the secrets of a great installation

wall: Modern farmhouse brick in gloss white; floor: cement 2x8 in basil. Design: jr corleto / photo: virtually here studios

think it over. a tile project is unlike almost any other you'll undertake. part art project, part architecture, part design, it can make or break… not just your wall or floor, but your entire space (because we know that all good design starts with your surfaces).

let’s take a walk through the whole tile process, from partnering with the right contractor to pre-planning the post-installation maintenance.

pick the right tile

be sure that you’re choosing the right tile for you and your project. while we always want your tiles to fit your design and give you that excited little spark, not every tile is appropriate for every installation. choosing the wrong tile will (we can pretty much guarantee) break your heart and your schedule (if not, of course, your budget.) your design team should use the material guidelines for each tile to help guide your selection, but an installer or contractor well-versed in artisanal tile needs to double check your particular installation situation.

hire an installer who is experienced with artisanal tile

in case you haven’t heard our most common refrain already, we’ll repeat it once more: your installation is only as good as your installer. and a good installer is harder to come by than you might think.

this is especially true if you are working with handmade, artisanal tile. handmade tile has more inherent variation than the mass-produced types of tile many contractors are used to working with. to learn more about the art of installation, read the confessions of a tile setter.

even if you go with a veteran installer, if they do not have experience with artisan tile, they’re unlikely to have the nuanced expertise the installation requires.

ask yourself these questions as you look for the right installer — and keep searching if the answers to these questions are not all “yes.”

• can they point to successful past projects that use your tile?
• do they have references and testimonials to back up their work?
• do past clients speak highly of their attention to detail and level of expertise?
• will they create realistic mockup boards?
• do they know their grout, and which selections will best suit your tile?
• will they order the right amount of tile, accounting for overage?
• do they always blend tile (or, perform a dry run with the tile) before installing it?

for more on hiring the right person for the job, take a look at these tips on hiring the right installer/contractor. for extra credit, peruse confessions of a tile setter, a behind the scenes look at what really happens in a project from an expert who knows (and how to make it all go more smoothly).

be sure to sample

there is no substitute for seeing a handcrafted tile in person. even the truest photography on the best screen can’t possibly show the nuances of a three-dimensional object. sampling will allow you to understand the color, the texture, the glaze of a tile and how it interacts with the specifics of your spacing and lighting. save time for this important step, and we’re here if you need more convincing.

order the right amount of tile

or rather, confirm that your contractor will order the right amount of tile. a proper tile order accounts for a minimum overage of 15% due to tile cuts and breakage — and to cover future repairs.

keep in mind, however, that 15% is a minimum: if you’ve chosen a tile with high variation and want a more uniform look, you’re better off going with 20% to 30% overage so you can hand-select the tile you will use in your installation.

now, let’s talk about add-on orders. to many homeowners, an add-on order may not seem like a big deal. let’s say you’ve decided you want to take your tile all the way up the wall rather than to the bottom of your cabinets. just order more tile, right? well, not exactly.

the thing to remember about tile — and especially artisan tile — is that it gets its unique character from the alchemy between the clay, the glaze, and the heat of the kiln (or a slightly different set of factors, depending on the material). this means that tile batches can vary significantly from one to the next. so, if you were to place one tile order and then add on another order further down the road, that second order likely wouldn’t match the first.

a few tips to help you avoid the dreaded add-on order:

• plan your design carefully, accounting for every square foot where tile will be installed.
• have your contractor measure carefully, measure twice and measure again.
• be aware of grout width. (we base all our square footage calculations on grout minimums.) if you’ll be going for a thinner grout line, order more tile.
• add a minimum of 15% overage, or as much as 20% to 30% overage.
• lay out every piece of your tile before having it installed. (if you do end up needing to place an add-on order, this is where you can blend to help smooth out the effect of inconsistent tile batches.)

approve an appropriate substrate

the substrate is the foundational surface on which your tile will be installed. it determines the short-term and long-term success of your installation — and your tile investment.

a good substrate serves as a secure surface on which your tile can stay adhered properly in place. it needs to be smooth, level, and strong enough to withstand the weight of your tile.

