Can tiles be warped or bowed? Yes, your tiles can have a warpage or curvature to them. The question is: how much tile warpage is OK? Back when tiles were smaller, it didn't really matter if they had a little curvature to them. But now tiles are getting bigger and bigger and minor warpage can … [Read more...] about Tile Warpage: My Porcelain Planks are Bent and Bowed!
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Cement Board vs Ditra: Which is better?
Cement board or Ditra. Which is better? There are a lot of opinions but I'm going to try to stick to facts. This post compares: Let's get to it! What do Cement Board and Ditra do? The function of both cement board and Ditra is that of a tile underlayment. You install them … [Read more...] about Cement Board vs Ditra: Which is better?
Tile Underlayment: The Complete Guide for Beginners
Tile underlayment. There are a lot of different types of products that you can put under your bathroom floor tile. But it's confusing. Which product solves your problems? Also, do you even need underlayment for your tile in the first place? Let's take a look and examine the situation … [Read more...] about Tile Underlayment: The Complete Guide for Beginners
12×24 Tile Installation Guide (and other large format tiles)
12x24 tiles are an extremely popular large format tile size. However, working with them may be a little different than what you are used to. This post is going to cover some basics on: They aren't actually 12x24 inches For starters, we need to clear up a common misunderstanding. … [Read more...] about 12×24 Tile Installation Guide (and other large format tiles)
Premixed Tile Mastic: Where TO use it and What NOT to use it on
You know how tempting it is to grab that bucket of premixed tile mastic off of the shelf for your tile project. It's premixed, already the proper consistency, and it's really easy to use. But you've heard the horror stories on the internet from people that used tile glue. The tear-outs. The … [Read more...] about Premixed Tile Mastic: Where TO use it and What NOT to use it on
Do You Know the 5 Rules of Random Tile Patterns?
When someone tells you they want a wood-look random tile pattern they are telling you what they want the floor to "look" like. They want a "random look". What they don't want is a truly random manner of installation. To sum up: Random is a look; not a definition Wood-look tile vs real … [Read more...] about Do You Know the 5 Rules of Random Tile Patterns?
Installing Wood-Look Tile Flooring: 5 Insider Tips to Knock out your next Floor
It’s 2024, and tile that looks like wood is as popular as ever. In fact, it 'wood' seem that the wood-look tile trend has turned into a staple in people's homes. Really, it makes sense. After all, have hardwood floors ever gone out of style? Porcelain wood plank tile floors don’t … [Read more...] about Installing Wood-Look Tile Flooring: 5 Insider Tips to Knock out your next Floor
2022 Tile Trends and Design Ideas
Tile Trends for 2022 and 2023 are continuing to evolve. Personally, I find it fascinating that something- a consciousness?- can invisibly move through society and influence people's thinking. As it turns out, the pandemic of 2020-21 had a big effect on many of us. This led to us staying … [Read more...] about 2022 Tile Trends and Design Ideas
How to Mix Small Batches of Thinset Mortar
At last, mixing small batches of thinset doesn't have to be a secret! Finally, you too can know the exact amount of water and thinset powder to add together to get the perfect thinset consistency. This means: Rather, this post explains how to mix the right amounts of the proper … [Read more...] about How to Mix Small Batches of Thinset Mortar
How to Mix Thinset Mortar
Mixing thinset. It must be a big secret. Otherwise, why can't you get a straight answer? Perhaps you've heard these: Yes, I've heard every one of those before and it's frustrating. I know premixed tile mastic is easy but there are very few places that you want to use that stuff. My goal … [Read more...] about How to Mix Thinset Mortar