Gauged porcelain tile panels/ slabs (GPTP/S) are the latest and greatest buzz in the tile indus- try. As an installer that’s all you needed, right – one more tile to learn how to install plus the need to buy a whole new set of tools? You thought a 24” x 24” inch tile was big, but now we have tiles that are larger than 5 x 10 feet. These porcelain tiles can come as thin as 1/8” (3mm) and as thick as 3/4” (20mm). They can be installed on walls, floors, and as counter tops. Gauged porcelain panels/slabs are normally glazed using the lat- est inkjet technology, which allows slabs to look just like natural stone slabs of marble, limestone, or any other type of natural stone or con- crete.There really is no limit to what kind of look manufacturers can pro- duce using computers and inkjet technology. The inkjet technology that manufacturers use allows them to create the natural variations in tile panels that are typical of natu- ral stone. The reproductions are so good that even I have to get on my hands and knees to determine if it is a real stone or not. These tiles are very durable, as long as they are installed correctly; but of course that is the trick. If you learn how to install these tiles properly there are big rewards: more jobs; more money; and no problems. To install these tile pan- els correctly, you need the right tools, you need to properly prepare the tile substrates, and you need to properly install the slabs in a way Why you need to learn how to install gauged porcelain tile slabs/panels Sponsored by TECH TALK –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– By Donato Pompo, CTC, CSI, CDT, MBA 40 TileLetter | November 2017