This Isn't Ceramic Tile

[@BiggMo]

Brad, we’ve been using this for awhile. It hold up well BUT it can trap water under itself and you can end up getting a rotted floor. The weak spot is the expansion gaps along the wall where it meets the tub surround. You can seal it because it needs to move.

[@infiltretor287]

You can or can’t seat it?

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Yep, exactly why I plan on sealing mine. I think the floor movement in a small bathroom like this is minimal at best. I'd much rather risk a buckling floor that I can address later than get water under the floor

[@BiggMo]

@@infiltretor287… can’t (typo)

[@Florens1989]

I had this floor. And water came underneath it. Was a total mess. The seems do leak over time. Put a watertight layer underneath it!

[@Florens1989]

​@Fixthisbuildthat no you don't want this. (Speaking out of experience) when the floor starts buckling the locking groves break and start to leak as well. I can email you the foto's if you like.

[@Billytomtom18]

Here’s an easy layout thing for doing a tile floor, I call it a gauge stick. Whatever the size of the tile, take a piece of straight wood and mark the size of the tiles around 5 or 6 tiles and then it’s easy to see where your cuts will be, and compensating is easy then. An old tile layer showed me this trick.

[@feistyterrier]

That's why there's old bathroom floors always look so great. They were built to last...and look at that underlayment, perfect

[@lukejackson270]

Is it common to have cracks running through floor tiles?

[@DoctorDerpman]

They had tar paper, mesh, mortar, tile & grout. 4 layers on top of their sub flooring. Now all they have is 1 layer of plastic that water will inevitably find it's way through.😂The old way took long to do, but it lasted even longer. The quick way will have you shelling out more money just as quick as the CONtractor can slap it up.

[@meanmugging]

That last floor cracked for a few reasons, 1 inch of mortar bed under that tile is extremely heavy. All that weight sitting on 1/2" subfloor, likely 2x8" floor joists, and probably a ton of settling in the home especially with that much weight. That's why he put a second layer of 3/4" subfloor on it. Theres a lot of modern recommendations on subfloor thickness and floor joist thickness to ensure you dont get cracks. Modern knowledge of materials and the engineering side is better than back in the day, issue now is that materials are designed to function correctly if installed perfectly to spec. And most contractors don't install to spec, they install so it looks good enough to get paid quick and on to the next

[@RafaelTileWorks]

And they are now replacing it with a product that is 100x worst. Very prone to scratching, traps moisture and is no where near as durable as tile. I understand that things are manufactured to last at most until the final check from the homeowner clears but come on guys, just put some tile. It is not that hard. Put some ditra matt right on that subfloor and lay your tile.

[@kenreynolds1000]

I did 18x24 LVT in my kitchen 7 years ago and I spaced it with tile spacers and then grouted with poly grout. Its held up pretty well and was easy except for the haze cleanup. way warmer than ceramic and so much nicer than the 55 years and 7 layers of linoleum it replaced.

[@MikeGusFifteen]

Great video! What I have always done as someone who does a few bathrooms a year as a carpenter/contractor, is with LVP/T I do my normal gap against the tub then I come back with a piece of PVC quarter round and gently silicone it in with white silicone, first filling the gap completely as well. This covers the gap and helps to shed water away from the seam when it inevitably comes down the side of the tub. I've never had a customer complain and they often think it's a great idea.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

that's a smart way to do it right there!

[@burnicejohnson6634]

I'm a plumber. I rarely do a subfloor. When I remodeled my bathrooms. I used marine grade plywood.

[@DebKelble]

what can you do if you do not want any quarter round in your house? i have space under wall where it gaps that i can go under it. Should I do that and what do I seal with if I do?

[@Billytomtom18]

@@burnicejohnson6634 That’s a smart thing to use, because some builders will use OSB Boards and when it gets wet especially around the toilet because as you know the bolts will eventually loosen up. It’s how many bathrooms over the years I’ve seen these humps around the toilets, I prefer to set the toilet on a ring of plaster, it the way I was taught as a helper. Home Inspectors will often check the toilets for any movement, that’s easily fixed by tightening the Johnny or bolts.

