Customer Reviews

Working with Tile (Taunton's Build Like a Pro)

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

 

 

This book covers all kinds of tile work, including tiling a floor, wainscotting, fireplaces, backsplashes, showers, countertops...just about everything. It even has a chapter on installing glass tile and tile repairs.

This book was fantastic! It has photos of all the steps, great explanations and a section with Q&A's and oftentimes a section called "What Can Go Wrong". I reviewed a different tile book which I purchased prior to this one, (see all my reviews), but this one made up for my disappointment with the previous book.

If you are looking for a book on tile, I highly recommend it. Very colorful, easy to read and understand. I have not bought another tile book after finding this one. It covers everything.

Depending on your skill level, potentially a good book. For my first tile project (a bathroom floor + tub surround) I relied John Bridge's "Tile Your World," this book, and Michael Byrne's "Setting Tile"--roughly in that order of preference. I recommend all 3 as each has different valuable info. Books are cheap compared to your time & materials cost.

This book has the advantage of great photos and it's modern, unlike Byrne's book or Bridge's first (older) book. However, it definitely lacks key pieces of information and is quite sparse. You need to read, and reread, each section several times because the text is not written in a linear, step-by-step format. (Where was the editor?) I think it's more of an overview with ideas about design, tools, etc. than a clear "how-to" which the Bridge and Byrne books are. Numerous high quality color photos which are helpful for design and for learning some layout tricks.

Things I dislike: (1) minimal discussion of key things like how to mix thinset, the tub-to-tile junction in a tile surround, etc. I'm sure there would be more if I had advanced beyond floors and tub surrounds. (2) They should retitle it "Spend Like a Pro." Rather than tell a DIY-er what's essential vs. what can be done with basic tools, Meehan assumes that as needed you will drop $2000 on a Gemini Revolution saw, buy a DeWalt mitering wet saw ($1000), buy only Stabila levels ($$$), buy top-of-the-line laser leveling tools, buy a $60 A-square, use only Ditra, etc. These are great (and I do use Ditra too) but there are certainly cheaper ways to avoid. If this is your only resource, you'd never know about alternatives.

Do yourself a favor and buy this book but get the newer Bridge book and the Byrne book too. Also discover the tile forums on the web.

This book could easily have garnered a 5 star review if it didn't skimp in some key areas:

1) I would have liked to see more details, tips, tricks and illustrations on layout. Such an important subject probably deserves a dedicated chapter.

2) I would have liked to see more details on common substrates. I understand the author likes to use ditra and its companion products but 90% of us doing projects at home are going to be limited to stuff that you get at the local tile store or hardware store (like backer board). Any complete reference should cover all of the options and methods in detail, not just the authors current favorites.

Tiling is not a new DIY project for me, so I was looking for a book to instruct me on the finer techniques, materials, and tools for all types of tiling jobs. This book was just the ticket! The Meehan's have a authored a first-rate publication complete with a variety of projects, trade tips, cautions, tool advice, and options for further research. Oh, and lots of great pictures too! I learned much that I can't wait to apply in my next project. This book has also inspired me to dream of potential projects that have only been subcontracted possibilities to-date. If you have never laid a tile or just need a nudge to greater skill levels, this How-To book is a must-read!

As an avid do it yourselfer, I occasionally come across tile projects. Easy enough to find materials at local stores, but a bit more of a challenge to find suitable instruction. This book has it all, written in very clear style. Nice photos, and address use of tile in virtually any situation. Indeed this book provides the basis for my project of tiling the range hood surround. Especially helpful are the comments about use of glass tiles. Enjoy and good luck with your projects.

A great beginner's book on methods and materials. Explanations are simple but lacking if you want
more detailed instructions. Styles change so quickly that the finished room pictures are somewhat
dated.

I bought this book hoping for a detailed how-to before tiling my kitchen and bathroom. Unfortunately, it mostly follows the authors' deluxe slate floor installation (over a "ditra" mat that I can't find locally). Beginner questions (like examples of simple layouts, how to choose from the many varieties of thinset available, how to tell if the thinset and grout are the right consistency -- and what you can do if they aren't -- how to handle tiling around tubs, toilets and other fixtures) just aren't addressed. Lots of pretty pictures, which is why I picked it up, I guess.

I've done a few very minor tile projects and I'm ready to tackle a fireplace surround and hearth. The author talks in plain english, there are a lot of pictures to help you understand things better. Good read.