Perfection is not my goal. It is my foundation.

Serving Central Kentucky

Perfection is not my goal. It is my foundation.

Serving Central Kentucky

Information

A Tile Setter You Can Trust

Considering a tile installation project for your home or business?

Before hiring a tile setter or embarking on a DIY tile project, there are several factors you should consider, including (1) the type of tile, (2) the underlayment, (3) the installation technique, (4) the design/layout, and (5) budget.

Choosing Your Tile

The most obvious, of course, is choosing the actual tile product to use. There are many different tile materials available, from natural stone to glass. Not all will work equally well in all situations and locations..

Underlayment Matters

Before any tile can be installed on a wall, floor or any other surface, the material that is going to receive that tile must be chosen, which can make or break a proper tile job. There are a myriad of different types of materials that can be used as underlayments for a tile project; some are better than others, while some should not be used at all. Sometimes regular backer boards like Hardie® board or Durock® cement board can be used as underlayment, even regular drywall can be used in non-wet zones. The best type of underlayment to use is one that has been designed specifically for tile. The underlayment I prefer the most are GoBoard®, Kerdi-Board® and Wedi® Board, just to name a few. Not all underlayments are created equal, yet the choice of underlayment is going to determine how well a tile installation is going to perform and how long it will last.

Installation Technique

Another aspect of this choice is how it is installed. I have seen people time and time again buy a high-quality underlayment and then proceed to compromise that quality by not following the correct installation procedures. Not all situations call for the same type of surface preparation, and sometimes a surface that might not be appropriate in one circumstance can be ideal in another. Each situation must be individually evaluated. Preparation is key to any project, whether it be a tile project or not. What seems like a small problem at the initial stage of an installation can become a major headache later on. Size and complexity of a tile job will be a major determining factor on the amount of preparation that will be required; a small and simple tile job will almost always be easy to prepare for and execute. A large or complex installation is going to require much more forethought and planning for things to go smoothly. The proper underlayment and preparation are paramount to a well-executed tile installation that will last many years to come.

Planning Your Design

Many installations are simple and straightforward. Others are complex with countless design elements. Although the aesthetics of a tile job is frequently of the utmost importance, it may not always be the most important aspect of the project at hand. In certain circumstances, the tile installation has to accommodate the needs of the house.

While there are many other elements to consider when planning a tile installation, aside from the setting materials and adhesives that should be used, no elements are more important than those mentioned above.