How do you know what size a grout line should be? Are grout lines even necessary? When should you use 1/16-inch or 1/8-inch grout joints? Well, sometimes there is a reason or a 'rule' that you should adhere to. Whereas other times, it's up to your personal judgment. This post will explore … [Read more...] about How Big Should Your Grout Lines Be? (A Comprehensive Guide)
Setting Tile
12×24 Tile Installation Guide (and other large format tiles)
12x24 tiles are an extremely popular large format tile size. However, working with them may be a little different than what you are used to. This post is going to cover some basics on: They aren't actually 12x24 inches For starters, we need to clear up a common misunderstanding. … [Read more...] about 12×24 Tile Installation Guide (and other large format tiles)
Installing Wood-Look Tile Flooring: 5 Insider Tips to Knock out your next Floor
It’s 2022, and tile that looks like wood is as popular as ever. In fact, it 'wood' seem that the wood-look tile trend has turned into a staple in people's homes. Really, it makes sense. After all, have hardwood floors ever gone out of style? Porcelain wood plank tile floors don’t … [Read more...] about Installing Wood-Look Tile Flooring: 5 Insider Tips to Knock out your next Floor
Pebble tiles and more pebble tiles… and porcelain wood tile too | Q&A
Through my contact form, I get several questions from people about their projects. As I was going through them I noticed a good number of them having to do with pebble tiles and porcelain wood tile so I thought I'd put together a post on just these two subjects. I'll get to others in a future … [Read more...] about Pebble tiles and more pebble tiles… and porcelain wood tile too | Q&A
Avoid These 3 DIY Tile Installation Products
There are only so many places to shop for DIY tile installation products. Big box hardware stores are among the best options. But no matter where you go there's going to be good products and not-so-good products. Big-Box stores help and hurt The trap of the box stores is that they want … [Read more...] about Avoid These 3 DIY Tile Installation Products
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 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
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
