Page 10 - Flooring Specialist Winter 2022

Working Outside the Norm, continued

2021. I gave her some measurements along with some made the cutting process a bit more tolerable but still tested
pictures for reference and asked her to make me a 7-foot-tall my patience. After the floor tiles were set the wall was fairly
lighthouse for the project. She absolutely knocked it out of simple. The mesh backed mosaic was much easier to scribe
the park and I’m thrilled to have been able to add this project to the lighthouse and install.
to my portfolio.
The permat on the floor was set with Bostik Bam and all
To build up the substrate to the surrounding hardwood, I the wall tile was set with glass mate. The wall, installed over
used 3/8 plywood then blanke permat before setting the Go board from John’s Manville, was grouted with Bostik
floor portion of the mosaic and the Lunada Bay paper face Hydromet Vivid and the floor was grouted with diamond-
glass. Scribing the mosaic to the paper face glass proved to colored Dimensions.
be the most difficult aspect of the project. Usually tracing
the field tile for a scribe is a fairly simple process but the I love working on projects that push my limits. I honestly
paper face falls off when it gets wet, making it impossible didn’t even know exactly how I was going to execute it until
to keep your lines dry. Using carpet shield over the paper I was already waist deep into it, but that’s exactly when I do
my best work. In a time when we’re hurting for new blood in
the trades, we need to push each other to really see what’s
possible. Step up, be proud of your abilities, and show your
artwork off for everyone to enjoy. There’s nothing wrong with
working outside “the norm”. I know I always have.

About the Author: Ken Ballin owns Skyro Floors out of West
Creek, NJ and specializes in custom tile and luxury flooring. He’s
CFI (certified floorcovering installer) #13604 and CTI (certified tile
installer) #1392

10 Flooring Specialist Winter 2022