mattingwallbase

2008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
INSTALLINGTILEANDSTONEFLOORINGCongratulationsonchoosingtoinstalltileasyournewflooring!
Tilecomesinamultitudeoftypes,colorsandstylesandhasbeenachoiceforflooringforcenturies.
Thisguideisdesignedtohelpyouprepareforandinstalltileinyourhomeoroffice.
DTIP:Ifreadingonline,clickonanyiteminthiscontentslistoranygreytextinthedocumenttojumptoaspecificsection.
InstallationOptions.
2TypesofTileandStone.
2SuitableSubfloorsandSubstrates.
5RadiantHeatSystemConsiderations8TypesofMortarandGrout9PlanningYourInstallation.
10DeterminingYourFloorLayout10AllowingforExpansionandMovement11FactoringinWaste.
11EstimatingInstallationTime.
12ChoosingYourUnderlayment13PreparingforInstallation.
14InspectingandLevelingYourSubfloor.
14ChoosingaTileSawandBlades17SortingandUsingTileandStone.
18UndercuttingDoorCasings19RemovingMoldingandDoors19InstallingSafely20InstallingYourTileorStone21ToolsandMaterials21InstallingtheUnderlayment.
21ApplyingMortarandSettingtheTileorStone.
.
.
.
23ApplyingtheGrout.
25CleaningUptheFloor26LettingtheFloorCure.
26SpecialCircumstanceInstallations.
27TileTransitionsandMoldings.
27MoldingInstallationMethods.
28InstallingonTileonStairs29UsingEndMoldingforSimilarHeightFloors.
.
.
.
.
.
31WorkingaroundFireplacesandBrickwork.
31UsingEndMoldingforCarpetTransitions32UsingFlushReducerforVinylTransitions.
33FinishingtheJob.
34InstallingWallBaseandQuarterRoundTrim.
.
.
.
.
34SealingYourFloor.
35CopyrightandUsageInformation.
36LegalDisclaimerandLiabilityRelease37InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallationOptionsPage22008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
INSTALLATIONOPTIONSUnderstandingallyourinstallationoptionsisthefirststepinyourtilingproject.
Inthissection,we'lldiscuss:TypesofTileandStoneSuitableSubfloorsandSubstratesRadiantHeatSystemConsiderationsTypesofMortarandGroutTypesofTileandStoneTherearethreedifferentflooringgradestoconsiderwheninstallingtileorstoneflooring:AboveGrade:Flooringinstalledonasecondfloorofahomeorabove.
OnGrade:Flooringinstalledonthegroundlevelofahome.
BelowGrade:Flooringinstalledbelowthegroundlevelofahome(suchasbasements).
NOTE:Ifthesoilthatsurroundsthehomeis3ormoreinchesabovetheflooronanylevel,thatlevelisconsideredBelowGrade.
Tileandstonecanbeusedindoorsandoutdoorsaswellasonanygradelevelinahome.
Whiletileorstoneisusuallyagoodoptionforwetareassuchaspatiosorbathrooms,followallthemanufacturer'srecommendationsformoistureprevention.
Sometileandstoneproductsmaystillabsorbmoisture.
Yourmanufacturermayrecommendsealingthefloortopreventmoistureissues.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallationOptionsPage32008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
TypesofTileWhenmostpeoplethinkoftile,theythinkofceramictile.
Thusceramictilehascometomeananytypeofnon-stonetile.
However,technicallyspeaking,ceramictileisoneofthefourmaintypesoftileusedinresidentialandcommercialbuildingstoday.
Tilecomesinavarietyoftypesandfinishes.
Additionally,sometilegoesthroughaprocesscalledglazingduringwhichthetileisfiredatextremelyhightemperaturestomakeitstrong.
Thetablebelowcomparesthefourmaintypesoftile.
TypeofTileDurabilityFinishSealerRecommendedCeramicDurableGlazedandunglazedNoClay–terracotta,Saltillo/MexicanFragileUnglazedYesPorcelainHardandDurableGlazedandunglazedNoQuarry–bricksandpaversExtremelyDurableUnglazedYesTileGradingAlltileintheUnitedStatesisgradedonascaleof1to5basedonthetile'sstrengthanddurability.
GradeApplicationInstallationAreasGradeIVerypoorgrade;shouldnotbeusedasflooringinaresidenceorbusinessWallsonly.
GradeIILighttrafficresidentialareasBathrooms,closets,guestroomsGradeIIIAnytypeofresidentialareaLighttrafficcommercialareasKitchens,entryways,livingroomsReceptionareasGradeIVAnytypeofresidentialareaAnytypeofcommercialareaKitchens,entryways,livingroomsLobbies,offices,grocerystores,banksGradeVCommercialareaswithheavyuseandpossibleexposuretochemicalsShoppingmalls,airportsYoushouldtrytochooseatilegradethatmatchestheamountofuseintheinstallationarea.
Installingalowtilegradeinanareawithheavyusecouldresultinexcessivecrackinganddamage.
Unfortunately,tilegradesarenotstampedonthepackaging,soyoumustask(andtrust)theretailerwhoissellingyourtile.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallationOptionsPage42008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
TileSizesTilecomesinavarietyofsizesrangingfrommosaic-sized(lessthan2inches)to4"x4"squaresto24"x24"squares.
Othershapesandsizessuchasrectangles,octagonsandhexagonsarealsoavailableinsomestylesandcolors.
Mostoftenfloortileis"to"thick.
NOTE:Ceramicandporcelaintileismostoften3/8"thick.
StoneTileNaturalstonecanbeusedinanumberofdifferentapplicationsinbothhomesandbusinesses.
Forthepurposeofthisguide,we'llonlybefocusingonstonecuttobetileflooring(asopposedtostoneblockorslabflooring).
Therearefivemaintypesofstonetileusedinhomesandbusinesses:GraniteLimestoneMarbleSlateTravertineStonetilecanbeinstalledonanygradelevel(below,onorabove)inyourhome.
NOTE:Whilestonecanagoodoptionforwetareassuchasbathroomsorkitchens,followallthemanufacturer'srecommendationsformoistureprevention.
Sometypesofstonemayabsorbmoisturemorethanothers.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallationOptionsPage52008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
StoneTileFinishesStonetilescomeinavarietyoffinishes.
Besuretofollowthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforcleaningandcare.
TypeofFinishDescriptionAcid-WashedGlossy,etchedfinish.
BrushedSimulatednaturalstonefinish.
FlamedRough,unrefinedfinish.
HonedFlat,matteorsatinfinish.
PolishedGlossy,mirror-likefinish.
Saw-CutRefinedMattefinish.
Split-FacedRoughfinish.
TumbledSmooth,slightlyetchedfinishwithbroken,roundededgesandcorners.
StoneTileSizesStonetilecomesinavarietyofsizesrangingfrommosaic-sized(lessthan2inches)to4"x4"squaresto24"x24"squares.
Othershapesandsizessuchasrectangles,octagonsandhexagonsarealsoavailableinsomestonesandfinishes.
Mostoften,stonetileis"to"thick.
SuitableSubfloorsandSubstratesHavingasturdybaseduponwhichtoinstallyourtileisoneofthemostcriticalaspectsofanytileorstoneinstallation.
Installingtileonanunstablesubfloorcanresultincrackedtilesandloosegrout.
Tilecanbeinstalledoncementsubfloors,woodsubfloorsoroverexistingtileorvinyl.
Cementsubfloors–Existing,stableconcreteslabsmakeanexcellentsubfloorfortile.
Youdonothavetoinstallanyadditionalsupportsurfacesormoisturebarriers.
Priortoinstallingtileoveraconcreteslab,youmustmakesuretheslabiscleanandlevelandthatallcracksandholeshavebeenfilled.
Woodsubfloors–Woodsubfloorsrequireacementbackerunit(CBU)boardunderlaymentforsupportandasamoisturebarrier.
Somewoodfloorsmayalsorequirepolyethylenematsasanadditionalmoisturebarrier.
Existingtile–Youcaninstallyourtiledirectlyontopofexistingtile.
Youdonotneedanyadditionalsupportsurfacesormoisturebarriers.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallationOptionsPage62008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
NOTE:Existingtilemustbeabletobondwiththesettingmortar.
Sometile(suchastileorstonethatishighlypolished)maynothavearoughenoughsurfacetexturetobondwiththemortar.
Existingvinyl(eithersheetortiles)–Existingvinylthatisinstalledoverconcreteorastablewoodsubfloordoesnothavetoberemoved.
