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.
Scott Carothers
Recent Posts
When you install tile in wet areas, do you ensure that everything slopes to the drain? If not, please read below.
Let's consider showers. Showers can be a beautiful part of the bathroom especially when the tile is part of the finished product. The beauty, though, will not be long-lasting if the installation standards and best practices for tile installation are not followed.
Do You Honor Expansion Joints in a Concrete Floor?
You do, right? Honoring expansion joints in a concrete floor is critical to the success of a ceramic tile floor installation.
How prepared are you for installing Large Format Tile (LFT) or Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels (GTPT) and ensuring you have a surface that is adequately flat?
It's a big deal and worth considering before you get started.
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.
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 is 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.
Would you agree that mortars and grouts matter to a successful tile installation project? And that you need them to be properly mixed?
Let's talk about floor prep. How seriously do you take it?
Realize that the success or failure of most tile projects is keyed to the amount of floor prep 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.
