Updating Entryway Tile

Our entryway was dark and dated and in dire need of an update. With the entry being the first thing seen when entering the home, it’s important to give a first impression that wows guests. A fresh coat of paint and new tiles are a simple yet impactful way of increasing the appeal of your home. We tackled this project in two phases: paint + new tile and new storage unit for shoes and other seasonal items. In this post, we’ll explore how to plan and prepare for tiling an entryway.

Plan and Prepare:

Measure the entryway area accurately to determine the amount of tile and other materials you'll need. Add 10% to your tile order to account for cuts and possible mistakes.
Remove any existing flooring, clean the subfloor thoroughly, and ensure it is smooth, level, and free from debris.
If necessary, apply a self-leveling compound to even out any uneven sections of the subfloor.
- Our existing entry tile was very level and flat. Because it was adhered to the concrete slab, it would have been a pain to remove. Luckily, our entry floor was over an inch lower than the door thresholds which gave us wiggle room to explore another option: tiling over tile. Normally, I would not recommend this as it is always best to remove the existing flooring before installing new flooring but due to some time constraints, we decided to pursue this option.
- In order to tile over tile, you must ensure that the existing flooring is level. In addition, the surface of the existing flooring must be prepped to accept the new tile. This is done either by scuffing/roughening up the surface with an angle grinder or using a primer that is rolled into the surface much like paint. The primer dries to a super coarse finish which gives the thinset something to grab onto.

Step 2: Gather Materials and Tools:

Purchase the desired tiles, thinset mortar, grout, spacers, trowels, tile cutter, notched trowel, grout float, bucket and sponges.
Ensure you have the appropriate safety equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, and knee pads.
- Some things that will make your tiling job easier: leveling clips, wet saw, multiple 5-gallon buckets and multiple sponges
- Leveling clips have dual functions as spacers and levelers. The leveling clip is embedded under and between two adjacent tiles (acting as the spacer). It also has an open slot for a wedge to be inserted, thereby forcing the 2 adjacent tiles into level. Once the thinset has fully cured, you can tap the leveling clip with a hammer to snap off the exposed part of the clip. Best part is you can reuse the leveling wedges!
- Having a wet saw makes cutting tile much easier, especially for those custom cuts around doorways.
- Investing is multiple buckets and sponges will help when you clean grout and grout haze. Cleaning up grout haze can feel like an exercise in futility but having clean water and clean sponges

Step 3: Start Tiling:

It’s best to begin by laying out the tile on the floor to get a sense of the final result. Laying out beforehand also helps you identify the positioning of the edge pieces. You don’t want to start tiling and end up with a 3/4” edge piece at the wall (balance is key for sight lines!). If that is the case, you can take some off of the starting tile to even out the width of the edge pieces.
Apply the thinset to a small section of the subfloor using a notched trowel. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper application.
Place the first tile in the thinset, using tile spacers to create even gaps between tiles for grout lines.
Continue applying thinset and placing tiles row by row, working from the center of the entryway towards the edges.
Use a tile cutter to make necessary cuts for tiles at the edges or around obstacles. Measure twice and cut once to ensure accuracy.

Step 4: Grouting:

Allow the tile to dry completely, following the manufacturer's recommended drying time.
Mix the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions, ensuring a smooth consistency.
Use a grout float to spread the grout over the tiled surface, pressing it into the gaps.
Remove excess grout with the edge of the grout float at a 45-degree angle.
After approximately 15-20 minutes, when the grout has slightly hardened, use a damp sponge to wipe away excess grout from the tiles. Rinse the sponge frequently to prevent grout haze. Remember to not press too hard with the sponge and risk clearing the grout out of the gap.

Check out the gallery for the in-progress and final result!