Tilecanbeinstalleddirectlyontopoftheexistingvinylwithamodifiedmortar.
However,someprofessionalsrecommendremovingallvinyltoavoidissuesdowntheroad.
Ifremovalisnotanoption(becauseofasbestosissues),youcaninstallCBUboardovertheexistingvinyltheninstallyourtileasyouwouldforawoodsubfloor.
NOTE:Manyprofessionalsinstallamortarormudbedoverthesubfloortoensurethesubflooriscompletelylevel.
Amortarbedconsistsofroofingfelt,wiremeshandmortar.
Whileverystrong,slightlyflexibleandstable,installingamortarbedtakesahighdegreeofskillandpracticeandmaynotbeagoodchoicefornon-professionalinstallers.
YoushouldNOTinstalltileoverthefollowing:PlywoodandParticleBoard–Plywoodandparticleboardaremoreaffectedbymoisture.
Thus,theAmericanNationalStandardSpecificationsdiscouragesinstallingtileoveranytypeofparticleboard,compositepanelsorsoftwoodplywoodbecauseofmoisturerelatedexpansionandcontractionissues.
Metal,PaintedSurfaces,AcrylicorFiberglass–Thesematerialsmaynotprovidethestabilityneedtopreventcracksandchipsinthetile.
Additionally,traditionalmortarsandgroutsmaynotadheretothesetypesofsurfaces.
Othertypesofflooring.
–Donotinstalloverothertypesofflooringunlessspecificallyapprovedbyyourmanufacturer.
DTIP:Beawareofasbestosifyouareremovingexistingflooring.
Someolderflooringproductscontainasbestoswhichcancontaminateyourhomeorofficeifremoved.
Ifyoufindasbestosinyourexistingflooring,donotremoveit.
Followallfederal,stateandlocalguidelinesforcontainment.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallationOptionsPage72008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
UsingCementBackerUnitBoardIfyouareinstallingtileoverawoodsubfloororexistingvinyl,youshouldinstallanadditionalsubstrate(surface)abovethesubfloortohelpsupportthetilefloorandprovideprotectionagainstmoisture.
Themostcommonsubstrateiscementbackerunit(CBU)boards.
CBUboardsarecomposedofaconcretecoresurroundedbyfiberglasssheetsoneitherside.
Theselightweightboardsareusedabovewoodsubfloorstohelpstabilizeandsupporttheflooroncetileisinstalled.
SinceCBUboardsareabletowithstandprolongedexposuretomoisture,installingtheminbathroomsorkitchensisagoodchoice.
DTIP:StaggerCBUjointssothattheyoverlapwoodsubfloorjointsforaddedstabilityandmoistureprotection.
CBUboardcomesin","and"dependingonhowmuchheightyouwanttoaddtoyourfloor.
Boardstypicallycomeinacoupledifferentsizestohelpminimizetheamountofcuttingyouneedtodo.
Additionally,eachsideofCBUboardhasadifferenttexture.
Onesideissmoothwhiletheothersideisrough.
WheninstallingCBUboardoverasubfloor,alwaysinstallwiththesmoothsidedown.
Thisprovidesaroughsurfaceforthemortartoadhereto.
CBUboardisinstalledwiththin-setmortarthennailedorscreweddownevery8-10inches.
LookforgalvanizedCBUboardscrewsthatarethreadedtothetopofthescrew.
Thishelpsyoutightlycountersinkeachscrew.
Oryoucanusegalvanizedroofingnails.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallationOptionsPage82008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
RadiantHeatSystemConsiderationsTilecanbeinstalledoveravarietyofradiantheatsystems.
Radiantheatsystemsheathomesfrombeneaththeflooring.
Therearethreemaintypesofradiantheatsystems:Radiantairwhereairheatstheflooring.
Becauseairisapoorconductorofheat,thismethodisnotverycosteffectiveformosthomes.
Electricradiantwhereelectriccurrentsprovidetheheat.
Thesetypesofsystemsusuallycomeasmatsthatarelaidbeneathorembeddedintothesubfloor.
DTIP:Electricradiantheatmatsaretheeasiesttoworkwithwhendoingaremodel.
Sincethemattingisthin,itislaidonthesubfloorthencoveredwiththinsetmortar.
Hydronicradiantsystems(alsocalledliquidsystems)whereheatedwaterispushedthroughtubingorpipinglaidinaconcreteslaborbelowasubfloor.
Eachofthesesystemscanbeinstalledbytwodifferentmethods:Wetinstallationwherethepipingisinstalleddirectlyinaconcreteslaborinlightweightconcreteabovethesubfloor.
Dryinstallationwherethepipingisinstalledbetweentwolayersofplywoodorattacheddirectlybelowthesubfloor.
Wheninstalledbetweenlayersofplywood,aluminumdiffusersareoftenusedtodistributetheheatevenlyacrossthesubfloor.
Wheninstalledbelowasubfloor,reflectiveinsulationmaybeusedtodirectheatupwardintothefloor.
MostoftentileisinstalledoverwetinstallationsofHydronicorelectricradiantsystems.
Alwayscheckwithyourretailerormanufacturertoensurethetypeoftileyouchoosecanbeinstalledoveraradiantheatsystem.
Radiantheatingaffectsthetemperature,moistureandhumidityofthetile.
Overtime,thesefactorscancauseproblemsifyourtileorstonewasnotdesignedtobeinstalledoveraradiantheatingsystem.
Inadditiontoyourflooringmanufacturer'sinstructions,youshouldalsokeepthesethingsinmind:Alwaysfollowyourmanufacturer'stemperaturerecommendationsbothbeforeandduringyourinstallation.
Keepthesubfloorsurfacetemperaturebelow82°F.
Theoveralltemperatureoftheroommustnotvarymorethan15°Fduringtheyear.
Therelativehumidityshouldstaybetween35%and65%yearround.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallationOptionsPage92008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
TypesofMortarandGroutMortaristheadhesivesubstanceyou'llapplytothesubfloor.
Yourtilesgetlaidontopofthismortar.
ForCBUboardandconcreteslabs,manyprofessionalsuseathinsetmortar.
Wheninstallingtileoverexistingtile,manyprofessionalsoptforamulti-purposemortar.
Alwaysfollowyourmanufacturer'srecommendationswhenchoosingamortarforyourtileandsubfloor.
Groutistheadhesivesubstanceyou'llbeapplyinginbetweeneachtileafterithasbeensetinthemortar.
Therearetwotypesofgrout:sandedorunsandedgrout.
Sandedgroutisusedforceramic,porcelainandothertypesoftilesthathavegroutjointsthatarelargerthan1/8".
Sandedgroutusessandasthefillerandisgenerallycheaperthanunsandedgrout.
Somesandedgroutis"polymer-modified"meaningacryliclatexhasbeenaddedwhichhelpsimprovethegrout'sflexibilityonceitdries.
Youcanalsopurchaseunmodifiedsandedgroutthenaddanacryliclatexmixtureinsteadofwatertoachievethesameflexibility.
Wheninstallingstonetile,you'llgenerallyuseunsandedgrout.
Unsandedgroutiseasiertoinstallinsmallgroutjoints(usually1/8"orless)typicalofstonetileinstallations.
Additionally,unsandedgroutwillnotscratchordamageyourstonetiles.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-PlanningYourInstallationPage102008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
PLANNINGYOURINSTALLATIONPlanningisanessentialstepinanyflooringproject.
Duringyourplanningphase,youwillbe:DeterminingYourFloorLayoutAllowingforExpansionandMovementFactoringinWasteEstimatingInstallationTimeChoosingYourUnderlaymentDeterminingYourFloorLayoutOneofthegreatthingsaboutinstallingatileflooristhattherearepracticallylimitlesspossibilitiesforfloorlayouts.
Youcanchoosetoinstalltilethatissquarewiththeroomordiagonal.
Oryoucanmixandmatchtilesizes,colorsandmaterialstocreateanynumberofpatternsanddesigns.
Whendeterminingyourroomlayout,decidehowthinorwideyouwantyourgroutjoints.
Typically,stonetileisinstalledwiththingroutjoints(1/8"orless)whileceramic,porcelainandothertypesoftilehaveslightlywidergroutjoints(morethan1/8").
Nextchooseyourgroutcolor.
Groutcaneithercontrastorcoordinatewithyourtiledependingonthe"look"youwant.
DTIP:Useacontrastinggroutcolor(eitherlighterordarker)tomakethegroutlinesstandout.
