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Installation Questions
Please email Tile Council of America if you have a technical question related to the underlayment, use of
setting materials, or other installation related question. You can reach them at [e-mail] or
you can view the TCNA Installation Handbook at http://www.tileusa.com/publication_main.htm
INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS
Before tile installation begins, the installer is responsible for checking the tile for obvious visual defects.
Cartons and pallets of tile must be blended to achieve an aesthetic blend. No claims will be accepted
after installations which have obvious visual defective tile. Substrate surfaces shall not show variations in
excess of:
Wall Floor
Dry-Set Mortar
1/8” in 8’ 1/8” in 10’
Organic Adhesive
1/8” in 8’ 1/16” in 3’
Latex-Portland Cement Mortar
1/8” in 8’ 1/8” in 10’
Epoxy 1/16” in 3’ANSI
Installation Standard:
Comply with applicable parts of ANSI A-108 Series for ceramic tile installation. Extend tile work into
recesses, and under and behind equipment and fixtures except where otherwise shown. Fit tile to
electrical outlets, piping, fixtures and other penetrations so that plates, collars or covers overlap tile.
Joints shall align vertically and horizontally between trim and field tile. Grout tile to comply with reference
installation standards using grout materials indicated.
Protection:
Leave finished installation free of cracked, chipped, broken, unbonded or otherwise
defective tile work. Protect all floor tile installations with kraft paper or other heavy
covering during construction period to prevent staining or damage. No foot or wheel
traffic permitted on floor for at least 7 days after grouting. Due to inherent size variation
in porcelain and ceramic floor tiles, a grout joint must be used. Your installer will be able
to recommend a suitable grout joint for the product you’ve selected.
Offset Installations (Brick Patterns):
The TCNA Handbook recommends no more than a 33% offset and a wider grout joint for offset
installations of tile larger than 18” on the longest side. This is because all tiles are higher in the middle
than at the edges. When the highest point (middle) of one tile is next to the lowest point (edge) of the tile
next to it, unacceptable lippage can result. Florida Tile is aware that many installers wish to use tiles
(especially 12”x24” tiles) in brick patterns with a 50% offset. Typically our tiles are flatter than those of
our competitors and better suited for this type of application. We do recommend a wider (3/16” minimum)
grout joint for this type of installation and it is important to avoid ‘wash’ lighting that is set close to the tiled
surface which can aggravate the appearance of lippage due to shadows. Our 6x24 and wall tile products
can be installed with a typical 1/8” grout joint and a 50% offset. Care must be taken to follow the subfloor
flatness and installation guidelines in the TCNA Handbook for a successful installation.