[@chaseweeks2708]

When doing the seal along the wall, I'd probably put some backer-rod under the edge of the drywall so that the silicone can span the gap between the tile and the drywall without touching the subfloor. They do the same sort of detail on windows, and for the same reason.

[@HalMaulden]

thanks for your videos. Great job. A pro tip. If you lay down a bead of silicone caulk, then spray above and below with alcohol then wipe the bead, the caulk will not stick to the alcohol thus a really clean bead

[@klerulo]

Any particular type of alcohol work best? Tried this with vodka and the bathroom smelled funny for weeks.

[@halmaulden1181]

LOL a waste of spirits

[@littlepebbles]

​@@klerulodenatured alcohol

[@Tonyhouse1168]

Windex works great on caulk and silicone as well

[@Metalblaze124]

Try using mortar for tiles, works a lot better than glue/mastic(use that on backsplashes). Maybe that's why you have such a hard time? Yes, you have to come back on day 2 to grout on a job like this but it's much more worth it. Do you want a 5-10 year floor or a 25-50 year floor? This floor will move and at least in 4 season location it won't last long. Silicone will crack in 2 years tops. Great if you live in southern California? Nice looking LVT but I would't use it in any of my clients bathrooms

[@Billytomtom18]

Great topic 👍 I’ve remolded many bathrooms over the years and I was told that with floor joists being 16” on center a subfloor should be a minimum of 1 1/4”, otherwise as you have explained there is a spring action. Any tile floor is only as good as the subfloor. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@danhansen9340]

I 1/4 is overkill you really only need 3/4 inch, depending on what material you are finishing it with.

[@mateostabio]

Feels like we’re going backwards with waterproofing-bathrooms used to be built to last, with layers of hardcore protection, now it’s barely there. I’ve had issues with bathrooms leaking into the basement, and they’re “new and renovated”

[@JWilliams-sd1cl]

Snap together tiles over naked sponge board in a bathroom, ha

[@tylerm.9408]

Cool to see you in the comments! Love your channel

[@jjkim7949]

Nice video and the product looks great! One question though, wouldn't it have been better to start on the opposite wall by the door? That way the planks that you had to rip would be mostly hidden by the sink cabinet and the toilet instead of visible.

[@ginacirelli1581]

I was going to say the same thing. The full width of the tiles should have been on the other side.

[@PhillBogart]

Came here to say the same thing. For best visual appearance of the floor, you start tiling at the doorway and either along a perpendicular, open edge (as in a bare wall meeting the floor) or from the middle out (if there are cabinets or other features against both walls) for that reason. This minimizes seeing obviously cut filler tiles when entering a room and gives it a more professional look.

[@mriguy3202]

@@PhillBogart Yes. In the bath, people will sit on the toilet and stare at it. Depending on the room width, the cut tile on that side may end up 2 inches wide and it will look bad.

[@muratkh]

Im honestly still not entirely sold on lvp being full waterproof. Idk maybe it's me but manual still says clean it immediately after a spill and dont leave it for 24 hours

[@csimet]

I did my guest bath with porcelain large format (slate with black grout). Laying and grouting are really not so bad. The pain part was cutting the tile, as it tends to break rather easily until set in the bed. I used a grinder and diamond hole saws to cut the toilet flange and water supplies (mine run up though the floor). I held my base molding up 1/16" from the tile to allow me to shoot some color-matched silicon under to stop water from getting past. LVT looks nice, but I'd worry about water getting between the seams. With traditional tile, the grout and sealer stops that... two coats on the seams and a couple across the entire floor and it is water tight.

[@rocknu55]

The "tar paper" is called slipsheet, the "mesh" is called lathe, and the "1 inch mortar bed" is deck mud. This is the way old school tile setters used to do it. The slipsheet prevents movement so less cracks in the tile and the lathe and deck mud is for creating a flat surface to set your tile.

[@denisethompson9203]

Paper back lathe and screed mud

[@williamellis8993]

Looking good, Brad. When I do something like this, I use a compression rubber ring to seal the toilet instead of a wax ring. Bill

[@SawdustmakerLori]

Thanks Brad! Looks great. I wasn't familiar with this type of tile so glad you enlightened me. It would sure beat the mess of tile and grout. Appreciate all your tips along the way!

