Our Journal
Latest posts
Follow along with Hamilton Tile as we journal about the tile and remodeling industry.
Latest master bath prep stage 3
A progress update on a master bath project, focusing on shower waterproofing prep, subfloor reinforcement, and the importance of careful surface preparation before tile installation. It also includes a short video and a brief note about the builder’s attention to detail.
Thin brick walls
A short update showing the team installing thin brick walls and describing the process as extremely labor-intensive. The post highlights the messy grout work and thanks Cain for helping on the job.
For a job like this, it's best to hire an expert!
A custom laundry room floor project combined plank tile and flower mosaics, requiring extra framing support, special underlayment, careful leveling, and extensive detailed tile work. The post highlights how much labor went into creating a small but highly customized floor.
Ardex Thinset. We care about our stick-um. You should too!
The author explains why Hamilton Tile prefers Ardex X4 thinset, highlighting its consistency, lack of slake time, and hard drying finish. A short video is included to show the working consistency of the product.
Backsplash Johns Creek
A Johns Creek backsplash project featuring tear-out, waterproof Kerdi board, and upgraded materials like Prism grout and Ardex X4 thinset. The post also notes some tile quality issues and emphasizes the importance of choosing better materials.
Just a wee floor.
A brief project recap of a Kennesaw, GA floor installation using Floor & Decor porcelain tile, Ardex grout and thinset, crack suppressant, back-buttering, expansion joints, and Schluter thresholds. The post includes several photos of the finished floor and highlights the job as a full-service tile installation.
Schluter Drain and Assembly
A short update showing the Schluter drain and assembly Hamilton Tile uses in new showers. The post explains how they set the assembly in dry pack, slope the pan, and custom pack shower bases instead of using foam pans.
Schluter profiles
Schluter profiles are used to protect tile edges and add a distinctive finish in showers, backsplashes, thresholds, and more. This post includes a short manufacturer video and a brief overview of the different shapes, materials, and applications they can have.
How your shower drain can make or break the final look of your new shower.
The article explains why the choice of shower drain affects both the look and performance of a custom shower. It argues for Schluter Systems drains over traditional builder-grade drains, highlighting their cleaner design and simpler waterproofing approach.
A day in the life.
A short journal entry showing a messy day of grinding off thick glue from a laminate floor in preparation for 12x24" tile. It also answers the common question of whether the company does its own work by showing the boss doing the grunt work on video.
Does your installer use a wet film gauge for liquid waterproofing
The article warns that liquid waterproofing membranes must be applied to the manufacturer-specified thickness, which should be checked with a wet film gauge. It argues that many shower failures come from installers who rely on guesswork instead of proper measurements.