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CTEF Blog - About Tile Education and Installer Certification

A Flat Floor vs. a Level Floor: What's the Difference?

[fa icon="calendar'] June 8, 2021 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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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. 

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Does Your Tile Slope To the Drain?

[fa icon="calendar'] April 27, 2021 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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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.

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Honoring Expansion Joints in a Concrete Floor

[fa icon="calendar'] November 10, 2020 8:30:00 AM EST / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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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.

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Is Your Floor or Wall Flat Enough for Large Format Tile?

[fa icon="calendar'] October 27, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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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

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How To Protect Your Installation With a Tile Edge Profile

[fa icon="calendar'] October 6, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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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.

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How to Install Floor Tile When It's Natural Stone Rather Than Ceramic

[fa icon="calendar'] September 29, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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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.

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Gridlines vs. Spacers: Which is Better When Installing Tile?

[fa icon="calendar'] September 8, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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When you're installing tile, do you use gridlines or spacers? Why do you do so?

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Five Self-Leveling Underlayment (SLU) Requirements

[fa icon="calendar'] August 25, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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Are you familiar with SLU or Self-Leveling Underlayment?

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Dealing With Ramps and Level Changes on Tile Jobsites

[fa icon="calendar'] July 21, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

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Have you had to deal with ramps and level changes on your tile jobsite? How have you addressed them?

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Six Steps for Mixing Mortars and Grouts

[fa icon="calendar'] July 7, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by Scott Carothers posted in Ask Scott, Installing Tile TIps

5 Comments

Would you agree that mortars and grouts matter to a successful tile installation project? And that you need them to be properly mixed?

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Certified Tile Installer Mike Corona says,

You don't become a tile installer or a business owner overnight. It takes time, enthusiasm, pride, reliability, respectfulness, a willingness to learn, and dedication. No two jobs are the same; each one has its own unique nuances. As a qualified installer, you need to be able to communicate how to deal with those nuances and qualify yourself to not only meet but exceed expectations. Being qualified will exponentially increase your value and you will have endless opportunities.

Mike Corona CTI #923 Corona Marble and Tile

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Mike Corona CTI #923
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