tilers

Tilers are skilled tradespeople who install tile surfaces on walls, floors, and other structures using materials such as ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, and mosaic sheets. They work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings, including bathrooms, kitchens, and corridors. Typical duties include surface preparation, layout and pattern planning, precise cutting of tiles to fit irregular spaces, applying adhesives or thin-set mortars with notched trowels, placing tiles with alignment and spacing, and grouting and sealing joints. They may also install waterproofing membranes, backer boards, and other prep systems for wet areas, and perform final cleaning and finishing coordinates with fixtures.

Tools and materials commonly used by tilers include trowels, tile nippers, a wet saw or tile cutter, levels and straightedges, spacers, rubber mallets, grout floats, and sponges. Tile types range from ceramic and porcelain to natural stone and glass, with mosaic sheets often used for decorative work or complex patterns. Preparation steps emphasize flatness, cleanliness, and moisture management of the substrate, as well as proper ventilation and drying times for mortars and sealants.

Process overview: assess site, measure, mark layout, prepare substrate, cut and fit tiles, apply adhesive, set tiles, allow curing, remove spacers, grout joints, clean excess grout, and seal as required. Safety considerations include personal protective equipment, handling heavy materials, dust control when cutting stone or porcelain, and ladder or scaffold use for elevated work.

Training and industry standards vary by country, but tilers typically enter via apprenticeships or vocational programs. Guidelines from manufacturers and professional associations help ensure quality installations and consistent methods.