Useagroutcolorthatisclosetothetilecolortomakegroutlineslessnoticeable.
Rememberwhenchoosingyourgrout,itmaynotbetheexactsamecolorwhenyougetithomeandapplyit.
Temperature,humidityandroomlightingconditionscanmakethegroutlookdifferentlyinstalledthanwhenyouvieweditinthestore.
Additionally,becauselightingvariesbetweenrooms,youmaynoticesomecolorvariationsfromroomtoroom.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-PlanningYourInstallationPage112008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
AllowingforExpansionandMovementLikemostnaturalmaterials,tileexpandsandcontractsbasedonenvironmentalconditions.
Whilemorecriticalforexteriorinstallations,theTileCouncilofNorthAmerica(TCNA)recommendsexpansionperimetersand/orexpansionjointsforalltileflooring.
Forsmallroomsthatarenotindirectsunlight,theTCNArecommendsleavinga"perimeteraroundtheroomforthetiletoexpandandcontractinto.
Don'tworry;youwon'tbeabletoseethisperimeterasitwillbecoveredbybaseboardandmolding.
Forlargerrooms,theTCNArecommendshavingmovementjointsatsetintervals.
Amovementjointisanareainthetiledfloorwhereflexiblecaulkmadefrompolyurethane,neoprene,polysulfideorsiliconeisusedinsteadofgrout.
Theflexiblecaulkallowsthetilefloortoexpandandcontractintothemovementjointwithoutcrackingorchippingthesurroundingtileandgrout.
Manyprofessionalinstallersrecommendleavinga"expansionperimeterandadding"movementjointsevery20to25feetinalldirections.
However,alwaysfollowyourtilemanufacturer'srecommendationsforyourinstallation.
Sometileproductsorinstallationareasmayhavedifferentexpansionrequirements.
Ifyouareinstallingtileinanexteriorarea(patiosorenclosedsunrooms)oraninteriorroomwithdirectsunlight,youshouldadda"expansionperimeterand3/8"expansionjointsevery8to12feetinalldirections.
Tileintheseinstallationareasgoesthroughmuchmoreexpansionandcontractionbecauseitisexposedtogreatervariationsintemperatureandhumidity.
FactoringinWasteWasteisapartofanytilingjob.
Wastecanbedueto:Oddshapesintheroomthatyoumustworkaround.
Brokenorcrackedtiles.
Installationmistakes.
Typeoftileinstallation(horizontal,diagonalorapattern)Non-professionalinstallersshouldaccountforawastefactorofbetween10%-15%forstandard,horizontalinstallations.
Fordiagonalorothercomplexdesigns,factorin20%ormorebecauseofthedifferenttypesofcutsrequired.
ConsiderusingtheAdvancedEstimatortoolonFindAnyFloor.
comtohelpyoudeterminehowmuchtileyou'llneedtocompleteyourroom.
Besuretofactorwasteintoyouroriginalpurchase.
Retailerscontinuallyaddanddiscontinuethetypesoftileandstonetheyoffer.
Thereisnoguaranteethatyourflooringretailerwillcarryyourexacttileorstoneinthefuture.
Andremember,youshouldalwaysendupwithextratileattheendofyourproject.
Overthelifeoftheflooryoumayneedtoreplacetilesthatgetdamagedfromuse.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-PlanningYourInstallationPage122008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
ChippedandCrackedTileYoushouldexpecttofindsomechippedorcrackedtilewhenyouopeneachboxduringinstallation.
Thisisanormaloccurrence.
Ifyouaccountedforadequatewasteinyourinitialpurchase,youshouldstillhaveenoughtiletocompleteyourflooringproject.
Whileyoumaybetemptedtodoso,don'tthrowawayanyofthisdamagedtile.
Duringthecourseofyourinstallation,youmayfindareaswhereyoucaninstallthesebrokentiles,suchaswhenyoureachwallsorareworkingaroundventsorotherobjects.
EstimatingInstallationTimeInstallingfloortileshouldbethelaststepinyourremodelingortilingjob.
Whentilingmultiplesurfacesinaroom,usetheseguidelinestoinstallinthecorrectsequence:Tileceilingsbeforewalls.
Tilewallsbeforefloors.
Thereisnohardandfastruleforinstallingorcompletinganytileproject.
Factorsthataffectinstallationtimevarywidelyandinclude:Experiencelevel:Ifthisisyourfirsttimeinstallingtileorstone,itmaytakeyoulongerthananon-professionalwhohasalreadydoneoneormoreinstallations.
Roomcomplexity:Simpleroomsandpatternsusuallytakelesstimethanlargeareasandcomplexdesigns.
Assistanceavailable:Ifyouaretheonlyoneworkingontheproject,itwillprobablytakelongerthanifyouhavehelp.
Although,toomuchassistancecanalsoslowyoudown.
Amountofplanning:Themoreplanningyoudo,thelesstimeyourtileorstoneprojectwilltake.
Planninghelpsyouidentifywhereyoumightrunintoproblemssoyoucanfigureouthowtodealwiththoseareasbeforeyougettothem.
Rarelydohomeimprovementprojectsgosmoothly.
Evenprofessionalshavebaddaysorrunintounexpectedproblems.
Remember:It'sgoingtotakelongerthanyouexpect.
Thisisespeciallyimportantwheninstallingtileasspecializedcutscantakeextratime.
Additionally,mortarandgroutsettingtimesvaryandcanbeaffectedbyenvironmentalconditions.
You'regoingtomakemistakes.
Don'tworry;that'spartofwhatyoufactoredinforwaste.
Whenpossible,useyourmistakestoyouradvantage.
Ifyoucutapieceoftileincorrectly,maybeitwillworkinanotherareaofyourfloorlaterinyourinstallation.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-PlanningYourInstallationPage132008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
ChoosingYourUnderlaymentUnlikewoodflooringproductssuchashardwoodorlaminate,mosttileinstallationsdonotrequireanadditionalunderlaymentunlessspecificallyrecommendedbyyourtilemanufacturer.
However,addinganunderlaymentcanextendthelifeofyourtileflooraswellaswellasprovidesomesounddampening(whichmayberequiredincondosorapartments).
Therearetwomaintypesoftileunderlaymentsavailableincluding:CrackIsolationMembranes–Theseunderlaymentsarethinflexiblemembranesthatareinstalledbetweenyoursubfloorandyourtile.
Subfloormovementisabsorbedbythemembraneasitstretchesunderyourtilefloor.
Thishelpsprotectyourtileandgroutfromcracksorotherdamage.
Therearetwotypesofmembranesonthemarket.
Oneisathin,rubberyfabricthatisglueddirectlytoaconcreteslab.
Theotherisathickliquidmaterial(muchlikepaint)thatisrolledoutontothefloor.
SoundAbatementUnderlayments–Theseunderlaymentsabsorbandlimitsoundtransferthroughthetile.
Mostoftenthesearerecommendedorrequiredwheninstallingtileinmulti-storyresidencessuchascondosorapartments.
Soundabatementunderlaymentscanbedensefoamsheeting,corkoroneofthename-brandproductsavailableonthemarkettoday.
Somename-brandproductsalsoincludeadditionalmoisturebarrierstohelpprotectyourtilefloor.
Installationforsoundabatementunderlaymentsvarybytypeandincludegluingorusingapeelandsticksystemtosecuretheunderlaymenttothesubfloor.
Bothcrackisolationmembranesandsoundabatementunderlaymentsaremanufacturedandmarketedbyanumberofdifferentvendors.
Eachcomeswithspecificinstallationinstructionsandrecommendations.
Besuretocheckwithyourflooringmanufacturertoensuretheunderlaymentyouchooseiscompatiblewithyourtile.
Inadditiontotheseunderlayments,certaininstallationsrequireadditionalmoisturebarriersbetweenyourtileandyoursubfloor(suchasinkitchensorbathrooms).
Alwaysfollowyourtilemanufacturer'srecommendationswheninstallingadditionalmoisturebarriers.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-PreparingforInstallationPage142008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
PREPARINGFORINSTALLATIONNowthatyou'vegotyourplaninplace,it'stimetostartpreparingforyourtileinstallation.
Duringthisphaseyouwillbe:InspectingandLevelingYourSubfloorChoosingaTileSawandBladesSortingandUsingTileandStoneUndercuttingDoorCasingsRemovingMoldingandDoorsInstallingSafelyInspectingandLevelingYourSubfloorAlevel,orflat,subfloorisonethatisfreefromanypeaksandvalleys,nomatterhowsmall.
