Tile is forever. Or at least it should be. Ceramic and stone are some of the most durable building materials available, with installations from ancient Egypt, Babylon, and Rome still intact today. When you decide to tile a space, you are choosing a craft with thousands of years of tradition.
Ensure your next tile project is completed with the care, knowledge, and skill that will not only make it strong enough to last, but beautiful enough to love as well.
Here is what you can expect to see in my work:
- All of the methods used in my installations are TCNA (Tile Council of North America) approved, giving the reassurance that only tried and true techniques will be applied.
- Before any tiles are set, I will determine a layout that takes into account the full space, as well as any features such as windows, niches, cabinets, etc. to ensure full tiles, uninterrupted grout lines, and even cuts whenever possible. No tiny slivers, wedge shapes, or weird breaks!
- When preparing the substrate of walls and floors for tile, I prefer to build a mud bed, which is layer of mortar with metal lath embedded within. Mud beds have been used for hundreds of years and are considered the premium method for tile installations, because they allow the surfaces to made flat, square, and plumb. They are extremely durable, and also allow me to make adjustments to achieve more ideal tile layouts. It is a high skill and labor intensive process, but I believe the results are worth it. If you would like to learn more about this process, I’ve made a short video demonstrating a shower being built.
- Because of the ideal surfaces I can make with a mud bed, I am able to ensure tiles are set flat, without lippage.
- I am diligent in making sure that each tile is set with maximum mortar coverage beneath. This is important for two reasons: first, it provides adequate support for the tiles. Although tile is very hard, it is brittle, so cracks can occur if there are gaps that allow pressure to bend the tile. Second, in a wet area such as a shower, air pockets behind the tile create a space for moisture to accumulate. This is one of the leading causes of mold and mildew in a shower. Eliminating those voids will keep your shower clean and prevent mold and mildew from growing beneath the surface of the tiles where it can not be addressed without a full tear out.
My commitment to quality and attention to detail make even the simplest installations stand out.
I would love to hear what you have in mind for your next project and would be honored to be considered for bringing it to life.