Tile Installation Tips: Install your Tile Flat

Here is an important tile installation tip. Make sure that your tile is flat. Why? Trip hazards for one, as well as tile that is too high or too low will look dilapidated.

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Tile Installation Tips

Here is a supporting tile installation tip from the Floor Elf: "I constantly reiterate the need for a tile installation to be flat. Not necessarily level, but always flat. This is the mark of a true professional and the thing that turns an ‘okay’ installation into a spectacular installation. (Did I just type ‘spectacular? Jesus…) Anyway, the method I use on floor tile to get it flat is fairly simple and ensures that each tile is the exact same height as the tiles surrounding it. Before I show you that you need to understand, as always, that the substrate preparation is the most important aspect of this. If your tile substrate looks like a skate park you’re never going to get a flat tile installation over the top of it. Your substrate needs to be as flat as you can possibly get it. Take time with your preparation – it makes the rest of the installation run smoothly and gives you a solid foundation. Start by getting a few tiles set and make sure they are all flat with your straight-edge, just place the straight-edge on top of the set tiles and ensure that there are no open spaces beneath it and that every tile is the same height. You can push down on tiles that may be a bit high or take a tile up and place a little more thinset beneath it to raise it some. Once you have that correct the rest is cake, baby! (You ever seen a cake baby? They’re messy…) All these photos are of a travertine tile bathroom floor. I used travertine photos because it happens to be one of the least dense stones and usually have quite a few pits and open spaces in the stone itself. If the tile is ‘filled’ travertine, as this is, it is normally only filled from the front so that, once installed, it has no open areas or pits on the face of the tile. [READ SOURCE ARTICLE]

The next thing you want to realize is that while the tile type you're working with is important, so are your tile tools.  Only buy contractor tile tools.  But where can you get such things?

Where Can I Buy Contractor Grade Tile Tools?

Where can you buy contractor grade tile tools? While you may be able to find a tool supplier in your town, unless you live in a major metropolitan area, you might run into some difficulties. A great place to buy tile tools is online.

A good online supplier will have both tile tools as well as grout.  So remember, start with your tiles.  Only get professional grade tile tools.

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Tile tools should always be chosen based on the sort of tile project you are doing.

Tiling Projects and the Right Tile Tools

Your tile tool selections vary based on your project.  Here is a great tiling project for grouting a tile inlay from the DIY Network:

   
How to Grout a Tile Inlay
Once the tile inlay is installed, it's time to grout it. The experts show the best way to grout the tile inlay.


Step 1: Mix the Grout

Mix the grout in a small bucket. Add a little water and use a drill blending tool for easy mixing. Add a small amount of water or grout until the desired thickness is achieved. Allow the mixed grout to sit for about 10 minutes to reach the proper consistency.
mix grout in small bucket
Step 2: Apply the Grout

Use a soft rubber float to apply the grout to the joints. Pull the float across the joints diagonally to keep the grout in place.
apply grout to joints
Step 3: Remove the Excess Grout

Once the grout has set, use clean water and a sponge to begin removing excess grout. Pull the sponge across the tiles at an angle, taking care to rinse the sponge often. After the surface has dried to a light haze, wipe a second time using sponge and fresh water.

Tip: Use two buckets of fresh water, to prevent stopping for a water change.
remove excess grout
Step 4: Apply the Caulk

To seal around the border of a hardwood frame, apply caulk the same color as the grout. Fill in the seam, then wipe it smooth with a finger and damp rag.
seal around hardwood border with caulk
Step 5: Fill in the Nail Holes

Use wood putty to fill in nail holes on the hardwood floor surface and the the corners of the tile frame.   [READ SOURCE]

What Tools Would You Need For This Tiling Project? 

As this is an existing tile inlay, it is doubtful that you'll need a tile saw, but you never know.  More than likely, however, you're going to need grout tools of different types. 

The most important thing to consider is that you get tile tools that are designed for contractors

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Contractor Grade Tile Tools For Any Job

The difference between a tiling fiasco and a successful tiling project is the right tile tools.  That's one reason to select the sort of tile tools that contractors use.

Professional Tile Tools: There is a Difference

Is there a difference between professional tile tools and tools that you can buy at a hardware store or a big box home improvement center?  In a word, yes.  Whether you are working around the home, installing new tiles in the living room or other rooms, or working on a larger commercial job, it is important you have the right tile tools to complete these jobs. For this reason, it is important to know what tile tools are available to complete different jobs, what you will use them for, and how to use them, in order to complete any job. These are a few of the popular tools you will use, whether working at home, or on a big contract for a commercial client.

