Your Guide To McKinney Tile Installation
Tile installation is a popular service for many kinds of remodeling projects and renovations in McKinney. Replacing the material covering your floor, wall or backsplash is an absolute must-do for many of those projects, but actually getting that job done correctly is much easier said than done. There's a lot of work involved with even the most basic McKinney tile installation projects, which is why many people prefer to rely on their local handyman to get these jobs done.
Our McKinney handyman team can get your project done quickly, according to high standards for quality and at a competitive price—and with a friendly smile! Whether you’re getting tile installed for the first time or are looking for a tile repair and replacement service, we’ll get the job done right. Give us a call today at (214) 387-3474 to book your McKinney tile installation appointment.
What To Expect From Our McKinney Tile Installation Service
Homeowners in McKinney routinely choose our team at Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County for tile installations thanks to our dedication to providing not only exceptional quality of workmanship but outstanding customer service as well. When you choose our McKinney tile installation service for your backsplash or flooring project, you can rest assured that the project will be done right thanks to our one-year workmanship guarantee. All of our employees also have years of experience behind them and are drug- and background-checked, so you can feel comfortable welcoming them into your home.
Tile installation, replacement and repair require several specialized materials and tools. Some of the tools our handyman experts may bring and use for your McKinney tile installation service include:
- Carbide-tipped scoring tool
- Power drill with a ceramic bit
- Hammer or mallet
- Chisel
- Notched trowel
- Thinset mortar
- Replacement grout
- Level
- Safety glasses
- Painter's tape
Though all of our service appointments look slightly different depending on our clients’ needs and goals, you can expect tile replacement and installation service to follow similar steps to these:
- Surface preparation: Our team will inspect and clean the area where your tiles are going to be installed, ensuring that the surface is level and free from existing damage. If you have existing tile that must be removed, this is also the stage where our team will use specialized tools to carefully and safely remove all existing tiles and grout.
- Mortar Application and Tile Installation: Using a notched trowel, our experts will spread mortar in stages as tiles are carefully installed with spacers placed between them.
- Grout Application: After the mortar has enough time to set (which can take up to 24 hours), the spacers will be removed and grout will be used to fill the gaps between each tile.
- Cleaning and Sealing: Depending on the type of tile you choose and the type of grout used, there are certain cleaning and sealing products that may need to be used to remove grout haze from your tiles and seal them against future damage. During these final stages of your project, our team will also ensure that the workspace is left clean and in the same condition as we found it, so all that’s left after we leave is your beautiful new tile.
FAQs About McKinney Tile Installation Projects
What Types Of Tile Are Available For Tile Installation In McKinney, TX?
Ceramic Tile
Made from natural materials like clay, ceramic is a popular option for McKinney tile installation because it's durable and water-resistant, which means that it can be used for a wide variety of projects and throughout many areas of your home, but it's not recommended for outdoor use.
Porcelain Tile
Made from the same types of materials used to make ceramic, porcelain is another great option used in many successful installations. It comes in a wide variety of designs, and can even be made to mimic the appearance of other stones or natural wood. Porcelain is also less porous than ceramic, which makes it excellent for all high-traffic areas and even for outdoor use.
Metal
Because of its unique appearance and relative ease of installation, metal is becoming a popular choice for tile installation in McKinney, TX. It often comes in peel-and-stick varieties, which makes for easy kitchen backsplash installation. However, metal can be scratched and dented quite easily, so it should be avoided in high-traffic areas and generally shouldn't be used for your floor coverings.
Glass
This is the most common material used for mosaic installations. Glass comes in a wide variety of colors, and can be used for both indoor and outdoor installations. It's not as durable as other materials and will scratch or crack easily under the right conditions. Because glass tiles usually come in smaller pieces, there are typically more grout lines in glass installations. Those extra grout lines could increase your slip resistance, but they will also increase your maintenance requirements.
Quarry Tile
This type of material gets its name from the place where its source materials are found: a quarry. Quarry tiles are made in a process that's similar to how bricks are made, but they're technically stronger than bricks. Their manufacturing process makes them dense, nonporous, and exceptionally water-resistant, which makes them a great option for high-traffic areas. Unfortunately, one major downside is that they're vulnerable to staining, which means it's best to avoid using them for kitchen projects.