Theseimperfectionscanbecausedbyanumberofthingsfromtheconcreteslabnotbeingperfectlyflatordrywallsplattersonthefloorthatwerenotscrapedup.
Whateverthecause,it'syourjobtofixorremovetheimperfectionssotheflooriscompletelyflat.
UnlevelsubfloorscancauseyournewtilefloortocrackorchipBeforeyoubeginfindingyourimperfections,makesurethefloorisscrapedandsweptcleanofalldrywallmud,paintsplattersandanyotherdebris.
FindingtheImperfectionsThefirststeptolevelingyoursubfloorisfindingtheimperfections.
Manymanufacturersrecommendthatyoursubfloornothaveavarianceofmorethan3/16"overa10'sectionofsubfloor.
Aneasywaytofindimperfectionsinyoursubfloorforbothconcreteandwoodsubfloorsisusingan8-10'pieceofstraightlumber.
Startatoneendoftheroomandlaythestraightestsideofthelumberdownonthesubfloor.
Fromgroundlevel,looktoseeifthereareanygapsbetweenthelumberandthesubfloor.
Markthosespotswithapencil.
Nexttoucheachendofthelumber.
DoesitrockortiptoonesideIfthereisanymovement,findthehighspotthatiscausingthemovementandmarkitwithapencil.
Makeyourwaymethodicallyacrosstheroomwiththelumber,observingandmarkingtheimperfectionsinthesubfloor.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-PreparingforInstallationPage152008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
LevelingLowSpotsinConcreteSubfloorsIfyoufoundlowspotsordipsinyourconcretesubfloor,useaself-levelingcompound,orfloorpatch,tofixthem.
Self-levelingcompoundsarelikequick-setconcrete.
DONOTuseregularcementproductsastheydonotsetandcurefastenough.
Onlyusefloorpatchproductsthatindicatetheyhavequickdryingtimesandaremadespecificallyforlevelingfloors.
Thesecanbepurchasedatmanyflooringorhomeimprovementstores.
1.
Preparethefloorpatchtogetherinabucketfollowingthemanufacturer'sinstructions.
Mixthecompoundoutsideorinanareawhereitwon'tmatterifsomeofthemixturesplashesoutofthebucket.
Alwaysfollowthemanufacturer'sinstructionswhenmixingthefloorpatch.
Somerecommendaddingthewaterafterthecompoundisaddedwhileothersrecommendaddingwaterbefore.
DTIP:Becausetheseproductssetsoquickly,donotprepareuntilyouarereadytobeginusingtheproductonyourfloor.
Mixonlysmallbatchessoitdoesnotdryinthebucketorontoolsbeforeitisallusedup.
d2.
Mixthefloorpatchusingapaddle-typedrillattachmentwhichcanbepurchasedatmosthomeimprovementstores.
Themixtureshouldbesimilarinconsistencytoamilkshake.
3.
Placeyourstraightpieceoflumberattheedgeoftheplaceyouwillbeleveling.
Poursomeofthefloorpatchonthespottobeleveled.
Useatroweltofillinallthelowareas.
Quicklyafteryou'vespreadthecompound,movethelumberacrosstheareayoujustleveledtoensureitisflat.
Ifitisnot,addmorefloorpatch.
Iftheareaisnowtoohigh,quicklyscrapeawaytheexcess.
DTIP:Thispartoftheprocessworksbestwithtwopeople–onepersonworkingwiththecompoundandonepersonworkingwiththestraightlumber.
d4.
Workquicklyacrossthefloorfillinginallthelowspotswithfloorpatch.
Usethelumbertoensureeachspotisflat.
Ifyourunoutoffloorpatch,cleanupthebucketandtoolsthenmixanothersmallbatch.
5.
Onceallthelowspotsarefilled,takeyourlumberandre-assesstheareasyoujustleveledtomakesureyoudon'tneedtoaddadditionalfloorpatch.
Ifyoustillfindlowareas,mixanotherbatchandaddmoretothetopofthedriedcompound.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-PreparingforInstallationPage162008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
6.
Waitforthecompoundtodryandcurecompletelybeforeinstallingyourtile.
LevelingHighSpotsinConcreteSubfloorsUseasanderorgrindertolevelhighspotsinconcretesubfloors.
Ifyoudon'townoneofthesemachines,rentonefromanequipmentrentalstore.
Whenusingyoursander,alwaysweararespiratorasconcreteproducesalotofdust.
Youcanalsotrywettingtheslabbeforeyoubeginsandingtohelpcontrolthedust.
Ifyouareworkingonanadditiontoahome,makesureeverythingissealedtightlywithplasticsheetingandtapedshut.
MakesureallACventsarecoveredandtapedsothatconcreteparticlesarenotdistributedthroughoutyourhomethroughtheventilationsystem.
DTIP:Concretedustwillgeteverywhere(includingclosedcupboardsordrawers)becausetheparticlesaresofine.
Besuretotapeeverythinguptightly!
Placingaboxfaninawindowsothattheairfrominsidethehomeispulledoutwardcanhelpdispersetheconcretedust.
LevelingaWoodSubfloorBeforeyoubeginanyleveling,youshouldfirstwalkthesubfloorandscrewdownanylooseorsqueakyplaceswithcoarse-headedscrews.
Youmayalsowanttoscrewdownareasthatareinhigh-trafficareasofthefloortohelpreinforceit.
Onceeverythingisscreweddowntightly,youcanbeginlevelingyourwoodsubfloor.
Levelingawoodsubfloorcanbemoredifficultthanconcrete,especiallyifyourwoodsubfloorisnotflatbecauseofhighspotsoverjoists(alsocalledcrownedjoists).
Ifthehighspotoveracrownedjoistisrelativelylow,youmaybeabletosanddowntheareaabovethejoistenoughtomakeitlevelwithsurroundareas.
Ifthecrownedjoistishighandthereareverylowareasbetweenjoists,useaself-levelingcompoundtoflattenthefloor.
Allthepreparationandapplicationstepsarethesameasforconcretesubfloors.
Ifyourfloorhasexcesssagging,checkbelowthesubfloor.
Tryinstallingwoodsupportsbetweenthejoiststocorrectsomesagging.
Onceyourwoodsubfloorislevel,youcaninstallyourCBUboard,anyunderlaymentthenyourtile.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-PreparingforInstallationPage172008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
ChoosingaTileSawandBladesTilesawscomeintwomaintypes–dryandwet.
Drysawsworkmuchlikesawsdesignedforcuttingwood.
Wetsawsusewatertoirrigatethesurfaceasthesawscoresthetile.
Thetilecanthenbebrokenalongthisscoredline.
Therearetwomaintypesofsawsavailableforcuttingtile:StationaryBladeSaws–Tileisclampedtothetableandpushedthroughthebladetomakeacut.
Thesetypesofsawscanbestationaryorportabletablesaws.
RailSaw–Tilestaysstationarywhilethesawispulledthroughthetile.
Onceyou'vechosenyoursaw,thebladeisthenextimportantcomponent.
Sometilebladesaremadeoforcoatedwithanumberofdifferentabrasivematerialsthatcangrindthroughtile.
Othertypesofbladesaremadeofsteelandtippedwithdiamondsortungstencarbide.
Whenchoosingablade,followyourtilemanufacturer'srecommendations.
TipsforCuttingTileandStoneCuttingtilecanbetrickywhetherthisisyourfirstorfifteenthtileinstallation.
Eachtypeoftileandstonemayreactdifferentlytoatilesaw.
Takeallyourtilemeasurementscarefully.
Useapencilorfelt-tippedpentomarkexactlywhereyouneedtomakeyourcut.
Useawetordrytilesawforstraightanddiagonalcuts.
Usearailsawornipperstomakecurvedcuts.
Tohelppreventtilebreakagewhencutting,gentlydirecttiletowardtheblade.
Donotuseexcessiveforceorpressure.
Useacarborundumstonetosmoothawaysharpedgesoncuttile.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-PreparingforInstallationPage182008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
SortingandUsingTileandStoneAlmostalltileandstonehassomecolorandpatternvariations.
Thesefeatureshelptovarythefloorandmakeitlookmorenatural.
Duringyourinstallation,youshouldusetilefromatleastthreedifferentcasesatatimetoensurethefloorhasbalancedcolorvariationsandpatterns.
NOTE:Professionalinstallersopenanumberofcasestoidentifythedifferencesbetweenthedarkestandlightestcoloredtiles.