[@SQLJedi]

Looks awesome. Great job explaining the installation. Keep up the great videos.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thank you!

[@whattheschmidt]

I'm using LVP in my small bathroom (along with family room and kitchen) but wouldn't want it in a bathroom with a shower / tub. I think the water risk is just too high over time on this type of floor. I did hexagonal tiles in my full bath. Just 2 more small floors to go then refinish hardwood floors next year...

[@stevenbullock9276]

I remodeled our bathroom a couple years ago. When I was pulling up the old floor tile and base, I was being extra careful around the toilet nipple and valve (just like this one) so as not to break it off. What I didn't know was that the nipple was mostly rotted off. I barely touched it and it broke. By the time I got to the basement to kill the supply, it was raining down there. Surprised it didn't come apart when I removed the toilet. Floor looks great- didn't know they had a tile version of the plank.

[@miketayse]

Nice vid, thanks for putting it together! The product looks interesting for a bathroom. I have the exact same cutter, I've used it on exterior plastic siding and laminate flooring.

[@franciscocwcruzing6562]

Really like the ideas and your way of explaining everything! Question, why not Redguard the subfloor in case of a water leak?

[@JSSawdust]

looks like a great product. Make sure you put some kiltz over your math and drawing. Our builders did the same thing and it bled through the paint fairly quickly.

[@Gearhead6971]

I was SMH. Black Sharpie, come on!??

[@ZomBeatBrainZ]

You can grout beveled edge LVT. If your floor is solid it works great. If it has some flex to it, then I would recommend Mapei flex color CQ premixed. That stuff sets up fast and hard, and has some bending flex to it. Other grouts seem to powder up and break away.

[@migzz7976]

Good work, wow vinyl tiles have come along way!

[@derekkinsella2343]

Amazing vid ❤❤❤ Great info and amazing ideas 💡

[@artboymoy]

Wish I knew about this vinyl tile when I had my bathroom remodeled this year. Went with planks and while it still looks good, I like the look of tile in a bathroom.

[@AbbreviatedReviews]

I'm surprised you didn't use PVC baseboard, especially when it's butting right up against the tub. Then you'll never have to worry about it absorbing water or rotting. I used it in basement and it looks great.

[@fcschoenthal]

As always, thanks for the informative video. I've got a couple of bathroom remodels coming up in some rent houses and this looks like a great option. Also appreciate the spacer file download. - Chris

[@robertlee7089]

After my second laminate flooring installation, I bought a flooring saw. I have never regretted that purchase as I've done 3 or 4 more floors since then. I didn't hesitate to get the tile saw on the second tile install. The right tools always make the job go better, and you can always sell them if they take up too much space in your workshop.

[@laurahale9309]

Thanks Brad!!! You are a great teacher!!!

[@bradleytuckwell4881]

Great job and what an amazing product no grouting needed that’s a win

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thanks!

[@qapla]

Good video - nice-looking floor. I installed flooring for over 20 years. Two things, kudos for wearing knee pads, all too often YT videos show people doing these things without the knee pads ... wearing the knee pads saved my knees. Using the oscillating tool for the undercut and the hole around the toilet is a nice way to do it ... I only wish they would have had those tools back when I was installing floors.

[@franksmall1313]

NICE.. WE FROM TENN.... WELL DONE... EVEN A OLD PERSON LIKE ME COULD DO THIS. YET YOU DONE A LOT OF WORK BEFORE AND SO MAKE IT LOOK EASY. A PERSON LIKE ME MAY HAVE A MESS MADE AND TAKE A FEW DAYS . STILL YOU PICK OUT A EASY TO USE MAT WHICH MAKES A BIG BIG DIFFER FOR A WEAK PERSON LIKE ME. THANK YOU GREATLY FOR YOUR HARD WORK.

[@randallmcilwaine2191]

Looks great! Definitely going to look into this product when I redo my bathroom floor.

[@bun04y]

I sent this to hubby, we are looking for flooring for the basement bathroom...cement sub floor, so not as much worry about leaking.

[@webcrawler3332]

Seems like u would want to start your full tile on opposite wall. That way your cut tiles will be under you vanity cabinet

[@incognitotorpedo42]

I wouldn't mix OSB with a wet environment. Tar paper might have been a good idea, or a liquid waterproofing membrane.

