
Is back buttering tile going away?
The term is going away, but the process is here to stay. Back buttering, or buttering, has been practiced by many quality-oriented tile installers over time. This process includes spreading of a bond coat of mortar to the backs of the tile just before it is installed.
What is backback buttering?
Back buttering, or buttering, has been practiced by many quality-oriented tile installers over time. This process includes spreading of a bond coat of mortar to the backs of the tile just before it is installed.
How should a subway tile installation look like?
Generally speaking, when you come to the end of a wall and you want the subway tile installation to look like it “wraps”, or “folds”, onto the next wall. A 3-sided shower for example: You would typically center the back wall so the cuts are even on both sides.
Should I thinset the back of my tiles?
For large format tiles, and for natural stone tiles, back buttering the tiles with thinset, is always recommended, however for smaller tiles, usually 12" or less it may not be needed to achieve the recommended thinset mortar coverage on the back of the tile when it is set.

Should subway tiles be back buttered?
Back-Buttering shouldn't be needed. But, the best determination is to set a tile & then pry it off. You should have a nice even smush of Thin-set that covers the whole back of the tile.
Is it necessary to back butter tile?
Back buttering is especially important for tiles which are slightly bowed, uncalibrated or where the back of the tile is uneven. British Standards state that 80-100% coverage is needed with large format tiles and 100% for any tiles in wet areas, regardless of size or material.
Do you need to back butter mosaic tile?
2:143:49You don't always need to back butter your tile. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr more simply just back by the time so now you get a flat back and you put into this instead soMoreOr more simply just back by the time so now you get a flat back and you put into this instead so that's why sometimes you need to back butter a smaller towel like this.
How do you keep subway tile level?
1:489:45How to Tile a Shower with Subway Tile...Main Shower Wall TipsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then we used little tiny horseshoe shims that keep our spacing nice and even as we're climbingMoreAnd then we used little tiny horseshoe shims that keep our spacing nice and even as we're climbing up the wall would the subway tile.
How thick should you back butter tile?
0:408:02The Best Way to Back Butter a TILE. TileCoach Episode 32 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnything over 12 inch and then porcelain.MoreAnything over 12 inch and then porcelain.
Can I just back butter tile?
Although not necessary for tile coverage, back buttering can be effective by increasing the bond of the mortar to the back of the tile which is an excellent benefit.
How hard do you push tile into thinset?
4:446:35Trowel and Error - How to Set Tile the Right Way - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo finish set the tile firmly. And move it backward. And forward across the trial ridges about aMoreTo finish set the tile firmly. And move it backward. And forward across the trial ridges about a quarter to a half an inch.
How do you attach mesh backing to subway tile?
4:0915:30How To Install Subway Tile Installing TILE BACKSPLASH for the FIRST ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn your countertop. By their adding more spacers or actually scribing your tile to fit. Anyway. IMoreIn your countertop. By their adding more spacers or actually scribing your tile to fit. Anyway. I just kept working my way down the wall adding spacers between the sections of mosaic pieces.
What does back butter tile mean?
The term 'back buttering' refers to the process of spreading a thin-set adhesive to a tile just before it is placed. The adhesive is applied with a trowel to ensure proper adhesive coverage.
How do you finish the edge of subway tile?
Using caulk, trim tile pieces and edging are three of the most popular and effective ways to finish tile edges. Caulking is the cheapest and easiest method for finishing tile edges.
Can you cut subway tile without a wet saw?
For larger jobs, there are a number of tools that can make quick work of cutting tiles without a wet saw. A manual tile cutter works well for larger tiles, doesn't require electricity and is simple to use. An inexpensive pair of compound tile nippers assists in getting corners and curves just right.
Do you grout subway tile?
4:3313:05How to grout subway tile - DIY for beginners - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you were grouting floor tile. And for some reason had subway tile on the floor which doesn'tMoreIf you were grouting floor tile. And for some reason had subway tile on the floor which doesn't really usually make sense. Then you might use a sanded grout in that situation.
Should you use a tile leveling system?
It's almost certain that you will need a good tile leveling system to prevent tile lippage, especially when dealing with large format tiles. Due to its design, a tile leveling system interlocks the tiles, ensuring that the surface remains smooth and flat while the thinset dries.
Why are my floor tiles not sticking?
Something a little bit less obvious – but important nonetheless – has to do with temperature. Both the temperature of the tiles when you install them and the ambient temperature of the room can affect how well tiles stick, so make sure both are warm enough before you start.
What is back buttering where would you use it?
The term 'back buttering' refers to the process of spreading a thin-set adhesive to a tile just before it is placed. The adhesive is applied with a trowel to ensure proper adhesive coverage.
Where should you use caulking when using ceramic tile?
Caulk is often used around the edge of a bathtub, where tiles meet the tub. It can also be used in corners or around the base of showers. Caulk can also be used around drains and pipes to prevent leaks, or around doors and windows as a weatherproofing device.
What Else Does Back Buttering Do?
Mark Heinlein CTI #1112 and National Tile Contractors Association Training Director and Technical Trainer / Presenter explains back buttering as follows:
What is the mortar needed to bond to the back of a tile?
