Interior Builder

This jacuzzi bathtub installation in Fairbanks, Alaska. We used marble tile with glass decorative tiles.

Here we chose to mount the shower hardware into the tile base next to the tub rather than in the plastic tub itself. Seemed sturdier.

The tile breaks halfway across the bottom of the window so we tiled the sill and right hand jamb.

A bit of the detail.

Related articles from remodels and construction projects in Fairbanks, Alaska:

Adding a bathroom to a laundry room

Beautiful 5′X8′ bathroom renovation

Making a 16X20 collodion/ wet plate camera

Learn how this tile was installed

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We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

Leave a comment | tags: Alaska, architecture, arts, bathroom, blogging, carpentry, design, DIY, remodel, renovation | posted in Fairbanks, Alaska construction news, Remodels, Tile

May 9, 2013

Tips for setting decorative and glass tiles

By Mike Knoche

Here I discuss three tips on setting decorative and glass tiles in your bathroom or kitchen

Setting decorative tile can be tricky because gravity becomes a major hurdle. I separated this from “Tips on decorative and glass tile layout ” because I thought it easier for less experienced tilers to focus on one post at a time.

I will talk about what I call decorative banners, framing, and trimming. What I mean by each term will be made very clear below. The application of thinset mortar is the same for all three types of tiling and is explained at the end of the article.

Banners- are a line of tile that differs from your field tile.

Framing- is the wrap around a window or a built in shelf

Trimming- trim runs at the edge of tile and is often suspended freely with no other tile below.

I suspended these tiles by screwing a small rip of plywood to the wall before setting. The holes were patched during the normal touch up periods associated with bathroom remodels.

Setting the decorative or glass tiles using thinset

I have often been asked if it is better to use thinset or some sort of pre-mixed mortar to install glass tile. The short is you can use either. I really like Tec double duty thinset. It is very sticky and really grabs onto the tile. I have used regular thinset mortar to hang glass tiles as well but I don’t like how the tile moves around with it. Tec double duty is more expensive but it is really worth especially if you are doing a bunch of detail work. DO NOT BUY a “similar” product from Home Depot or Lowes, they are not the same and you will suffer for your purchase.

How much thinset to apply for glass tile? I do a flat thin layer. I do not use a notched trowel for this but if you insist on a notched trowel make it a 1/8″ trowel. When you put a flat layer on you have less thinset smooshing throught the often 1/8″ gaps used in decorative tile. This will save you much frustration and cleanup time.

If you found this article useful please follow us by RSS feed or email. Another article on setting decorative and glass tile will follow.

To see finish photos of these two bathrooms see:

Deep soaking tub with subway tile surround

Jacuzzi tub with tile surround (coming soon)

Related articles by Straight Ahead Construction, llc.:

Tile layout for decorative and glass tiles

Using Sanded vs Unsanded Grout

How I install subway tile

Can I put new tile over existing tile (or do I need to demo)?

Safety bar installation

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

2 comments | tags: architecture, arts, bathroom, blogging, design, DIY, fairbanks contractor, kitchen, life, remodel, renovation, tiling, writing | posted in Remodels, Tile, Tiling tips

May 2, 2013

Five smart tips for tile layout when using decorative or glass tiles

By Mike Knoche

This article is intended to give you some ideas on how to layout glass and decorative tiles.

When considering your decorative or glass tile

1. Tile layout- draw a simple diagram first. It does not have to be art, just think about where you want the decorative tile or trim and how it breaks up with your field tiles.

2. Plan on ending your day with decorative tile setting. I set the bottom 2 rows of field tile above this jacuzzi (Picture 1). The glass tile here has many small tiles in it so you cannot stack more tile on top. You want to set your decorative tile so it can handle the weight the next day.

3. I like to miter corners that frame in boxes and windows (Picture 2). As you can see in that image I have cut the corner pieces first and placed them.

4. I fill in the space between the corners running from each side so I wind up with a small cut tile that is centered (Picture 3). Centered cuts are much more pleasing to the eye.

5. Cut glass tile only when necessary. Cutting glass tile on a tile saw does work but it can chip out and leave edges looking unattractive, however, grout will often cover up chips made when cutting glass tile with a tile saw. I still do not recommend ripping glass tile. Try to use the glass tile whole. I let the height of the field tiles dictate where the glass falls (Picture 4)

Picture 1. Glass tile banner over stone tile

Picture 2. Built in tiled shelf

Picture 3. Filling in between corner trim on built in shelf

Picture 4. Installing decorative glass tile banners in 2X6 subway tile.

If you found this article useful please follow us by RSS feed or email. Another article on setting decorative and glass tile will follow.

To see finish photos of these two bathrooms see:

Deep soaking tub with subway tile surround

Jacuzzi tub with tile surround (coming soon)

Related articles by Straight Ahead Construction, llc.:

Using Sanded vs Unsanded Grout

How I install subway tile

Can I put new tile over existing tile (or do I need to demo)?

Safety bar installation

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

3 comments | tags: Alaska, architecture, arts, bathroom, blogging, carpentry, DIY, fairbanks contractor, grouting, kitchen, life, photography, remodel, renovation | posted in Fairbanks, Alaska construction news, Tile, Tiling tips

April 29, 2013

Deep Sea Fishing in Alaska (Kenai Peninsula)

By Mike Knoche

Reblogged from ExploreDreamDiscover Talks:

It's the time of year when recreational sport fishing in Alaska really takes off again.

Here are a few photos of a recreational fishing trip I made with friends two years ago.

