Newtown Tile Installation
There’s just something about newly installed floor tiles that can bring an old, outdated room to life. Whether installed for a kitchen floor, kitchen backsplash or a shower wall, tile can provide a clean, modern appearance while also being relatively maintenance free. However, when done incorrectly, it will draw the eyes of you and your guests for all the wrong reasons. Plus, when you go to sell your home, potential buyers will see uneven flooring as a big project they don’t want to have to take on themselves. Don’t risk your bathroom remodel missing the mark—invest in the professional Newtown tile installation service offered by a reputable Newtown handyman.
At Mr. Handyman of Newtown and Yardley, we’ve successfully completed tile installations for virtually every room while using many different types of materials. To learn more about how our tile installation service stands out from our competitors, continue reading below.
Our Newtown Tile Installation Service
Whether you’re planning a tile installation project for a bathroom in your home or commercial property, we have the skills and experience to flawlessly execute your vision. Of all the home installation projects, tile installation is easily in the top five most challenging jobs. The saying ‘practice makes perfect’ applies, but most homeowners don’t encounter tile installation until they need it done in their own home. To avoid ending up with slabs that aren't evenly spaced, don't adhere to the surface properly, or lack clean grout lines, consider using our professional installation service.
Our handyman pros are highly experienced in virtually all types of materials used in tile installation, including:
- Ceramic
- Natural stone
- Laminate
- Slate
- Cork
- Porcelain
- Marble
- Hand-painted
- Handmade
- Encaustic cement
- And more!
When you book an appointment for tile installation with Mr. Handyman of Newtown and Yardley, you can expect your service to include all or some of the following steps, depending on the project type:
- Surface Preparation: The key to properly installed tile starts with a level surface. To do this, we’ll apply an underlayment to your flooring. The type of material used for underlayment will depend on your product specifications.
- Layout Planning: Next, we’ll map out exactly where the slabs will be placed. This allows us to make sure everything is centered.
- Thinset Application Thinset is a quick drying product that is used to adhere the tiles to the floor or wall. Because it dries quickly, we’ll mix it up in batches and, after spreading out a thin layer of thinset, lay tile as we go.
- Tile Application: Now for the actual tile laying part! While applying an even pressure, we’ll use tile spacers to evenly install slabs. As we reach areas around plumbing fixtures, cabinets, and walls, we’ll measure and cut pieces of tile using a wet saw. This allows us to achieve a fully custom fit.
- Grout Application: Once thinset has cured, we’ll use a margin trowel to remove any excess thinset. Next, we’ll either mix-up or use pre-mixed grout (depending on your manufacturer’s recommendations) and spread it across the grout joints using a rubber float.
- Clean-up: Once the grout lines have started to set, we’ll use a lightly damp sponge soaked in clean water to remove the grout haze (excess grout that leaves a cloudy finish) from the tile surface. Floors may need to be cleaned more than once, and grout haze remover may be needed as well. We’ll repeat this process until the flooring is haze-free.
At the end of the process, your tiles and grout may need to be sealed. This will depend on the type of material you’ve chosen for your project. We’ll also add caulking to any 90 degree angle joint, such as where the tile and wall or baseboard meet.
Tile Repair
If you already have tile flooring and would prefer to explore your options for repair rather than replacement, we can help out with that, too. Tiles may be repaired using an epoxy for filling holes and color-matched paint to cover the epoxy. Individual slab replacement may also be possible if you have a few extra pieces kicking around. Tile replacement follows the same steps as tile installation—just on a smaller scale.
Commercial Services
Did you know that we do tile installation for commercial buildings, too? Some of the industries we commonly provide Newtown tile installation for include local banks and financial institutions, public buildings, hotels, and corporate office buildings.
Whether you need tile installation or repair, we’ll get your project done efficiently so that your business operations aren’t interrupted for long.
Prevent Needing Newtown Tile Installation With Regular Maintenance
Tile installation is a big investment. It’s also one of those home improvement projects that homeowners plan to do just once. To keep your floors in great shape and to prolong its overall lifespan, you’ll need to set aside a little bit of time each week for maintenance.
Regardless of the type of tile you plan to install, all floors should be regularly swept or vacuumed to remove dirt and debris. Though they may seem pretty tough, most types of tile can actually incur small scratches and scuffs as a result of debris on the floor. Even the smallest, most harmless debris may buff away the finish on your flooring after a while, leaving them looking dull.
