Ultimate Guide to Ceramic & Stone Tile: Select, Install, Maintain (Home Improvement) (English and English Edition) [Paperback]

Editors of Creative Homeowner (Author), Home Improvement (Author), How-To (Author), Various (Photographer)

Book Description

Series: Home Improvement | Publication Date: June 1, 2006

Everything a do-it-yourselfer needs to know about tiling floors, walls, counters, patios, and more can be found in Ultimate Guide to Ceramic & Stone Tile. Design and planning information helps readers prepare the site and select the right tile–ceramic, stone, vinyl, glass, and more. Chapters on tools and materials feature how-to photo sequences so even novices can tackle tile projects successfully. The emphasis is on solid, durable installations that can stand up to years of use in kitchens, baths, and other areas. The book also covers exterior applications, and includes a practical and complete guide to repairing and maintaining existing tile.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Everything a do-it-yourselfer needs to know about tiling floors, walls, counters, patios, and more can be found in Ultimate Guide to Ceramic & Stone Tile. Design and planning information helps readers prepare the site and select the right tile–ceramic, stone, vinyl, glass, and more. Chapters on tools and materials feature how-to photo sequences so even novices can tackle tile projects successfully. The emphasis is on solid, durable installations that can stand up to years of use in kitchens, baths, and other areas. The book also covers exterior applications, and includes a practical and complete guide to repairing and maintaining existing tile.

From the Back Cover

Ultimate Guide to Ceramic, Stone Tile

The tile industry is exploding with new products and techniques, and the Ultimate Guide to Ceramic & Stone Tile will show you how you can use the latest tile and stone products, colors, and installation techniques to enhance your home.

• More than 60 step-by-step projects to help you install tile with professional results

• The latest in ceramic, stone, porcelain, glass, mosaic, terra-cotta tiles—and much more

• Over 550 photographs and illustrations to inspire you

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Creative Homeowner; Second edition (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580112978
• ISBN-13: 978-1580112970
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #281,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Tiling Book, January 5, 2008

By 

Book lover (Lexington, KY USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ultimate Guide to Ceramic & Stone Tile: Select, Install, Maintain (Home Improvement) (English and English Edition) (Paperback)

First let me explain this very lengthy review by saying that I want readers to understand that this book is, by NO means, just a book of pictures, as one reviewer complained. If you're looking for inspiration AND information, this is the book for you. It contains plenty of photographs of tiles of all types used in a full range of settings and uses. It is also full of instructions and details, not just about how to install tile properly, but also how to prep the area where you intend to install it, based on the type of wall, flooring, subflooring, etc., and what you might have to add to your existing floor or wall, based on what's already there. It also contains instructions for removing sinks and commodes before tile installation, removing baseboards, old vinyl, and other such things.

It includes basic tile info, from pictures of the basic sizes and shapes of tile, to "tile lingo," with pictures of all the different trim and specialty tile for corners, edges, etc., so you know what to look for and ask for when you're tile shopping, based on your intended installation area. It also has descriptions of tile types - ceramic, porcelain, stone, glass, terra-cotta, tile borders, painted tile and mosaic tile.

It also contains photographs, descriptions and instructions for use of a wide range of tools you'll need for tiling, both for installation and finish work, as well as tips for making other helpful tools, and gear you'll need to make yourself more comfortable while working.

The book contains diagrams for laying out tile, depending on whether you plan to install tile squarely or diagonally, and whether your room is square, out-of-square, or L-shaped.

Besides full preparation information for the areas of installation listed below, it includes good instructions on the noted subjects:

- floor: strengthening the subfloor, patching concrete, installing underlayment
- wall: extending outlets, removing baseboards, patching drywall or plaster, repairing holes, and installing new drywall
- kitchen countertop: strengthening cabinets and countertops, making and supporting a sink cutout
- tub or shower: removing old tile, dealing with existing plumbing, investigating water damage
- shower: designing a shower enclosure, installing a prefab shower pan or installing your own mortar-bed shower floor, building the shower curb, installing soap dishes, shower seats, grab bars, etc.
- tub: framing and tiling tubs, including floor framing support and platform framing

It also includes instructions for tiling fireplace surrounds and hearths, woodstove surrounds and hearths (including types of suitable tile), range hoods, stairs, pool decks, and existing exterior concrete (and how to build a new concrete base if you don't have one already).

For every area of installation it covers, it shows stunning design ideas that make you want to go tile shopping.

AND, last but not least, it has (1) a section on tile maintenance, cleaning and repair; (2) a section on installation specifications for tile over concrete slabs, for wood subflooring, for radiant heat, and for tile walls; (3) a resource guide; (4) a glossary; and (5) a nice index.

I checked out this book from the library, and after one look through it, I knew I wanted it on my bookshelf. I am certain that it will tell me everything I need to know to prepare for and complete my upcoming tiling projects. Thank you, Creative Homeowner, for an excellent book.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very beginner helpful, July 10, 2007

By 

rs sherex "Shedere" (Small town, OK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Guide to Ceramic & Stone Tile: Select, Install, Maintain (Home Improvement) (English and English Edition) (Paperback)

Never having installed tiling before, we felt it necessary to get so info before we started. Book seems to cover almost everything we needed. Still had a few questions about how to cut square holes in the middle of the tiles, how to correctly use nippers. Also needed to talk more about the current types of adhesives avail now. Overall helpful book and informative for the beginner.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Useful Book, January 17, 2012

By 

Joe Mellen (Louisville, CO, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ultimate Guide to Ceramic & Stone Tile: Select, Install, Maintain (Paperback)

I found this book to very detailed and quite useful for someone who was doing his first tile job. Highly recommended.