The visual installation guide
From the first dry fit to the final coat, see what happens at each stage. Scroll through the process or jump to the part you need.
Follow the steps ↓Download specifications & installation tips (PDF) ↓Installation guidance & disclaimer
This guide provides general installation information and may change without prior notice. It does not replace advice for your specific project, and Indy Penny Tile, LLC does not guarantee a particular installation result.
We describe general material types but do not endorse or recommend specific brands of glues, adhesives, grouts, sealers, or maintenance and cleaning products. Always consult a licensed, experienced tile installer. Confirm compatibility and test the complete system. Follow the thinset or adhesive, grout, and sealer or finish manufacturers’ instructions for preparation, application, curing, maintenance, and cleaning. Those product manufacturers’ instructions take precedence over this general guide.
Plan & dry fit
Lay out the penny tiles before adding adhesive. Match the interlocking edges and work along a straight starting line. Continue the staggered penny pattern across adjoining sheets and rows, keeping the spacing consistent at every seam.
Dry fit several tiles together, including the corners and edges, before committing to the layout.
Trim the mesh
Place the penny tile on a flat surface and cut the mesh between the pennies with a utility blade. Trim around walls and obstacles, then dry fit the pieces. Plan for penny halves wherever the pattern leaves alternating gaps along a straight edge.
Cut the backing in the gaps between coins. Plan the exposed edge before setting the first tile.
Set the tile
Thinset is our usual setting material. Choose one suited to the substrate and the project. Use the smallest V notch trowel you can find, with notches from 1/32 to 1/16 inch. The notch must be very small to keep the thinset layer thin and even. Press the penny tile and mesh into the fresh bed. A wooden roller can help flatten the tile and seat the backing evenly.
Have your installer select the notch size and adhesive bed thickness using the setting material manufacturer’s instructions. Keep thinset below the penny faces and out of the grout joints.
Set penny halves
With the penny tiles in place, insert penny halves into the alternating gaps along the boundary. Set each half into the compatible setting material with its flat side facing the edge. Match the spacing and keep the penny faces level.
Install every edge piece before grouting. Let the setting material cure for the time specified by its manufacturer.
Grout & clean
The circular penny pattern creates gaps up to 5/32 inch, so we recommend sanded grout. Charcoal is our preferred color and is shown here. Once the setting material has cured, pack grout into one small section at a time. Use a damp sponge in gentle circular passes to clean the penny faces, rinsing the sponge frequently.
Keep sections small enough to remove excess grout promptly, generally within about 5 minutes. The grout manufacturer’s specified cleanup window takes precedence. Do not let excess grout dry on the penny faces.
Protect & enjoy
After the grout has cured, apply a compatible protective clear coat. We recommend two part pourable epoxy for floors. For walls, water based polyurethane spray applied in several light coats is typically a good option.
Unsealed pennies can oxidize, tarnish, and change color over time. Test your coating first, use an experienced installer, and follow the product’s application, recoat, ventilation, and full cure directions.
Materials & care
Choose a compatible system for your substrate and test it before starting. These are our general recommendations, not endorsements of a particular brand.
Use thinset appropriate for the surface. Spread it evenly and keep it from squeezing up between the pennies. Test any alternative adhesive before a permanent installation.
The circular penny pattern creates gaps up to 5/32 inch, so we recommend sanded grout. Charcoal gives the copper a clear outline. Work in small sections and remove the excess promptly, before it dries on the penny faces.
For floors, we recommend two part pourable epoxy. For walls, use water based polyurethane in multiple light coats. Let the grout cure first and follow the coating directions.
The clear coat protects the pennies and helps limit oxidation. Once it has fully cured, follow that coating manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance instructions. Cleaning products should be chosen for the finished coating, not just the metal underneath.
A few useful answers
Start with accurate measurements, then allow extra for perimeter cuts and your layout. Review the quantities in our planner and contact us if you need help before ordering.
Open the layout plannerThinset, grout, and clear finish are not included. Choose compatible products with an experienced tile installer and follow each manufacturer’s preparation, application, and cure instructions.
Real pennies can oxidize and develop a patina over time. We strongly recommend a protective coating to help limit those changes. A sample lets you check the look and compatibility before coating the whole project.
Our current production lead time is 4 weeks. Allow additional time for delivery, preparation, and the cure times of your installation materials. Contact us before ordering more than 100 penny tiles.
Check your project timing