Tiling: Planning, Layout, and Installation

I've done tiling for several years and this book taught me things the pros did not teach me. It is well written and provides a lot of good information.

This is a good tile book. The only thing that I do not agree with is they show using "nippers" to cut many arcs. I always break my tile with nippers, and extensively use the technique shown on page 86 to cut arcs. By cutting many straight notches with your wet saw before using the "nippers" you break many less tile. I buy my own tile, maybe that's why. (5 broken tiles at $2 apiece = a good lunch) Some of the info is a little bit old, but very good for anyone looking to do tile. It shows all the techniques that you would reasonably want to know for a Homeowner or construction worker with minimal experience. The only things really missing are new products like Kerdi pre-formed drainpans, and membranes. You can google all the new isolation products and membranes and decide for yourself which you like. I only occasionally tile (more as a hobby) and am not sure, but I believe Kerdi is the leading brand. They do show cement boards (Durock, although it is likely you will find Hardibacker brand cement board instead; At least in my area)and they also show how to make your own substrate w/ mesh etc. The reason I bought this book was for the SHOWER DRAINPAN section, however now products like Kerdi pre-formed drain pans are much, much easier. If you are doing a non-standard drain pan, you will need to know this technique. One drain pan method that is not shown, is hot mop asphalt, presumably because there is no way you could do it unless you are a pro with special equipment. My Own Advice, Not related to the book: If you are going to do a tile project, you need a good / OK Wet Saw, you can get one for about $300. Many people try to cut tile with the cutting boards, and it simple does not work well. You just break the tile and get frustrated / waste time.