Cut panels to accommodate shower heads and faucets. Measure and mark the borders where the opening will be with a marker. Drill a 1/2-inch to 1-inch hole using a drill in a corner of the cut-out section (image 9). Use a jigsaw or hole saw to cut the remaining opening, following your tracing (image 10, 11).

Do not attach accessories like soap dishes, towel racks or shelves directly to tiles. Drill holes through the tiles and use suitable anchors to attach accessories securely into the framing behind. Seal with sealant.

Snap a level line. When starting your first row off a tub, be sure it is straight and level. Snap a level line and align the tops of each panel in the first row to the snapped line (image 12).

To install your first panel, begin with bottom row and work from left to right. Start bottom-left with a partial tile, so that you will have a full tile, centered in the middle of the first row (image 13, 14). That way, if you need to trim panels closer to the edges, you can use those extra pieces in other areas and minimize waste. The bottom flange should also be cut off of tiles when placing them on the floor or base of the tub. This will allow for a level edge on bottom. Use a utility knife or a table saw to cut the flange. If not using Inside/Outside Corner Trims and you are installing a full-size tile into a corner, the vertical flange or tongue must be cut off to allow for a plumb edge against the substrate.

Apply the panel to the substrate by pressing it into place. Apply even pressure with your hands across the entire panel. If necessary, use painter’s tape, shims or pins to hold panels in place until adhesive set Wipe off excessive adhesive. Use water and a cloth. Clean off any adhesive residue that is visible while it is still wet. Do not allow this residue to dry as it will be difficult to clean up when dry and could damage the finish Connect the next tile by fully inserting the tongue into the groove. Be sure to apply a thin bead (1/16 to 1/8-inch) of sealant to the connecting edge of each tile on both vertical and horizontal connecting seams (image 16, 17).

Repeat until bottom row is complete. If installing in a corner, cut off the flange of the tile facing the corner to allow a plumb surface against the substrate. Repeat this process on tile that abuts the previous one also facing the corner.

Allow the adhesive on the bottom row to set up. See adhesive manufacturer’s directions. The time necessary can vary from 20 minutes to several hours. After first row has set up, apply the remaining tiles according to the pattern or layout you desire. Use adhesive and methods described above for remaining rows.

Installation of Last Tile In a Row

If you are using corner and/or L-trims for a Palisade shower kit installation, the following information will show how to install the last, short tile at the end of a row. Read and follow if your project looks like this. Optional rubber gloves and water in a squirt bottle may make this task easier.

Showing where a short tile piece is needed to finish a row (image 18).

The challenge is to place the remaining tile section into the edge trim while also getting the interlocking tile edges locked together.

First, install the inside corner trims into each corner using adhesive. Make sure the corner trims are oriented as in the image right. Each inside corner trim piece has a full and a partial channel. The full channel will be against the back wall. The drawing (below) shows a top cross-section view of facing inside corners.

Next, determine the length of the tile section. Measure from the inside lip of the previously installed tile to the inside edge of the pre-installed trim. See image at right for details. In this case, the length to cut the final tile in the row is 4-3/4-inches (image 19).

After cutting tile to length, apply adhesive to the substrate, as shown (image 20). Spray a squirt or two of water onto the substrate and adhesive, as shown (image 21). This will lubricate the substrate allowing for easier movement.

Insert the cut tile edge into the L-trim while holding the interlocking joint-edge away from its mating tile. Insert the cut end into the edge of trim channel while holding other edge up (image 22).

Push the tile into the edge trim while laying the tile down toward the substrate. When pushed into the trim entirely, the interlocking edges will be exposed (image 23).

Apply sealant to the interlocking edges if this installation is for a wet environment.

The tile can now be manually pulled into place. Pull the tile toward the interlocking joint (image 24). If necessary, rubber gloves can be used to increase grip friction with the surface of the tile. Keep pulling until the interlocking joint is tight and in place (image 25).

Use a damp rag or paper towel to clean off any sealant or adhesive that may have been squeezed onto the tile surface.