Ceramic tile tip #1

When you install ceramic tile on the floor, have the installer take a rubber mallet and tap them into place, says Mark Elliott, president of Elliott Homes, a builder in Morton Grove, IL. “When you pound on the tile, if there are imperfections, it will crack. An experienced installer will know that.”

If the tiles crack, they can be replaced right away.

Ceramic tile tip #2

When selecting a ceramic tile with a pattern, ask how many variations of each tile are available. Some inexpensive tiles have the same design impression on every tile. When the floor is laid out, you’ll quickly see that each one is exactly the same. As you get into more expensive tile, the manufacturer is able to randomly apply the color, so it gives you a slightly varied impression and a more natural look.

If this type of tile is $1 more a square foot and you’re only doing 100 square feet, it may be worth the extra $100 to have tile with four or five variations. It will look much more convincing.