How to Install Mosaic Bathroom Tile | This Old House

The tilers are working with a unique pattern in the bathroom

Erik and Mark Ferrante are working with a unique pattern for tile in the Cape Ann guest bathroom. Erik shows Kevin O’Connor how he cuts and lays out the tile on plywood to make sure the pattern is centered. He then installs it on the floor.

About This Old House TV:
This Old House is the No. 1 multimedia home enthusiast brand, offering trusted information and expert advice through award-winning television, a highly regarded magazine, and an information-driven website. This Old House and Ask This Old House are produced by This Old House Ventures, LLC and are presented on PBS by WETA Washington, DC.

Follow This Old House:

How to Install Mosaic Bathroom Tile | This Old House

[MrKGado]

I enjoyed seeing a quick glimpse of the finished product. Please include more of that in future videos.

[loco]

Those ferranti guys are top notch. Well done folks.

[santaclaus]

I always follow these videos, since mr tom silva was a young guy, around 30 years ago, and still working

[farmthestars]

"Were gona do it by eye"

*notices line is uneven 😂*

[StanwoodStudios]

5:30 tile looks great, plumbing stub outs not so much!

[Lucas-vdgx]

Looks good! Does anyone one know the brand of the tile?

[bradleyrogers]

so, how is the camera guy getting out? lol

[bill]

It’s nice but what did they have to grout

One thing I absolutely hate, is tiling 🥴

Great job fellas 👍

[ddrum]

In the prep work, they tacked down the cement board, so that it doesn't move as they're walking on it, but they didn't fasten it down nearly enough. Hardie Backer has a nailing pattern stamped into its face, but in general, you're looking to fasten in a 9"x9" grid. Either screws or ring shank nails do the job well. But, it also doesn't sound like they applied thinset under the cement board. They're basically setting those tiles on a trampoline. The grout joints will crack out quickly, and the tiles may last longer, but will eventually pop in high traffic areas.

[neosmith]

you never swirl the buttering! only asking for trouble later on!

[Spacecadet]

Trowel lines aren't straight. Those aren't going to collapse evenly when the tiles are tamped and will leave air pockets and unsupported areas behind the tile, which can crack easier.

[Davey]

Actually showing the final product? What's this now?

[billwilson]

All well and good, but what if the room you are tiling is not a perfect rectangle? I think that would make the tile cutting quite a bit more difficult.

[xmassan]

So no caulk in the splash zone, grout lines and tile under the vanity?

[michaelnoone]

The gaps look way too small to get grout into, but they said that grout is the next step. What an I missing? Is there a liquid like grout you can use when the gaps are like 1/32-1/16"?

[santaclaus]

I am wondering if the guy with the baby face is also expert in doing these jobs or is he the man who makes the speech, greetings

[jackvely]

all good but, how the camera guy escaped from the tub ?

[budwoodman]

What color grout is used? Too light and it bisects the dark marble, too dark and it bisects the light marble. Either way, it would seem that one ends up with an effect that will be different from the intended pattern.

[aimmlatre]

Why not just tuck the whole tile into the wall to cover that gap, I know trim will help cover and streamline but wouldn’t it be a waster and more time/labor cutting tile then to tight fitted all the way through?