Theywillthenstacksimilartilestogetherinpilesandbegininstallingtheseshadevariationsatrepeatingintervals.
Itisimportanttopurchaseallofyourtileatthesametime.
Lookateachcaseoftileandfindthedyelotandcaliberstamp.
Thedyelotisthecolorrunthetileisfrom.
Thecaliberstampindicatesthesizeofthetile.
Allyourtileshouldhavethesamedyelotandcaliberstamptoensurethecoloringandtilesizeofeachcaseisthesame.
DTIP:Usingtilefromdifferentcasesisessentialwhendyelotsdonotmatch.
Mixtilesfromthedifferentdyelotsthroughoutthefloortoensureevenandvariedcoloring.
Buyingtilesthatarethesamecaliberisequallyimportant.
Whilesizedifferencesmaynotbeapparentwheninthecase,sizebecomesveryimportantwhenyouareinstallingthetile.
A1/16"variationcancausespacingissuesacrossyourfloor.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-PreparingforInstallationPage192008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
UndercuttingDoorCasingsUndercuttingdoorcasingsisarelativelyeasyandelegantwaytoinstallyourtilearounddoorsjustliketheprosdo.
Youshouldundercutalldoorcasingsthatrequiretiletobeinstalledinoraroundthembeforeyoubeginyourinstallationsothatyoudonothaveexcesswoodchipsorsawdustinyourinstallationarea.
Toundercutdoorcasings,you'llneedascrappieceoftile/stone,apieceofcardboard,apencilandyoursaw(ahandsaworspecialsawforcuttingdoorjambs).
Alwaysusethefinestbladepossiblewhenundercuttingdoorcasingssothatthesawdoesnotsplitormarthewood.
NEVERuseasaws-allorskillsawasthesesawsmaybedifficulttocontrolforthesetypesofcuts.
1.
Usethescrappieceoftile/stonetobringyoursawuptotherightheightofthedoorcasing.
Useascrappieceofcardboardtohelpyouestimatetheheightofthethinmortarbedbelowthetile.
Makesuretoaccountforanyotherunderlaymentsinthetotalheight.
2.
Useapenciltomarkordrawalineatthetopoftheplank/underlayment.
Thisishowmuchyou'llbecuttingoffthebottomofthedoorcasingsothatthetile/stonewillfitunderneathit.
3.
Usethesawtocutthedoorcasingalongthelineyoudrew.
Keepyourscrappieceoftile/stoneinplacetohelpensureyoumakeastraightcut.
Nowwhenyoureachadoorcasing,youcancutandplacetile/stonetofitunderthecasingandflushwiththewall.
DTIP:Besuretoleavesomeexpansion/contractionroombetweenthecuttile/stoneandthewallunderthedoorcasing.
RemovingMoldingandDoorsRemoveallmoldingandbaseboardsinyourinstallationareawithacroworpullbar.
Ifyouplanonreusingthemoldingandbaseboards,takecareduringremoval.
Smallnickscanbefilled,sandedandpaintedover;however,piecesthatarebrokenorhavemajordamagemayneedtobereplaced.
Removealldoorsandsetaside.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-PreparingforInstallationPage202008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
InstallingSafelyFollowtheseguidelinestoensureasafeworkingenvironment.
Readandfollowallthemanufacturer'sguidelineswheninstallingyourtileorstone.
Weartheproperclothingandworkbootsortennisshoes.
WearOSHAapprovedsafetygogglesand/orhearingprotection.
Wearotherpersonalprotectiveequipmentsuchaskneepads,shinguards,glovesand/orrespirators,whennecessary.
Donotworkundertheinfluenceofalcohol,drugsorothermedicationswhichcanimpairyourdecisionmakingability.
Keepyourworkareaclean.
Clutteranddebrisarenotonlytrippinghazardsbutcouldscratchanddamageyourtileorstone.
Makesuretheroomhasproperventilationandlighting.
Makesuretheelectricalpowertotheareacansupportallofyourtools.
Haveafirstaidkitonhandorknowwhereoneislocated.
Usealltoolsandmachineryasintendedbythemanufacturerwithsafetyguardsinplace.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallingYourTileorStonePage212008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
INSTALLINGYOURTILEORSTONEInstallationdayhasarrived!
Priortobeginningyourtilejob,keepaninteriorinstallationareaataconstant,comfortabletemperature(between50-70degrees)withahumiditylevelofbetween45%-65%.
Outdoorinstallationareasshouldbecleananddrybeforeyouinstallyourtile.
ToolsandMaterialsYouwillneedthefollowingtoolsandmaterials:4'or6'levelBackerboardcuttingtooland/ororutilityknifeBackerscrewsornailsBucketsCarborundumsmoothingstoneCarpenter'ssquareCaulkinggunCBUboard(ifneeded)Ceramic,porcelainorstonetileChalklineDustmaskElectricdrillandmixingpaddleFelttippedpenand/orpencilFiberglasstapeGroutHammerKneepadsLargespongesNotchedand/orgroovedtrowelPuttyknifeRubberglovesRubbersqueegeeorgroutfloatSafetygogglesTapemeasureThin-setmortarTilespacersorwedgesWetordrytilesawand/orrodsawInstallingtheUnderlaymentOnceyoursubfloorisdry,cleanandlevelyoucanlayyourunderlaymentofchoice.
Forbrand-namesoundabatementandmoisturebarrierunderlayments,followthemanufacturer'sinstallationrecommendations.
WheninstallingCBUboard,youcanfollowthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforinstallationaswellasrefertothesectionbelow.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallingYourTileorStonePage222008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
InstallingCementBackerUnit(CBU)BoardYoushouldinstallCBUboardoverallwoodsubfloorsandexistingvinylpriortoinstallingyourtile.
WorkingwithCBUboardismuchlikeworkingwithdrywall;however,CBUboardismuchmoredifficulttocut.
Specializedbackerboardcuttingknives(whichareusuallycarbide-tipped)workwellformakingthenecessarycuts.
Youcanusearegularutilityknife;justmakesuretohaveplentyofextrabladesonhand.
Shorteningthebladeduringcuttingalsohelpstominimizeexcessivebreakage.
CBUboardshouldbeinstalledrightupagainstwallsorotherstructuresintheinstallationarea.
Remember,you'recreatingaCBUsubfloorontopofyourexistingsubfloortosupportthetile.
Duringinstallation,trytostaggerCBUjointssothattheydonotaligndirectlywithyourplywoodsubfloorjoints.
CBUboardisattachedtotheexistingsubfloorwiththesamethin-setmortaryou'llusetosetyourtile.
Additionally,you'llnailorscrewtheCBUboardtothesubfloorevery8-10inches.
1.
StartfromoneendoftheroomandmeasurethefirstsectionwhereyouwillbeinstallingCBUboard.
2.
Usingacarpenter'ssquare,usetheknifetoscorealineintotheCBUboardwhereyouneedyourcut.
3.
Applypressurearoundthescoremarkstobreaktheboardatyourscoreline.
Youmayhavetocutthroughthefiberglassoneithersideoftheboard.
4.
Spreadoutthethin-setmortarwiththeflatsideofanotchedtrowelintheareawheretheCBUboardwillbeinstalled.
Thenusethenotchedsideofthetroweltocomboutthemortar.
DTIP:Useanotchedtroweltocomboutthemortarintoevenridges.
Thisensuresthereisgoodcontactbetweenthemortarandthebackerboard.
5.
LaytheCBUboardonthethinbedofmortarroughsideupsothatitisflushwithsurroundingwalls.
Leavea1/8"spacebetweeneachpieceofCBUboard.
NailorscrewtheCBUboardtothefloorevery8-10inches.
6.
Useatapingknifetofillallspacinggapswithmortar.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallingYourTileorStonePage232008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
7.
Tapeeachjointusingfiberglassjointtape.
Lightlypressthetapeintothemortarthencoverbothseamswithmoremortar.
Scrapeawayallexcessivemortarsothateachseamisflatandlevelwiththerestofthefloor.
8.
Followthemortarmanufacturer'srecommendationsforsettingandcuringtimesbeforeinstallingyourtile.
ApplyingMortarandSettingtheTileorStoneWheninstallingtile,you'llbegininthemiddleofyourroomandworktowardsthewalls.
1.
Snapachalklinebetweenthecenterpointsofeachoppositewall.
Theplaceonthefloorwherethechalklinesintersectisthecenteroftheroom.
Makesurethequadrantsarenearlyperfectsquares.
