Understanding Tile Installation Methods

Home owners don’t understand when a contractor quotes a project what’s involved.  The price per square foot between a Ceramic tile and a Granite tile varies, one of the reasons would be a Ceramic tile can be cut with a tile cutter which does not take much time to do.  A Granite tile on the other hand needs to be cut with a water saw which takes a lot longer.  Size is another difference in price.
Installing Granite or Stone on top of existing Ceramic tiles can be difficult, Granite and Stone are much heavier than Ceramic, and makes it difficult for the installer to even the tiles as they will begin to sink making it hard to level.

Wire mesh and Dry pack Leveling

This system is the number one floor preparation system in the world.  By this I mean every floor in a house especially the basements are never straight.  With bigger tiles (12”, 2’or 3’ feet) tiles, it’s extremely important to have a straight floor.  Drypack is Portland cement and concrete sand mixed at a 1 to 4 or more with a little bit of water not making it to liquidy but damp.  This is a very skilled application which an expert would be qualified to perform.  If you are planning to install heated floors or need to raise your floors to ensure they are flush with you’re a joining rooms, this application is the best way to go.  Contractors, Designers and Custom Home builders find this process to be a life saver as well as a money saver.  In the long run Wire mesh and Dry pack Leveling makes your floors stronger and straighter.

Secret of Quality Showers and Tub surrounds

Before installing any tile whether it be Ceramic, Porcelain Natural Stone, Marble or Granite etc., it is important to pick a water proofing board, whether it be green or grey, water proofing material must be applied.  Ask your professional installer for the different methods of water proofing.  For a long lasting shower or tub make sure the boards are properly screwed tight to the studs, allowing no flexibility.  This is very important for the long life of your tiles. Next is using high end wall glue and floor mixes.  Ask your installer to pick the best of the best, do not go cheap.  If the materials are not strong enough they will allow your walls to brake down sooner.

Installing Bathroom Wall and Floor Tiles

Squaring a floor or walls takes a certain skill, line need to be snapped with a choke line or draw a pencil line with a level.  Apply your mortar or adhesive with the flat part of your trowel.  Then with the notch end spread the mortar.  The bigger the tile the bigger the notch should be, from one quarter to half an inch.  Spread and follow your lines, once you have done one line, nice and straight you can start adding your spacers.  This will allow each joint to be even, and consistent.  Once you get to the end of your wall or floor, cut your tile, either with a tile cutter or a water saw.  Follow these steps until you have finished your walls or floors.  Allow 24 hours before grouting; make sure nobody walks on the floors.

Grouting Walls and Floors

Once you have picked the color of your grout, make sure you know where to put the sanded or unsanded grout.  If you have a ceramic type tile, the grout joints tend to be one eighth or bigger, so you must use sanded grout.  The reason for this is there is silica sand in the grout which allows your joint to remain fuller and higher between the tiles leaving you a better finish.  We tend to use un sanded grout with tighter joints, like Granite, marble, travertine (the stone family of tiles).  The joints are usually smaller.  The un sanded grout is creamier which allows it to penetrate deeper in between the tiles.  Sometimes we are forced to use un sanded grout because sanded grout might scratch the softer stone family of tiles.  When grouting use a rubber flout only.  Mix grout according to the manufactures instructions, making sure it is not to hard or to liquid.  Spread on a forty five degree angle, leave for two or three minutes then with a sponge and a pale of luke warm water gently start washing the excess grout making sure your sponge stays flat.  You will have to repeat these steps until all the excess grout is off the tiles.  Allow 24 hours to dry before using any sealers.