Natural Stone
There is a wide variety of natural stone materials available for tile installation in McKinney, TX, including travertine, marble, slate, granite, sandstone and limestone, each with its own individual pros and cons. Overall, natural stone has many benefits, even beyond its unique appearance, but it's usually not the most cost-effective choice. Many types of natural stone must also be resealed regularly in order to protect it, which adds further additional maintenance costs to your installation costs. Of course, if there's room in your budget for natural stone, there are many beautiful options to choose from.
What Material Should I Use For Tile Flooring Installation?
It's important to consider not just whether your project will be for your floors or walls, but also which room of your home you'll be completing that project in. A tile floor in your kitchen or bathroom will have different requirements than the type of flooring best used for living rooms or entryways.
Generally speaking, you want to choose durable materials that are suited for high-traffic areas. That means natural stone, metal and glass won't be ideal, as they are damaged easily and require expensive upkeep to deal with scratches, chips or stains.
Porcelain, ceramic and quarry are all suitable choices for any flooring tile installation in McKinney, TX. They're all durable materials that will stand up well against the demands put on floors. Of course, it's important to remember the unique needs of each room. For example, quarry tile won't be a great choice for the floor in your kitchen, as it's easily stained.
What Type of Tile Should I Use For Backsplash Installation?
The most important thing to remember about backsplash installation is that whichever material you choose will have to be able to withstand splashes and spills from cooking and other kitchen activities. Luckily, since this will involve your wall and not your floors, durability is less of a concern. That means the options available for backsplash installation are much more varied than those available for floors.
Porcelain, ceramic, metal, glass, and even some types of natural stone are great choices for a kitchen backsplash. Travertine is a common natural stone backsplash choice that evokes a traditional aesthetic. One of the most common choices for backsplashes is a glass mosaic pattern or a white, subway tile pattern using ceramic.
When it comes to tile installation for your kitchen backsplash, the choice is really up to you. Just be sure that the material you choose will resist stains and splashes, and that you're ready to accept any of the possible additional maintenance requirements for materials like natural stone that may need routine resealing and other types of maintenance.
What Tile Is Best For Bathrooms In McKinney, TX?
The requirements for shower tile are similar to those for other walls and floors throughout your home. One key consideration is whether you will be covering the entire wall and floor of your shower with the same material, or if you'll just be replacing the material surrounding your tub.
Other key considerations for showers include slip resistance and water resistance. For added slip resistance, some people in McKinney choose natural stone materials that have ridged or rough textures. Using smaller pieces will also help increase slip resistance because the additional grout lines improve the overall traction of your floors. Most common materials are suitably water-resistant. However, some are more porous than others, so it can be helpful to do a little research—or seek advice from a local handyman—and ensure that you pick a material that will not absorb water.
For the flooring outside your shower stall, it's best to pick a similarly durable, non-slip material. You'll also want to consider comfort. Metal might seem like an interesting idea, but it has a tendency to cool down quite a bit, which might make your cold bathroom floors even more uninviting. Many of the same options used for other types of McKinney tile flooring installation are suitable for bathroom floors, and there are also many additional materials that you can choose from outside the scope of tile installation, such as vinyl planks or even rubber.
Can I Do My Own Tile Installation In McKinney, TX?
If you're working with a large area, such as your shower wall or kitchen floor, and you don't have much experience, it's best to hire a professional for McKinney tile installation. The process might seem simple, but there's a lot of work involved, and it takes a lot of patience, skill and practice to ensure that the job is done correctly. If you're working with a small area, and you're willing to invest the time and effort required to gather tools and complete the job correctly, then it is possible to complete your own DIY tile installation in McKinney.
If you're considering the DIY route as a cost-saving alternative, it's important to know that DIY isn't always the most cost-effective option for McKinney tile installation, especially if you're lacking any of the tools required to get the job done properly. Any mistakes that must be corrected by a professional will also only further increase your overall project cost.
If you are set on trying your own McKinney tile installation project, it's best to start quite small. Replacing a single damaged piece will help you learn more about exactly what's involved with a major project, and why hiring a professional is often the best choice.
Do You Need McKinney Tile Installation Services?
The experts at Mr. Handyman of Midwest Collin County are happy to help if you need a professional, local tile installer. We are your local experts for all things home renovation. From backsplash installation for a kitchen remodel to new flooring for a basement remodel, we can help you with all kinds of home improvements, repairs and maintenance.
Call (214) 387-3474 to schedule an appointment with our team or learn more about how we can help with McKinney tile installation.