In order to obtain the needed transfer (and bond) to the back of the tile, the mortar must be fresh, meaning not skinned over and having enough moisture to initiate a bond to the back of the tile. This is especially important for porcelain tile, which, due to its dense body, is difficult to bond.
How do tile ridges fall?
The tile must be moved back and forth perpendicularly to the straight line troweling which causes the ridges to fall into the valleys provided by the trowel.
Why is mortar not bonded to tile?
But if the mortar has skinned over due to a dry substrate, windy site conditions, or high temperatures, the mortar will not transfer to the back of the tile and establish a good bond.
What is transfer tile?
According to the CTEF Certified Tile Installer Manual, Transfer is defined as, “ The required adhesion of a bonding material to the tile. ”
Why is it important to remove tile?
As you might imagine, it's critically important for the installer to periodically remove a tile to ensure that s/he is getting an adequate bond. If removing an occasional tile isn't practiced, an installer should reconsider the reason for not doing so.
Why is porcelain tile so hard to bond?
This is especially important for porcelain tile, which, due to its dense body, is difficult to bond.
What is back buttering?
back buttering is giving the tiles a ribbed bed of adhesive, back skimming is giving the back of the tile an un-ribbed skim of adhesive, these methods are to be used with normal spreading of your adhesive ie on your wall/floor.
What was underneath the old tiles on the breeze block?
Thanks for the link bolter, another thing to worry about!! It was skimmed with finishing plaster as underneath the old tiles was browning plaster on breeze block.
What size tile should I use for a bed?
8mm ceramic will be fine. Your bed won't be 10mm, that's just your trowel size. Once you've pushed the tile home, it'll be about 3mm i imagine.
How to check coveridge on tile?
Just to fill the whole of the tile profile which should give more a solid bed behind the tile, check the tile by putting one on and pushing and perhaps sliding slightly to one side and then taking off to give some idea how much coveridge there is on the tile.
Can you back skim tile?
For a large format tile like the one you have i would still back skim the wall tile..but after putting one or two on just pull a tile of and see what coverage you have on the back of the tile this will tell you all you need to know..
Can I use a 10mm trowel on 600x300 tile?
Now with the 600x300 wall tiles I take it I will be ok with a 10mm square notch trowel with adhesive only on the wall, no back buttering on the tile. Correct? If it makes any difference there is a sort of profiling of small squares on the back of the tile. What I am trying to say is that its not smooth!
What does it mean when subway tile wraps?
Generally speaking, when you come to the end of a wall and you want the subway tile installation to look like it “wraps” onto the next wall. A 3-sided shower for example: You would typically center the back wall so the cuts are even on both sides.
How far apart should I draw subway tile?
However, for 3×6 subway tile, I usually draw the lines either 9 or 15 inches apart. Why? So I can get a trowel in between the lines.
What is a 3x6 tile?
They make a 3×6 tile where the three-inch end is bullnosed. They also make a 3×6 tile where the six-inch side is bullnosed. This allows you to keep the pattern going out to the edge of the wall rather than break the pattern with a 2×6 bullnose tile.
How much gap between tile and wall?
The proper way is to run one wall past with 1/8″ gap between the tile and the wall. Then run the other wall into it and leave 1/8″ gap between the tiles. Sometimes the shape of the tiles will dictate that you do it differently.
How many vertical lines do I draw for subway tile?
When it comes to laying out subway tile, I always draw two vertical lines – one for each offset row.
Does Dal sell subway tile?
I don’t think Dal sells to the general public so you’ll probably have to order from a specialty tile store or maybe special order from Home Depot. But the 3×6 white subway tile is very popular and comes with many different trim options.
Does Home Depot carry the restore line?
edit: As of the original writing of this post, Home Depot now carries the “Restore” line which is exclusive to their store. This line is no longer compatible with the Rittenhouse line carried by Daltile.
What is back buttering?
Back buttering, or buttering, has been practiced by many quality-oriented tile installers over time. This process includes spreading of a bond coat of mortar to the backs of the tile just before it is installed. But during that time, others known as tile placers (called as such since they don’t measure up to the status of a tile installation ...
What is the tile on the left?
The tile on the left demonstrates both techniques; flat-back and notched back troweling. This method can be successfully used when setting tile on a ceiling where it is much easier to spread the tile rather than the ceiling substrate.
Do you have to key mortar into ceiling before setting tile?
However, the mortar must always be keyed into the ceiling substrate before setting the tile. Of course, these methods only work effectively if the tile is moved in a perpendicular back and forth movement to completely collapse the ridges of the mortar into the valleys, achieving the required mortar coverage.
Do you back butter tile?
Back-Buttering shouldn't be needed. But, the best determination is to set a tile & then pry it off. You should have a nice even smush of Thin-set that covers the whole back of the tile. If you don't get full coverage, then you can try it again with a bigger notch trowel...on a fresh clean tile. If that doesn't do it, then you'll want to back-butter every tile.
Can you use mastic to stick tiles?
Here is a fine notch trowel. With vertical tiles I sometimes use mastic because it sets faster than thinset especially with small tiles that are easily knocked out of position. mastic / tile adhesive.