Tile is what a bathroom is made of. Done well, it lasts for decades, is easy to maintain, and defines the character of the space. Done poorly — set on a bad substrate, without proper waterproofing, with inconsistent joints or poor grout work — it fails early and expensively.
What Good Tile Work Requires
Most tile problems aren't tile problems. They're substrate and waterproofing problems. The tile is just the surface layer — what's behind it determines whether it stays there.
- Demo of existing tile. In older Roanoke homes, existing bathroom tile is often set over plaster on lath rather than cement board. Removing it requires care — you're often taking down the plaster layer too, and what you find behind it needs to be addressed before new tile goes in.
- Substrate preparation. New cement backer board or tile-ready panels in wall applications; decoupling membrane or cement board over existing floors. The substrate has to be flat, stable, and appropriate for the tile size being installed.
- Waterproofing in wet areas. Shower walls and floors get a waterproofing membrane — liquid-applied or sheet membrane — before tile is set. This is not optional. It's what keeps water in the shower and out of the wall cavity.
- Proper setting material. Large-format tiles, natural stone, and certain tile types require specific thinset mortars. Using the wrong product causes failures that show up in months, not years.
- Layout and cuts. Tile layout is a design decision as much as a technical one. Where the pattern starts, how cuts fall at the edges, whether grout lines align between floor and wall — these choices are made before the first tile goes down and determine how the finished work looks.
- Grout selection and application. Sanded vs. unsanded, epoxy vs. cementitious, color choice. Grout joints at the transition between tile and fixture must be caulked, not grouted — a common shortcut that causes cracking.
Tile Types We Work With
- Ceramic and porcelain — the most common choice, available in every size, format, and finish
- Large-format tile (12×24, 24×24 and larger) — fewer grout lines, easier to maintain, makes small bathrooms feel larger
- Subway tile — 3×6 and variations; classic look that works in Roanoke's older homes as well as contemporary renovations
- Natural stone — marble, travertine, slate; requires specific installation techniques and sealing
- Mosaic tile — for shower floors, accents, niches
- Wood-look plank tile for bathroom floors — porcelain that mimics hardwood, waterproof and durable
Service Area
Bathroom tile work throughout Roanoke city and Roanoke County, and into Salem, Vinton, Hollins, Cave Spring, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Bedford, and Daleville.