If you're wondering whether it's better to install tile under cabinets or not, the answer is... it depends. It depends on the structure of your home as well as your kitchen and its subfloor, the materials selected, and your own preference.
What challenges have you encountered getting the coverage you need under large wall tile? There are two aspects to this question.
The first has to do with size. Many projects today call for ever-increasing tile sizes, many of which are rectangular shapes such as 12” x 24”, 18” x 36”, 24” x 48”, and larger creating difficulties for the installer when bonding the tile to the substrate.
>> See Do You Have Enough Mortar to Accommodate Most Tile Warpage?
If you're having porcelain tile installed and you're looking for confirmation or validation that the project will be completed correctly, where do you go?
We recommend two paths:
- Know where to find porcelain tile installation standards
- Know where to find tile installation experts for the project
Let's explore.
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.
Tile is a natural for radiant heating.
However, installing tile with radiant heating can get overwhelming when you realize that the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook includes multiple methods that address this type of installation. The details vary somewhat depending on the structure you are working on and which type of heat source your radiant system uses - hydronic or electrical.
- On ground concrete
- Above ground concrete
- Wood subfloor/joist system
Fortunately, Mark Heinlein CTI #1112 and National Tile Contractors Association Training Director, Technical Trainer / Presenter shares his expertise in this article.
Flooded tile installations have been top-of-mind lately given two extreme hurricanes within two weeks. In anticipation of questions, we're pooling together advice about how commonly dry area tile installations act as a submerged swimming pool-like installation for a period of time.
Since we don't have all the answers, we anticipate this article being a work-in-progress. As we come upon new information, Robb Roderick CTI #727 and Mark Heinlein CTI #1112 - both National Tile Contractors Association trainers - and I will add to this discussion.
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.
If you're installing large format glass tile (per ANSI A137.2, any tile larger than 3” x 3” or nine square inches) in a shower, do you know what steps to follow and questions to ask? As we've mentioned in previous articles, installing tile in showers requires careful preparation given the extreme environment working showers create. Large glass tile can add to the complexity.
>> See How to Deal with Tile Discoloration in a Shower
In this article, NTCA Technical Trainer Mark Heinlein CTI #1112 shares his advice on how to prepare for this project which involves 3x12 glass tile (aka subway tile) which is considered a large format for glass.
Are you familiar with the NTCA Reference Manual? It's an invaluable tool for the tile industry and a well-respected companion document to the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation and ANSI standards.
We caught up with Bart Bettiga, Executive Director of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) to learn more.
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? Because of finished tile expectations, naturally-occurring variations and other unexpected situations that fall within industry standards.