handled improperly, the substrate can flex or warp over time, causing tiles to shift, crack, or loosen. in addition to undermining your installation, a poor substrate can be a safety hazard as well.

a good contractor will factor in your home’s specific requirements when preparing the substrate. for example: new construction needs to account for settling over time and in an older home, the existing substrate may be uneven. if your space has a concrete slab on which you’ll be laying tiles, an anti-fracture membrane can prevent cracks by protecting against your tile’s natural flexing.

while creating a tile-worthy foundation is very much your contractor’s responsibility, the client or representative should always see that it’s done. do not move forward with your project until your contractor has shown you that they have created the perfect substrate for your tiles. that includes having the proper joists to support the installation, incorporating an anti-fracture or crack membrane where needed, setting above grade, and ensuring proper drainage in the case of a shower install.

dry run and blending

A dry run allows you to you lay out every single tile to ensure there are enough tiles to complete the installation area.

By laying out the tiles and confirming that there is enough product to cover the installation area (or not), you can avoid the worst-case scenario of placing an add-on order because you ran short and the new tiles may not match what was already installed. If this is noted during a dry run, the newer batch of tiles may fit in perfectly if they’re well blended with the first set. (impossible if they are already installed.)

we consider blending to be the golden rule of every tile installation. tiles are like wildflowers: each has its own unique characteristics, with slight differences in color, texture, thickness, and size. but when they are artfully arranged just so, the whole is much more beautiful.

this is especially true when you are working with handcrafted and artisanal tile. (we’re looking at you, zellige.) no two tiles are exactly the same, and all of this variation adds to the texture and spirit of your overall installation. if you arrange them properly, that is.

every experienced tile setter knows that they cannot begin installing tiles until every single tile has been unboxed, studied, and laid out accordingly. a well blended layout creates balance, movement, and harmony, with all the various colors and textures of the tile sprinkled throughout.

blending isn’t for the faint of heart, but this can ease the process:

• choose your tile carefully. make sure you have a deep understanding of what kind of variation to expect.
• order enough overage. as we mentioned above, this will help you avoid the dreaded add-on order.
• hire an installer who is experienced in artisanal tile. they will be especially conscious of the subtle variations found in this type of tile.
• have your installer perform a dry run blending and rearranging the tile until you’re happy with the layout (while you ensure there is enough tile to cover the entire area).
• have your installer create several mock-up boards. (more on those in a moment.)

create mock-up boards

mock-ups boards give you, the homeowner or designer, the opportunity to see the tiles in the area where you want them installed, under a variety of lighting conditions. they also give you a tangible sense of your grout thickness and color options. no contractor should move forward with an installation without creating mock-up boards.

these mock-up boards are also your contractor’s opportunity to conduct “grout trials,” using extra tiles from your order to try different grout colors, joint sizes, installation methods, and sealants. (yes, a proper grout trial includes sealing as well.) this will protect you against an unsavory outcome, such as a grout color that distracts from your tile, thick grout that does not properly fill thin joints, or grout that overemphasizes your tile’s crazing.

be sure your tile installer creates several mock-up boards and has you sign off on the options you like best. (again, that includes the installation method, grout thickness and color, and sealant method.) and if you aren’t satisfied with the results of your mock-up boards? find a different installer. the last thing you want is to be surprised when all of your tiles have been installed.

understand future tile maintenance

it’s crucial to have the right expectations in terms of tile maintenance from the get-go. if, for example, you love a surface that’s easy to wipe down, without requiring any regular resealing, raw terracotta may not be the best fit for you. (we’d recommend a glazed tile in this case, such as a classic subway tile.) for fellow pantina people™, cement tile might be what you're seeking.

every tile has technical specifications and material guidelines listed on its product page. study them carefully before selecting tile for your project — that way, you can be sure you’re choosing a tile that suits not only your aesthetic but also your expectations and lifestyle.

as always, your contractor is your main point of contact here. they can help guide your choices and make important maintenance suggestions, such as how often it will need to be resealed (which can vary widely depending on the material, level of water exposure, and location of installation).

continue your pre-installation journey by finding out what might just be a tile myth.