Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Floor Warming installation

How Can I Heat my Ceramic Tile Floor?

ANSWER - You could probably install some type of heating device on the bottom of the wood subfloor between your joists, but I wouldn't expect it would be very effective. Wood is not a good…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Debonding Tile installation

Does Temperature Variation Cause Ceramic Tile Debonding?

ANSWER - Ceramic Tile debonding is always due to compounding deficiencies.  The primary deficiency is an inadequate bond that can be due to a variety of reasons.  Movement then can compound the condition as the deficient…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile installation Waterproofing

Can I adhere Ceramic Tiles to a Waterproof Membrane on an Exterior Deck?

ANSWER - Ceramic tile can be adhered directly to certain types of waterproof membranes, which are designed for ceramic tile or stone. A roof that has a concrete substrate, over interior occupied space, can have…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile sealers

Is there a way to get a Wet look (glossy) on a Porcelain Tile?

ANSWER - There are types of sealers called enhancers. You could review those types of products and see what recommendations or limitations they offer for going over an impervious glazed porcelain tile. They might work…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning installation

Are ceramic tiles cleaned by acid in the factory or in the installation process?

ANSWER - You should always avoid using any acid on ceramic tile. It can etch and cause staining in the tile. I've never heard of it being used during manufacturing.Some do using it to clean…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile failures Standards

Why is my Ceramic Tile Chipping?

ANSWER - Chipping of ceramic tile can be caused by various conditions and for compounding reasons. Maybe the ceramic tile isn't very chip resistant. Although there is not a specific standard test for chip resistance…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Debonding Tile failures Tenting

Why are my ceramic tiles Tenting and Debonding?

ANSWER - I understand that you have ceramic tile installed onto a concrete floor, and some of the tiles have tented up and debonded. There are likely compounding deficiencies in how the ceramic tile was…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile selection stone

What type of tile should I use around my wood stove?

ANSWER - Using a ceramic tile (which includes porcelain ceramic tiles) around heat is not a problem because most ceramic tiles are fired well above 1200 °F and more like 2000 °F. What is important…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Exterior installation selection

Can I Use Porcelain Tile on an Exterior Veneer in a Freeze Thaw Climate?

ANSWER - I know there have been lots of exterior veneers where porcelain tile has been used in freeze thaw climates over the last 20 plus years.  We have worked on several ourselves over the years.…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile installation

Can Ceramic Tile be Installed over CMU (concrete masonry unit) block?

ANSWER - Yes you can install ceramic tile over CMU (concrete masonry unit) blocks. You need to properly prepare it to make sure it is free of any structural cracks, clean, and plumb. You can…

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