Are you familiar with SLU or Self-Leveling Underlayment?
Happy New Year! Are you ready to make tile installation resolutions for 2026?
If you're already in the know, consider these resolutions a refresher. And, if you're new to the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation and the Certified Tile Installer Program, here's your introduction to a bold, new standards-based, methodical approach to installing ceramic tile.
What goes into evaluating a finished tile installation?
At times, this can be the most frustrating part of the project - for both the installer and the homeowner or project owner. Why? Due to finished tile expectations, naturally occurring variations, and other unexpected situations that fall within industry standards.
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.
Here we have a pyrite wall failure. What do you think it teaches about proper tile installation?
On this blog, you read about best practices for quality tile installations and how Certified Tile Installers (CTIs) go about installing tile. You've also heard them refer to having their work taken apart and inspected as part of the CTI hands-on test.
That same approach is how Mark Heinlein CTI #1112, and Robb Roderick CTI #727 troubleshoot tile installation issues in their role as National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Technical Trainers. In this article, they respond to a failed installation of pyrite tile on a wall.
How often are you including tile edge protection in your tile assembly specifications? Although not required for all installations, edge protection absolutely provides better results.
Ultimately, if you're serious about delivering only high-quality installations of ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile, you must have the hand-skills to put the entire tile assembly into place along with the knowledge of what products are available to finish the project successfully.
Thinking about protecting tile edges is a perfect example.
Glass tile has truly captured the hearts of consumers in both the residential and commercial marketplaces, making it important for tile installers to understand how to avoid trowel ridges and marks that are visible through translucent glass tile.
Do you know the proper technique?
Perhaps it seems self-evident that the tile patterns you select need to be balanced when installed. And yet, simply based on photos readily available, balance and common sense don't always go hand-in-hand.
Especially when your tile choices come in so many more sizes, shapes, patterns, and colors than in the past. Along with this availability comes creativity with endless possibilities.
Today we will focus on one of these options – the pattern. Combining these tiles, whether square or rectangular, with an offset pattern creates a unique visual many times not realized in its square or stacked design.
If you think that warped tile isn't acceptable, we're here to help you understand what is and what isn't acceptable. You see, there are two categories to consider: inherent (actual) warpage and excessive warpage.
Actual warpage is a function of the tile manufacturing process. It's something qualified tile installers and Certified Tile Installers take into consideration.
Excessive warpage may indicate a bigger issue.
Have you encountered situations where a tile installation called for a 50% offset and credit card grout joints? And, then, once installed, did it lead to lippage problems, misaligned grout joints, and/or an unhappy customer?
I'm pleased to inform you that you can officially find guidance and justification for avoiding a 50% offset in the TCNA Handbook.
Ready to learn more?
