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Self-Leveling Underlayment: The most comprehensive guide on the internet
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Tile Layout and the Golden Ratio
Using the Golden Ratio for Tile Installations The golden ratio is a mathematical equation found everywhere. From snail shells to hurricanes; from pyramids to stock market charts. We don’t need to know every detail to use it in tile applications, nor do we have to be a math wiz to know how it works. We […]
Tips & Tricks
Building a Custom Shower Niche from Scratch
The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Custom Recessed Shower Niche Part 4: Building a Custom Shower Niche from Scratch This post covers: Cement board, foam board, and Hardibacker Cutting into wall framing Waterproofing LOTS of photos! Sometimes there’s no good way around it. Building your own custom recessed shower niche from scratch can be […]
Sealing the tub flange for tile
That pesky tub flange. You have the tile backerboard installed and everything is waterproofed. Everything except that gap between the backerboard and the tub flange. How do you waterproof that? What to do with the tub flange? To begin with you can try reading the instructions for the backerboard… which then will reveal… nothing. What about […]
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. Tip #5: Score the back first This post contains affiliate links. The site owner may […]
Waterproofing
Why Schluter Ditra is so cool: Uncoupling membranes explained
How tile uncoupling membranes work You’ve probably seen uncoupling membranes before. It’s not unusual to see these orange waffle-y products on some DIY television shows. You may have even wondered “Do those things really work?” This post contains affiliate links. The site owner may earn a commission should you click on an affiliate link and […]
Flood testing a shower pan: Why it’s done and how to do it
Flood testing a shower pan. I get several calls per year about showers that are leaking. Some of these showers are leaking after just a few years. Some, just a few weeks after they’ve been built. I estimate that those calls could probably be cut in half if this one simple step were done. Doing […]
Kerdi no longer acceptable for tile steam showers
TCNA tightens steam shower requirements 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 […]
Tutorial
Self-Leveling Underlayment: The Ultimate Guide
Self-leveling underlayment. It sounds soooooo easy, doesn’t it? You simply pour the leveling cement over the floor and the product then just levels itself all on its own. Sort of like…magic, right? This post contains affiliate links. The site owner may earn a commission should you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase. Read […]
Installing Electric Floor Heat: How to Not Void Your Warranty
Installing Electric Floor Heat: The First Step “How do you know it works?” I’ve been asked this by more than one homeowner when installing their electric floor heat system. It’s a good question. This post contains affiliate links. The site owner may earn a commission should you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase. Read […]
How to Build a Recessed Shampoo Shelf
The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Recessed Shower Niche Part 2 Building, Installing, and Tiling a Recessed Shampoo Shelf In this post we discuss: How to cut an inset niche into the wall What tools to use to build the recessed shampoo shelf Blocking (framing) for a recessed niche How to make sure your […]
Tile Installation Products
Do Uncoupling Membranes Really Prevent Cracked Tile Floors?
Do Uncoupling Membranes Really Prevent Cracked Tile Floors? This post contains affiliate links. The site owner may earn a commission should you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase. Read more You want to tile your concrete floor. But there’s a problem. The concrete has cracks in it. You know that if you tile […]
Ditra Heat Mat Installation: Ignore these two rules
Typically I encourage people to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Especially when the company has clear, detailed, and easy to understand instructions. But when it comes to both Ditra Heat and Ditra Heat TB [edit: now called Ditra-Heat Duo] there are two things that I just don’t feel are good ideas. This post contains affiliate links. The […]
Tile Grout: What Kind do I Need for my Project?
Tile Grout- so many choices… Why do things have to be complicated? You pick out a grout color and now you’re faced with another decision: sanded or nonsanded? Which kind of tile grout is right for your project? This post will cover what the different types of grout are and where they can be used. […]