2.
Layoutarowofloosetileinalldirectionsattheintersectionpoint.
Usespacerstoleaveadequatespacingbetweeneachtile.
3.
Evaluatewhetherthecenterintersectionpointisagoodstartingplace.
Ifyouendupwithsmallcutsalongeachwall(lessthan"),moveyourstartingpointdownbyatilewidthforeachwall(ifnecessary).
Re-snapyourchalklineandlayoutyourloosetilestore-evaluatethetileplacement.
4.
Onceyou'resatisfiedwithyourcenterpoint,dividethemainfourquadrantsintosmallersections.
Doingthismakesiteasiertoinstallstraighttilesectionbysection.
Snapchalklinestooutlineeachsectionwithineachquadrant.
DTIP:Sectionsthatareapproximately2'x3'workwell.
Eachsectionshouldtakeabout15minutestoinstall.
Ifyouattempttoworkwithlargersections,yourmortarmaystarttosetbeforeyouinstallthetile.
*InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallingYourTileorStonePage242008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
5.
Preparethemortaraccordingtothemanufacturer'sinstructions.
6.
Returntothecentersectionoftheroomandspreadoutthethin-setmortarwiththeflatsideofanotchedtrowel.
Thenusethenotchedsideofthetroweltocomboutthemortar.
Donotcoveryourchalklines.
Youneedthesetomakesureyouarelayingyourtilestraightandsquarewiththeroom.
DTIP:Useanotchedtroweltocomboutthemortarintoevenridges.
Thisensuresthereisgoodcontactbetweenthemortarandthetile.
Donotswirlthetrowelasthiscreatesunevenridgeheights.
*7.
Setthetileintothemortarwithaslighttwistingmotion.
DoNOTslidethetilethroughthemortar.
Usespacerstoensurethatthespacingbetweeneachtileiseven.
8.
Whenyoucompletethatsection,tapeachtileintothemortarwitharubbermalletorahammerandtappingblock.
Thenlayalevelacrossthenewlyinstalledtile.
Theremaybesomeheightdifferencesbetweeneachtile.
Adjustthetileinthemortarsothatthefloorasawholeislevel.
9.
Removeanymortarthatisinjointswithaputtyknife.
Ifmortargetsonthefaceofthetile,useadampspongetocleanitoffbeforeitsets.
10.
Install,levelandcleaneachsectionbeforemovingontothenextone.
Installyourtilesectionbysectionwithineachquadrant.
Eachsectiongridmustbestraightwiththewallsandlevelsothatyourwholefloorturnsoutwell.
Discardthemortarasitgetstacky(whichusuallyhappensafterabout30minutes)andprepareanewbatch.
AlwaysworkfromtheunfinishedpartofthefloorandNOTfromyournewlyinstalledtile.
11.
Attheproperintervalsforyourfloor,leave3/8"expansionjoints.
12.
Whenyougetclosetothewallineachquadrant,cutyourtilesothatyoucanleave"expansionspacebetweentheedgeofthetileandthewall.
DTIP:AlwaysinstalltilealongthewallLASTineachquadrant.
*13.
Letthemortarsetandcureaccordingtothemanufacturer'srecommendationsInstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallingYourTileorStonePage252008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
ApplyingtheGroutOnceyourtileisinstalledandthemortarhasset,it'stimetogroutthejoints.
1.
Removeallspacersthroughoutthefloor.
Vacuumuporsweepawayallsmallparticlesofmortarthatweredislodgedwiththespacers.
Checkforandremoveanyhighspotsinthemortarbetweeneachtile.
DTIP:Needle-nosepliersworkwelltoremovespacers.
*2.
Mixthegroutaccordingtothemanufacturer'sinstructions.
Onlymixasmuchgroutasyou'llusein30minutes.
Alwayswearrubberglovesandanyotherpersonalprotectiveequipmentasrecommendedbythegroutmanufacturer.
NOTE:Somegroutmanufacturer'srecommendsprayingthetilelightlywithwater(likefromaspraybottle)sothatthatthetiledoesnotabsorbtoomuchwaterfromthegrout.
Drygroutwillnotsetandcurecorrectly.
Alwaysfollowallthemanufacturer'srecommendationsformixingandapplyingyourgrout.
*3.
Startingfromthefarcorneroftheroomspreadthemixedgroutacrossthefaceofthetileandforcedownintoeachjointwithasqueegeeorrubbergroutfloat.
DTIP:Topushgroutintoeachjointmoreefficiently,tiltthegroutfloattoa45degreeangle.
Workata45degreeangletothegroutjoint.
*4.
Usetheedgeofthefloattoscrapeawayanyexcessgroutfromthesurface.
DTIP:Tiltthefloattoa90degreeangleandscrapediagonallyacrossthetiletoremoveexcessgrout.
*5.
Fillallexpansionjointswithaflexiblecaulkasyougettothem.
6.
Workyourwayacrosstheroomapplyinggrouttoandcleaningupeachjoint.
Remembertoonlyprepareasmuchgroutasyou'llusein30minutes.
Ifthegroutyou'vepreparedbecomesstiff,discardthatbatchandmakeanewone.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-InstallingYourTileorStonePage262008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
CleaningUptheFloorYoumaylookatyourfloorafteryou'veappliedyourgroutandthink,"Whatamess.
"Nowthatallthemessyworkisdone,it'stimetocleanupthefloorandseeyournewlyinstalledtile.
Youcanbegincleaningupthefloorassoonasthegroutbeginstoset,usually15to20minutesafteryou'veappliedit.
Ifyou'retilingalargefloor,applyallthegroutthengobacktothebeginningandstartyourcleanup.
1.
Graboneofyourspongesandfillabucketwithcleanwater.
2.
Gentlywipeawayallgroutfromthefaceofthetile.
Carefullysmoothallgroutjointsaroundeachtile.
DoNOTgougethegroutfromthejoints.
Trytoavoiddrippingwaterintothegroutjointsduringcleaning.
Excessivewaterinjointswillaffecthowthegroutcures.
DTIP:Ifthegroutissmearing,stopyourcleanupandwaitforthegrouttosetlonger.
Ifcleanupisdifficult,you'vewaitedtoolongtobegincleanup.
Thegrouthasalreadystartedtocure.
*3.
Wringoutandrinsethespongeoften.
Replacethewaterasneeded.
4.
Workyourwayacrossthewholefloorcleaningallthetileandgroutjoints.
Ifthereareareasthatarestilldirtyorhazy,gobackoverthemonceyou'redonewiththewholefloor.
LettingtheFloorCureYournewtilefloorneedsabout72hourstocompletelycure.
Duringthistimeyoushouldnotwalkexcessivelyuponorputanythingonthenewlytiledfloor.
Ifyouareapplyingasealer,followallmanufacturerrecommendationsforcuringtimes.
Somemanufacturer'srecommendwaitingthreeweeksbeforeapplyingthesealertoensurethefloorhascuredcompletely.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-SpecialCircumstanceInstallationsPage272008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
SPECIALCIRCUMSTANCEINSTALLATIONSYou'vegotyourfloortileinstalled,butwhataboutthosetransitionsandothertrickyareas.
Inthissection,we'lldiscuss:TileTransitionsandMoldingsMoldingInstallationMethodsInstallingonTileonStairsUsingEndMoldingforSimilarHeightFloorsWorkingaroundFireplacesandBrickworkUsingEndMoldingforCarpetTransitionsUsingFlushReducerforVinylTransitionsTileTransitionsandMoldingsTransitioningfromtiletoanotherflooringsurfacecanbetricky.
Flooringisnotalwaysthesameheightandmanyhomeownerswanttoeliminatetrippinghazardsbetweenthetwosurfaces.
Whendetermininghowtohandletransitions,youhaveacoupledifferentoptions:BullnoseTile:Bullnosetilehasoneedgethatisfinishedandslightlyrounded.
Theroundededgewillusuallybuttupagainsttheotherflooringsurface(suchascarpet)toprovideasmoothtransition.
T-Molding:Thismoldingisusedtotransitionatilefloortoanothersimilarlevelflooringsurface.
ReducerStrip:Thistransitionpieceisusedtojointilefloorstoflooringthatisadifferentheightsuchasvinylorcarpeting.
End(orThreshold)MoldingorSquareNose(UniversalEdge):Thistypeoffloortrimisusedtoseparateandtransitionbetweencarpet,fireplaces,slidingdoorsoranyotheroutsidedoorthreshold.
