Installation | Florida Tile
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Installation
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 info@tileusa.com or you can view the TCNA Installation Handbook at www.tileusa.com
 
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 15” 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. Florida Tile encourages installers to follow the TCNA Handbook recommendations. If an offset greater than 33% is specified, specifier and owner must approve mock-up and lippage*. TCNA handbook recommends a minimum 1/8th grout joint for rectified tiles and a minimum 3/16th grout joint for calibrated tiles. Florida Tile recommends 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. Care must be taken to follow the subfloor flatness and installation guidelines in the TCNA Handbook for a successful installation.
 
*Florida Tile will only be responsible for lippage if the material does not meet ANSI® specification.
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