Is it hard to fit tile around the toilet? Should I start there first?
no, but fitting around the toilet is very simple start at your starting point when you get to the toilet heat the tile with a hair dryer so it gets real soft and can cut very easy when cut to fit and the tile is laid use some caulk areound all base boards and toilet...good luck it will look great..
I answered 2 peel and stick tile Q's just today, I wouldn't use it or advise it, but obviously it sells. Cathy has the best first answer, take up the toilet. Without knowing what the old floor is, or the substrate and not knowing how long you plan to occupy the house, IF I was to do the job, I'd use contact cement on the existing floor and back olf the peel and stick. It's available in a lacquer or water base. Steven Wolf After installing thousands of sq. ft. of various flooring types I'd suggest sheet stock as opposed to peel and stick
it's not hard to do but you have a little bit of cutting to do. to start with the peel an stick, i would start in the middle of you doorway to the bathroom and go straight across the room( you want full tiles in front of the door) and leave cut ends to the one side. once you get that line across and use a laser line if you have one, everything else is smooth sailing... before you put the peel and stick down... what do you have on the floor now? if you have other tile down, i would not put new stuff over top of it, it usually don't stick right, try putting a thin sheet of plywood down or(i believe it's called mahogany) you can buy thin sheets of this. put it down first and then tile. it's a little bit more work but it's worth it, cost less too if your not replacing in a few months too. Have fun, it's easy, i did mine first try!!! :)
Just like any tile work, start with the center of the door where you can put full size tiles and where they look good when you walk in the bathroom. Work your way to the toilet. Surround the toilet with full size tiles as possible leaving the area next to the toilet undone so you can make paper templates. Once you have the paper templates, cut your tile and stick it to the floor. Make sure that the floor is absolutely free from dirt, dust, water or anything else. Use denatured alcohol to clean the area first.(use a respirator and open the windows) Good luck !!!
It doesn't matter that it is peel and stick. The proper way is to remove the toilet and reinstall it over the tile. As to where to start, find the center of the room by measuring off of the perpendicular walls. Use a string line to mark your floor. Where the lines intersect is the center. The lines must be at right angles. Dry lay one row of tiles in each direction first, if you end up with small cuts adjust your layout so you do not end up with less than half a tile, or to hide small tiles in the least noticeable area. I know this sounds like a lot of work but it really not it just take a few minutes. You will end up with a professional looking installation. The first tile is key if you place it crooked the hole floor will be off.
