What trowel size to use when installing ceramic wall tile?
Sep 13, 2008 by Spun sugar | Posted in Do It Yourself (DIY)
The ceramic tiles are being installed in the shower and we are using mastic (Omni Grip) as the adhesive. It is being installed on to cement board. Our tile size is 13 x 8 inches. We are installing the tile in a brick pattern, if that makes any difference. What size trowel should we use? Any other tips you can offer would also be welcome
Thanks for your responses. Just to confirm...would that be a v-notch trowel or a square notch?
use a 1/8" or a 3/16" notched trowel 1/4" would be too deep and you'll have a tough time getting them to stay put. use the spacers you can find because it will make your job look professional, remember to start at the bottom and work up. When you grout the job make sure not to grout the corners of the shower as those should be caulked w/silicone to make it water tight, and remember to use water seal after you are done and before you start to use the shower. hope this helps and good luck with it.
leftyleaper08 | Sep 13, 2008
Hi Spin,
You will regret the use of mastic in your shower. It is an organic adhesive that will feed mold. Which trowel you use is dependent on the size of your tile and thickness. I'd use at least a 1/4" notch on an 8"x13", but if it is thick maybe a 3/8". Remember, cementious backer unit and sealer WILL NOT "waterproof" your shower. You need to have some type of pan liner/vapor barrier or waterproofing system. Visit this site for more detailed help...http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/index.php
bdtile21 | Sep 13, 2008
BD is right.. You should use a thinset mortor for your use..I use a 1/4 x 1/4 square notch as a minimum.. Or a 3/8x 3/8 square notched if you have a tile that is cupped or warpped which is a tendacy on such larger of tiles GL
rob s | Sep 13, 2008
Trowels come in several shapes and sizes generally from 3/16" v-notch to half-inch square notch. The proper trowel size is basically matched to the tile size; the smaller the tile – the smaller the trowel; the larger the tile – the larger the trowel.
I'd use 1/2" x 1/2" square notch for floor tiles that large.
Arthur G | Sep 15, 2008
Any suggestions for installing new ceramic tile in a room that previously had carpet?
May 30, 2006 by scotter98 | Posted in Do It Yourself (DIY)
I'm installing ceramic in a 160 square foot sunroom that used to have a very short, cheap carpet. What kind of surface do I need to put the ceramic tile on? Any tips for starting / finishing the job and making it look nice?
Norm is right,backer board is specifically made as a sub-floor for ceramic tile.
HOME DEPOT carries two different types,Dura-rock which has been the the old stand bye for a number of years,and bye the sound of your project Dura-rock would work fine.
They also carry a product called Hardi-Backer which would be more applicable in a high moisture area(bathroom,kitchen)
Norm was also correct in addressing the prep work involved before installing your backer.
I like to screw the entire floor down before the backer goes down.It may sound like a lot of work but it's well worth your time.Remember you won't have a chance to do it later if a squeak develops down the road.
I like to screw the floor in a checkerboard pattern(6"or 8" squares)
Once the floor is ready just screw down your backer board using a similar checker board pattern.
Now your ready for tile.
Hope this helps.
Have A Great Day!
BN'W | May 30, 2006
Is it necessary to use concrete backerboards before installing ceramic tile?
Aug 11, 2007 by ann h | Posted in Decorating & Remodeling
I just pulled up my carpet.I already have a black concrete floor. Do I need to use concrete backerboards before I install ceramic tile?
Not over concrete. If the floor isn't level you'll need to pour some leveler over it. It looks like runny concrete and flows to level the floor. The backerboard is used on plywood floors and when you install tile on the wall.
tricycle_pilot | Aug 11, 2007
Leave existing vinyl in place when installing ceramic tile?
Mar 05, 2007 by scott | Posted in Decorating & Remodeling
Our kitchen has an original vinyl floor and we are going to get ceramic tile now. I assumed the vinyl would be removed before installing the tile, but a contractor says we should leave the vinyl installed and just cover it. Anybody know if this is likely to be correct. Please, no guesses. The opinions of people who truly know what they are talking about would be appreciated.
