Typical tile layout advice is: You'll find this type of information on many DIY sites that also have tips for cleaning out your gutters, staining your outside deck, and painting your ceiling. But let's put this advice into practice in the example below: This post deals with tile layout as a … [Read more...] about Why a centered tile layout is a bad idea
MK-EZ Profiler- Tool Review
I was anxious when I first was trying out my new MK-EZ Profiler machine. Nobody had one yet (mine is number 38) and it's a lot of money to throw away if it doesn't work very well. After the first day of bullnosing my 3/8 inch through-body porcelain tile, I was ready to throw the machine in the … [Read more...] about MK-EZ Profiler- Tool Review
Don’t buy tile from a big box store until you read this
I know it seems like a pretty simple thing. You want to tile a bathroom floor so you go down to your local big-box store and pick up what you need. What could go wrong? Well, sometimes more than you think. Below are 5 tips for purchasing tile from Home Depot, Lowes, Costco, Floor & … [Read more...] about Don’t buy tile from a big box store until you read this
Ebbe Drains: Finally, someone thought about the drain cover
You've picked out your fixtures, your tile, and even the grout color. You probably didn't even think of the shower drain. Why put an ugly drain in your brand new tile shower pan if you don't have to? You have a better option. The option is called an Ebbe drain. Please note: This is not a … [Read more...] about Ebbe Drains: Finally, someone thought about the drain cover
Kerdi no longer acceptable for tile steam showers
In 2013, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), the organization that sets the guidelines for tile installations, is rumored to have made a modification to their specifications for constructing tile steam showers. It's all about perm ratings- and Schluter Kerdi fabric no longer cuts … [Read more...] about Kerdi no longer acceptable for tile steam showers
Why Schluter Ditra is so cool: Uncoupling membranes explained
Update: Schluter has launched Ditra 2.0. More details are below. You're curious about installing Schluter Ditra underlayment. Why not? It's quite a popular product on DIY television. Further, you can identify it instantly with its bright orange, waffled appearance. You may have even wondered … [Read more...] about Why Schluter Ditra is so cool: Uncoupling membranes explained
Don’t let your tile accent strip look like this
Getting your mosaic and glass tile accent strips to be flush and flat with the surrounding tile can be difficult unless you know a trick for it. Here's a technique for building up the thinner decorative tile so that it's even with the thicker tile without creating a huge mess of thinset oozing … [Read more...] about Don’t let your tile accent strip look like this
6 Things NOT To Do When Building a Tile Shower
Drywall and other bad ways to build a shower Sometimes it's nice to know what not to do when remodeling a tile shower in your bathroom. Alternatively, it's nice to be able to monitor the progress on your own remodel and see if the tradespeople are doing things correctly. This post covers 6 … [Read more...] about 6 Things NOT To Do When Building a Tile Shower
Tile Layout and the Golden Ratio
The golden ratio is a mathematical equation found everywhere. From snail shells to hurricanes; from pyramids to stock market charts. We don't need to know every detail to use the golden ratio in tile applications, nor do we have to be a math wiz to know how it works. We just need to know the … [Read more...] about Tile Layout and the Golden Ratio
5 signs your new tile shower will leak
You've hired someone to build your tile shower in your bathroom, but how do you know he or she's doing it correctly? How do you know that you won't have an upstairs shower leaking into your downstairs kitchen? Most homeowners don't know all the ins and outs of remodeling their bathrooms. Sadly, … [Read more...] about 5 signs your new tile shower will leak
