Ask an expert

You could be forgiven for thinking that, because I wrote a 320-page book on tile, I am an expert on such technical matters as installation methods, grout maintenance, inkjet glazing methodologies, and the like. In fact, I am merely a style editor who can tell you all about how pretty and trendy those colorful new oversized glass tiles are–but not how thick a mortar bed is required below, or whether a crack-suppression membrane is advisable. (Or whether that latter question even makes sense.)

But like all style editors, I have at my disposal a rolodex of Knowledgeable People who I call in a panic when I need to know the finer points of substrates, coefficients of friction, porcelain coating, and variations on the running-bond pattern. Although The Tileist is primarily a vehicle for sharing cool new stuff and inspirational ideas, I also want it to be a place where readers can ask some meatier questions about this often daunting and intimidating product category.

I’ll eventually launch a series asking experts (contractor, installers, salespeople, interior designers) to answer all our nit-picky Qs. Sometimes one expert will answer multiple questions; other times a series of experts will weigh in on just one question. Use the comment feature here to add your queries and I’ll answer–er, get the experts to answer–as many of them as possible!

Speaking of big glass tiles! Ann Sacks's 12-by-24-in. Crystal Glass