If your contractor is going to put down cement board or backer board then it's O.K. to leave the vinyl. However it will change the height of your floor so be sure to ask your contractor about how he will transition to other rooms.
If he plans on applying the tile directly to the floor then it is better to remove the old vinyl. It's a real pain in the butt, that may be why he wants to leave it down. You can save money by doing it yourself but it's not easy. you can buy a tool at Home Depot or Loews that cuts under the vinyl and makes it easier.
Rich | Mar 05, 2007
Do I have to remove the toilet when installing ceramic tile on the floor?
Feb 21, 2007 by kahadija o | Posted in Decorating & Remodeling
I want to remove the laminate flooring and install tile.
I would advise removing the toilet, I've been installing ceramic tile for years and it just doesn't look natural butting the tile against the toilet. The only thing you'll need is a new wax ring and maybe a new toilet flange. The toilet is quite easily removed and the floor will look a lot better with the toilet resting on top of the tile. Just in case you might have to remove the toilet later you won't be breaking tiles at the same time. When re-installing just make sure the toilet is seated properly and also put a bead of silicon sealant around the base of it.
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Cooks long ago discovered the benefits of having the washable surfaces traditionally ceramic tile extend behind and above a sink, stove or countertop to Take your kitchen up a notchRemodeling a kitchen from the 1970sall 4 news articles »
Ceramic Tile
Making & Installing Handmade Tiles (A Lark Ceramics Book)
List Price: $17.95
Price: $12.21 You Save:$5.74 (32%)
Product Details
ISBN13: 9781600594090
Influence: New
Notes: BUY WITH Reliance, Over one million books sold! 98% Complimentary feedback. Compare our books, prices and waiting to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Product Description
With more than 70,000 copies sold, Spree’s Handmade Tiles has delighted crafters everywhere, and whetted their appetites for more pretty ideas. They’ll find just what they’re looking for in these dozen ceramic tile projects, which list everything from trivets to tabletops to stepping stones. The cash of practical, visually breathtaking information covered here includes everything from sketch and formation through decoration and site installation, making this handbook an absolute must in every ceramics and home improvement library. Find out about underlying tools and materials, glaze application, and techniques for making wodge tiles. Get the lowdown on mosaics, and stamped, carved, and inlaid designs. With these techniques, even dawn crafters can start working fast, and move on to modest stair risers, a kitchen backsplash, and an ingenious window surround.
Customer Reviews
Good overview, excellent examples and illustrations
Angelica Pozo offers a thorough overview of the process of making and installing handmade tiles. She covers the process from beginning to end, explaining the basics of each step very well. There are lots of photos -- and in good quality -- to follow each step. The book covers how to avoid common tile problems, such as warping. Pozo's techniques are not always dependent on having lots of equipment to make tiles. She shows how to make tiles using a rolling pin, as well as on a slab roller. Bullnose tile can be made with an extruder or by bending the clay over wood forms. Pozo also describes mosaic installation, using a detailed numbering system. If you are interested in making and installing tile, Pozo's book is a place to start.
Great resource book
I'm making a large wall mural and needed advice on hanging the mural. This book gave me the answer. Lots of ideas to stimulate your creativity
Informational and Inspirational
I had so many "Aha!" moments reading this book. I bought this book because I was interested in possibly making small wall art objects. After reading it I realized I was limiting myself greatly. I am now exploring all the ideas in the book. Great fun to read and well worth the money!
Tiles
I have always intended to create a patio wall, tiled and designed by myself...with additional help from my husband. This book is going to be a fantastic resource for this project. Excellent pictures and written directions make this book perfect for inspiration and learning the technique of tiling. I appreciate the fact that this book does not get too caught up in the technicalities of tile making, but rather simplifies the process.
artist as artisan
The essential basics of preparing very low fire raw manufactured moist clay into a tile and the absolute basics of glaze/ slip decoration styles, with a few projects to illustrate potential in the above . The author then goes on to describe simple framing, hanging, mounting projects. In a short time the author wants to quickly transition you from a visual artist into a sculptural artisan. She certainly knows her onions, and the book is aiming at being concise ,which this is.It has led me -a traditional potter into successfully fabricating my own tile.I can't believe the quality of color photos can be bought in a quality bound hardcover at this price. She gets my vote in having the text descriptions of each process accompanied with the photos of same on the same page.
