b'A&D CORNERTileindustryexpertsagreethisural stone, may require additional isoneoftheeasiestinsurancesubflooring, wall studs or bracing. policiesforpreventinginstalla- Realize that the substrate for natu-tion problems. All types of settingral stone tile installations must be materials are available in varioustwice as rigid as that for a ceramic performancelevelstomeettheor porcelain tile installation. requirements of the job.Tilecontractorsshouldalways Contactthesettingmaterialfollowthe manufacturerforproductswithapplicablerec-thespecificcharacteristicsandommendations performancelevelsnecessaryforoftheTCNA success.AlwayspayattentiontoHandbookfor manufacturer instructions. Ceramic,Glass Additionally, always read and fol- andStoneTile lowthemanufacturersguidelinesInstallation,the printed on the bag of any productANSI (American since the mixing requirements and/ NationalSpecificationsforthe or application may be different thanInstallationofCeramicTile)as materials used in the past. wellastherecommendationsof the manufacturers products being 4. Confirm that tile installationused in the project.surfaces are flatIn order to provide a flat ceramic6. Minimum mortar coverage orstonetileinstallation,carpen- must be providedters,masons,concretefinishersTileindustrystandardsrequire andothertradesmustmeettheminimummortarcoverageof tile industry standards for flatness80%indryareasand95%in tolerances. wet(showers)orexteriorareas. IfsubstandardsurfacesareNaturalstonetileinstallations encountered,theymustbecor- require 95% coverage in all appli-rectedbeforeinstallationbegins.cations.Otherwise,youwillnothaveaThisreferstothecontactarea quality tile installation: the qualityof the bonding material (thin-bed of the installation will be compro- mortars, large-and-heavy-tile mor-mised. tars or epoxy adhesives) with both the back of the tile and the surface 5. Verify that the tile installationbeing tiled.surface is rigidCeramic tile installations require7. Ensure that tile site conditions astifforrigidsurface.Insomeare controlledcases, installations, including nat- Jobsiteconditionscanhavea 84TileLetter | April 2019'