Q. Can you coordinate the tile installation?
A. No, we only focus on countertops – we do not GC other trades like plumbers, electricians, painters or tile installers. We focus on one thing so that we can deliver the best countertop experience possible.
Many of our customers have had great luck finding a local tile installer by way of referral from family, friends on Facebook and their neighbors on Nextdoor.
We recommend you schedule your tile installation the day after your countertops are installed. This will give any silicone or adhesives time to set fully.
Q. We have a tile backsplash currently. Will it get damaged during the removal of our existing countertops.
A. Most likely yes. Many times we can just keep the damage to the bottom row of tiles so that is all that needs to be replaced. However, depending on the age of the tile it may be difficult to find a match to replace the damaged tiles.
You have two options in this case:
Option 1: Get a backplash made from the same material as the countertop that goes up higher than the damaged tile hiding it.
Option 2: Replace all the tile with new tile – Our personal recommendation.
While retiling the entire backsplash will add some cost to your project, you are making a significant investment in your kitchen with new countertops and freshening up your kitchen at the same time with new tile can really make a dramatic impact in the look and feel of the space!
Q. Where is the best place to buy tile?
Our customers have had great luck finding beautiful tile at Floor & Decor, Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Q. What type of grout should I use?
Depending on the size of joint you select will determine if you use sanded or unsanded grout. We recommend adding a sealer to help prevent stains behind the stove.
The most important thing to remember is that you need to use a grout color matched silicone to seal the joint between the countertop and the first row of tile.
If you put grout in this joint it will eventually fail and crumble out. This is because your countertop and the tile will expand and contract at different rates causing the rigid grout to fail over time. You must use a flexible color matched silicone to prevent this from happen.