Tile and Stonework

Learn how to install wood lintels with a steel lintel on top. Find out the best type of wood to use, proper installation, and flashing techniques.

Install uncoupling membranes over plywood subfloor properly with this technique. Spritz plywood with water using a garden sprayer for consistent coverage.

Breeze blocks from Clay Imports are made in Mexico of natural clay and offered in 14 different shapes and sizes.

These tile collections from Kohler WasteLab are made up of materials diverted from landfills.

Adding fireclay to the mortar will allow you to have blazing fires without worrying about damaging the stone walls.

The Circles + Curves line from Clé introduces compelling colors and patterns for floors, walls, or backsplashes.

The crew hear from listeners about good construction screws and Chicago building codes before taking questions about improving a row house, and fixing tile substrates.

Schluter’s Primer-U enhances adhesion of mortars to hard-to-bond surfaces.

The best levelers are easy to insert and tighten without tools, apply enough pressure to keep adjacent tiles level, and break away cleanly when the thinset cures.

Brian Pontolilo, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about hygric buoyancy and wet basement floors before taking listener questions about air-sealing the floor of a vintage mobile home, taking building tests, and the right mortar for ready-to-tile shower pans.