• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

www.diytileguy.com

Tile installation information for the DIYers

  • Planning and Design
  • Prep
    • Showers/Bathtubs
    • Floor Prep
  • Install
    • Niches
    • Setting Tile
    • Thinset
    • Tile Layout
    • Tips & Tricks
  • Tools/Products

Install

The trick for getting better thinset coverage under your tiles

April 5, 2016 by James Upton 30 Comments

Improved thinset coverage

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 their tools have to be organized in a certain manner. Good thinset mortar coverage … [Read more...] about The trick for getting better thinset coverage under your tiles

Filed Under: Setting Tile

The One Thing Every Tile Installation Needs: Movement Joints

March 22, 2016 by James Upton 115 Comments

backer rod

If I were to ask “what is one thing that every tile installation needs?” I would get answers like 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 complicated. Good news! … [Read more...] about The One Thing Every Tile Installation Needs: Movement Joints

Filed Under: Setting Tile

The Little Known Cause of your Loose Floor Tiles

March 8, 2016 by James Upton 18 Comments

Loose Tile missing

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. … [Read more...] about The Little Known Cause of your Loose Floor Tiles

Filed Under: Setting Tile

Miserable Pebble Tile Flooring

December 15, 2015 by James Upton 257 Comments

pebble tile path

How can installing pebble tile flooring be a miserable endeavor? After all, when you use words like organic, zen, natural, and feng shui to describe the bathroom that you want aren't pebble tiles always in the scheme somewhere? Well, I have a huge pet peeve when it comes to pebble tiles. A … [Read more...] about Miserable Pebble Tile Flooring

Filed Under: Setting Tile

Ceramic Subway Tile: 3 Pro Installation Secrets

December 1, 2015 by James Upton 99 Comments

beveled marble subway tile

Ceramic Subway Tile: 3 Pro Installation Secrets I have 3 tips to share for ceramic subway tile. The first is a lesser-known layout technique for subway tiles. The second is an installation detail and the third is a cutting method done tutorial style. Let's get right into it. Also, don't … [Read more...] about Ceramic Subway Tile: 3 Pro Installation Secrets

Filed Under: Setting Tile

Subway Tile Installation: Three Basic Tips

November 17, 2015 by James Upton 89 Comments

subway tile layout lines

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. In this post, I will talk about three things that can help to get you started with your subway tile installation. These things … [Read more...] about Subway Tile Installation: Three Basic Tips

Filed Under: Setting Tile

Exterior tile installation over occupied space

October 6, 2015 by James Upton 14 Comments

Exterior tile installation

This week I got an email about tiling outside over an occupied room. This isn't something that I've talked about so far but this is a high-risk situation and I wanted to expand on it a bit. Here's the question: Exterior tile installation over living space Hello.. I was hoping you could … [Read more...] about Exterior tile installation over occupied space

Filed Under: Install

Installing a Recessed Shampoo Niche in an Exterior Wall of a Shower.

September 22, 2015 by James Upton 28 Comments

recessed shampoo niches in an exterior wall

Here's the dilemma. The customer wants a recessed shampoo niche. But once the walls were opened up there is 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 leave a big … [Read more...] about Installing a Recessed Shampoo Niche in an Exterior Wall of a Shower.

Filed Under: Niches

Bathroom Floor Tile Layout in 5 Easy Steps

June 9, 2015 by James Upton 53 Comments

small bathroom tiled

It seems like a simple project- a small bathroom floor. You've picked out your tile at the local box store along with a few supplies and you're ready to go. The problem is:  Where do you start? This post assumes that your existing floor is removed and your tile underlayment is installed. … [Read more...] about Bathroom Floor Tile Layout in 5 Easy Steps

Filed Under: Tile Layout

Why a centered tile layout is a bad idea

May 18, 2015 by James Upton 50 Comments

tile cut at doorway

Typical tile layout advice is: Measure off of each wallFind the center of the roomDraw intersecting linesStart tiling from the center intersection You'll find this type of information on many DIY sites that also have tips for cleaning out your gutters, staining your outside deck, and painting … [Read more...] about Why a centered tile layout is a bad idea

Filed Under: Tile Layout

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

exact batch cheat sheet square

Hi! I'm James!

I own a bathroom remodeling company in the Seattle area and blog about tile installation in my spare time.

DIYTileGuy was created to help get good tile installation information to DIY'ers so they can build their own tile projects successfully.

I hope you enjoy the site! Read More…

Footer

  • Planning and Design
  • Prep
    • Showers/Bathtubs
    • Floor Prep
  • Install
    • Niches
    • Setting Tile
    • Thinset
    • Tile Layout
    • Tips & Tricks
  • Tools/Products

Blog roll

About Me

Contact
Privacy Policy

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow Me!

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in