PORCELAIN TILE FLOOR INSTALLATION

Duration: 7.5 hours

Age Requirement: Must be 15+

Prerequisite: Tile & Grout Basics Workshop must be completed before registering for this workshop.

Dress Code: Closed-toe shoes required. Comfortable, well-fitted clothing that you won't mind getting dirty. No loose jewelry. Longer hair should be pulled back in a ponytail or ball cap.

Instructors: Richard Jenkins & Marshal Spivack

What's Included: Materials + PPE

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

HOW TO PLAN, STAGE AND ORGANIZE A TILE FLOORING PROJECT
HOW TO EVALUATE A RESIDENTIAL SUBFLOOR FOR TILE INSTALLATION
WHEN TO USE DUROCK, HARDIEBACKER, PLYWOOD OR AN UNCOUPLING MEMBRANE
HOW TO PREPARE AND CLEAN SUBSTRATES FOR PROPER BONDING
HOW TO SELECT THE CORRECT THINSET AND GROUT FOR PORCELAIN TILE
HOW TO SET 12" X 12" PORCELAIN TILES USING LEVELING CLIPS
HOW TO MAKE ACCURATE CUTS, INCLUDING AROUND A TOILET FLANGE
HOW TO REMOVE LEVELING CLIPS FOR A FLAT FINISH
HOW TO CLEAN GROUT JOINTS AND INSTALL GROUT

$395

DO-IT-YOURSELF
AND SAVE!

Installing your own porcelain tile floor can save you a significant amount on labor costs, which often make up the largest portion of a flooring project. By learning the correct techniques and completing the work yourself, you can save a significant amount of money —sometimes even thousands—of dollars while still achieving a quality result.

Workshop Description
This Level Two workshop is designed for participants who have completed our Tile & Grout Basics class. In this session, you will learn the full workflow for installing 12" x 12" porcelain tile on a residential subfloor (not a concrete slab). We begin with a focused overview of planning, prep, materials, and safety, followed by a guided hands-on installation.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This workshop requires significant periods of kneeling, bending, leaning. Knee pads are provided.

What's Covered

Pre-Installation Discussion Includes:
• Planning and staging your project for efficiency
• Tool overview and safe use of PPE
• Photo and video examples of demolition
• Checking subfloors for structural requirements and deflection
• When to use Durock, HardieBacker, or plywood for floor stiffness
• Cleaning and preparing substrates for proper bonding
• Primer vs. uncoupling membranes and how to choose
• Selecting the correct thinset and grout for porcelain tile

Hands-On Portion Includes:
• Cleaning and prepping the subfloor
• Applying primer
• Setting 12" x 12" tiles with leveling clips for a flat surface
• Making a cutout for a toilet flange
• Removing clips after cure
• Cleaning grout joints
• Mixing and installing grout

By the end of this workshop, you will understand each stage of a real-world tile flooring project and gain the confidence to perform these steps safely and correctly. This class is ideal for DIYers preparing for a home project and homeowners who want to understand the professional installation process.

LEARN THE ESSENTIALS OF
PORCELAIN FLOOR
TILE INSTALLATION

This intermediate workshop builds on your Tile & Grout Basics skills and teaches you how to properly prep, set, and grout a 12" x 12" porcelain tile floor.

After reviewing planning, staging, materials, and subfloor requirements, you’ll move into guided hands-on practice to install tile.

ABOUT THE
INSTRUCTOR

My name is Richard Jenkins

Hi, I'm Richard! From a young age, I’ve always had a curiosity for how things work. I was the kid who loved taking things apart just to figure out how to put them back together. That desire to understand, learn, and improve has followed me throughout my life and shaped my career in the trades.

I got my start helping my neighbor with his contracting business and quickly discovered a passion for building and problem-solving. Over the years, I continued to learn and grow, working for several companies before eventually becoming a licensed contractor and venturing out on my own. With more than 30 years of hands-on experience in the tile and remodeling industry, I’ve built my career on craftsmanship, precision, and a belief in doing things the right way.

As the co-founder of TradeWorx Academy, I’m proud to share my knowledge with homeowners, aspiring tradespeople, and professionals who want to gain real-world skills that make a difference. My teaching style is patient and practical — I enjoy breaking down complex concepts into lessons that anyone can grasp. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a student gain confidence and realize they can take on projects they once thought were beyond their ability.

Outside the classroom, my passion for learning never stops. I spend much of my free time studying the latest methods, products, and materials in the tile trade because I believe continuing education is essential to staying sharp and providing the best instruction possible.

In addition to TradeWorx Academy, I own The Grout Genie, with my wife and business partner, Nicole. My experience running projects and training new technicians inspired me to create a space where education and trade excellence meet.

I’m methodical in my work and have an eye for detail that comes from years of experience — but more than anything, I believe in teaching others to take pride in what they build, to work with integrity, and to always keep learning.