[@shawnbowser9187]

I’ve never done this myself, only watched on KZbin lol. But this is the first time I’ve seen mesh used. Whether installation or demolition videos I’ve never seen that mesh before

[@havenisse2009]

American bathrooms would look so much better without the plastic insert tub/shower in 1970s style. Do a half wall, 1 or 2 rain showers and a separate shower head to wash the "under side". Saves water and looks modern.

[@goldcd]

Was odd to see the dated bath removed - and then a new dated bath installed

[@MikeGusFifteen]

We do custom showers/tubs in the US all the time. But for secondary bathrooms in a home, we often don't (of course some do, tends to be higher end homes). These kits can be bought for well under $1k so it's not surprising to see it quite often. Custom work can very easily cost 3-5x that. I am a solo carpenter that does bathrooms a few times a year, so I have a good grasp lol.

[@philshock3805]

I guess when you're looking at remodeling an entire house by yourself, quick and easy (and cheaper), is a good way to go for some of the projects. This is obviously a secondary bathroom and probably for kids where having a tub or shower option is a good thing. Install a nice shower curtain and rod and you won't even see the insert. The overall bathroom can still look modern depending on the vanity and other fixtures.

[@IRONWEED_]

The shower inserts have a neutral look, tile styles end up dated.

[@zimvader25]

Also costs more time and money completely defeating the purpose of these “remodel in a day” videos.

[@hansangb]

No adhesive between the OSB and the plywood? I would think it would have been cheap insurance to take the springyness out?

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

yeah, probably should have done that

[@JasonPeltier]

@@Fixthisbuildthat floating plywood base is the new trend

[@BuzzbeeDC]

In a bathroom why wouldn't you use concrete boards?

[@MicheauxWorld]

Would you recommend this type of flooring for an entire house?

[@anthonycaldi7056]

Great video! How does this floor hold up from water getting on it?

[@astrobogie2096]

What brand are you using? I’ve used the smartcore pro a couple times and i haaaaate it lol

[@pauletteschirmer4906]

Thank you so much! The bathroom is the bane of my existance right now. I thought it would be much harder than you make it look, but I may actually attempt it now

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic work, Brad! The place is looking much better already! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Dirtyharry70585]

I would have finished the drywall and paint then floor. Not working around toilet and sink too. Plus you not going to worry about fup that new floor. One more thing, start on the wall with the least cuts which is the left wall as you walk in, the cuts will be under cabinet and toilet.

[@EdBall-p1k]

One suggestion, if you’re not going to center the tile to to the room width, you may get a better look by putting your narrower cut piece of tile along your toilet and vanity side (right side, basically hiding it) and giving a full tile width on the exposed left side (that you actually see) when you walk into the room. Good video! Product looks great and love the ease of installation but what about the trapping water underneath over time?

[@hdwoodshop]

I don’t know how water of going to affect this flooring choice. Especially with no moisture barrier. Oof. I’m thinking the area about tub or under toilet will be problems. Toilet flange seems very “tall” possibly contributing to these problems. The product looks great, but will it last?

[@kkp4297]

i would use closed cell spray foam under the wall gaps behind the base boards.

[@mubasharkhokhar5207]

What about water proofing the floor under? Can you please add some tips and explanation for it? Thanks.

[@Booker58]

Hi Brad, I really enjoy your channel very much. I was just wondering if they have the same type of tile for wall tiles. I really like the concept of able doing it yourself. I hope to see more new ideas. Keep the videos coming your doing a great job..

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

I've seen people use this for walls as well! You'd just have to figure out how to deal with the edges if it didn't run all the way to the ceiling or a corner

[@tacticalofficer6103]

Hi have you ever done any ADA bathroom remodels ???? Thank you for sharing the knowledge !!!!!

[@bibohbiiii6540]

Can they be placed over existing tile?

[@ProudDadVet]

Great vid! Oh, and I build the table sled you gave us for free.... DAMN, it ROCKS!!! TY TY TY so much, I never knew what I was missing until I built it. Awesome Job!!

