Residential Tile Installation

What We Install in Your Home

Residential tile work covers a wide range of surfaces. Kitchen floors, backsplashes behind ranges and sinks, mudroom entries, laundry room floors, fireplace surrounds, and living room feature walls are all part of what we do. Each surface has its own requirements for substrate preparation, mortar type, and tile selection, and we treat them accordingly.

We work with porcelain, ceramic, natural stone (marble, travertine, slate, limestone), glass mosaic, and large-format slabs up to 48 inches on a side. Large-format tiles require a flatter substrate and a different mortar application technique called back-buttering, where mortar is applied to both the substrate and the back of the tile to achieve full coverage. Gaps in mortar coverage under large tiles are a common source of cracking and hollow spots, so we are careful about coverage on every install.

The Prep Work That Makes It Last

Before any tile goes down, we assess the substrate. For floors, that means checking for flex, moisture, and flatness. For walls, it means confirming that the backer material is appropriate for the location. Drywall is not a suitable substrate for wet areas. Cement board or a waterproofing membrane system is required in kitchens near sinks and in any bathroom application.

Subfloor flatness is measured against a 10-foot straightedge. The TCNA (Tile Council of North America) standard calls for no more than 3/16 inch variation over 10 feet, or 1/8 inch over 2 feet for large-format tiles. If we find a floor that does not meet this standard, we discuss your options: self-leveling compound, grinding high spots, or shimming low ones. Skipping this step is why tile jobs fail.

Pattern and Layout Decisions

The layout of tile in a room affects how much waste you generate, how the cuts look at the perimeter, and how the finished surface reads visually. A straight stack creates a clean, grid-based look. Offset (brick pattern) adds movement and is forgiving of minor size variation between tiles. Herringbone is labor-intensive because every tile is cut at 45 degrees, but the result has a distinctive rhythm that works well in entries and narrow spaces. Diagonal layouts make a room feel larger but also increase cut waste at the perimeter by roughly 15%.

We walk you through these options before ordering tile so the layout decision is made with full information.

Available in These Areas

We provide residential tile installation across Columbine, Ken Caryl, and Littleton. If your home is in one of these communities or nearby, reach out and we can confirm coverage.