Big tile is less forgiving, not more
A large tile cannot bend to follow a floor, so any dip that a small mosaic would have hidden turns into a lifted edge you can feel with a bare foot. The bigger the tile, the flatter the floor has to be first. Mortar coverage matters for the same reason — a tile set on ridges instead of full contact sounds hollow when you tap it and cracks the first time something heavy lands on it.
Tile needs somewhere to move
Floors and walls expand, shrink and settle, and a tile field with nowhere to go relieves itself by cracking, usually in a straight line across the room. That is what the gap at the perimeter is for, and why inside corners and the joint where the floor meets the wall get flexible caulk instead of grout. Over a cracked slab, a crack isolation membrane keeps the movement below from coming up through the tile.
Judging a tile quote
A quote that says install tile and says nothing about what is under it is not really a tile quote. Look for the prep named out loud: demolition and disposal, leveling, backer board or membrane, and who decides the layout. Ask where the cut tiles will end up and where the grout lines will land at the door — someone who has thought about it will answer straight away.
What You Can Expect
- 01
Let's Talk
Tell us what you're looking to do. We'll listen, ask questions, and help you understand your options.
- 02
Review The Project
We'll look at the space, talk through the details, and figure out what makes sense for your home.
- 03
Get An Estimate
You'll receive an estimate before work begins, so you know what to expect.
- 04
Get To Work
Once everything is approved, we get started and keep you informed along the way.
- 05
Make Sure It's Right
Before we call a project finished, we make sure the work meets our standards and yours.
Expert Tile Installations: common questions
Can you tile over the tile I already have?
Sometimes. It has to be sound, fully bonded and flat, and the added height has to work at doorways, the toilet flange and any transition. We tap the whole floor to find hollow or loose areas and tell you whether yours is a candidate.
Why did my last tile floor crack?
Most cracked tile is a movement or substrate problem rather than a bad tile. Either the floor underneath flexes, a slab crack telegraphed up, or the installation had no perimeter gap and no soft joints. We look for the cause first, because setting new tile on the same floor gets the same result.
When can we walk on it and use the shower?
Mortar and grout both need time to cure, and how long depends on the product, the room and how damp it is. We tell you which day the floor is walkable and which day the shower can be used, rather than guessing at the start.
Serving homeowners throughout Washington County
Most of our projects are in Washington County and the nearby communities. If you're planning a remodel, a repair or a renovation and you don't see your city listed, call us and we'll tell you straight whether we can help.