[@shaggy7927]

It is amazing how much hardware is used to build any building (house, apartment, business building, etc.)

[@13mowe]

i used the flooring up the wall also it lookes so good

[@samsno3667]

Will this work for kitchens? Waterproof? I have stick on tile on top of plywood (Luan); apparently a student renter had a party and left standing water from a keg in kitchen... plywood lifted up with tile. Now there is an indentation where tiles came up along with layer of plywood. Filler to level and then use this type of tile?

[@steelvalleysportsmen7737]

Remember to get a rattle can of oil based primer to cover all that sharpy before you paint lol

[@ZzZ-qd1zo]

Great video! Love seeing a new floor system. About the shower... I've seen so many inspection videos where these brand new shower inserts get tiny cracks in them almost immediately, I'm not sure I'd trust screwing it to the studs like the manual says. It looks like you used a plastic sheet for a vapor barrier, but I'd still be worried. Maybe some more substantial kerdi membrane.

[@seandavis884]

Can you silicon the underside of the baseboard to keep it from swelling as an alternative?

[@dsheppard8492]

Brad, where did you find this product,,, ceragrout????

[@hengmunlam1991]

Hi, I was wondering if you can use this LVT on the shower walls. This will save me lot of hassle to build a shower. Dumawall in Europe has a similar vinyl tile.

[@Heck_Ster]

Dumawall requires a silicone bead between tiles to seal them along with corner wall intersections inside a shower and the LVT product here does not. They also recommend not using the product on floors in a wet area. I will likely use traditional slate on my future bathroom remodel floor and the Dumawall style tiles on the walls in and around the walk in shower with a stainless steel shower pan. I put a stainless shower pan and full surround including the ceiling in my last bathroom reno years ago. It was stunning and only required a squeegee and a quick towel dry to keep it clean and looking brand new.

[@mikolaykuka9759]

Amazing job!!

[@SebastianPerezG]

Question , normally in USA don't use or have a drain in the bathroom ? i mean , if you wanna clean it , how do you remove the water from the floor?

[@MattHannah88]

Usually not. Typically for cleaning, we mop rather than hose it down. It's also why the half glass walls don't work well in US bathrooms. No where for the splashes to go.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

nope, that is extremely uncommon. We use mops or sponges to "wet clean" the floor

[@riba2233]

That sounds extremely unsafe lol

[@Onewheelordeal]

Reminds me of the bathroom in an Japanese micro hotel or here in the US an RV where the bathroom is the shower

[@drg7861]

How does it hold up to water/moisture? And what about water getting under the vinyl via the gaps?

[@MurderMostFowl]

How did you adjust the door threshold to compensate for the extra high subfloor? ( and why didn’t you take up the original subfloor? ) Definitely no bath mats in the path of the door from now on I guess?

[@danielalucarino8980]

If you want to use 2 different colors and install them in a checkerboard pattern, can you cut the “square” type in half?

[@madmike2624]

I have concrete foundation/ sub-floor so any suggestions for removal?? Dreading the removal !!!!~

[@claudiog.nogueiras2323]

pero no pasa el agua entre las piezas? no moja la madera debajo? no hace ruido al no estar adherido?

[@shannonerin1332]

What is the idea of using laptop compared to regular tiles? Is it a lot cheaper?

[@nateb7394]

Was wondering how you were gonna deal with the transition from the new floor to the bathtub. Looks good. Was the caulk you used especially stretchy or just a standard bathroom kind?

[@elizabethmolina2891]

😊Thank you .

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

you're welcome!

[@SilentEcho4178]

Well dang man, you got ripped! Lookin' good!

[@swilldenn7160]

Does this make your bathroom waterproof? I think you might be missing that main feature you'd normally get with regular tile even with the time and mess?

[@ZzZ-qd1zo]

About the caulking, rather than taping it, why not use soapy water or windex?

[@babylonfive]

I just finished watching @HAXMAN and realized you and he could be the OSCAR and FELIX of this sort of channel, and you should totally do some crossover videos. It would be EPIC.

[@TheTapeandscissors]

Can we get a link to the square look tile? Looks amazing. I don't know if thats the 18x37 option HD website shows.

[@JuddOakes]

looks really good

[@technomyke]

what's with that hallway flooring/baseboards?

