Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers! Check out our FAQ section below where we tackle the most common queries about our tiling services, ensuring you have all the info you need to get started with confidence.
What types of tile do you offer?
We offer a wide variety of tiles, including porcelain, ceramic, marble, glass, and specialty tiles like mosaics and large-format panels.
How much does tile installation cost?
Costs vary based on the type of tile and the scope of the project, but we provide free estimates to give you an accurate pricing upfront.
Do you offer any warranties on your work?
Yes, we offer a lifetime warranty on all our installations to ensure your peace of mind.
How long does tile installation typically take?
Installation time varies depending on the project size, but we aim to complete most jobs within a few days to a week.
Can you install tile over an existing floor?
Yes, we can often install tile over existing flooring, depending on the condition and type of the current floor.
What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tile?
Porcelain tiles are denser and less porous than ceramic tiles, making them more durable and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
How do you handle waterproofing for bathrooms?
We use high-quality waterproofing materials and techniques to ensure that all bathroom installations are moisture-resistant and durable.
Can tiles be used outdoors?
Absolutely! We offer a range of outdoor-safe tiles that are perfect for patios, pools, and other outdoor areas.
What are large format tiles?
Large format tiles are bigger than standard tiles and can significantly reduce the number of grout lines, creating a seamless look.
Do you provide custom tile designs?
Yes, we can create custom tile designs that uniquely fit your space and style preferences.
How do I clean and care for my tile?
Most tiles can be easily cleaned with mild detergent and water. We will provide specific care instructions based on the type of tile you choose.
Do you handle both residential and commercial tile installations?
Yes, we have extensive experience with both residential and commercial projects, providing high-quality installations for all types of properties.
Do you provide free estimates?
Yes, we offer free estimates to help you understand the potential costs of your project without any commitment.
What brands of tile do you work with?
We work with a variety of well-known and reputable tile brands to provide you with the best quality products available.
What grout color options are available?
We offer a wide range of grout colors to match or complement your chosen tiles.
Are there any tile materials you recommend avoiding?
The choice depends on the application; for instance, some tiles are not suitable for high-moisture areas. We can advise you based on your specific needs.
What is involved in a dustless tile removal?
Our dustless removal process uses specialized equipment to minimize dust, keeping your home clean and safe during the demolition phase.
Can you remove asbestos tiles?
Yes, we are equipped to safely remove asbestos-containing materials in compliance with all regulatory guidelines.
What certifications do your tile installers have?
Our installers are certified by major industry organizations like the NTCA and have received training from manufacturers such as Schluter and Laticrete.
Can you install heated flooring under the tiles?
Yes! We can install heated flooring systems under most types of tiles, providing you with comfort and warmth.
Do you provide sealing services for tiles?
Yes, we can seal your tiles to enhance their durability and resistance to staining.
What precautions do you take during installation to protect my property?
We use protective coverings and careful techniques to ensure your property remains undamaged and clean throughout the installation process.
Is there any downtime needed for the area after tile installation?
Some downtime is required for the adhesive and grout to cure fully, typically around 24 to 48 hours, depending on the specifics of the job.
What are the benefits of porcelain panels?
Porcelain panels offer a modern look with minimal grout lines, and they are incredibly durable and easy to maintain.
Can you handle the tile needs of a full house renovation?
Yes, we can manage large-scale projects, including full house renovations that require extensive tile work.
What are the most durable tiles you offer?
Porcelain tiles are among the most durable options, perfect for high-traffic areas and commercial use.
How do you estimate the number of tiles needed for a job?
We measure your space carefully and calculate the number of tiles needed, considering the pattern and tile size, to ensure minimal waste and cost-efficiency.
What happens if I am not satisfied with the installation?
Your satisfaction is our top priority. If you're not happy with the installation, we'll work with you to resolve the issue promptly.
How long before I can walk on my new tile floor?
Typically, you should wait about 24 hours before walking on a newly tiled floor to allow the adhesive to set properly.
Why is Tile The Healthy Choice?
Tile is a healthy choice, ceramic and porcelain tile is made from natural ingredients and free from toxic chemicals that can make you sick. Tile is the smart choice for a healthy home from the ground up! Tile is a hypoallergenic flooring option, naturally resistant to dust and other harmful pollutants that are known to cause a variety of health issues. Tile is a great choice if you suffer from allergies or asthma. Tile is impervious, meaning it’s inhospitable to dust mites, bacteria, fungi, mold, and other irritants. Tile is inherently inorganic, emitting zero VOCs. VOC’s are emitted by virtually all other types of flooring. VOCs are harmful gases that can cause headaches, nausea, and nose, eye, and throat irritation. VOC emissions are also a leading cause of “sick building syndrome”. Tile is also a solid material meaning tile does not contain the binders common to other flooring and wall surfaces- binders like formaldehyde. Tile is also free from PVC, a resin commonly used in other surfaces to improve mechanical flexibility and heat stability. PVC contains phthalates and organotin, both regularly a subject of concern and discussion among health experts. PVC link.
Why is Tile The Green Choice?
- Tile is a sustainable building material, Certified Green.
