Ultimate Guide to Ceramic & Stone TileTable of Contents Introduction...8
Chapter 1TILE BASICS...10A Short History of Tile...12Firing Tile Glazing Tile Modern Tile
Tile Characteristics...14 Firing & Glazes Water Absorption Tile Selection
Tile Sizes & Shapes...16 Single Tiles Sheet-Mounted Tiles Pregrouted Tile Panels
Trim & Specialty Tile...17Ceramic Tile...18Porcelain Tile...20Stone Tile...22Glass Tile...24Terra-Cotta Tile...26Decorative Tile Borders...28Painted Tile...30Mosaic Tile...32Room Prep: Structure...34Stripping Drywall Removing a Wall Stud Adding Studs & Braces
Room Prep: Baths...36 Removing a Sink Removing a Toilet Sanitary Sills
Room Prep: Kitchens...38 Installing Lights & Switches Removing Old Vinyl Tiling to Wood Trim
Patterns & Working Lines...40 Basic Tile Patterns Establishing Working Lines
Chapter 2TOOLS & MATERIALS...42Layout & Prep Tools...44Cutting Tools...45 Cutting Irregular Shapes
Setting Tools & Materials...48 Mixing & Spreading Adhesive Tile Spacers Embedding & Leveling Tiles
Finishing Tools...50 Grout Tools Striking & Jointing Tools
Basic Materials...51 Cement Backer Board Waterproof & Isolation Membranes
Mortar & Adhesives...53 Thickset Thinset Portland Cement Mortars Dry-Set Mortars Latex-Portland Cement Mortars Organic Mastic Adhesives Epoxy-Based Mortars
Grouts & Sealers...54 Grouts Sealers
Chapter 3TILING FLOORS...56Design Basics...58 Size Shape Color Texture Pattern Finish
Planning the Layout...62Preparing the Floor...66 New Construction Reinforcing the Subfloor Underlayment Tiling over Concrete
Installing Floor Tiles...72 Cutting Partial Tiles Applying the Grout Tooling & Sealing Joints
Installing Slate Tile...78 Preparing the Floor Install Underlayment Laying Out the Tile
Laying Slate Tile...80 Grouting Sealing
Design Ideas: Floors...82
Chapter 4TILING WALLS...86Design & Layout...88 Patterns & Unique Designs Cutting Tiles Planning for Materials
Preparing Walls for Tile...91 Wall Strength Existing Wall Surfaces Walls in Wet Areas Patching Drywall Preparing & Repairing Plaster Repairing Outside Corners
Installing New Drywall...98
Installing Wall Tile...100 Establishing Working Lines A Tiling Sequence Cutting Tiles Applying Adhesive Laying the Tile Finishing
Design Ideas: Walls...104
Chapter 5TILING COUNTERTOPS...108Planning the Layout...110Preparing Countertops...112 Strengthening Cabinets Strengthening Counters Counter Options
Making a Sink Cutout...114Laying the Field Tiles...116 Establishing Working Lines Laying the First Course Finishing the Field
Partial Tile & Edging...118 Overlap Measurements Cutting Around a Sink Installing Edge Tiles
Installing a Backsplash...120 Installing Backer Board Installing Plywood Installing Plywood & Backer Board Planning Backsplash Tile
Backsplash Design Options...122 One Tile & Cap Multiple Rows & Cap Multiple Trim Strips
Finishing a Backsplash...124 Applying the Grout
Installing a Mosaic Tile Vanity Top...126 Mosaic Tile Layout
Design Ideas: Countertops...128
Chapter 6TILING TUBS & SHOWERS...132Preparing the Site...134 Removing Old Tile Fixtures
Planning the Job...136 Tiling a Shower Pan Closing off the Shower Designing the Enclosure
Installing Prefab Pans...138 Framing Support
Installing a Mortar-Bed Floor...140 Framing Details Flexible Membranes Drain Fixtures
Setting Tub & Shower Tile...142 Greenboard & Backer Board Working Lines Applying Adhesive Installing Tile Supports Tiling Sequence
Installing Accessories...146 Soap Dishes & Grab Bars Shower Seats
Framing & Tiling Tubs...150 Floor Framing Support Platform Framing Tiling the Platform Forming Custom Tubs
Design Ideas: Tubs & Showers...152
Chapter 7INDOOR PROJECTS...156Fireplaces...158 Selecting Materials Hearth Design Face-Wall Design Setting the Tiles Tiling a Face Wall
Woodstoves...162 Basic Safety Considerations Reducing Clearances to Tile Range Hoods...164 Range-Hood Materials Hood Tile Hood Dimensions Tiling a Hood
Stairs...166 Design Considerations
Design Ideas: Indoor Projects...168
Chapter 8 OUTDOOR PROJECTS...172Tiling Existing Concrete...174 Testing the Surface Preparing the Surface
Building a New Concrete Base...176 Basic Slab Design Excavating the Site Forming the Slab Estimating Concrete Orders Finishing a Slab Laying the Tile
Tiling Entry Steps...182Tile the StepsTiling a Pool Deck...183Design Ideas: Outdoor Projects...184
Chapter 9REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE...188Routine Cleaning...190 Removing Common Stains Hard-Water Problems
Routine Maintenance...192 Sealing Grout & Unglazed Tile Optional Waxing
Maintaining Tub SurroundsFixing Broken Tiles...196 Dislodging Tiles Setting Replacement Tile
Fixing Trapped Tiles...198
Appendix: Tile Installation Specs...200 Tile Floors Over Concrete Slabs Tile Floors Over Wood Subfloors Tile Floors Over Radiant Heat Tile Walls Tile Ceilings, Tub & Shower Walls, Countertops, and Tile-Over Tile Renovations
Resource Guide...212
Glossary...216
Index...218
Photo Credits...223