When you are ready to find a contractor for your tile installation there are a several things you can do to help you decide which one is right for you.
1) Research, research, research
In the internet age there is absolutely no reason to hire anyone without being able to find information about their company. Even if there is very limited information on the internet about them you need to look at the type of the information. If someone has a negative review it will be there – permanently.
Also keep in mind that people are far more inclined to let everyone know about a bad or unsatisfactory experience than one with which they are totally satisfied. If they are happy with their tile installation they will let the next person that asks them about tile know they were happy. If they are unhappy with it they tend to let as many people know as possible.
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I just finished up a ceramic tile kitchen with the countertops on point (diagonally) and the backsplash straight. 
We decided, as I will often suggest, that the countertop be installed diagonally. The reason I prefer this is that most kitchen countertops are 25 inches deep from the front to the wall. This being the case it often looks better with 12″ tiles to set them on point either with or without a frame (being surrounded by straight tiles). If you do not do it this way you end up with a 1″ strip of tile along the back wall which looks very unprofessional in my opinion. By framing the center diagonal tiles it leave a nice, clean look and adds some “movement” to an installation rather than simply plain, straight tile.
This particular countertop is built with two layers of 5/8″ plywood and Fiberboard attached with screws over thinset mortar.
You can click on any of the images below for a full-size version.
To make any project progress smoothly there are certain things you can do to be prepared before you even call a contractor.
1) Make a list.
Write down the scope of your project and what you want to accomplish. Try to cover all aspects you can think of. If you are having your bathroom tiled, will you be replacing the fixtures? Who will be removing and replacing the toilet? Are you replacing the cabinets? Do you want the tile under or up to the new cabinets? Will it be necessary to move plumbing fixtures or will they remain in the same spot? Who will be responsible for that? In your kitchen who will be moving the appliances? Do you have a gas stove or electric?
Start broadly such as “remodel bathroom”. You can then make sub-headings such as “tear-out”, “plumbing”, and “cabinetry”. Then make lists under these along with who will be responsible for each. Most tile contractors will remove and replace toilets, baseboards, and be responsible for any tear-out needed. Some can take care of items such as new cabinets, replacing fixtures, etc. Items such as wiring or moving plumbing oftentimes require an electrician or plumber due to code requirements, insurance reasons, or simply skill comfort level of any given job. Many times it is a combination of these.
If another trade contractor will be required, if you do not know anyone, ask your tile contractor if there is someone he works with regularly. Any of us that have been in business for a significant amount of time usually have specific people we work with which makes everyone’s job easier.
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Just a quick photo post of a kitchen backsplash with ceramic tile installed on point (diagonally). The wall behind the stove had to be repaired due to the 4 x 4 inch backsplash that was on it previously. That’s actually a good thing, if the wall comes down with it that means it’s installed properly. 🙂 It’s amazing what a difference 35 square feet of tile can make.
I’m posting this to show how Schluter Ditra is used. It’s that bright orange stuff you can see from space. 🙂 Ditra is an “uncoupling” membrane for floor and countertop installations. This simply means that it essentially separates the subfloor (the plywood or chipboard) from the tile installed upon it. Any movement in the subfloor or joists due to temperature, humidity, etc. (it is wood, after all) will not be transferred up into the tile and cause movement, cracking grout or tile. It is, in my opinion, the best option for a tile underlayment and my preferred method.
Click on any of the photos below for a larger version.
Tile Art is Northern Colorado’s premier tile contractor. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado Tile Art serves customers in Fort Collins as well as Loveland, Greeley and all of Northern Colorado. Take some time and browse around our website and, when you’re ready, just give us a call or fill out our contact form and we will sit down with you to discuss the various options available for your project.
Services
Tile Art is a full-service tile and stone installation company. We can cover just about any scope of your project from a simple, small kitchen backsplash up to and including a full bathroom remodel. No matter the size of your particular installation we can help you complete it.
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