Materials for
Tile Installation
Laying tile requires a system of compatible layers: substrate preparation, waterproofing barriers, thinset adhesive, spacers, tile, and joint sealer. Omitting a single element can lead to water damage or cracked tiles. Use the thinset calculator to compute exact volumes of mortar, grout, and substrate backing before purchasing.
Thinset & Material Estimator
Enter your room dimensions and tile size to calculate exact bags of thinset, boxes of tile, and pounds of grout.
1. Substrate & Surface Preparation
Tiling directly over standard plywood subfloors or plaster drywall is a major cause of failure. Building materials expand and contract with moisture shifts, causing tile joints to snap. Use specialized underlayment backerboard or membranes.
Cement Board or Uncoupling Membrane
Required for floors/wallsProvides a stable, non-rot substrate for mortar to bond with.
Self-Leveling Underlayment (SLU)
OptionalUsed to correct low spots and uneven subfloors before laying tile.
Backerboard Screws & Joint Tape
Required with backerboardsAlkali-resistant mesh tape and corrosion-resistant screws.
Substrate Primer
RecommendedImproves thinset adhesion and prevents dry substrates from sucking out moisture too fast.
2. Waterproofing Barriers
Cement board is not waterproof — water passes right through it. In showers, bathtubs, and steam rooms, a dedicated waterproofing membrane must be applied over the backer board to keep structural wall studs dry and mold-free.
Liquid Waterproofing Membrane
Required in wet areasRoll-on or brush-on waterproofing coating (e.g. RedGard) for shower studs/walls.
Waterproof Sheet Membrane & Banding
Alternative optionFleece-lined sheet waterproofing (e.g. Schluter-KERDI) for maximum seam security.
Silicone sealant / Caulk
RequiredFor plumbing penetrations, shower corners, and tub joints.
3. Thinset Mortar & Adhesives
Thinset mortar cures chemically to form a rigid, stone-like bond. Mastic adhesive is an organic glue that dries by evaporation. Make sure you match the correct bonding compound to your tile size and moisture zone. Review the specifications in the mortar vs adhesive guide for full details.
Thinset Mortar (Modified vs Unmodified)
RequiredCement powder mixed with water or latex additives. Standard for bonding.
Organic Mastic Adhesive
Optional (dry walls only)Convenient premixed adhesive for light tiles on dry drywall/backerboard.
Large-Format Tile Mortar (LFT)
Required for 15"+ tilesSupports heavy tiles to prevent sagging and lippage during cure.
4. Spacing and Leveling Controls
Standard spacers establish uniform grout joint width. For large tiles, a lippage leveling system is highly recommended to clamp edges flush during the thinset cure cycle.
Tile Spacers
RequiredEnsures uniform joint width. Available in sizes from 1/16" to 3/8".
Lippage Leveling Clips & Wedges
Recommended (large format)Interlocking system to pull adjacent tile edges level and prevent lippage.
5. Cutting, Safety, and PPE Gear
Cutting tiles releases fine dust containing crystalline silica, which is hazardous to your lungs. Always wear eye protection and respirators.
Manual Tile Cutter (Score-and-Snap)
RequiredBest for straight cuts on ceramic and standard porcelain.
Angle Grinder & Diamond Blade
RecommendedFor L-cuts, U-cuts, pipe curves, and outlet openings.
Tile Nippers
OptionalHand tool for nibbling small bits away to fit around obstructions.
Safety Glasses
RequiredProtects eyes from flying shards when cutting or snapping tiles.
N95 Dust Mask / Respirator
RequiredProtects lungs from silica dust when mixing thinset or dry-cutting tile.
Heavy-Duty Kneepads
RecommendedVital for knee joint comfort during floor installations.
Project-Specific Material Lists
Floor Tile List
- •Underlayment membrane / Backerboard
- •LFT Thinset Mortar (large tile)
- •Leveling clips & Wedges
- •Sanded Grout
- •Floor transition strips
Wall / Backsplash List
- •Organic Mastic Adhesive (dry)
- •1/16" or 1/8" Tile Spacers
- •Unsanded Grout
- •Color-matched silicone caulk
- •Metal edge trim (Schluter profile)
Shower Wall / Floor List
- •Cement board backer
- •Liquid or sheet waterproofing
- •Polymer-modified thinset
- •Unsanded / Epoxy Grout
- •Silicone caulk for corners
Outdoor Patio List
- •Concrete slab preparation
- •Exterior-rated mortar
- •Wide tile spacers (3/16"+)
- •Polymer-modified sanded grout
- •Expansion joint sealant
Marcus Sterling
Certified Master Tile Installer & Technical Estimator
This guide has been technically reviewed and approved by Marcus Sterling. Marcus has over 20 years of hands-on experience in residential and commercial tile setting. He is a certified installer specializing in moisture diagnostics, deflection analysis, complex layouts, and estimation accuracy.
Materials FAQs
Common questions about tile installation materials, tools, and accessories.
What materials do I need for tile installation?▼
The core materials needed are: substrate backerboard or membrane, thinset mortar, tile, spacers, grout, color-matched caulk, and safety gear. Specialized projects like showers require waterproofing liquid or sheets.
Do I really need leveling clips and wedges?▼
For large-format tiles (any tile with one edge 15" or longer, such as 12×24), leveling clips are highly recommended. Large tiles are prone to slight bowing, and substrates are rarely perfectly flat. Leveling systems pull adjacent tiles flush to prevent lippage.
Can I use standard thinset for large tiles?▼
No. Standard thinset is too thin and shrinks during cure, which pulls large tiles down and creates uneven edges. You must use Large-Format Tile (LFT) mortar, which has higher body and non-slump properties.
How many spacers and clips should I buy?▼
Plan for 4 clips per tile for standard layouts, and buy 10–15% extra to account for wastage. Spacers can be cleaned and reused, but leveling clips are single-use (the base stays under the tile and the top is snapped off).