Tools required:  Wet saw, 6 mm comb, small cleaning sponge, old toothbrush, Dustcloth, clean bucket of water, grout mixing bucket, Squeegee, trowel, wooden mixing spoon
 

The best way of cutting these tiles is with a wet saw which can be rented from hire-all shops.

1. The tiles should be fixed to a sound backing free of dust, grease, dampness etc.  Use a good quality non-slip water resistant adhesive.  Apply it evenly to the area to be tiled.  On counter-tops use Timber Fix Flexible Adhesive which compensates for any vibrations in kitchen appliances below.  Otherwise the tiles might lift off.

1. Decide where the focal point is in the kitchen and place full tiles working out from that corner.  Otherwise the cut ends will be far more noticeable and unattractive.    Areas near the windows edge should have cuts mitered at 450 so as not to expose the edge when turning the corner around the window’s edge.  Allow 24 hours to set before grouting.

2. Fix the tiles using a 5 mm gap.  Gap space can be achieved by cutting brown cardboard packaging into small squares.  Never butt the tiles, this is because they are not four square and gives you room to play with.  The surface is slightly bevelled.  At this stage decide where to place the decorative insets.  Use either a grey grout 3 - 12 mm thickness or a white wide-joint grout.  Use Polybond added to the white so that it is easier to work with and doesn't dry out too quickly.  For kitchen counters use an epoxy grout, which is easier to keep clean.  Use ordinary grout on the walls.

3. Apply the grout to the tiles with a Squeegee.  Press in firmly to the grout space.  Do a half metre square at a time.  With a damp sponge smoothen the surface of the grout level with the surface of the tiles.  Wipe off excess grout and rinse the sponge in a clean bucket of water.  Repeat the procedure.  Do not worry if there is a milky scum still on the surface.  Proceed onto the next lot of tiles.  You can come back to that spot in 15 to 20 minutes and rub it down with a clean dustcloth, to reveal the magnificent surface of Paco Pepe tiles.  Use a toothbrush to remove engrained grout from the relief insets before they harden.