FLOORING: TILES
For Home Depot Purchase info: Tile, Backerboard, & Thinset.
For floor tile, spend roughly up to $2/square foot on a porcelain tile. We use a thin grout line, about 1/8".
NOTE: “DO NOT use ceramic tile on floors, because it is not as durable as porcelain- however- ceramic is approved for use on walls”
Use 1/2" hardie backer board. DO NOT USE WON DERBOARD OR DUR-ROCK OR 1/4" BOARD. Only use 1/2".
Use grey versabond for the mortar/thinset. There should be one layer under the hardie board and one layer on top of the hardy board.
For wall tile, spend around $4/sf and get something that looks cool.
ONLY use charcoal-colored grout.
Anywhere there is an angular transition (tub to the wall...tub to the floor...wall to wall, etc), use charcoal-colored silicone or the sanded grout that's in a tube, also charcoal colored.
Slab Foundation Houses
The tile should be installed on ALL SLAB FLOORS.
Kitchens
Kitchens that do not give much in the floor should have tile installed on top of ½’’ Hardie Board. As a rule of thumb, if a kitchen is more than 8’ wide, DO NOT install the tile.
Tiles for Kitchen:
A porcelain tile in the $2/foot range of floor tile, and up to $4/foot for wall tile
NOTE: “DO NOT use ceramic tile on floors, because it is not as durable as porcelain- however- ceramic is approved for use on walls”
Showers
The tile should be installed above the base of the tub or shower insert and extended all the way to the ceiling.
hen
CAULKING SHOWER TILE WITH PAINTER'S TAPE
Using painter's tape is a highly effective method for achieving clean and straight lines when applying caulk. First, carefully place strips of painter's tape on either side of the area where you intend to apply the caulk. Make sure the tape is pressed down firmly to avoid any gaps where the caulk could seep through. This creates a defined boundary for the caulk and helps to ensure that the application remains confined to the desired area. Once the caulk is applied and smoothed out, you can remove the tape before the caulk dries. This technique results in a neat and tidy caulking job, with sharp edges and a professional finish.
Bathrooms
Tiles should be installed in all bathrooms and should be caulked, as shown in the picture below.
TIP: CAULKING ON CORNERS
Here is an example of how we should do tile
REMEMBER:
Put down a piece of plywood on the shower or tub base when you demo the surrounding wall or when demolishing OR installing tile. This will keep debris from getting in the drain.
TILE LEVELING
Using leveling clips to make sure that tiles are level
INSPECTING THE TILE
This video shows a way of inspecting that there is enough thinset behind the tile.
CAULKING TIPS
What I'm showing here is the sheer wastage of product when caulking how most people are taught to - however if you use this trick my old man taught me from day one ... you will not only have a more precise bead of caulk, but will have less mess to clean up whilst working - times this by 7 rooms caulking all walls , ceilings , woodwork , you've lost TWICE as much time , making two passes along your bead
INSPECTING THE TILE
This video shows a way of inspecting that there is enough thinset behind the tile.
TILE CUTTING: DIAMOND EDGE HOLE SAW
This video shows how to create a nice clean hole with no chips on tile using the diamond edge hole saw.
If you need to cut a very long tile (longer than 2 feet) use tile leveling clips to hold the tile together, to keep from cracking
What is a TILE Backsplash?
A backsplash refers to the material used to cover the wall area between a kitchen countertop and the upper cabinets. This detail of a kitchen is an opportunity for homeowners to express themselves through a variety of textures, colors, and materials. The most important feature of a backsplash is that it must be resistant to the substances that could be splashed on it to look good and be effective. This is an area of home décor where functionality and the visual appeal must come together.
The most common backsplash material is tile. By incorporating ceramic tile, one has an infinite number of combinations of colors and patterns to detail their kitchen. Many enjoy the benefits of incorporating ceramic tile as a backsplash because it is durable and easily cleaned. Recently, the popularity of alternative backsplashes has risen as more homeowners begin to realize the decorative potential for self-expression available to them by incorporating different materials to cover this area. Natural stone has proven to be a superior choice that offers water, grease, and fire resistance. The use of stainless steel as a backsplash covering is another popular alternative.
Why do you tile the backsplash?
Protects from Moisture. With so much plumbing behind the walls in your kitchen, there's a minimal chance of water damage. Even the smallest amount of water or moisture can lead to water damage. Your kitchen backsplash tile is a great barrier that adds a layer of protection that prevents costly water damage.
TIP OF THE DAY: DOING A BACKSPLASH
Keeping Tile Backsplash Clean
Tile backsplash Tips-Tools
This video shows the tools you need when you do tile backsplash such as a laser, toothbrush/thinset, a miter, tile spacer, and sliding tea bevel,. Watch the video to learn how.
TILES: FLOOR AND DECOR
These as examples of wall tile from Floor and Decor for showers and on back splashes.
You can view more items from Floor and Decor in this link: https://www.flooranddecor.com/tile
SHOWER BENCH
We can install shower benches, rather than tile.
Shower bench It is usually finished with waterproof material, such as tile or marble for durability, easy maintenance, and aesthetic reasons.
Sample shower bench from Floor and Decor
NOTE: Cover a tub with plywood when installing tile tub surround.
Also, cover up drains when installing tile and the like. Please DO NOT fill our drains with debris.
How to Cut Tile (Toilet Flange)
The toilet flange, also known as a closet flange, is the part of the toilet that secures the unit to the floor and connects to the drainpipe.
How to remove grout from tile.
This is what happens when you don't properly install the tile.
WE ONLY USE “CHARCOAL” COLORED GROUT.
For any angle that the tile is on (where walls meet) or where the tub meets the tile, DO NOT GROUT. Apply a bead of “Sanded Tile Caulk."
A tile vibrator is a handheld device with a vibrating pad used to settle tiles into the adhesive bed. It removes air pockets, ensures even contact between the tile and adhesive, and helps level the tiles for a seamless finish.
Why do we need to use a tile Vibrator;
To improve adhesion by eliminating air gaps.
To ensure leveling of tiles, reducing lippage (height differences between adjacent tiles).
To prevent future problems like loose tiles or uneven surfaces.
To achieve a professional finish, especially in large tile installations.
Below is a video showing the used of a tile vibrator;
SUBFLOOR
This video show how to lay a subfloor
1. Clean area
2. Make sure you don’t have any nails coming from the subfloor
3. Install felt paper first
4. Start installing your floor, no nails required.
5. Easy to cut with a sharp blade