Saws & Saw Stones -
Tile saws allow you to cut through larger piece of tile, so you can place the smaller pieces on a tight corner or edge, or to a smaller space. Saw stones will make cutting the tile a bit easier, with the heavy power electric motor, allowing you to cut through stone, granite, and other grades of tile with the slightest of ease. Of course you have to purchase the right tile and stone blades, based on the type of tile you are working with and want to cut through. So, it important to know what type of blade is required, to get any job done.

Cutters & Nippers -
Another popular set of tile tools are cutters and nippers. A professional grade, ball-bearing cutter can easily cut through the largest, thickest tile, allowing you to get the desired size when working with different types of tiles. Tile nippers also allow you to work with smaller pieces of tile, or cut through smaller portions, if working at home. These tile tools will make it easier to perfectly fit a piece of tile you have to cut, whether it is on a wall, floor, or any other surface you are laying the tile down onto. 

Contractors and Tile Tools

If you think about it, it makes sense to get contractor-grade tile tools.  After all, how many times do you see contractors buying cheap tools?  They can't.  Their very livelihood depends on them doing the job right the first time.  Are tools the only thing you need to put down tile?  We'll cover this more in a future article.

Not at all.  You do need a bit of knowledge.  You also need a lot of time.  But in addition to this you need to have professional tile tools available to use.  

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Tile Tools and The Modern Contractor Contd.

Continuing points from our previous article, this article will cover more on tile saws and tile tools in general.

Saws, Tile Tools, and Tiling Systems

Light and portable tile saws are recommended as tile tools for contractors who work on small projects. On the other hand, if you have a large project and you need a lot of cutting to be done, then it might be for the best to use the wet tile saws. Often times, the purpose of the project dictates the actual choosing of the tools.

Another popular category of tile tools is the one of blades. When choosing blades for your saw, you have to think about the quality of the tile cutting. You need your saw to guarantee a crisp or an aesthetic look; otherwise, you will be disappointed with the quality of the cutting. There are two main types of blades available; the first is for wet saws, while the second is recommended for dry saws. The wet blades are for the saws that function with the help of water, the risk of over-heating being reduced. These saws are useful tile tools for contractors, allowing one to cut granite, porcelain or marble with increased precision. Dry blades have a small diameter and they are mainly recommended for the cutting of granite and porcelain.

Tile Cutters and Installation

Other popular categories include: tile cutters and nippers, tile tools that are recommended when installing a shower, polishing and profiling equipment, tile grouting tools, leveling systems, spacers, wedges, drilling tiles tools and accessories. As there are many choices to be made, it is for the best to make a list with all the tools that you may need and then add them to your shopping cart, one by one. If you are not certain which tools you should purchase, then use the Internet and research for a little while. 

It might also help to talk with contractors who are more experienced. They will help you choose the right tile tools for contractors. The next time you find yourself online, you will know for certain what kind of tools you need for a specific project. And the great thing is that you have all of the tools in just one place, meaning online. No more running from store to store, trying to get everything on the list!

Buy Tile Tools Online

Tile Tools and the Modern Contractor

Are you interested in finding tile tools for contractors? Do you want to locate the best prices for tile tools? If you have answered yes to either of these two questions, then you should take your time and read this article until the last paragraph.

Why Buy Tile Tools For Contractors Online?

Why should you buy tile tools online? In this article, you will have the opportunity to discover why the Internet is the best place to buy tile tools. Not only will you benefit from the most discounted prices, but you will find the largest selection of tile tools available on the market. Let’s find out more information on the subject.

If you are working as a professional contractor, then it is only normal you are interested in purchasing tile tools for contractors at the best possible prices. Well, if that is the case, then you need to take your time and see what the Internet has to offer. One of the most important product categories is the one of tile saws. You cannot be a contractor and work on home improvement projects if you don’t have at least one time saw. Thanks to online virtual stores, one can find a wide range of tile and stone saws, not to mention the most incredible array of saw parts and accessories.

Types of Tile Saws

Once you have decided to look for saws, you should know that there are several types available, including the hand held type, the small and portable type, the wet tile type and the large stone type. Each of these saws have different functions and recommendations; apart from the selections mentioned above, you can also find rail saws and stone track saws. If you know a thing or two about tile saws, then you can shop for these tools according to their brand. Some of the most popular brands of tile saws include Dewalt, Husqvarna and MK Diamond but you can find other great choices as well.

Also, it might be important to decide what kind of tiles you want to use the saws on. In general, saws can cut tiles made from stone, concrete or brick. Newer models also cut fiber cement siding, stucco or pavers.

Ultimately, you want to find a source for tools that you can use again and again, and that includes buying tile tools online.