Make This Old House My Homepage

Learn about grout, surrounds, backsplashes, fixing a cracked tile, tiling walls and floors, and the different tile materials, including ceramic and glass

Tile: Featured Article

kitchen displaying peel-and-stick metallic backsplash tiles

Best New Kitchen and Bath Products

The editors of This Old House pick our favorite affordable luxuries, handy helpers, and problem solvers from the 2009 Kitchen and Bath Show… more

Q&A


Q: We will be renovating our bathroom soon but I want a "quick fix" now because I hate the ceramic tile floor's color. I found a great sale on some Armstrong urethane that I'd like to install. What I should use for an underlayment? The salesperson suggested cement underlayment and patch. The back of the box of tile suggests that or an embossing leveler. Which one would be better?

— Arlene, Rochester Hills, MI

Tips


"If you've got pets, sealed terra-cotta floor tiles are a great choice. They're tough, and any scratches seem like part of the natural, handmade look."
— Susan Creacy, homeowner, Lexington, Ky.

Hot Topics

Browse All Boards
Active Discussions
Advertisement

Your Old House

Learn More

100s of INSPIRING READER REMODELS

See whole-house and room remodels from TOH readers, and vote on your favorites.

arrow View and Vote on the Remodels

Calculators

Calculate exactly how much material you need

Photo Galleries

1,000s of inspirational images

AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED HOME IMPROVEMENT BRAND