Design Stone GalleryVariety  

 

 


 

   

 

 

  SELECTING TILE Can floor tile be used on the wall?
Can ceramic tile be used outdoors?
What type of tile can be used around a fireplace?
Can I use a high gloss tile on my kitchen countertops?
Why can some of the semi-gloss colors be used on counter tops, when others cannot?
  CARE & MAINTENANCE What can I use to clean grout?
What is used to remove grout haze from tile?
Should I use a sealer on my floor tile?
What can I use to clean tile?
  INSTALLING TILE Can tile be installed over particle board?
Can I use mastic to install floor tile?
Can tile be installed over lightweight concrete or gypcrete?
How do I know when my tile installation is ready to receive grout?
What is the maximum spacing for floor joists under a tile installation?
Is it necessary to tape the joints on cement board?
When tiling a bathroom floor, is it necessary to remove the toilet?
What is "sanded" and "unsanded grout? Which one is better?
When installing tile over new concrete, how long should the concrete cure ?
Can cement board be installed directly to the floor joists?
    Can floor tile be used on the wall? Yes, when proper installation methods are followed. Exterior applications require special precautions and installation methods. Do not install floor tile on exterior walls unless the product specifically recommends this application.   Can ceramic tile be used outdoors? To be used outdoors, the tile must be frost proof and unglazed for floor use. Make sure the absorption rate is 0.5% or less   What type of tile can be used around a fireplace? Any tile can be used on the face of a fireplace. I would not recommend putting the tile directly In the firebox.   Can I use a high gloss tile on my kitchen countertops? It is not recommended. Structurally it will be OK, but the gloss glaze will eventually show scratching.   Why can some of the semi-gloss colors be used on counter tops, when others cannot? Countertop applications are more susceptible to scratching because of their daily use, and scratching may be more noticeable on darker colors.   What can I use to clean grout? For periodic deep cleaning of grout, a concentrated tile and grout cleaner should be used. Concentrated tile and grout cleaner is mixed with water, much like any common household cleaner. The floor should then be mopped and rinsed. Tile and grout cleaners are also available in a spray and wipe version. It is important to use a product specifically designed for grout and tile cleaning as other chemicals can bleach or stain grout.   What is used to remove grout haze from tile? Most grouts today are polymer modified, which means they have a latex in them. Use a latex grout film remover to clean the grout haze from the tile. Do not use muriatic acid.   Should I use a sealer on my floor tile? Ceramic tile in either glazed or unglazed form do not need to be sealed. These products are impervious to moisture and topical sealers will not properly adhere to them. Also, you can not change or alter the appearance or the sheen of a ceramic tile by adding a sealer. Therefore, a sealer in not recommended for glazed and unglazed surfaces. However, temporary pre-grout sealers are often used on ceramic tile to keep fine color pigments from embedding into the microscopic pours of the tile during the grouting process. The sealer is removed after grouting. Sealers are designed to protect porous products and to provide wearable surfaces to porous products. All natural stone products and cementitious grouts are porous products and should be sealed with a penetrating / impregnating sealer. Some stone products are also sealed with enhancing sealers to deepen and darken the stones� natural colors.   What can I use to clean tile? Wipe glazed wall tiles periodically using a cloth or sponge dampened with a non oil-based household cleaner. Vacuum glazed floor tiles regularly to remove dirt and other gritty particles, then damp mop or sponge with an all-purpose, non oil-based cleaner. Remember not to use ammonia, as it will discolor grout. Clean unglazed wall and floor tiles in a similar manner using a solution of water and soapless detergent instead of an all-purpose cleaner.   Can tile be installed over particle board? No, it must be exterior grade plywood or concrete backer board.   Can I use mastic to install floor tile? It is preferred to use a thinset mortar for floors, but in residential use, mastic can be used with tile up to 6" x 6" in size on floors.   Can tile be installed over lightweight concrete or gypcrete? It is not recommended to install tile over gypsum products. The moisture in the setting materials has a tendency to deteriorate the gypsum cement.   How do I know when my tile installation is ready to receive grout? Most standard thin-set mortars will reach initial cure within 24 hours, however certain job conditions could affect the final cure time required and you should always refer to and comply with the manufacturers instructions listed on the thin-set bag.   What is the maximum spacing for floor joists under a tile installation? On standard wood frame construction, joists should be spaced a maximum of 16" on center   Is it necessary to tape the joints on cement board? On walls it is definitely necessary. Use fiberglass tape and thinset mortar to put the tape in place. On floors, it is not normally necessary, but sometime is recommended depending on the application. Please refer to manufacturers installation instructions. When tiling a bathroom floor, is it necessary to remove the toilet? Yes, it gives a much nicer look. If you tile around the toilet instead of removing it, when the toilet needs to be replaced, it will be difficult to find a toilet that will fit in the same space as the old one.   What is "sanded" and "unsanded grout? Which one is better? Unsanded grout is used on tile that has been installed with a grout joint width of less than 1/8 of an inch wide and should always be used on polished natural stone products. Sanded grout is used on tile with a grout joint width equal to or greater than 1/8 of an inch. Consult the grout manufacturer for your preferred grout product for recommendations on grout aesthetics.   When installing tile over new concrete, how long should the concrete cure ? Industry standards is 28 days   Can cement board be installed directly to the floor joists? No, cement backerboard is not a structural member. It must be installed over an exterior plywood subfloor, 5/8" minimum thickness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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