Tile Installation FAQ

Porcelain is fired at a higher temperature and has a lower water absorption rate, typically under 0.5%. This makes it more appropriate for wet areas, exterior applications, and high-traffic floors. Ceramic tile absorbs slightly more moisture and is generally softer, which makes it easier to cut but less suited for outdoor use in freeze-thaw climates. For a bathroom floor or an outdoor patio in the Texas Hill Country, porcelain is the more practical choice. For a kitchen backsplash or a low-traffic interior wall, ceramic is a reasonable option and often less expensive.

There is no hard rule against large-format tile in a small space. A 24x24 inch porcelain tile can actually make a small bathroom feel more open because fewer grout lines create a cleaner visual. The practical concern is the substrate. Large-format tiles require a flat, level surface within a tighter tolerance — typically no more than 1/8 inch variation over 10 feet. If the floor has any flex or unlevel areas, those need to be addressed before setting. We assess this during the site visit and factor any leveling work into the estimate.

Either approach works. If you want to select tile from a showroom yourself, we can give you the square footage plus an overage recommendation (usually 10-15% depending on the pattern and cut complexity). If you prefer, we can source tile for you based on your style preferences and budget. One important note: if you supply the tile, make sure all boxes are from the same production run (dye lot). Tiles from different dye lots can have visible color variation even when the same product name is on the box.

In most cases, yes. Tiling over existing tile adds height, which creates transitions at doorways and can interfere with appliances, toilet flanges, and cabinet clearances. It also means any problems with the existing installation, cracked tiles, hollow spots, or an uneven surface, get buried rather than fixed. There are situations where a tile-over-tile approach is workable, but we evaluate the existing surface first and only recommend it when the conditions genuinely support it.

A kitchen backsplash usually takes one full day for installation plus a second day for grouting after the mortar cures. A bathroom floor might take a similar timeline. A full shower surround with waterproofing, backer board, tile, and grout typically runs three to five days. Larger floor projects depend heavily on square footage, pattern complexity, and whether any subfloor preparation is needed. We give a timeline estimate before the project starts so you can plan around it.

Lippage is the height difference between the edges of adjacent tiles. A small amount is normal and within industry standards, but excessive lippage is a tripping hazard and looks unprofessional. It's caused by an uneven substrate, tiles with dimensional variation, too-narrow grout joints for the tile size, or poor installation technique. We prevent it by leveling the substrate before setting, using tile leveling clips during installation to hold tiles coplanar while the mortar sets, and selecting appropriate grout joint widths for the tile format.

Cement board is water-resistant, not waterproof. It slows moisture penetration but does not stop it. Over time, water that works through the grout joints and tile can saturate the cement board and reach the wood framing behind it, leading to mold and structural damage. A proper waterproofing membrane, applied over the cement board and extended onto the shower floor, is the step that actually keeps water in the drain and out of the wall cavity. We include waterproofing in all shower installations.

The general guideline is 24-48 hours after grouting for light use, but this depends on the mortar and grout products used and the ambient temperature and humidity during curing. In hot Texas summers, mortar can cure faster. In cooler or humid conditions, it takes longer. We give you a specific timeline based on the products used on your project. Using the shower too early can shift tiles or compromise the grout before it fully cures.