Back buttering refers to the application of a layer of setting material directly to the back of a tile or stone in order to achieve full coverage. By properly burning (forcing) in the setting material into the back of the tile, the opportunity for proper adhesion is enhanced. The Natural Stone Institute, the governing body of the stone industry, requires 100% coverage of setting material on the back of each natural stone tile, which is achieved through back buttering the individual tiles.When using the proper size trowel, back buttering of ceramic tile or porcelain should not be necessary. As long as you can achieve 85% coverage in dry areas, 95% in wet areas, back buttering is not required.Glass Tile is typically translucent. Trowel marks and voids reading through the glass can be unsightly. Most glass tiles should be back buttered. This is the case for some mosaics containing glass, including our Hampton Blends collection.

Skim coating involves the application of a thin layer of setting material to the back of an intricate tile or other item. Unlike back buttering, when skim coating the thin layer is allowed to cure overnight, providing a more rigid, easier to handle piece.

Here are some general guidelines that installers will use to determine trowel size for certain tile sizes: 1/8” x 1/8” Square Notch Trowel – for small mosaics.¼” x 3/16” V-Notch Trowel – for small mosaics.¼” x ¼” Square Notch Trowel – for Subway Tile, 2” x 2” mosaics, Linear Glass Tiles.¼” x 3/8” Square Notch Trowel – for 12” x 12” and 16” x 16” tiles.½” x ½” Square Notch Trowel – for 12” x 24”, 24” x 24”, and 24” x 48” tiles.Euro Notch Trowel – often used in replacement for other trowel sizes. i.e., the ½” x ½” Square Notch Trowel.Please note the trowel size used has a direct effect on the square foot coverage you will yield from your mortar.For example: If using a ¼” x ¼” x ¼” Square Notch Trowel with a mortar that can yield approximately 85 to 95 sq. ft. of coverage.If using a ½” x ½” x ½” Square Notch Trowel with the same mortar will yield approximately 40 to 50 sq. ft. of coverage.

For the installation of large format floor tiles in particular, it is important that comb marks run parallel to each other, with no intersecting or rainbow swirled areas which may trap air, leading to the cracking of corners of your tile. For more information on this topic, consult the National Tile Contractor’s Association video entitled “Trowel and Error.”

Unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer, the choice of sanded or un-sanded grout is determined by the size of the grout joint. For natural stone tiles and other tiles, the grout joint size specified is a 1/16” (1.5mm) minimum joint and un-sanded grouts are often used.For porcelain tile un-sanded grout can be used up to 1/8″ (3 mm).For natural stone tile and other tile some un-sanded grouts can be used for joints up to ¼” (6 mm).Sanded grouts can be used for grout joints from 1/16” to ½” (1.5 mm to 12.7 mm).When working with sanded grout, pay particular attention to not scratch the surface of polished stones or high gloss glass. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications.

Star Quartz is a Urethane based grout that has no pigments in it. This product is easy to apply and stain resistant.