Porcelain Tiling Course

Lesson 1 • Physical and Technical Properties

Examines absorption rate, breaking strength, and coefficient of friction. These properties directly govern adhesive selection and safety compliance.

Lesson 2 • Porcelain Tile Types and Grades

Covers pressed, extruded, and rectified porcelain categories and grading criteria. Establishes material literacy needed for all subsequent installation decisions.

Lesson 3 • Industry Standards and Terminology

Introduces tile industry standards bodies, testing protocols, and trade vocabulary. Provides the professional language used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Moisture Testing and Control

Teaches calcium chloride, RH probe, and visual moisture tests. Uncontrolled moisture is the leading cause of porcelain installation failure.

Lesson 2 • Surface Repair and Levelling

Covers crack repair, grinding high spots, and applying self-levelling compounds. Corrected substrates ensure consistent mortar bed thickness and tile performance.

Lesson 3 • Flatness and Levelness Standards

Explains F-number tolerances and lippage limits for large-format porcelain. Meeting flatness standards is mandatory before any tile layout begins.

Lesson 4 • Priming and Bonding Agents

Details when and how to apply primers and bonding agents to improve adhesion. Correct priming bridges substrate porosity differences and extends installation life.

Lesson 1 • Large-Format Tile Layout Strategies

Addresses unique challenges of tiles larger than 24 inches, including lippage control and seam alignment. Large-format work demands tighter tolerances than standard tile.

Lesson 2 • Grid and Reference Line Setup

Establishes perpendicular reference lines using chalk lines, lasers, and the 3-4-5 method. Reference lines control tile alignment across the entire installation.

Lesson 3 • Dry Layout and Tile Spacing

Demonstrates dry-fitting tiles to verify joint width, pattern, and cut placement. Dry layout prevents surprises and allows client approval before adhesive is applied.

Lesson 4 • Reading Plans and Field Measurements

Teaches interpreting architectural drawings and transferring dimensions to the job site. Accurate field measurement is the starting point for every layout decision.

Lesson 1 • Trowel Selection and Notching

Matches trowel notch size and shape to tile format and mortar type. Correct troweling achieves the minimum 80% contact coverage required by industry standards.

Lesson 2 • Applying Mortar to Substrate

Covers spreading, combing, and keying mortar into the substrate surface. Proper application technique eliminates voids that cause tile cracking under load.

Lesson 3 • Mixing Procedures and Consistency

Details water-to-powder ratios, slake time, and mechanical mixing techniques. Correct consistency ensures full coverage and prevents premature mortar failure.

Lesson 1 • Placing and Seating Tiles

Teaches the press-and-slide method, beating block use, and tile seating verification. Consistent seating eliminates lippage and ensures full mortar contact.

Lesson 2 • Setting Floor Tiles

Applies layout and mortar skills to floor installation sequences and working patterns. Floor setting requires managing traffic flow and wet mortar protection.

Lesson 3 • Setting Wall Tiles

Addresses vertical surface challenges including gravity, adhesive sag, and plumb alignment. Wall tile technique differs significantly from floor work and requires separate practice.

Lesson 4 • Lippage Control Systems

Introduces tile leveling clip systems and wedge tools for large-format porcelain. Lippage control systems are essential for tiles over 15 inches in any dimension.

Lesson 1 • Waterproofing Membrane Systems

Covers sheet, liquid-applied, and foam-board waterproofing membranes for wet areas. Membrane selection depends on substrate type, water exposure level, and tile format.

Lesson 2 • Waterproofing Showers and Wet Areas

Applies membrane skills to shower pans, curbs, niches, and wall-to-floor transitions. Wet area waterproofing requires continuous coverage with no pinholes or gaps.

Lesson 3 • Understanding Movement in Tile Assemblies

Explains thermal expansion, structural deflection, and substrate movement as causes of tile failure. Understanding movement forces is prerequisite to designing effective joint systems.

Lesson 1 • Grout Cleanup and Haze Removal

Covers staged sponge washing, haze removal timing, and buffing techniques. Removing haze at the correct stage prevents permanent surface staining on porcelain.

Lesson 2 • Sealing Grout and Tile Surfaces

Explains penetrating and topical sealers, application methods, and resealing schedules. Sealing protects grout from staining and extends the maintenance-free period.

Lesson 3 • Installing Trim and Transition Pieces

Covers schluter strips, bullnose tiles, and threshold transitions at edges and doorways. Trim pieces protect exposed tile edges and provide a finished professional appearance.

Lesson 4 • Grout Types and Selection

Compares sanded, unsanded, epoxy, and urethane grouts by joint width and application. Correct grout selection prevents cracking, staining, and joint deterioration.

Lesson 1 • Repair Techniques for Porcelain

Demonstrates tile removal, adhesive residue cleaning, and replacement without disturbing adjacent tiles. Repair skill minimises material waste and preserves installation integrity.

Lesson 2 • Client Handover and Documentation

Covers punch-list completion, care instructions, and warranty documentation for the client. Professional handover builds trust and reduces post-project disputes.

Lesson 3 • Common Installation Defects

Identifies causes of cracked tiles, debonding, efflorescence, and grout failure. Recognising defect patterns enables targeted repairs rather than full removal.