Until recently, floor tiles have been 8 to 12mm thick and tiles less than 7.5mm were not intended for floors. However, tiles engineered to be thinner have now entered the marketplace. Made of porcelain, they are being marketed as “thin tiles.” Are they the same as their thicker brethren, except thinner? Being thinner they take fewer resources to manufacture and ship, but where and when can they be used?

When properly selected, installed, and maintained, ceramic tiles are one of the most durable of all materials used to finish pools and spas. Certain types of natural stone tiles may be used in these areas, but the stones must have the same properties exhibited by vitreous or impervious ceramic tiles. They must also be strong enough to withstand the normal brushing, chemicals, and maintenance necessary for a pool or spa environment.

When I first entered the ceramic tile industry over twenty years ago, I did so with a small pamphlet of basic information I needed to know before I assisted my first customer. Looking back, I would venture to guess that most of my customers were more educated about how to install ceramic tile in their home than I was. The training I received was really not that bad. However, the company couldn’t afford for me to attend lengthy training programs. It was Learn On The Job 101.

One area of ceramic tile installation that has been receiving increasing attention from both manufactures of setting materials and end users is that of crack isolation and waterproofing membrane systems.