In order to put down tiles in such a way as to make it attractive and ensure longevity, only the most suitable tools must be used. Some of the tools needed for tiling such as pliers will usually already be present in the general collection of tools in the home, but some tools which can perform specialist functions are also required for a good result.
Before tiling is started, a straight piece of wood is required to assist with the placement of the first streak of tiles. Similarly, a stripe and a spirit level will help to ensure that the tiles are laid down on the correct planes. Some specialist tools are required but in some cases such tools can be replaced by something which is more commonly found in the home. For instance, instead of buying a specialist tile file, one can also use sandpaper or an abrasive paper which is wrapped around a block for easy sanding.
A specialist cutter for tiles is used to score a clearly defined scratch across the glaze of the tile, and the tile is then broken in this place to reveal a clean and even line. Cutters vary in size and shape, and have clamps to hold the tile while it is broken. For thick tiles, a cutter which is situation on a platform is required.
Another way of cutting a tile is with a tile saw. It is more sturdy and steerable, and is a good tool for carving tiles in a curve to fit around obstructions.
A pencil and a ruler can be used for marking out where tiles should be cut. Avoid using ink or felt tipped pens to mark tiles as the ink can be absorbed by the tile and a mark which cannot be removed can show up on the surface.
Something is also needed to spread tile glue, and anything which is flat, easy to hold and flexible will do here. A glue spreader normally is a small plate of plastic which has notches to make ridges in the glue.