The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Recessed Shower Niche Part 3: How to Modify your Recessed Foam Shower Niche In this post we cover: Situations where you would consider modifications A technique to check if your foam niche is still waterproof Method and tools to customize a foam … [Read more...] about How to Modify your Recessed Foam Shower Niche
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 … [Read more...] about How to Build a Recessed Shampoo Shelf
How to Design a Preformed Foam Recessed Shower Niche
The Ultimate Guide to Building a Preformed Recessed Shower Niche Part 1: Planning and Layout 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 … [Read more...] about How to Design a Preformed Foam Recessed Shower Niche
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 … [Read more...] about Do Uncoupling Membranes Really Prevent Cracked Tile Floors?
No Waterproofing: Will this cause shower leaks?
Shower leaks. The last thing anyone wants when they build a new shower. And yet I hear the following questions quite often: Is cement board waterproof? The tile and grout will keep the most of the water out, right? My contractor didn't put any waterproofing in our shower. Will this cause … [Read more...] about No Waterproofing: Will this cause shower leaks?
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 … [Read more...] about Ditra Heat Mat Installation: Ignore these two rules
The trick for getting better thinset coverage under your tiles
The trick for getting better thinset coverage under your tiles I've worked with some fussy tile setters in the past. Everything has to be a particular way with them. The boxes of tile have to be opened a certain way, their spacers have to be positioned just so, and … [Read more...] about The trick for getting better thinset coverage under your tiles
The One Thing Every Tile Installation Needs: Movement Joints
If I were to ask "what is one thing that every tile installation needs?" I would get answers like "tile, mortar, trowel, patience". Nobody would answer with "Movement Joints". Nobody. Most people wouldn't understand what they are. And installing them sounds like it would be technical and … [Read more...] about The One Thing Every Tile Installation Needs: Movement Joints
The Little Known Cause of your Loose Floor Tiles
Loose floor tiles can be very frustrating. Why is it happening? What's the cause? What went wrong? I have a textbook for contractors called the NTCA Reference manual. One of the features of this book is that it has tables and charts that list different tile problems. Then it gives a cause. Then a … [Read more...] about The Little Known Cause of your Loose Floor Tiles
7 Hot New Tile Products and Tools for 2016
New Tile Products Heated Tile Floor Membranes Joining the likes of Ditra Heat and Prodeso Heat is the newcomer Prova Flex-Heat. The newer trend in heated tile floors is to run the heated wire in the tile underlayment rather than on top or below. The advantage is the installation is a little easier … [Read more...] about 7 Hot New Tile Products and Tools for 2016