Remodeled Entryway!

Since we moved into our house I have wanted to get rid of the tile in our entry way.  

I didn’t like the ugly blue flowers at all. 

After we took out the carpet and put in laminate, the urge to change the tile intensified.

 

So, one weekend we tore out the tile.  It required some muscle, but came up pretty easily. In some spots they must have used super dooper mortar so they were time consuming to get up, but it was all worth it. 

Then the clean up began. 

After I swept and vacuumed and mopped the concrete floor we left it until the next weekend.  Then, I painted the floor with RedGard which prevents cracks and waterproofs the floor.

We probably didn’t NEED this, but it was recommended to us when we tiled the entry way in the duplex and we have used it on all our tiling since (which has been only a few times, but still) and we haven’t had any problems.  I think it is worth the $50 investment.  We’ll use the rest of the can on the bathrooms and in the laundry room.

It goes on pink then dries red. 

Once the RedGard dried, I placed the tiles out to see what we need to cut and how it will look.  It worked out perfect – we only had to cut 3 tiles in half! 

I really like the offset look – I think it looks so much better than lining up all the corners.  It is worth the little bit of extra effort!

We mixed up the thin set and set the tiles.   

We let that dry and put in the grout. 

The grout is still a little wet in this picture, so you can see it a little better.  

I LOVE it!!

I also LOVE before and after pictures, so here is one:

We still need to put up the molding and the transition strip between the tile and the laminate, but I am happy, happy, happy!

And … the best part?  This cost less than $150!  Worth every penny! 

I can’t wait to see what it will look like with molding and maybe even a painted front door! 

  

What do you think?  Have you done any projects around your house?

I’d love to hear about them!