Do I need to waterproof shower walls before tiling?

• <div><p>Yes, it would be best if you waterproofed your shower walls before tiling. The cement backing board behind the tile is not waterproof; it’s only water-resistant. On top of your tile backing board, be sure to use a waterproof shower membrane before you start installing your shower tiles.</p></div>

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Q: How do you use T-shaped tile spacers?

• <div><p>Add a T-shaped spacer to each corner of a tile when placing it. You&rsquo;ll want to nudge the tiles closer together so the spacers are touching each corner. When you&rsquo;re done installing your tile, you can remove each spacer, wash them, and use them for your next project. </p></div>

Q: What is the best trowel for penny tile?

• <div><p>The best trowel for penny tile is a 3/16-inch-by-5/32-inch V-notch trowel. Because of the small size of the penny tile, you want a trowel with small notches that can lay a thin layer of mortar on the surface you&rsquo;re tiling. If the notches are too wide, you risk applying too thick of a layer of mortar, and it can squeeze out between the penny tiles.</p></div>

Q: How do you secure flooring transition strips?

• <div><p>Flooring transition strips can be secured to the subfloor using glue, nails, or screws. For a more secure installation, especially in high-traffic areas, using screws or nails is recommended as it reduces the risk of slippage. However, if aesthetic appeal is a priority, glue provides a cleaner, more seamless finish without any visible holes or screw heads.</p></div>

Q: What’s the difference between floor and wall tile?

• <div><p>The difference between floor and wall tiles is that floor tiles generally have higher strength and porosity ratings than wall tiles. Wall tiles are typically weaker and more likely to crack or become damaged under sustained pressure like high foot traffic. </p><p>For this reason, avoid using wall tiles on floors and vice versa.</p></div>

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Backsplash Installation questions, answered by experts

Add a T-shaped spacer to each corner of a tile when placing it. You’ll want to nudge the tiles closer together so the spacers are touching each corner. When you’re done installing your tile, you can remove each spacer, wash them, and use them for your next project.

The best trowel for penny tile is a 3/16-inch-by-5/32-inch V-notch trowel. Because of the small size of the penny tile, you want a trowel with small notches that can lay a thin layer of mortar on the surface you’re tiling. If the notches are too wide, you risk applying too thick of a layer of mortar, and it can squeeze out between the penny tiles.

Yes, it would be best if you waterproofed your shower walls before tiling. The cement backing board behind the tile is not waterproof; it’s only water-resistant. On top of your tile backing board, be sure to use a waterproof shower membrane before you start installing your shower tiles.

Flooring transition strips can be secured to the subfloor using glue, nails, or screws. For a more secure installation, especially in high-traffic areas, using screws or nails is recommended as it reduces the risk of slippage. However, if aesthetic appeal is a priority, glue provides a cleaner, more seamless finish without any visible holes or screw heads.

The difference between floor and wall tiles is that floor tiles generally have higher strength and porosity ratings than wall tiles. Wall tiles are typically weaker and more likely to crack or become damaged under sustained pressure like high foot traffic.

For this reason, avoid using wall tiles on floors and vice versa.

The Puxico, MO homeowners’ guide to backsplash installation services

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