There are a couple of things to keep in mind when installing tile outdoors. Different weather conditions will be a factor in what type tile you use. Porcelain is good to use in areas where there is a lot of rain and some snow. Also, glazed tiles can be very slippery and are probably not best to use outdoors. On the show different sized tiles with different colors and shapes were used and they were set in a free-style manner rather than repeating a pattern. Traditionally, you would find your center point and then set the tiles starting from the center and work your way out. Here are the steps for laying tile: - Mix thin-set mortar according to directions (figure A).
- Set up small stacks of tile ahead of time near the starting area to allow you to work for longer stretches without needing to run back and forth for more tiles.
- Use the flat side of trowel to apply the thin-set (figure B). This will give you a really tight connection to your slab.
- Use the comb edge of the trowel to scratch the floor to create grooves (figure C) making sure they are all going in the same direction.
- It is very important when setting the tile that you slide them into place. It only takes about a width of the grout joint for the slide (figure D) -- that way you just sink the tile into the thin-set.
Expert Note: When setting most tiles, especially the larger ones, you will probably want to use spacers. These come in various sizes and will help you keep a consistent grout line throughout the entire job. - When some of the thin-set comes up between the grout joints, just clean them out using the spacers (figure E).
- The different heights in the tiles will require you to put a little more thin-set on the backs when using the smaller tiles so that all the tiles will be the same height.
- The spacers are 3/16th's of an inch thick and will help ensure consistency in the width of the joints.
- On a hot day, do not work the thin-set out too far because it starts to dry out. If it does, just put a thin flat layer of thin-set on the back of the tile (figure F) to make a better connection once you set it in place.
- You don't want to get too much of a straight line going on a free style project. To break things up, keep working the thin-set towards you, staggering the rows, always remembering to offset your lines (figure G).Even with the grout lines offset, it is important that they all stay even and straight to each other running in both directions.
- Sometimes special cuts are necessary. Make sure to think them through and remember to include the width of the grout lines in all calculations. A wet saw (figure H) will give you fast and precise sizes for your special cuts. Set your cut tile in place remembering to set the cut edge against the wall and the finished edges facing finished edges for a professional look.
- Occasionally check the coverage of the thin-set by pulling up a tile (figure I) that has just been set into place and looking at the bottom.
- No wall is perfectly straight and at times you will have to cut some tile to allow for the unevenness (figure J).
- If you do not define the steps, you might not ever see them because they would blend into all the colors. For this, you use bullnose pieces (figure K) and it is best to keep with one solid color as an outline because it adds a lot to the look and design of the porch.
- Start by applying the thin-set on the riser of the doorstep. It goes over the crack isolation membrane without any problems at all. The process is the same as you did for the rest of the porch. Once the tile is in place set a spacer, pick a color and move on. Do your risers first. With the thin-set trowel on top of the step, set the bullnose piece along the edge just hanging over enough to cover the riser tiles (figure L).The tiles inside the border are the same as the rest of the porch. The bullnose borders really make the steps pop out.
- Let the tiles set overnight before you do the grout. This will allow the thin-set mortar to cure.
GUESTS :
Tim Malo
Dakota Tile, Inc.
7930 Middle Valley Rd.
Hixson, TN 37343
Phone: 423-843-1303
Tim Bolby
Crossville Porcelain Store
346 Sweeny Dr.
Crossville, TN
Phone: 931-484-2110
Fax: 931-484-8418
E-mail: tbolby@crossville.com
Website: www.crossvilleceramics.com
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