Setting Large Format Floor Tiles

Some of us attended a very informative tile installation seminar given by Crossville’s Director of Technical Services, specifically addressing two types of installations that have a history of producing unsightly, undesirable results.  He discussed the do’s and don’ts of glass tile and large format rectangular tile installation.  If not specified correctly, the installation of these tiles will almost always be problematic, guaranteeing an irate and unhappy client.

Exercise caution when specifying glass mosaics, especially in wet locations.  Obtain installation recommendations from your Rep. Be sure to review and discuss with the installer the manufacturer’s ‘Installation Guide’ for recommendations on substrate preparation, setting material types and colors, grout type and color, provision for expansion and contraction, and proper tile cutting and installation tools and methods.  All of these are critical for a successful, trouble-free installation.

Since we specify many large format rectangular tiles, we must be aware of the installation pitfalls that can occur when we don’t properly specify or require use of the correct large tile installation method. Many large format tiles have precisely cut rectified edges which ensure uniformity in two dimensions. However, even the most precision tiles meeting industry standards are subject to warpage (arc or crown) due to tension developed during pressing and drying.  Rectangular tiles are more prone to warpage than square shapes. To minimize these problems, Crossville and other manufacturers may cut rectangular tiles from larger square tiles.

Some recommendations to minimize lippage (edge to edge misalignment) between tiles:

Use a loose (wetter) sand-rich mortar mix

Mechanically vibrate or tamp edges of tile into proper alignment

Use medium bed (not thinset) mortar

1/8” min. joint (not credit card width)

Don’t use a half tile staggered pattern

In concrete Spec Section 3100, specify that substrate shall be level to max.1/8” in 10ft (not typ. ¼”)

Please review Crossville product literature for more detailed tile installation recommendations.

We are very interested in your comments and feedback, please email us at feedback@aaidesign.com

Hybrid Interior Lighting

A recently published article in the ‘Technology’ section of the January-February ‘Iluminate’ publication titled “The Potential of Hybrid Fluorescent-LED Products” bears reading.  The author writes that combining fluorescent and LED sources in a single fixture makes a great deal of sense for those wishing to produce good ambient and task illumination. Pendants using fluorescents provide indirect illumination-something LEDs are not well suited for, while LEDs allow focused task illumination that fluorescents are unable to match.

There is a compelling opportunity for manufacturers to combine solid-state with conventional lamp-based products in hybrid luminaire designs.  Hybrid products apply the best attributes of each source into luminaries that deliver greater performance or unique aesthetics beyond the capability of a single source approach. The challenge that manufacturers currently face in applying the hybrid approach in luminaire design is finding a viable match between the capabilities of the two sources.

We are very interested in your comments and feedback, please email us at feedback@aaidesign.com