Polyblend Vs. Prism Grout (Compared)

Grouting ceramic tiles. Tilers filling the space between tiles using a rubber trowel.

When shopping for tile installation materials, you will have to make several decisions. For instance, you will have to choose a suitable type of grout. This decision isn’t always easy because there are different types of grouts in the market, and all promise better performance. Today, we will focus on two of the most popular … Read more

Laticrete Vs. Mapei Grout (Compared)

worker with rubber trowel applying white grout on red tiles

Grout has many benefits when used for tile installation. It gives the tiles a better-looking finish while preventing debris from penetrating between and under the tiles. Grout also improves the overall strength of the installed tiles. However, as beneficial as grout can be. You need to know that not all grout brands are made equally. … Read more

Can You Use RedGard Over Plywood? (Explained)

Plywood

Plywood has many benefits. It is a cost-effective solution. It’s available in many finishes and is suitable for use in cold and hot climates. However, plywood also has some drawbacks. For instance, you can’t tile directly over plywood. The movements experienced in the plywood will be transferred to the tiles causing them to crack or … Read more

Can DITRA Be Installed Over OSB? (Explained)

OSB sheets stacked in a hardware store. Construction material

OSB boards have been used since 1963. Therefore, do not be surprised when you find this material used as the subfloor of your home. OSB, known as Oriented Strand Board, is made of several layers of wood strands bonded using adhesives. On the surface, OSB may look fragile. But it’s pretty strong, which is why … Read more

Can You Skim Coat Over Asbestos Tiles? (Explained)

Asbestos tiles

If the tiles in your home were installed in the 1980s or 70s, there is a good chance they contain asbestos. A few years ago, asbestos was the go-to material for construction projects. However, it was banned worldwide in the 90s when scientists discovered its health risks. For most homeowners, the thought of living with … Read more

Can You Use Mastic On Cement Board? (Explained)

Cement board

Before any tile installation project, you must gather the tools and products needed. Mastic is one of the products that come in handy in tile installation. It is a ceramic, glass, and porcelain tile adhesive often used alongside thinset mortar to stick tiles to floors and walls. On the other hand, cement board is considered the … Read more

Can You Install DITRA Over Linoleum? (Explained)

Linoleum flooring

It’s understandable why you would want to lay DITRA over linoleum flooring. DITRA is one of the most effective uncoupling membranes that come in handy during tile installation. If you have decided to install tile over linoleum, you may have some second thoughts because of how picky tiles are about the substrates they should be … Read more

How Do You Tile Over Diagonal Plank Subfloor? (Explained)

Wood diagonal plank

Diagonal plank subfloors were the real deal a few decades ago. Therefore, if your home has such a floor, it’s probably vintage. If you plan on tiling over a diagonal plank subfloor, there are a couple of things that you have to know. First, Is It Advisable to Tile Directly Over Diagonal Plank Subfloor? It’s … Read more

Can You Tile Over Expanding Foam? (Explained)

expanding foam

Tiles offer property owners several benefits. They are aesthetically pleasing, easy to clean, and more durable than certain types of floors such as wood. Generally, tiles are very picky about the substrates they should be installed on. It’s probably why you are researching whether it’s possible to tile over expanding foam. Expanding foam has many … Read more

Laticrete Strata Mat Vs. DITRA (Compared)

Laticrete Strata Mat

An uncoupling membrane is a useful material for any tile installation job. It creates an ideal surface for laying tiles. And provided it’s installed correctly, an uncoupling membrane does an excellent job of reducing lateral stress, which can be transferred to the tiles. There are several uncoupling membranes on the market. They aren’t all built … Read more

Can You Use Redgard Over Mortar Bed? (Explained)

mortar bed

Constructors used mortar beds before concrete boards became popular. Mortar beds comprise thin concrete mortar areas that are often created on top of wooden subfloors. The purpose of a mortar bed is mainly to give tiles a suitable surface to bond to. On the other hand, RedGard is a liquid waterproofing membrane that is highly … Read more

Can You Tile Over MDF? (Explained)

an you tile over MDF

Tiles are usually very choosy regarding the materials they can adhere to. Even though experts have devised ways to make tiles adhere to almost any surface, ensuring that the substrate material is structurally stable is vital. Today, we are going to focus on tiling over MDF. We will answer whether tiles can adhere to MDF … Read more