Do you use an edge profile to protect your tile installation? It's particularly valuable when transitioning from tile to another flooring surface material. However, to work, the profile must be installed correctly. Let's explore.
Scott Carothers
Recent Posts
If you're considering how to install natural stone floor tile, be aware that there's a significant difference between natural stone and ceramic tile, especially when it's over wood framing.
Unfortunately, many consumers, builders, and even some tile installers share the mistaken idea that natural stone tile products may be installed over a wood-framed floor in the same way as ceramic and porcelain tile. This is completely untrue and will many times lead to a very costly replacement.
Why? Because tiles made from natural stone do not have the same strength as ceramic tiles, and they require a floor system that is twice as stiff as what is required for ceramic floor tile.
Let's explore in more detail.
I certainly hope you don't ignore grout manufacturer directions, which just about guarantees that your tile installation will fail. In fact, that's true for just about all the products tile installers use. For the sake of this article, though, I'll focus on grout and more specifically High-Performance Cement Grouts.
Here's why you need to take the grout manufacturer's directions seriously.
Would you agree that mortars and grouts matter to a successful tile installation project? And, that you need them to be properly mixed?
Do you spend time ensuring that your tile layout is centered and balanced, with no small cuts? I hope so, since this is the most effective way to ensure that a tile installation has a professionally installed appearance.
For a beautiful and long-lasting tile installation, you need to ensure that every facet of the job is completed properly according to tile industry standards and best practices. The key element here is the foundation of the installation, and that's where underlayment for tile solves a multitude of problems.
Does the word flat have the same meaning as the word level when it comes to floors and, more importantly, tile installation? If we look in various dictionaries, flat and level can have almost the same definition, which can be confusing.
Let's talk about floor prep. How seriously do you take it?
Realize that the success or failure of most tile projects is largely determined by the amount of floor preparation provided and the attention to detail. When you or anyone else cuts corners to save time and or money on a job, the result is almost always failure.
To make my point, here are specific examples highlighting seven perils of improper floor prep. You may have encountered others that we can add to the list.
