All guides
Tile types: ceramic vs. porcelain and how to tell them apart scientifically
The real difference between ceramic and porcelain is water absorption, not the brand name. The international tile classification by forming method and water absorption, and how to read it in a manufacturer's catalogue.
How to read tile specifications: PEI, slip resistance, breaking strength and chemicals
A simple, accurate explanation of the key figures on a tile data sheet: the PEI abrasion rating, slip resistance R9–R13 and DCOF, breaking strength groups, and chemical and stain resistance.
Professional tile installation: coverage, joint widths and large-format tile
The most common tile failures (hollow tiles, cracking, debonding) come from installation, not the tile. The ANSI installation rules used worldwide for coverage, joints, offsets and large-format tile.
Common tile problems: hollow tiles, tenting and cracking, grout cracks, and white salts
The most common tile complaints have well-known causes: missing movement joints, poor adhesive coverage, or moisture. Each problem, its cause and its fix, based on guidance from the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) and the Tile Council of North America.
Yard and driveway paving: interlock, porcelain, stone and concrete, and why the layers under the surface matter more than the surface
Comparing yard and driveway surfaces: interlocking concrete pavers, outdoor porcelain and ceramic, stone, and concrete. From the ICPI construction guide: layer thicknesses, compaction, bedding sand, joints and slopes, and the mistakes that cause settlement, ponding and efflorescence.