Published Articles

Methods, Materials, and Standards

For tiling, the same methods, materials, and standards apply to both new and experienced installers. The laws of physics are blind to experience, or lack of, but as the minimum standards are attained and upgraded, problems can be reduced. The purpose of this page is to guide you to sources of help. Both beginner and seasoned installers are invited to post questions not covered by material found in the archives. No sign-in or registration is required, but posters should realize that the information they receive will be broad-based and of wide interest. The purpose of this forum is not to comment or speculate on specific installations.

If you have questions regarding the use of a specific product or products, the only source of help providing the most accurate and up-to-date information is the manufacturer making the product. Compatibility of one product with another needs to come from the manufacturers. If you have questions regarding ceramic or natural stone tile installation materials, you may use the search engine below. If you have technical questions, please go to the list of archived topics. If your question is not covered there, please post your question(s) on the forum at the end of the archives.

The following list contains articles and features for which I maintain and hold a copyright. In some cases, a photo or drawing may be missing because of a copyright issue, so, when possible, I have included a reference to a page in a book or article where the missing graphic can be found. Many of the articles in this list were used in Floor Covering Installer, and TILE magazines, and the remaining titles were originally written for clients.

Because they are based on methods, rather than on specific, brand-name materials, most of the titles are current and still applicable. On the other hand, some of the material related to brand-name products, manufacturers, or standards may be out-of-date. As well, these titles are all based on my personal experience installing tiles: In the US, I have lived and installed tile in Northern California, New England, the South Atlantic Coast, and the Central Coast of California, but I have not had the opportunity to personally use many fine tiling products that are only available regionally. For that reason, you should not consider this list as all-inclusive.

Towards that end, especially now that transportation costs are so high, I urge you to take advantage of local suppliers, select installation materials that meet the tile industry’s ANSI A108 standards, and buy your tile and supplies from companies who are members of the Tile Council of North America (www.tileusa.com). TCNA members supply the manpower to develop and create tile manufacturing and tile installation standards, and they support many educational efforts leading towards better tile installations. Like any other installer, I definitely like certain materials better than others for a variety of reasons: cost, availability, workability, and safety. Obviously, when I have the opportunity to spec materials for a project (and I am the installer), I generally go with my favorites if they are available. More often than not, though, I have to work with the materials specified by a contract, architect, or designer. Consequently, I have adopted a flexible attitude towards materials, and have learned to properly use many different brands – provided they meet the ANSI A108 requirements as well as the requirements of the installations where they are used. Yes, there are many significant differences between materials, but overall, grade for grade, the right materials to use should be available close to your worksite.

Finally, although I enthusiastically support the tile standards, and have been fortunate to be on several industry committees, it is important to note that the industry’s tile manufacturing and tile installation standards are MINIMUM standards – not ideal situations or industry recommendations. They represent a low point of performance, below which you should expect installation failures. For that reason, I have always tried to raise the quality benchmarks so my installations would be as durable as they are beautiful. Like I tell my students, “Don’t embarrass yourself by having to go out on call-backs. Instead, raise your standards, give the customers more than they expected and bargained for, and go back for dinner, drinks, and friendship”. Enjoy the archives!

Michael Byrne

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