Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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

Good solid book for the beginner. I would like to illustrate that if you are wishing to have tile installed, talk to a professional and let them look at the site. Costs are very small but will save you a lot of aggrivations later when you find out something is wrong.

This book touches on a lot of different stuff but leaves out a LOT of details. Much of the time it says something like, "These are some of the options with this type of job -speak to your tile distributor for more details..."

I wanted more specific information like deciding what size grout lines with certain types of tile/stone in different applications. Often the book would cover a few different options but really not go into any detail or which one was best where or why.

The pictures were nice, and the book seems to cover a broad spectrum of tile jobs -but when it comes down to the specifics I would have liked to have found more specific information.

Before looking at this book I had looked at a lot of others. They all seem to suffer from this same information deficiency. I guess what I really was looking for was more of a text book that they give to apprentice tile-layers detailing the ins and outs of the job. I'm sure there is such a book out there somewhere but I never was able to find it. They can't all learn this solely on the job -can they?

When it came to deciding what kinds of materials to use in certain circumstances and the reasons for choosing the best ones over the ones that are not recommended I found the book lacking.

The reason I bought this book was that I am currently putting in a mortar-bed shower and tiling it with natural stone. The relevant passages in this book that pertained to my project was only a couple of pages. The treatment of showers and wet locations were mostly limited to installing a liner or pre-fabbed pan. The actual tile work and any discussion about the best type of tile to use was pretty lacking.

At least I didn't pay a whole lot for this book -and maybe it will help me more on a future project that isn't as technical -or as important that it not leak or be water-damaged.

This book is great, easy to read & follow. Highly recommend for others to use.

Everyone is doing solid surface & stainless steel. Stand out from the crowd, go with tile! The new grout & thinsets on the market take care of the old regrouting & sealing problems.

This book was worthless and a waste of my money. I do not recommend this book to anyone!! It was mostly pictures. How is a book of photo's with out any real information claim that it is the utlimate guide to ceramic tile and stone. This book was less useful than any magazine with ideas about ceramic tile and stone.