Measurements

• Before starting the installation, it's crucial to get an accurate measurement of the area so you can buy enough materials to complete the job. Carefully measure all of the wall and floor surfaces that you'll be tiling, and add 10 percent to the total square footage amount. The overage will account for waste during the project, which will include some broken or improperly cut tiles.
  
  

Tools

• Having the proper tools on hand will make the job much easier to complete. You'll need a tape measure, tile cutter, tile nippers, framing square, level and notched trowel. While a manual tile cutter will work fine, you may want to rent a wet tile saw. A wet tile saw will allow you to make more precise cuts on the tile. Wet tile saws can be rented at most home-improvement stores.
  
  

Surface Preparation

• The end result is only going to be as good as the underlying surface. If you are removing old tile, first lay an old blanket in the tub or shower base and remove the old tiles. The blanket will prevent you from damaging the surface of the tub or shower. In order to prevent mold from forming, moisture-resistant drywall needs to be installed over the surface. This type of drywall is easily identifiable by its green paper coating. Also, whenever installing tile on a wall, backer board should be installed over the wall. It's will provide a more sturdy wall surface for the tile to adhere to.
  
  

Getting an Even Layout

• One of the most important parts of laying tile is getting a straight, even pattern. If the first tile isn't laid correctly, the entire tiled shower is going to be crooked and the tiles on opposite sides of the wall won't be the same width. To get started, measure horizontally from one end of the wall to be tiled to the other side along the base of the floor or tub or shower surround. Then, position the framing square on the center mark and trace along the edge of the vertical part of the framing square. You'll now have a line going up the wall, and the first tile should be laid so the edge is up against the line. The rest of the tiles should be laid in sequence, one next to each other, going one row at a time.