WallBase:Thismoldingisplacedalongthebottomofthewallabovetheflooringtohidetheexpansion/contractionspaceaswellastogivetheroomafinishedlook.
Wallbasecanalsobeusedundercabinets.
QuarterRoundorShoeBase:Thesemoldingsareplacedalongwallbaseabovetheflooringtohelphidetheexpansion/contractionspaceaswellastogivetheroomafinishedlook.
Thesecanalsobeusedundercabinetsifwallbaseistoolargeoratthebottomofstairsforaesthetics.
Sinceshoebaseisnotaswideasquarterrounditmayworkbetterinsomeinstallationareas.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-SpecialCircumstanceInstallationsPage282008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
Moldingscomeinavarietyofmaterialsandsizesincludingpre-finishedwood,unfinishedwood,metal,naturalstoneandsyntheticstone.
Whenchoosingyourmolding,taketherestoftheroomtrimanddécorintoconsideration.
Somepeopleusestoneorsyntheticstoneforsomeareasandwoodforothers.
Whileotherpeoplewillmatchtheirmoldingtotheotherwoodtheyhaveinthatroom.
MoldingInstallationMethodsMoldingsandtrimcanbeinstalledtwodifferentways:Usingadhesive.
Withthismethod,yougluethetransitiontothesubfloor(orinsomecasestotheflooring)usinganon-waterbasedadhesive.
Usingtrimtracks.
Withthismethodyounailorscrewatrimtracktothesubfloorthenslideandlockthemoldingintoplaceoverthetrack.
Thefollowingstepsprovideabasicoverviewofhowtoinstallmoldingusingtrimtracks.
1.
Measureyourmolding.
2.
Positiontheendmoldingapproximatelywhereyouwanttoinstallit.
Liftthemoldingstraightupanduseapenciltomarkthesubfloorwherethetracksshouldbeplaced.
DTIP:Thegroovesonthebackofthemoldingindicatewherethetrackwillbeinsertedintothechannel.
*3.
Forconcretesubfloors,attachthetracktothefloorusingconcretenailsorcementadhesive.
4.
Workingfromrighttoleft,positionthemoldingtofitintothetrackonthefloor.
Gentlypushthemoldingontoeachtrackuntiltheentiremoldingisinstalled.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-SpecialCircumstanceInstallationsPage292008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
Useamitersawwithcarbontippedbladeswhencuttingwoodmoldingstoensureyougetclean,smoothcuts.
Whencuttingpre-finishedmoldings,cutintothepre-finishedsidefirsttoavoidchippingthefinish.
Duringyourinstallationalwayshandleyourmoldingcarefully(especiallypre-finishedmoldings)toensureyoudonotscratch,dentorchipthefinish.
Ifyouchoosetonailmoldingtothewallsorsubfloor,mostprofessionalsrecommendpre-drillingholestohelpensurethemoldingdoesnotsplitorcrack.
Additionally,donotnailtooclosetotheendofthemoldingtoavoidsplitting.
InstallingonTileonStairsInstallingtileonstairsismuchlikeinstallingtileonyoursubfloor.
Whentilingstairs,youmustconsiderthestrengthandstabilityoftheexistingstaircase.
Concretestairsaregenerallyagoodchoicefortileinstallationsbecausetheyaresolidandstable.
Beforeinstallingtileonconcretestairs,makesurethestairsarelevelandflat.
Useaself-levelingcompoundtofixanyhighspotsorsanddownanylowspots.
Installingtileonwoodstairscanbemorecomplicated.
Someprofessionalsfeelthattileshouldnotbeinstalledonwoodstairsbecausethesestructuresarenotstrongenoughtosupportthetileovertime.
Becausewoodstairsaremoresusceptibletovibrations,groutandtilecanbecomedislodgedandcracked.
Ifyouchoosetoinstallonwoodstairs,youmustlayCBUboardorcreateamortarbedtolevelthestairsandprovideasolidbase.
Ifyourstairshaveexistingnosing,addplywoodonthestairtreadtomaketheexistingnosingflushwiththeriser.
NOTE:Someprofessionalrecommendcuttingoffexistingnosing;however,thismethodmayviolatebuildingcodesinsomeareas.
Whenworkingonstairs,startatthetopandworkyourwaydownsothatyoudonothavetoworkfromyournewlyinstalledtile.
Youshouldalwaysinstallthetreadtilesthentherisertiles.
Thishelpstostabilizethetilesasthedownwardforceoftherisertilesaddspressuretothetreadtiles.
Someinstallersusebullnosetileoneachtread.
Theroundededgegetsinstalledovertherisertiletoprovideasmoothseamontheedgeofeachstair.
Beawarethatusingbullnosetileonstairsdoesnotprovideananti-slipbarrier.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-SpecialCircumstanceInstallationsPage302008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
SafetyConsiderationsSafetyisthebiggestconcernwheninstallingtileonstairs.
Tiledstairsshouldnotbeslipperyorslick(wheneitherwetordry)forbothindoorandoutdoorinstallations.
Installinghighlypolishedstoneisprobablynotthebestchoiceforstairs.
Additionally,youshouldalwaysaddanti-slipnosingoneachstair.
Thistypeofnosingisusuallymadeofrubberandisinstalledalongtheedgeofeachsteptohelpimprovevisibilityandreduceslipping.
Metalnosingsarealsoavailable;however,metalnosingscanbesharpanddonotpreventslipping.
Duringyourinstallation,makesureeachtileissetcorrectly.
Theedgeofthetileshouldneverextendbeyondtheedgeofthestairs.
Alltileshouldbesecurelysetinthethin-setmortarandgroutedcorrectly.
Inspectyourstairsoftenandcorrectanydefectsorwearissuesrightaway.
InstallingTileonStairsNowthatyou'vegotthebasicsdown,it'stimetoinstalltileonyourstairs.
Youwilluseallthesamemortar,groutandinstallationtechniquesasyoudidforyourfloor.
Withthatinmind,theseinstructionsonlyoutlinetheorderinwhichyoushouldinstalltileonyourstairs.
Formoreinformationabouttoolsandtechniques,seeInstallingYourTileorStonebeginningonpage21.
1.
Prepareyourstairsubfloorasnecessary.
Makesurethestairsaresecure,levelandclean.
2.
Startingatthetopofthestaircaselaythemortartheninstalltileonthefirstriser.
Ifyouhaveachoice,installfullpiecesoftilebeforeanycutpieces.
3.
Laythemortarandinstalltileonthetread.
Thetileattheedgeofthestairsmay:Overlaptheriserifyou'reusingbullnosetile.
Donotoverlaptheriserifyou'reusingrubberormetalnosing.
Ifinstallingnosing,followallthemanufacturer'sinstructionsforinstallation.
4.
Laythemortarandinstallthetileonthenextriser.
Therisertileshouldoverlapthebackedgeofthetreadtileforstability.
5.
Continueworkingyourwayupthestairsuntilalltileisinstalled.
6.
Waitforthetiletoset(usuallyovernight)thenapplythegrout.
7.
Cleanupthetileasyoudidfortherestofyourfloor.
8.
Waitforthemortarandgrouttocurecompletely.
Seal,ifnecessary.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-SpecialCircumstanceInstallationsPage312008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
UsingEndMoldingforSimilarHeightFloorsEndmolding(alsocalledthresholdmolding)isusedtotransitiontoaflooringsurfacethatissimilarinheighttothetilefloor(suchashardwood,bambooorhighpilecarpet).
Endmoldingcanalsobeusedaroundfixedobjectslikefireplacesandbrickwork.
1.
Measureandcutyourendmoldingtofitsnuglyinthedoorframe.
2.
Applyathinlineofadhesiveononesideoftheendmolding.
3.
Positionandattachtheendmoldingtothesubfloorbetweenthetilefloorandexteriordoorway.
Themoldingshouldbuttupagainsttheexteriordoorwayandoverlapthetilefloorby"to".
IMPORTANT:Donotattachthemoldingdirectlytothetileasthefloorneedsroomtoexpandandcontractbelowthemolding.
*WorkingaroundFireplacesandBrickworkTherearetwowaystoinstalltilearoundfireplacesandbrickwork:Installingflushtothebrickworkandaddingendmoldingtohideexpansionspaces.
Undercuttingthebrickworkandusingthebrickworktohideanyexpansionspaces.
InstallingFlushtoBrickworkwithEndMoldingInstallingtileflushtobrickworkismuchlikeinstallingflooringuptowallsordoorways.
