Essential Tiling Terms for Your Project

Essential Tiling Terms for Your Project

Understanding key tiling terms is crucial for the success of your tiling project. Here are some essential terms to know:

Adhesive: The glue used to attach tiles to the substrate. There are various adhesive products available. Always consult your installer or contractor for advice on your specific project and tile type.

Grout: A hardening compound used to seal the joints between tiles. With many grout products on the market, it's best to seek advice from your installer or contractor.

Movement/Transitional Joint: This is where tiles meet another surface, such as a shower tray. This joint is filled with silicone sealant instead of grout to allow for minor expansion and contraction, preventing stress transfer from the substrate.

Pointing: The process of applying grout with a thicker consistency into the joints using a squeegee. The grout is pressed firmly and finished with a grouting tool for a neat finish. Excess grout is removed with a damp sponge.

Render: A wall finish usually made of sand and cement in a 4:1 ratio.

Silicone Sealant: An elastic and waterproof material used to fill movement joints instead of grout.

Slurry Grouting: This method uses a runnier grout mix spread across a large area with a spreader, ensuring it fills all joints and any pits or holes in the tile. It's recommended for pitted tiles like travertine for hygiene and cleaning purposes.

Stud Wall: Internal walls in a home, typically made of plasterboard over a wooden framework.

Substrate: The surface onto which tiles are laid.

Thin Set: A layer of adhesive applied to a depth of less than 1/4 inch.

Optimize your tiling project with the right tools and knowledge. At Surfaces Galore, we provide top-quality natural stone surfaces and comprehensive guidance to help you achieve the perfect finish. Explore our range of products and get expert advice tailored to your specific needs.

Contact Surfaces Galore today to start your tiling project with confidence.

Warnings and Disclaimers

WARNING: Products sold at Surfaces Galore contain chemicals, including stone dust, known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

Disclaimer: Surfaces Galore provides information to offer customers an overview of the process from choosing to installing our natural stone surfaces. However, we are not responsible for any mistakes, problems, or issues that may arise. All responsibility for the selection, installation, and any associated outcomes rests solely with the customers.