Choosing Substrates and Installation Systems for Ceramic Tile and Stone Tile

by Donato Pompo, CTC, CMR, CSI, CDT, MBA

– TileDealer, September/October 2007 –

How to choose the most suitable substrate and installation system for ceramic and stone tile jobs. To avoid ceramic tile failures, glass tile failures, or stone failures it is important to use an appropriate substrate for the intended use.  It is also important to use the best installation system considering the type of tile, substrate and application.  When there is a problem it doesn’t matter whose fault it is because everyone involved will pay one way or the other in dollars, time and reputation.  Ceramic Tile installers, glass tile installers, stone installers to include granite installers, limestone installers, travertine installers, slate installers, marble installers, sandstone installers and other stone installers do not go to a trade school to learn how to install tile or stone.  Installers normally learn from on-the-job training and normally do not get properly trained on the industry standards and the complexity of the work they perform.  Installers need to be properly supervised and managed to ensure a successful installation.  To avoid the huge cost of a tile failure it is in the owner’s best interest to hire a qualified third party quality control tile and stone expert to monitor the tile installation.  click here for article