Here we are with hands full of yelloweye.

Here we are with some rock fish or "black beauty" as they are affectionately referred to among local Kenai Peninsula.

Building a custom winder staircase

By Mike Knoche

This custom set of winder stairs built in Fairbanks, Alaska occupies a 4 foot wide space starting at 95 inches.

Building winder stairs requires a good plan and can be approached using many methods.

Expert stair builder, James Pagel, making the treads from birch plywood. James likes to use 2X4′s with a 3/4″ CDX top as the rough stair in the winder. I usually build what is essentially a cabinet base that is entirely plywood.

Stringers above and below.

Fitting these stairs was not as easy as easy as it looks. The walls around the stairs were neither plumb or square as is the case in many older homes. For this reason I suggest making jigs for each tread if you are building your own staircase. You will not usually have a right triangle when building winder stairs. Cutting scalene triangles for stair treads is very challenging but is also the mark of an excellent carpenter.

I love the way winders look when they are located a few steps up in staircase. It has the effect of making the stairs look mountainous (I’m not kidding).

The inside corners are really stunning up close and so precipitous. Don’t walk here.

And from the top looking down.

Building an oak staircase

Testimonials

My DIY

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

3 comments | tags: Alaska, architecture, arts, blogging, carpentry, custom homebuilder, DIY, fairbanks contractor, how to, instruction, life, recipe, remodel, writing | posted in Stairs

April 8, 2013

Curbless shower install in a non-conforming bathroom area remodel

By Mike Knoche

Custom curbless shower remodel in Fairbanks, Alaska

This bathroom was not part of the original design of this house and was a closet before becoming a master bath.

The original remodel was a disaster from the get go. Look at how small the shower cavity is. The high point in the shower was 5’6″ inches. The homeowners wanted to install a simple walk-in shower stall but as you can see from the space, that would have left some wasted and awkward space.

Here we removed the tub and previous wet wall.

We went the opposite direction to include the angled wall as the back wall for the shower surround.

James fastens the Densheild to the wall.

After

Let’s revisit before

This shower has a zero profile transition from floor into the shower.

Previously curbless showers were thought of as an ADA use only but now in Fairbanks we are moving towards “Universal Design”. The concept being that you plan for the future today. New homes should have some design incorporated that allows for any disabled, short or long term, person to use the facilities. Plan design in advance allows for control over the way it looks and saves 10′s of 1000′s of dollars down the road on remodels. If you are building a custom home in Fairbanks, Alaska, contact us about Universal Design ideas.

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

Still winter here!

3 comments | tags: architecture, arts, bathroom, blogging, carpentry, construction, custom shower, DIY, fairbanks contractor, photography, remodel | posted in Building a log home, Curbless Shower, Remodels, Tile

March 28, 2013

Making a turn of the century 16X20 collodion camera Part 2

By Mike Knoche

Last fall I built a 16 X 20 collodion camera for Fairbanks, Alaska photographer, Adam Ottavi. Adam has been working out the kinks with weight distribution, balance, and light leaks. While I was busy with other projects Adam brainstormed and came up with a great solution to the balance issue.

And look how compact it’s become!

It only takes up the passenger side of a van.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this awesome project and look for images it produced in the coming months. See how the camera was built and funded here.

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

2 comments | tags: arts, blogging, camera, carpentry, custom homebuilder, fairbanks, fairbanks alaska, fairbanks contractor, great solution, photography, remodel, writing | posted in Collodion Camera, Fairbanks, Alaska construction news

Interior Builder

Corner jacuzzi bathtub installation with marble tile surround

Thanks for visiting. Please like us on Facebook to help spread the word about a creative and reliable Fairbanks, Alaska general contractor.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

Tips for setting decorative and glass tiles

Here I discuss three tips on setting decorative and glass tiles in your bathroom or kitchen

Banners- are a line of tile that differs from your field tile.

Framing- is the wrap around a window or a built in shelf

Trimming- trim runs at the edge of tile and is often suspended freely with no other tile below.

Setting the decorative or glass tiles using thinset

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

Five smart tips for tile layout when using decorative or glass tiles

This article is intended to give you some ideas on how to layout glass and decorative tiles.

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

Deep Sea Fishing in Alaska (Kenai Peninsula)

It's the time of year when recreational sport fishing in Alaska really takes off again.

Building a custom winder staircase

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

Curbless shower install in a non-conforming bathroom area remodel

Custom curbless shower remodel in Fairbanks, Alaska

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

Making a turn of the century 16X20 collodion camera Part 2

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Thanks for visiting. Please like us on Facebook to help spread the word about a creative and reliable Fairbanks, Alaska general contractor.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

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Here I discuss three tips on setting decorative and glass tiles in your bathroom or kitchen

Banners- are a line of tile that differs from your field tile.

Framing- is the wrap around a window or a built in shelf

Trimming- trim runs at the edge of tile and is often suspended freely with no other tile below.

Setting the decorative or glass tiles using thinset

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

Share this:

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This article is intended to give you some ideas on how to layout glass and decorative tiles.

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

Share this:

Like this:

It's the time of year when recreational sport fishing in Alaska really takes off again.

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

Share this:

Like this:

Custom curbless shower remodel in Fairbanks, Alaska

Thanks for visiting. Please see our website for more info or like us on Facebook.

Contact info@straightaheadconstructionllc.com or call (907)978-3344 for a free estimate.

We are locally owned, licensed, bonded, insured Fairbanks, Alaska remodeler and general contractor.

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