My feeling is while good,it is too narrow a course in decorating and glaze treatment to be my sole guide on the making and decoration of handmade tile,but its the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Basic Ceramic Tile (Hometime How-to clinic, quick reference video guide)
List Price: $39.95
Product Description
Do-it-yourself with Dean Johnson and co-manager. Basic Ceramic Tile (How-to clinic quick reference video leader) from the Hometime video series. Overview of elementary tiling techniques, preparing underlayment, planning the layout, venomous tile, and installing tile and applying grout.
A Unique Step-By-Step Guide: Making Floor Tiling Easier
List Price: $17.00
Product Description
Entirely frankly, the simplest and fastest way to get started on your beat tiling project. No other guide teaches a tile flooring beginner outdo with simple to understand words. Whether you've ever heard of a "sub-defeat" before, we'll walk you through step-by-step and show you exactly how to suitably tile a floor. Want to hire someone else to do the work? No hard, we'll show you how to choose a contractor that actually knows what they're talking about and not righteous some Joe that's a great salesman. This guide is FULL of pictures, over 250 of them, and directs you through each and every quit so that nothing will be overwhelming or confusing. Important facts to have knowledge of about floor tile: Not all floor tile is created equal - in happening no two types of tile are used in the same application. Marble or porcelain? Depends on what range. Should I put plywood or Schluter DITRA down for my sub-floor? Depends on what finished peak you want and what's your floor joist spacing is. What are transitions compared to thresholds, and why do I dearth to worry about them? One will hide the fact that you're changing from one make of flooring to another, while another will accent it. These are only some of the topics that will be covered in this orient. Don't wait until someone comes in and tries to sell you on something you don't requisite. Save yourself hundreds, even thousands of dollars, not to imply headaches, and purchase this guide now!
Original HOMEOWNER PRESS #277524 Ceramic Tile Book
Ingenious HOMEOWNER PRESS
Product Description
Covers everything about tiling floors, walls, counters, patios, and more. Gravity is on durable installations that can stand up to years of use. Includes external applications, plus repairs and maintenance. More than 450 full-color photos and illustrations.
Customer Reviews
Not exactly "like new" condition
The book arrived in average condition at best and was clearly read and the cover was dog-eared and showed signs of typical use. The service was good and was shipped within 48 hours.
2005-09-28
| Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 3
Excellent book for beginner tile-setters
I have been searching for the perfect book on tiling and finally I have found it. I have never done this before and have several projects in my home that I want to complete (floors, countertop, fireplace) and this is the first book that covers each one. This is a brief look into what the book holds:
1. Tile Basics (characteristics, sizes/shapes, room prep)
2. Tools and Matrials (prep tools, cutting tools, setting tools, basic materials)
3. Tiling floors
4. Tiling walls
5. Tiling countertops
6. Tiling tubs and showers
7. Indoor projects
8. Outdoor projects
9. Repairs and maintenance
The pictures and illustrations are clear and easy to follow. I also like that the pictures are relatively up to date and modern looking. In short, this book has set me up to succeed in all of my tiling projects.
2005-07-04
| Helpful Votes: 24 | Rating: 5
sbarbie
This is a good how-to book. Clear step-by-step photos and instructions that are easy to follow. If you are looking for ideas and tile layouts keep looking.
of limited use
This book has very few pictures, but many useful tips. I gave it only 2 stars because I would have liked to see how the tips and instructions translated into actual bathrooms. I did not find this book to be very inspiring, but it might be more useful to someone who is remodeling their bathroom.
KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS: Setting Ceramic Tile - Countertops - Installing New Fixtures - Adding a Bathroom - Cabinets and Vanities (HOME REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT)
Product Description
Array
A porcelain or ceramic tile level is a great addition to areas of your home that see a lot of traffic. Tile floors are hard-wearing and easy to clean ...
Resources for decorating and remodeling
04.09.10
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True Gold Decorated Tiles by Villeroy & BochThe selection includes a uni-colour and a decorated fine nonvitreous ceramic tile that matches stylistically with each element. and more »
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