Installation

Tile installation gets a lot of DIY attention and air time on home renovation shows, but the reality is, it’s not as easy and fast as it looks. It takes a lot of time, patience and skill to successfully complete, and maintain the integrity of the finished project. So, it’s definitely worth spending the extra money on having a professional take on the installation. When the job begins the tile installers will spend the time laying out the tile to approximate the final design. So, this really isn’t a con, it’s more of an important recommendation.

When it comes to deciding which material makes the best choice for your space, it’s all about understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each. Before you look at the materials themselves, consider the overall design of the space, how many people use the space and what the space needs to hold up to on a daily basis. Choose your tile carefully and don’t skimp on cleaning and maintenance to ensure that your space will look gorgeous for years to come.

To make it even easier, keep in mind these takeaways as you make your way through our tile department of one of our locations:

• Ceramic tile flooring is budget friendly and easy to keep clean
• Natural stone tiles are slightly higher in cost, but are natural and luxurious, and cleaning isn’t too difficult.
• Don’t be swayed by DIY home improvement shows: tile installation is a job best left to the pros!

Cost

Because natural stone is, well, natural, it’s one of the more expensive tile options. Their luxurious look makes the expense worth it if the budget allows for it.

Ceramic tile is one of the most affordable options available today. The prices do range depending on the style, finish and grade of the ceramic tile chosen. Unglazed tiles are less expensive than glazed tiles but require an additional finishing process during the installation process.

As with any flooring project, tile or natural stone flooring installation is considered a construction project. When preparing your home, be advised that there is the potential for noise, dust, and material odors during the installation process, so it is advised that you plan accordingly.

Our team will do their best to contain any mess created during the installation process. Please note that your access to the space will be limited during the installation, and you may also be asked to refrain from using the space for a period of time after the installation.

Our estimator who visited your home will have already discussed the installation process, including the layout of your new floor, and the removal of your existing floor, if needed. Our estimator will also review how to make the installation process smooth and efficient, including the following tips:

• If you’re remodeling more than your floor, all other construction projects should be completed.
• Remove all furniture from the construction area as agreed upon with the estimator prior to the arrival of our installers.
• Remove all small personal items, electronics and breakables from the tops of furniture and from closets where the new flooring will be installed.
• Ensure that your home has an operational HVAC unit(s) before, during, and after installation.
• Be sure to raise questions and concerns about the subfloor, timing and finishing/trim before the installation starts so we can address these issues and plan accordingly.

Our team has on  occasion discover unforeseen issues or damage once we remove existing flooring. In such cases, the estimator/installer will review with you any issues and adjust pricing for any additional work/repairs that may need to be done.

We strongly recommend customers be home when the installers first arrive. This allows our team to review the materials with you and confirm installation areas. Our team may also ask where they can set up and make cuts. Our installers always use drop cloths to protect nearby furniture and delicate items.

Our team will review placement, designs and layouts before installing the tile. It is important that you review these with the lead installer, as once the material is installed it cannot be changed or removed.

Your tile or natural stone installation may take several days depending on the size and complexity of the project. Our team will need to remove the existing floors, and they may use tools (e.g., saws, crow bars, scrapers) that generate noise and dust. These tools may also cause nail pops in the ceiling below.

Following the removal of the existing floor, our team will prep the floors for your new tile or natural stone product to ensure that the new floor is supported and protected from any potential moisture. The preparation may include water proofing membranes, mortars, and grouts, all of which require time to cure before moving onto the next step.

Tiles are set in a mortar cement. This process does take some time depending on the size of the project and can take 24-48 hours to completely set cure.

Once our team has  finished installing your new flooring, they will clean up and remove all work-related debris. If possible, they will also place furniture back into the space. There will be times the installers cannot put the furniture back because the tile needs to set/cure before walking on it. You should be prepared to keep furniture off the new installation for at least 24-48 hours. Your estimator will have reviewed these possible scenarios with you. Our team will also walk through the job with you to make sure all work is completed to your satisfaction.

Dust in the area and haze on the surface are normal following the installation. Such after effects are completely normal and do not reflect a defect in the product or installation process. Basic cleaning will help to remove any remaining haze that is left from the installation. Our team will discuss when it is appropriate to clean the space, noting that you should plan to allow approximately 72 hours for grouted areas to fully cure.