1.
Measureandcutyourendmoldingtofitsnuglyalongthefireplaceorbrickwork.
2.
Applyathinlineofadhesiveononesideoftheendmolding.
3.
Positionandattachtheendmoldingtothesubfloorbetweenthetileandfireplace/brickwork.
Themoldingshouldbuttupagainstthebrickworkandoverlapthetileby"to".
IMPORTANT:Donotattachthemoldingdirectlytothetileasthefloorneedsroomtoexpandandcontractbelowthemolding.
*InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-SpecialCircumstanceInstallationsPage322008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
UndercuttingBrickworkUndercuttingbrickwork(muchlikeundercuttingdoorcasings)providesforamoreseamlesslookingfloor.
1.
Usethescrappieceoftiletobringyoursawuptotherightheightofthebrickwork.
Makesuretoaccountforyourunderlayment(ifused)inthetotalheight.
Useapenciltomarkordrawalineatthetopofthetile.
Thisishowmuchyou'llbecuttingoffthebottomofthebrickworksothatthetilewillfitunderneathit.
2.
Determinehowdeeptomakeyourcut.
Youshouldallowforuptoa"oftileunderthebrickworkplusyourexpansionspace.
3.
Usethesawtocutalongthelineyoudrew.
DTIP:Considerwearingarespiratorwhilecuttingsoyoudonotinhalefineparticlesofdust.
*Nowwhenyoureachthebrickworkorfireplace,youcancutandplaceyourtileunderthebrickwork.
UsingEndMoldingforCarpetTransitionsEndmoldingisusedtotransitionbetweenyourtileandacarpetedarea.
Re-tackcarpetatallpointswhereitmeetsyourtileforamoreprofessionallookandtoensurethecarpetdoesnotcomelooseduringuse.
1.
Measureandcutyourendmoldingtofitsnuglyalongtheedgeofthecarpet(betweenthecarpetandtile).
2.
Applyathinlineofadhesiveononesideoftheendmolding.
3.
Positionandattachtheendmoldingtothesubfloorbetweenthetileandcarpet.
Themoldingshouldbuttupagainstthecarpetandoverlapthetileby"to".
IMPORTANT:Donotattachthemoldingdirectlytothetileasthefloorneedsroomtoexpandandcontractbelowthemolding.
*InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-SpecialCircumstanceInstallationsPage332008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
UsingFlushReducerforVinylTransitionsFlushreducertrimisusedtotransitionfromtiletovinyl,concreteoranyfloorthatislowerthanyourtilefloor.
1.
Measureandcutyourflushreducertofitsnuglyalongtheedgeofthevinyl(betweenthevinylandtilefloor).
2.
Applyathinlineofadhesiveonthebottomedgeoftheflushreducer.
3.
Positionandattachthereducertothesubfloorbetweenthetileandvinyl.
Themoldingshouldbuttupagainstthevinylandbeflushwiththetile.
4.
Applypainterstapealongthefulllengthoftheseambetweenthemoldingandthetiletoholdthemoldinginplaceuntiltheadhesivesetscompletely.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-FinishingtheJobPage342008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
FINISHINGTHEJOBYou'vereachedthehomestretchofyourinstallation.
Allweneedtocovernowis:InstallingWallBaseandQuarterRoundTrimSealingYourFloorInstallingWallBaseandQuarterRoundTrimInstallingthewallbaseandquarterroundtrimhidestheexpansionandcontractionspacesaswellasputsthefinishingtouchesonyournewlytiledroom.
Shoebasemoldingcanbeusedinsteadofwallbaseinareaswherewallbasewillnotfit(suchasundercabinets).
IMPORTANT:Donotnailorgluethewallbaseortrimdirectlytoyourfloor.
Trimshouldfitsnugly,butnottootightly,asthefloormustbeallowedtomovefreelyforexpansion.
1.
Measureandcutthewallbaseandquarterroundtrimforyourinstallationarea.
2.
Removethespacersalongthewalls.
3.
Usingaconstructionadhesive,applyathin,wavylinedownthelengthofthewallbasemolding.
4.
Gentlypressthewallbasemoldingagainstthewall.
Nailthemoldingtothewallatanangleevery16".
DTIP:Alwaysnailthewallbasetothewallatanangle.
Ifyounailstraightintothewall,thenailsmaynotholdwellintothedrywall.
**5.
Applyathin,wavylinedownthelengthofthequarterround(orshoebase)molding.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-FinishingtheJobPage352008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
6.
Gentlypressthequarterround(orshoebase)moldingtothebottomofthewallbasemoldingsoitfitssnuglyagainsttheflooring.
Nailthemoldingtothewallatanangleevery16".
DTIP:Alwaysnailthequarterroundorshoebasetothewallatanangle.
Ifyounailstraightintothewall,thenailsmaynotholdwellintothedrywall.
*SealingYourFloorCeramic,porcelainandothertypesoftileshouldbesealedafterinstallation.
Sealinghelpsprotectthegroutaswellaspreventstains,mildewandmold.
Sealingiscriticalfortileinstalledinwetareassuchabathrooms,kitchens,oroutdoors.
Alwaysfollowyourtilemanufacturer'srecommendationsforwhenchoosingyoursealant.
Allstonetileshouldbesealedtohelpprotectthestoneaswellasmakethefloormoreresistanttostains.
Sinceeachstonehasdifferentsealerrequirements,alwaysfollowyourmanufacturer'srecommendationsorconsultaflooringprofessional.
Oncesealed,youshouldmaintainallareasthatarecaulkedtohelppreventmoisturedamagetoyourfloor.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-CopyrightandUsageInformationPage362008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
COPYRIGHTANDUSAGEINFORMATIONThisdocumentiscopyrightedbyBaysideUSA,LLCd/b/aFindAnyFloor.
com("FindAnyFloor.
com").
Reproduction,copying,orredistribution(infullorinpart)ofthisdocumentisstrictlyprohibitedwithouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofFindAnyFloor.
com.
Thisdocumentmaynotbelinkedtodirectlyfromanotherwebpage(i.
e.
"hot-linked"or"inlinelinked")withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofFindAnyFloor.
com.
Permissionforanyoftheaboveisgrantedonlywhencertainlimitedcriteriaaremet.
Torequestsuchpermissionpleasecompletelyfilloutthewebformlocatedat:http://www.
findanyfloor.
com/copyrightpermission.
htmlYouwillneedtoincludeallofthefollowinginformationinyourrequest:1.
Thecontentyouwishtouse(e.
g.
theentiredocument).
2.
Whereandhowitwillbeused(e.
g.
asahandoutinaretailflooringstore).
3.
Whereandhowcopieswillbedistributedandtowhataudience(e.
g.
ataretailflooringstoreprovidedtocustomers)4.
Howmanycopieswillbeproducedanddistributed,andforhowlongyouwishtodistributecopies.
5.
Whenyouintendtopublish,andyourdeadlineforaresponse.
6.
Othermaterialsthatwillbeassociatedwithourcontent.
(e.
g.
storeadvertising)7.
Yourname,title,company,address,emailaddress,andphonenumber8.
Anexampleormockupoftheintendeduse.
Wewillneedalloftheaboveinordertoevaluateyourrequest.
Pleasebeawarethatwemaynotbeabletomeetallrequesteddeadlines.
Wereservetherighttorefusepermissiontocopy,distribute,broadcast,orpublishanyofourcopyrightedmaterial.
Thankyouforyourcooperation.
InstallingTileandStoneFlooring-LegalDisclaimerandLiabilityReleasePage372008FindAnyFloor.
com.
Allrightsreserved.
AllFindAnyFloor.
comcontent(PDF's,text,photographs,graphics,code,applications)isprotectedbycopyrightintheU.
S.
andothercountries.
LEGALDISCLAIMERANDLIABILITYRELEASETheinstructions,guides,andotherinformationaccessiblefromFindAnyFloor.
comareprovidedforinformationalpurposesonlyandwemakenoguaranteesaboutthecompleteness,accuracy,orfitnessforanyparticularpurposeofanyoftheinformation.
Weacceptnoresponsibilityforhowyouoranyoneelsemayusetheinformation.
Weacceptnoresponsibilityforanyinjury,loss,claim,ordamagearisingoutoforinanywayconnectedwiththeinformationpresentedherein.
Individualsshouldalwayscontactaprofessional,theirretailer,orthemanufacturerforspecificinstructionsandinformationonaparticulartypeofflooring,properinstallation,andcareprocedures.