piece, back down to hands and knees. Spread mortar or adhesive, set tile, check for level, spread - set - level, over and over. And level in both directions, North - South, and East - West, and level from tile to tile as well. Really good tile setters make very good money. Very important for you to know: floor tile is thicker than wall tile. It should be 3/8 inch minimum, or 9 mm. Wall tile is generally thinner, and will crack under the stress of weight on it.
I have never tiled a floor but i have done a backsplash and it should be about the same. It was not very difficult and kinda fun. You will need something to cut tile with or you will waste a lot of tile.I have found that you can find how to do anything by doing a search on the internet--this is what I suggest you do. Now just my opinion--I would not want a tile floor in my kitchen because they are hard on your legs and back if you stand on them a lot and any thing breakable dropped on them will not stand a chance also they will crack if heavy object is dropped. There are many alternatives to tile, laminate that looks like tile or wood would be a good choice or hardwood.
You do want to lay it directly on the slab. And treat the slab accordingly depending on the shape of the slab. Cracks need to be treated ( several ways to do this) and any dips or highs dealt with ( if any). The basic work is easy its the hauling of the tile and the thin set bags thats the hardest. Common sense and basic DIY skills is all thats needed. Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL
