Tile Installation Methods

There are 3 great ways to install Connectiles®:

1. Installation Method #1 - The Connectiles® can be permanently glued to a wall or floor surface in the standard method that is used for wall and ceiling tiles: The surface should be clean and dry. If the tiles are for a floor area the floor surface must be properly supported. A mastic is applied to the surface with a special tile trowel and the tiles pressed into the mastic leaving grout gaps of about 1/8". After the mastic sets, apply grout into the gaps using a grout application bag with a small nozzle. Care must be taken to remove excess grout from the tile surfaces and recesses. This is more of a challenge than with commercial tiles. Installation by a professional tile installer is recommended.

2. Installation Method #2 - The Connectiles® can be removably attached to a wall surface using 3M's Command Picture Hanging Strips. By "removably attached", I mean that the tiles can be lifted from the wall after installation repositioned or moved to another location and the strips in the original location can be removed without damaging the wall paint. I usually use four or 6 strips strips for each 6 inch square tile, which typically weighs 0.8 lbs. I attach two strips to the back of the tile, on either side towards the top and two to the wall in corresponding locations. I also add third strip to the back of the tile along the bottom edge in order to ensure that the tiles sit flat against the wall. A third wall strip is attached to the wall in a location corresponding to the strip on the bottom edge of the tile.

Before I start this second method, I mark out where I want the tile or mural to be placed with painters tape. The tape can be removed after installation. I follow instructions on the Command Strip package. These strips are surprisingly strong and can be removed without damage to the wall or wall paint. See installation details at:  https://www.command.com/3M/en_US/command/how-to-use/picture-hanging-strips.

To View a video showing tile installation with this metho, please highlight the link below then right click to see a menu of actions. Copy the following link and paste in your browser to see a video showing this method.

https://cdn.shopify.com/videos/c/o/v/524e869e59e14740a8389b7f6e9f7edb.mp4

3. Installation Method #3 - The Connectiles® can be mounted in a frame as with most other art objects. I have mounted a few of my tile murals on waterproof boards and added frames for quickly hanging in galleries. (I show at Kanon Gallery in Denver). Framed murals are:

- Axton Ranch Fence #1

- Balloons #1 - Red

- Chopsticks AP1 - Red

- Chopsticks AP3 - Purple

- Chopsticks AP4 - Orange

- Corn Cob #1 - Green Background

- Indigo Cutting in Vase #1 - Red Flowers

- Indigo Cutting in Vase #2 - Orange Flowers

- Indigo Cutting in Vase #3 - Violet Flowers

- Tree #1 - Orange

To mount these framed murals, use the standard nail-in-the-wall method where a wire is hung over a nail driven into the wall. Since the larger sets tend to be heavier, I recommend a sturdy nail or other picture hanger be used.

I don't love this method of installation because the wire allows the mural to hang away from the wall a bit at the top and because the wire allows the mural to rotate away from level and plumb.