Installation & Technical Tips

Why Sealing Quartzite the Proper Way is Important

richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Dry-Treat demonstrated how to prep and seal quartzite for a successful installation.

Non-Destructive Methods to Detect Hidden Damage in Stone Cladding

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Evaluating minimally destructive methods for detecting concealed damage on dimension stone exterior wall cladding.

Protecting Wet-Area Walls: Avoiding Gypsum Board Failures

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Improper use of gypsum board near showers can lead to costly damage. Learn how ANSI standards and smart tile extensions safeguard walls for lasting performance.

Defining Critical Tile Terms: Is It Mortar Coverage, Contact, or Transfer?

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 15:30:00 -0400

The tile industry commonly uses "coverage," "contact," and "transfer" interchangeably when discussing dry-set mortars, but these terms have distinct meanings that affect installation quality.

Ancient Stone Construction Challenges and Solutions

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Architect Scott Conwell shares insight into an oddly placed joint about 2 feet high at each of the columns along the Trajaneum's east hall on a recent visit to the Temple of Trajan in Turkey.

Learn How to Specify Membranes for Tile and Stone Installations

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0400

A leading industry expert will explain the four questions to ask when selecting a membrane.

How to Successfully Achieve Credit Card Widths on Joints and 50% Offset Requirements on Tile Installations

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0400

This 12" x 24" rectified porcelain tile installation demonstrates how skilled craftsmanship can overcome ANSI standard deviations—achieving minimal lippage with credit card-width joints and 50% offset—but experts warn such perfect conditions rarely occur and recommend mock-ups for non-standard specifications.

The Hidden Challenges of Ceramic Tile Patterns

Fri, 30 May 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Installers face critical challenges when clients choose tiles purely for aesthetics, overlooking how they perform in complex patterns like herringbone—often creating conflicts with industry standards for modular systems and consistent joint widths.

Regrouting Caution for Cement Grouts

Fri, 02 May 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Scott Carothers, academic director of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, reveals how a seemingly simple request to touch up grout can lead to unexpected complications if proper preparation is overlooked.

See Your Shower in a Whole New Light

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Several reasons why LED lights benefits shower applications include aesthetics, increased lighting and modernization.

Marble Tile in Showers: A Cautionary Tale

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:30:00 -0400

While marble tile looks stunning on your bathroom floor, using it in a shower could lead to unexpected problems. Scott Carothers, academic director of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, cautions installers to do their due diligence before using marble in shower applications.

One-Sided Thin Set is Not a Thing: How to Ensure a Proper Bond

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Scott Carothers, academic director of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, explains how thin-set mortar failures stem from improper moisture loss, leaving tiles loose and unanchored. Learn what causes these costly installation mishaps and how to prevent them.

Acid Effects on Cement Grout

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

CTEF’s Director of Certification and Training Scott Carothers explains how using the wrong cleaner can permanently damage grout.

Glass Mosaic Mural Reflects Sustainability and Community

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Mosaics were chosen to ensure longevity and durability given Florida's tropical environment and the mural’s placement in a high-trafficked area in the park.

No Drill Holes: A Cautionary Tale of a Shower Installation Gone Wrong

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Scott Carothers, academic director of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, shares how a luxury shower project was compromised when a glass contractor ignored drilling specifications, penetrating multiple waterproof layers with oversized screws.

Extruded Porcelain Tile Facade Promotes Sustainability

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

A 40% savings in energy was achieved with the Spanish tile manufacturer's extruded porcelain tiled facade system.

Jumbo-sized Quartz Slabs Offer Luxurious Design Possibilities

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500

Oversized quartz slabs in an extensive selection of colors and finishes are opening the doors to new potential designs in both residential and commercial spaces.

How to Ensure You Have the Right Tile Trowel for the Job

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:30:00 -0500

CTEF’s Director of Certification and Training Scott Carothers explains why the popular 1/2" square notch trowel may not be the best choice for tile installations.

Vertical Stone Facade Harmonizes New Building with its Surroundings

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The roof of the Accinauto building is clad with vertical stone slats made of the same light natural stone as the facade of the new structure, resulting in a seamless transition between the two buildings.

Are Your Boxes of Ceramic Tile Compatible? What to Look for on the Label

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 16:45:00 -0500

CTEF’s Academic Director Scott Carothers urges tile setters to check the label and points out two of the most critical pieces of information to confirm prior to an installation.

Schluter Unveils New Primer to Use with Peal and Stick Membranes

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0400

PRIMER-PS simplifies the installation process while providing a strong, long-lasting bond.

The Original Schluter® DlTRA Uncoupling Membrane is Now Available in a Peel and Stick Option

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0400

DITRA-PS is a peel and stick membrane that features a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) to bond the membrane to the substrate, replacing the need for thin-set mortar.

How to Angle Your Tile Trowel: It’s All in the Wrist

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Are you holding your trowel at the right angle? Scott Carothers, academic director, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, challenges tile installers to take another look at the angle at which they are troweling thinset.

Don’t Skip These Steps: How to Successfully Install Cementitious Backer Units Under Tile

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Scott Carothers, academic director, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, walks us through the industry standards that are in place to help you achieve a successful cementitious backer unit installation under tile.

Architects and Tile Contractors Unite to Learn about New Material and Installation Practices

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 10:15:00 -0400

Custom Building Products hosted a tile workshop joined by the Tile Contractors' Association of America (TCAA) to teach architects and tile contractors about new installation products and methods.

How to Define Large-Format Tile and Its Subfloor Requirements

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 09:30:00 -0400

Scott Carothers, academic director for the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, solves the mystery of large-format tile terminology and explains how the established definition helped determine its subfloor requirements.

Out-of-Flat Floors Cause Many Problems when Installing Tile

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Floor flatness is imperative to the success of a tile installation. Scott Carothers, academic director, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, gives an example of a tile installation that does not adhere to the industry standard required for flatness and how that can impact the installer and the customer.

Determining Appropriate Waterproofing for a Wet Area Tile Application

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Repeated moisture in wet areas can lead to problems unless the proper waterproofing method is used for bath and shower tile installations.

Fabricators Weigh in on Quartzite

richinellij@bnpmedia.com (Jennifer Richinelli) — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Fabricators from different markets discuss their experiences of working with quartzite.

How ANSI Tile Standards Help to Raise the Bar on Quality Installations

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Scott Carothers, academic director for the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, highlights how shoddy tile work around a bathroom drain in a restaurant could have been avoided if the tile installers had referenced ANSI Standards, industry best practices—and a little common sense.