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
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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 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
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. … [Read more...] about The Little Known Cause of your Loose Floor Tiles
Miserable Pebble Tile Flooring
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
Ceramic Subway Tile: 3 Pro Installation Secrets
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
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. 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
Exterior tile installation over occupied space
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
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 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.
Bathroom Floor Tile Layout in 5 Easy Steps
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
Why a centered tile layout is a bad idea
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
