Laying tile is a process that includes many steps. Depending on the condition of your home, installation projects vary, but typically, installing tile for the first time (i.e., not tile replacement) follows the same procedure. We'll walk you through the steps below, so you know exactly what will be involved on your installation day.
Our Process For Tile Installation in Thornton, CO
If you are installing tile in place of where carpet or hardwood floors currently are in your home, then the first step in the process will be to remove existing flooring. After peeling back the carpet or ripping up the wood, we'll be able to see how level your actual floor is to determine our next steps.
Floor Leveling
There's a chance your existing floor is perfectly level. There’s a chance it’s not. Either way, we'll find out. If it isn’t, we'll need to create a smooth and completely flat surface to install your tile. Slanted tiles are both unattractive and a safety hazard, and can be damaged more easily than completely level tiles. In other words, this step cannot be missed.
Tile Guides and Layout
When it comes to tile laying, precision is key. While we have ample experience with laying tile, we know that victory loves preparation, and that means drawing a tile guide is non-negotiable. This is especially true if you opt for an intricate or unique tile pattern. We'll draw a guide with chalk so that there are no mistakes during installation. Then, we’ll lay the tiles to have an idea of the pieces we need to cut, using spacers to ensure the right thickness of grout is used in the final step. We'll then make sure the surface is free from debris and prepare for the actual tiling.
Tile Installation
We will lay down the tiles in your preferred pattern, applying tile mortar or tile adhesive to a small area at a time. Mortar sets relatively quickly, so we will work quickly as well while ensuring the correct pattern is followed. Once we reach the edges, we'll cut the tile to fit to reduce the amount of wastage. After all the tiles have been laid, we need to let the mortar cure before we can begin to grout.
Grouting
Proper grouting provides a water-tight seal for your flooring and keeps tiles securely in place. We'll apply the grout in the spaces between your tiles, ensuring they are completely filled before wiping away the excess with water and a sponge. Like mortar, grout needs time to cure.
Our Comprehensive Range of Thornton Tile Installation Projects
Tile is the perfect material for any room in your home. It doesn't have to be reserved for flooring alone, making it a beautiful option for your bathroom walls, kitchen backsplash, and outdoor entertaining area as well. Read on to discover the many different tiling projects we specialize in.
Bathroom Tile Installation
There's a chance you already have tile in your bathroom, but it's possible you have wooden floors or vinyl planks. While wood and vinyl planks can be good choices for the rest of your home, tile has and will always be the best option for bathrooms. Why? Because it's completely water-resistant, incredibly versatile, easy to maintain, and doesn't damage easily. If your tile does become damaged, a quick bathroom tile repair is all that's needed to get it back into excellent shape.
Shower Tile Installation
Tile is great for bathroom floors, but it's also ideal for shower walls, a recess shelf, a shower bench, and even other parts of your bathroom walls. Because drywall is easily water-damaged and can even swell from humidity, choosing tile for the inside of your shower is necessary. Thanks to its durable nature, you will seldom need shower tile repair aside from fixing the odd crack or two.
Kitchen Tile Installation
Forget hardwood for your kitchen, tile is the ideal material for what can be the messiest room in your home. From spaghetti night to knocked-over dog bowls, kitchen floors see their fair share of messes. But while tile is a perfect flooring material for your kitchen, kitchen tile repair may be needed more than, say, wood flooring repair, though you will see other benefits such as reduced water damage and lower installation costs.
Patio Tile Installation
As outdoor spaces that are exposed to the elements, patio flooring needs to be water-resistant. That's why tile is one of the most popular choices for outdoor spaces, but you should be sure to select a slip-resistant style as well. Patio tiles tend to be larger in size, and if you have opted for sheet tiles, if these become damaged, tile floor repair will usually involve replacing an entire sheet versus filling a crack.
Types of Tile
One of the best things about tile is that it's so versatile. With so many attractive tile choices, you can use the same type for both your bathroom and patio if you like and a similar type for your kitchen backsplash and shower wall. The most popular types of tile used in Colorado homes include:
- Ceramic tile
- Porcelain tile
- Glass tile
- Natural stone tile (granite, terracotta, marble, etc.)
- Travertine tile
Within these tile selections, you'll find varying price ranges, colors, and pattern options. Once you pick your preferred style of tile, you can rely on our qualified team to install it quickly and correctly.
