CTEF Blog - About Tile Education and Installer Certification

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.

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

Are you familiar with SLU or Self-Leveling Underlayment?

Have you wondered what goes into specifying ceramic tile, stone and glass for kitchen and bath installations - especially if you want those installations to be successful? That's what Scott Carothers focused on in his NKBA presentation, using stunning installation examples.

Here's a summary with highlights and the actual presentation included at the end of the article.

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

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

Tiling over a water problem will not make the problem disappear. Rather, you need to find the source of the water leak before installing any floor surface, including tile.

Layout is a big deal in a tile installation. Have you tried snapping a chalk line to ensure that your tile layout is successful?

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.

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.