Remodeling Guides

Tile Installation Guides

Tile is a finish material that exposes the quality of the work beneath it. These guides cover material selection, surface preparation, waterproofing, layout, grout, transitions, large-format tile, and the installation details that affect how the finished work looks and lasts.

The surface matters first

Flatness, stability, moisture conditions, and preparation all affect the installation. New tile cannot make a bad surface underneath it disappear.

Layout changes the finished room

Starting points, grout lines, cuts, niches, corners, edges, and transitions should be planned before the first tile is set.

Choose tile for the room, not the sample board

Size, texture, maintenance, slip resistance, grout, lighting, and the scale of the space all influence whether a tile is a good fit.