Get matched with top ceramic tile pros in Garnett, SC

You can, in theory, tile your fireplace hearth with most tiles. However just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. For example, it’s much better to use unglazed tiles because glazed tiles are more resistant to cracking under extreme heat. Porcelain is more heat-resistant than ceramic, but you can still design the hearth as you like by putting the most heat-resistant tiles directly under the fire and, if it matches your style, add more decorative tiles further from the center of the fire. 

Larger tiles can be difficult to install because they’re heavier and bulkier than their smaller counterparts, which makes them harder to haul around and put in place. Plus, if you don’t install the tiles correctly, they could crack or break. For these reasons, it’s best to hire a professional for large-format tile installation.

When working on your bathroom floor tiling, you should always tile the floor first and then refit the toilet afterward. This has both practical and visual advantages—the tile will have a better seal, and the installation will look cleaner.

On the other hand, when you try to cut the tiles to fit around the toilet, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage. It’s a lot more work, it’s hard to be precise, and mistakes or miscalculations can lead to future moisture damage to the tiling, grout, and subfloor.

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.