[@AkoaGenesis]

Looks great. Looking forward to seeing the other videos on this remodel.

[@BriBo24x7]

This looks super nice Brad. What I'm curious about is because this is a floating floor, how does it feel when you walk across it? Do you feel movement? Probably not in this small bathroom, but in a larger room I assume you would.

[@PeNGuiNZoMbiEUYA]

Floating floor means it can expand and shrink with the temperature. Once a whole floor is laid, it becomes one big rather heavy piece with tons of floor contact creating too much friction to just slide around

[@AnonVideos]

Does this stuff also cup and warp when you mop it? Previous owner used cheap plastic planks and even a Swiffer causes them to cup and warp and become trip hazards. Ripping it all out for ceramic tile, something dependable that will last for decades and won’t be any problem to mop.

[@BobbieJeanM]

Would you be able to use the LVT instead of tile on the walls around a tub if you used cement board just as you would with tile? I’ve never tiled anything and this looks a lot easier to do yet giving the same appearance.

[@mDoThis]

It looks like grout but does it work like a grout? Is it fully water resistant all the way? Doesn't look like something you should install in a bathroom.. maybe in a kitchen or somewhere where you won't have big water splashes everywhere around

[@olimurphy-y3o]

2:42 Does a 3/4” subfloor leads to threshold discrepancies?

[@meatball6930]

Guys lay the floor that looks best from the entry of the room. Dont start in the top left corner where nobody sees. That might be the best area for the worst cuts and isn’t noticeable-all that depends on what size flooring you are installing-that wall he’s starting on will have a vanity and and a toilet so why would you make that part perfect? You start where ppl see the floor-nobody will notice small cuts or whatever on the wall with toilet and vanity. Always think from the view. Let’s say he was doing 18x18 or 20x20 tile in that small bathroom. A lot of ppl would think if it doesn’t measure perfectly then to have even cuts on both sides of room. Absolutely not. Lay full tiles in main walking area and make your cut on that wall that’s covered and basically hidden. Don’t use a half tile of a giant tile in a small area -you want to see that big tile in the main area that’s why you picked it. You don’t need to tape your silicone or caulk lines. You can to get a straight line but that’s not the last dtep. When you pull that tape it will leave a notch/lip in the caulk. Pull the tape and mist some denatured alcohol on the whole area and then smooth with finger. The denatured alcohol dries a lot slower than rubbing alcohol and it will prevent any caulk/silicone from sticking to anything and it’s safe for everything-safer than water. So putting it in spray bottle and misting it on after you pull your tape or you don’t even need tape-run your bead mist the whole line then smooth it with finger-you won’t believe how professional your line will be and it really helps to make it clean up off your hands easy and fast.

[@douglassutherland9527]

Can you install a heated sublayer underneath?

[@Education-1964]

How did you like that Norske Laminate Cutter?

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

absolutely love it

[@ct7625]

Vinyl sheet flooring eliminates all those dirt magnet joints.

[@jonlon7488]

Brad looking jacked 💪

[@capt.nemo00]

thanks

[@stanleyolszewski7701]

Where can you buy this tile in the USA?

[@homesteadhomie7855]

Why didn't you put the full size tiles against the left wall, and put the cut tiles on the wall with the toilet and vanity? Thanks!

[@edsabol4830]

Why flooring and baseboard before spackling the drywall?

[@ngc60]

Confused: is this a Lifeproof or Ceragrout product ? Looks like the answer we want in our kitchen regardless. We've done 4 rooms using LVP, so no qualms about installing ourselves.

[@barriowoodworks]

Clean looking vinyl.

[@keithf5236]

unrelated to video (great job on the overall look and finish) - what brand of double sided tape is best for router templates to wood for cutting out? I checked your site for it first but it wasn't under the adhesives section. Thanks in advance.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

hey, Keith! This one is awesome: amzn.to/4ff5q4i

[@onecrazywheel]

What were the dimensions of this bathroom 🛁🚿?

[@fudhater8592]

Why would you start the tiles under the cabinetry instead of the other side?

[@doncrist2012]

Love how many videos show contractors using the very expensive saws. What ever happened to following the pencil lines.