- No other flooring or wall covering choice can compare to tile when it comes to longevity. When installed correctly Tile will last for many generations. This combined with tile being a zero-waste manufacturing material made it the most eco-friendly choice when it comes to flooring or wall coverings.
- Ceramic tile is plastic-free and completely recyclable.
- There are many tile options available that are made from recycled materials. Find some examples here.
- Tile is Energy Efficient. Tile’s inherent thermal mass reduces peak heating and cooling, which helps moderate temperature swings in your home. This means less work for you HVAC system and more energy savings for you.
- Manufacturers of tile have the lowest carbon footprint of any flooring choice! Tile manufacturers typically use materials found within 500 miles of manufacturing facilities, dramatically reducing the energy and emissions that come from long-distance shipping of materials.
Is Tile Waterproof?
Short answer No. Why is this important? When considering a tile contractor to construct and tile your shower or bathtub surround please keep in mind that your shower will have an average of 1100” of water rain per year, in comparison the average rainfall for Seattle Washington is 36” per year! Make sure that whomever you choose to install your new shower tile has a plan for waterproofing before installing the tile!
Types of Tile
- Porcelain Tile, porcelain tile is impervious, meaning its water absorption is 0.5% or less. A great choice for any application. Easy to maintain and very durable.
- Ceramic Tile, similar to porcelain ceramic tile is fired clay. Ceramic is not fired as hot and long as porcelain making it a softer product. Ceramic tile also absorbs water at a much higher rate, making it a poor choice for most outdoor applications.
- Mosaic Tile, tiles having a facial area of less than 9 in². Typically mounted on sheets or strips with other mosaic tiles.
- Encaustic Tile, tile decorated with colored clays, inlaid and fired. Often referred to as Cement Tile.
- Marble Tile, is marble that has been cut into tile sizes.
- Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels/Slabs; Large format tile that is gauged to a certain thickness, often only half the thickness of standard tiles and up to 63”x 126”.
- Natural Stone, tiles cut from naturally occurring material, travertine, marble, etc.
- Feature Tile; tile that is used strictly to make a statement, express your artistic taste, and beautify your home. The choices are endless and as unique as you are! 3D tile, metallic tile, and stone-look tile are just a few of the options.
Tile Terms
- Brick joint or Running bond, Tile installation with each row offset, typically with half its length. (If the side to be offset is greater than 15”, a maximum offset of ⅓ is recommended.
- Bullnose, a trim tile with a radius on one edge, is used for finishing an edge.
- Backerboard; An underlayment material used as a substrate for tile. Some backerboards are waterproof and some need to be waterproofed for proper shower construction.
- Grout; is the material used for filling tile joints.
- Honed; a satin surface with little or no gloss.
- Lippage; A detectable change in elevation between the edges of tiles sharing the same grout joint.
- Membrane; An underlayment material, usually in the form of a sheet or trowelable liquid applied to the substrate prior to tile installation. A couple of common uses of membranes would be to isolate substrate cracks from the tile and mortar (crack isolation membranes), waterproofing (waterproof membranes).
- Thinset mortar; A blend of cement, sand, and additional compounds to improve adhesion and add strength.
- Rectified Tile; A tile that has had all edges mechanically finished to achieve a more precise facial dimension.
- Trim; Various shapes of bases, caps, corners, mouldings, angles etc. to finish or trim tile.
What Tile Organizations exist?
- ANSI, American National Standards Institute, a standards development organization.
- ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials International, a standards development organization.
- NTCA, National Tile Contractors Association, Established in 1947, the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to the professional installation of ceramic tile and natural stone. It is widely recognized as the largest and most respected tile contractors association in the world.
- TCNA, Tile Council North America. TCNA is a trade association representing manufacturers of ceramic tile, tile installation materials, tile equipment, raw materials, and other tile-related products.
- Coverings, The largest event dedicated strictly to tile. Experience nine miles of the latest tile and stone trends. https://www.coverings.com/
- CTDA, Ceramic Tile Distributor Association,
- CTEF, Ceramic Tile Education Foundation,
- TCAA, Tile Contractors Association of America.
- TCA Team, The TCA Team, a subsidiary of the TCNA, was launched to address the growing demand for tile installation consultations, inspections, and expert witnesses.
- Tile Heritage Foundation, For research and preservation of ceramic surfaces
Alice and Fred Sieling
Tile Solutions Stone helped us remodel our fireplace, entryway, and patio. It was a difficult project as we wanted true stone, not tile and we had chosen a pattern (Versailles) that was hard to translate to these areas. We drew up a fireplace plan ourselves and Luke helped us adjust it to our fireplace. The result is lovely and we love it! The project was only delayed for a day of rain and we were instructed in the care of our new surfaces. Heartily recommend them! He warrants his work.
Karen M.
We dreaded the thought of remodeling a bathroom in our new house. But Luke Miller and his crew were efficient, clean, and quiet - finished on time and on budget. He turned a beat-up teenagers' bathroom into a spa-like space worth of Architectural Digest! He is a skilled and meticulous craftsman with the highest work ethic. We would gladly recommend him to anyone who wants to update their kitchen, bath, or other room
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