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- How to Clean Tile
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DIY Instructions for Ceramic Tile Installation

1. VERIFY YOUR ORDER
Please verify that your order is correct and complete as soon as it arrives. Make sure no tiles have broken in transport or that any tiles are missing. Contact us at 612-781-6409 if there are any issues.


2. SELECT A SURFACE
The best surface to put tile on is poured concrete or concrete board (Durock or Hardibacker).
Kitchens: Use DensShield or Hardibacker concrete board.
Fireplaces: Use concrete board for the walls. For the hearth use self leveling concrete or concrete board, 3/8”-5/8” thickness minimum.
Floors: Use poured concrete, self leveling concrete or concrete board, 3/8”-5/8” thickness minimum. Make sure there is no sealer on the concrete.
Bathrooms: Use concrete board for the walls. For the floors use self leveling concrete or concrete board, 3/8”-5/8” thickness minimum. Make sure there is no sealer on the concrete.
3. LAYOUT YOUR PROJECT
Please do not pull directly from the box and set tiles. For better results and less confusion consider making a cardboard or wood template of your space.
Layout the tiles for your project. Make sure they fit your measurements, and arrange them to enhance the variation. Making guideline on the wall using a laser guide or chalk line will help you keep the tiles straight and level.


4. LOCATE CUTS
Cutting tile is a common part of any tile job. Find a the tiles you need to cut and mark them on the back with a pencil. We recommend using a wet saw with the glazed side down. If any chips occur it will be on the back not the glazed side.
5. PREPARE YOUR SURFACE
To successfully apply tile the surface needs to be clean of oil, grease, dust, paint, sealers, and loose or peeling paint.
6. MIX MORTAR
We recommend a thinnest Mortar. Wear rubber gloves, and follow manufacturer instructions on box. Only mix as much mortar as you can use in 20-30 minutes. After mixing it should have a peanut-butter consistency. We do not recommend premixes.
7. SPREAD MORTAR
Use a notched trowel to spread mortar mixture across the prepared surface, creating combed rows. To guarantee full coverage “back butter” the tiles (thinly apply mortar to the tile back). When pressed into the combed rows it will suction to the wall or floor making it very secure from movement or sliding.


8. SPACERS
For spacing out tiles we recommend wedge spacers. They come in many different sizes to accommodate both historic and handmade tile. They also help prevent tile slippage on vertical surfaces
Handmade Tile: All our tile is nominal (sized to accommodate grout line) in size and is meant to be used with a 1/4” grout line.
Mid-Century Tile: These tiles are meant to be used with a 1/8” grout line. They have built in spacers on the edges of each field tile.
Flat Edge Tile: They are made to have very tight grout joints between 1/16 - 1/8. You will need a rubber float to push the grout deep into the joints
LET TILES SET FOR 48 HOURS
9. Relief/Matte Tile
Apply masking tape to the face of relief tiles prior to grouting. This speeds cleanup, preventing grout from sticking to grooves. Remove tape after the grout has been cleaned.
Relief Tiles: Medieval Floral Tiles, Stamped Tiles
Before grouting, matte tiles should be treated with Grout Release to avoid a hazing effect.
Matte Tiles: Avocado, Blueberry, Coco Moon, Coffee Cake, Copper Patina, Gingersnaps, Jade Moss, Northshore, Pesto, Quail's Egg, Tomato Bisque

10. CHOOSE GROUT
Grout is the concrete filler between the joints. It is not an adhesive. It is the finishing product to make your installation look great. We recommend Prism Grout by Custom Building Products or Power Grout by TEC.
Color: You also want to consider if your tile is warm or cool and choose grout with the same tone. For Prism Grout we recommend Natural Grey #09 for cool colors and DeLorean Grey #165 for warm ones. For Power Grout we recommend Standard Grey for cool colors and Light Pewter for warm ones.
Sanded: Used for joints 1/8” and larger. It should be used with our Handmade Tile.
Unsanded: Used for joints 1/8” and smaller. It should be used with our Mid-Century Tile and Flat Edge Tile.
Epoxy: A special case. It is used for wet surfaces and where two different surfaces meet up so there is flexibility as they expand and contract with weather.
11. FILL GROUT JOINTS
Wear rubber gloves. Force grout diagonally into joints with a rubber grout float. Ensure joints are completely filled. Wipe clean with a towel until grout haze is entirely gone. Use very minimal or no water to clean grout.


Clean-Up
DO NOT DUMP any mortar or grout water IN THE SINK it destroys plumbing. ALWAYS clean your hands, tools and buckets with a SEPARATE BUCKET of clean water.
How to Install
Handmade Tile
Installation Instructions for Clay Squared Art Tiles and Accessories

Installing Switch Plates
Our ceramic switch plates come supplied with color matching plastic screws. Use a screw driver to tighten screws by hand. Do not use power tools to install switch plates.?Ceramic switch plates do not bend. They will break if screws are overtightened.
DO NOT overtighten screws.
DO NOT use power tools.

Installing House Numbers
Hold your house numbers up to the side of your house and mark the hole location with a pencil. Pre-drill holes. Use a masonry bit to drill holes into any stucco exterior. Ceramic house numbers do not bend and will break if screws are overtightened.
DO NOT overtighten screws.
DO NOT use power tools.

Installing Medieval Floral Tiles
To Hang: Use the impressions on the back of the tile to hang either horizontally or at a 45 degree angle. It is recommended the tile be hung from a screw in the wall.
Every Medieval Floral tile is a one of a kind, hand carved, bas relief tile made by Josh Blanc. Each tile is individually hand glazed and fired.

Installing Cosmic Spot Art Tile
To Hang: Use either a gallery hanger or install a screw in the wall.
Every Cosmic Spot is a one of a kind, handmade tile created by Josh Blanc.

See our tile in your space and lighting
I had originally looked at Motawi art tiles for our kitchen backsplash, but they are way out of our price range. These tiles were just as beautiful and far more affordable.
- rieger
As a kitchen designer, I have ordered custom glazed tiles from Clay Squared for a few kitchen projects. My clients have been extremely satisfied with the tile in their kitchens. Josh has given us excellent customer service and we always receive products as scheduled.
- Absolute Interiors