Main Content
Tile Backer Board Breakdown
Which Shower Tile Backer board is best? When it comes to installing a tile backer board you typically have the following choice: difficult to install […]
Recent Posts
How to Build a Shower Pan- 2 Methods
This post is going to cover how to build a shower pan for tile using two different methods. The first method is an "old-school" method that has been used for decades and the second is a newer system that is simpler, and some feel a better … [Read More...]
How to Achieve a Perfect Tile to Wood Transition between Floors
Nobody wants uneven tile to wood transitions in their homes. Sometimes you have to have them, especially if you live in an old home. Additionally, you may have them if you bought a flipped home. That's another story. But if you are going to … [Read More...]
How to get a Perfect Carpet to Tile Transition
In this post, I'm going to tell you exactly how you can have your carpet to tile transitions so they are flush, smooth, and even. This is exactly what I do in my renovations all the time. How to Transition from Tile to Carpet First of … [Read More...]
4 Alternatives to Ditra Uncoupling Membrane
I love Schluter Ditra and would recommend it to anyone. However, there are many alternatives to Ditra that have entered the market and they are worthy of consideration. There are many reasons to consider an alternative to Ditra, which could … [Read More...]
Tile Warpage: My Porcelain Planks are Bent and Bowed!
Can tiles be warped or bowed? Yes, your tiles can have a warpage or curvature to them. The question is: how much tile warpage is OK? Back when tiles were smaller, it didn't really matter if they had a little curvature to them. But now tiles are … [Read More...]
Thinset
Tile Thinset Mortar: How to Buy the Best Adhesive for YOU!
It's difficult enough just selecting your tile let alone a tile mortar. Now you walk into the thinset aisle at the home improvement store and there are eight different choices of thinset … [Read More...]
Modified vs Unmodified Thinset: Deciphering which you need for Schluter Kerdi & Ditra
Are you wondering about modified vs unmodified thinset mortars? Perhaps, you are thinking of installing a Ditra-Heat floor or a Schluter Kerdi Shower System? The internet is full of information … [Read More...]
How to Mix Thinset Mortar
Mixing thinset. It must be a big secret. Otherwise, why can't you get a straight answer? Perhaps you've heard these: "Mix it until it's like peanut butter""thinset consistency should be … [Read More...]
How to Mix Small Batches of Thinset Mortar
At last, mixing small batches of thinset doesn't have to be a secret! Finally, you too can know the exact amount of water and thinset powder to add together to get the perfect thinset consistency. … [Read More...]
Premixed Tile Mastic: Where TO use it and What NOT to use it on
You know how tempting it is to grab that bucket of premixed tile mastic off of the shelf for your tile project. It's premixed, already the proper consistency, and it's really easy to use. But … [Read More...]
Tips & Tricks
How to Cut Glass Tile- 7 Tips Revealed- video
Cutting glass tile can be a challenge. Yes, more of a challenge than cutting regular old ceramic tile. Additionally, the average DIY’er may not have the right equipment and may not know the tricks for how to cut glass tile. But, alas, I’ve assembled some pointers on how to deal with the quirks and challenges […]
Don’t let your tile accent strip look like this
Getting your mosaic and glass tile accent strips to be flush and flat with the surrounding tile can be difficult unless you know a trick for it. Here’s a technique for building up the thinner decorative tile so that it’s even with the thicker tile without creating a huge mess of thinset oozing out of […]
Silicone Caulk: How to Caulk a Bathtub or a Shower
Silicone Caulk: How to Caulk a Shower or Bathtub The problem: If you’ve ever tried caulking with 100% silicone caulk you are well aware of how frustrating it can be. First of all, it can create a huge mess, be almost impossible to clean up, and can make your shower look uglier than before you started. […]
Waterproofing
Kerdi no longer acceptable for tile steam showers
In 2013, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), the organization that sets the guidelines for tile installations, is rumored to have made a modification to their specifications for constructing tile steam showers. It’s all about perm ratings- and Schluter Kerdi fabric no longer cuts it. (edit: this is now in place and no longer […]
Tile Backer Board Breakdown
Which Shower Tile Backer board is best? When it comes to installing a tile backer board you typically have the following choice: difficult to install and cheap easy to install and expensive So which tile backer board should you use in your bathroom? I’m going to break them down by category and cover the finer […]
Shower Waterproofing Crash Course
4 Shower Waterproofing systems for tile showers Waterproofing a shower. This seems like common sense, doesn’t it? Well, a lot of showers that are built these days still have no shower waterproofing whatsoever. Or they have poor or improper waterproofing. What! No Waterproofing!? How can this be? Well, I think there are multiple parties to […]
Recessed Shampoo Niches
Building a Custom Shower Niche from Scratch…
This post covers: Cement board, foam board, and Hardibacker Cutting into wall framing Waterproofing LOTS of photos! The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Custom Recessed Shower Niche Other niche building posts: Planning and Design Installing a prefab niche Modifying a prefab niche Part 4: Building a Custom Shower Niche from Scratch Sometimes there’s no […]
Installing a Recessed Shampoo Niche in an Exterior Wall of a Shower.…
Here’s the dilemma. The customer wants a recessed shampoo niche. But once the walls were opened up there’s no good place to put one. There are either wires and pipes in the way or the stud bay is too narrow. The only good place to install one would be on an exterior wall which would […]
How to Design a Preformed Foam Recessed Shower Niche…
In this post we discuss: What types of prefab recessed shower niches are out there Which preformed shampoo niches are best Shower niche design ideas Why you should plan for a shower insert before you install any tile How to lay out a shower niche Adding shelves to your recessed niches The Ultimate Guide to […]
Top Shared Posts
Building a Custom Shower Niche from Scratch
This post covers: Cement board, foam board, and HardibackerCutting into wall framing WaterproofingLOTS of photos! The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Custom Recessed Shower Niche Other niche building posts: Planning
Subway Tile Installation: Three Basic Tips
Subway Tile Installation: Three Basic Tips Subway tile- what's not to like? It's classic and timeless. Even in 2022, subway tile is a staple in tile design trends. I usually
Installing a Recessed Shampoo Niche in an Exterior Wall of a Shower.
Here's the dilemma. The customer wants a recessed shampoo niche. But once the walls were opened up there's no good place to put one. There are either wires and pipes
5 signs your new tile shower will leak
You've hired someone to build your tile shower in your bathroom, but how do you know he or she's doing it correctly? How do you know that you won't have