Though many people love the look of grout, it can readily absorb stains. Using an epoxy grout or applying a sealant to the grout after curing may help improve your grout’s resilience to stains. In the case that some grout cleaning looks to be in order, simply mix together a concoction of baking soda and water. Apply this solution to the affected grout, and leave for about 8 to 12 hours. Then, using a nylon or other gentle brush, scrub the stain out of the grout.
To wash the slabs themselves, you’ll need to follow specific advice for each material:
- Stone: When cleaning natural stones, such as slate and marble, avoid using just any cleaner. Look for cleaning products formulated especially for natural stone.
- Ceramic and Porcelain Tile: Much more durable than stone, ceramic and porcelain may be cleaned with soap and water. Ensure that you dry the floor with a clean towel immediately to avoid streaks and residue.
- Soft Surfaces: Synthetic tiles made from materials such as laminate and vinyl, or natural materials such as cork, are fairly durable but should not be cleaned using excessive heat or brushes. Look for cleaners formulated specifically for these products, and ensure that cork floors are regularly sealed and/or waxed.
Why Choose Mr. Handyman for Tile Installation in Newtown, PA?
Mr. Handyman was founded over 25 years ago out of a need for a reputable handyman service provider. Instead of hiring a contractor who works out of the back of a truck and offers no assurances that he knows what he’s doing, with Mr. Handyman, the quality of our home services is guaranteed. Our employees are all uniformed, drive company branded vehicles, and have an average of 10 years’ experience in the industry. Furthermore, all of our skilled project specialists have undergone criminal background checks and are fully insured.
These characteristics, combined with our quality workmanship guarantee, are intended to provide our customers with complete peace of mind. As a locally owned and operated franchise, Mr. Handyman of Newtown and Yardley is truly a community-based business. We’re committed to providing our customers in the area with the highest level of satisfaction possible the first time, but if there’s a problem with your service, simply give us a call, and we’ll come back and make it right.
Newtown Tile Installation FAQs
How Much Does Tile Installation in Newtown, PA Cost?
As previously noted, the pros at Mr. Handyman install numerous types of tile. Different materials have widely different costs, so providing a cost estimate for tile installation in general is impossible. Additionally, the cost of installation will depend on your area, the size of the space you want filled, work needed for demo, condition of subfloor or wall, and supply chain shortages at the time of purchase. The amount of surface preparation work and labor costs are also factors in total cost.
That being said, at the time of writing, the national average for a typical installation is thought to be somewhere between $1000 and $4500. Going off estimates for average national costs, the most expensive materials tend to be natural stone, at around $120 per square foot. Conversely, the least expensive materials are vinyl and linoleum, with an average cost of around $15 to $20 per square foot.
We understand how important it is to get an accurate estimate for tile installation for budgeting purposes, which is why we’re happy to provide no-obligation project evaluations and estimates for your specific project.
What Is The Difference Between Porcelain and Ceramic?
When it comes to porcelain and ceramic tile, the similarities are greater than the differences. If you want to get really technical, porcelain is actually a subtype of ceramic. Both products are made of clay and fired in a kiln, but porcelain is fired for longer and is denser.
In terms of their advantages and disadvantages, porcelain tends to come out ahead of ceramic on most measures. For example, porcelain is more durable and more water resistant. However, ceramic is also very durable and water resistant, and tends to be more affordable than porcelain. You really can’t go wrong with either material!
How Long Does Tile Installation Take?
Tiling is one of the longer home improvement jobs. Because there are several stages, each needing time to cure before going on to the next, tiling can take one or several days—depending on the size of the space. Laying tiles alone takes about 10 hours in a 50-square foot space, and this doesn’t include the time it takes for surface preparation, grouting, or cleaning.
Installation times are also impacted by the size of the tile. Very large slabs will take less time to lay, while tiny, mosaic-style tiles will take considerably longer. It’s not uncommon for tile installation experts to come and go over a period of several days to get the job done. While this longer project time can cause an unwanted interruption in your day-to-day life, rushing the process can compromise the final result.
Will Tile Installation Increase My Home's Value?
When it comes to the value of your home, the effect of tile installation is sometimes tricky to predict. Installation can both increase and decrease the value of your house, depending on the style you choose and when you plan to sell.
If you’re redoing your home to put it on the market in the near future, going with a type of tile that is currently very trendy (but still relatively neutral) can certainly make your home more desirable to prospective buyers. On the other hand, picking a tile with a very distinct style can make your home more difficult to sell. While some buyers may share your personal taste, others may not. Plus, many buyers look for homes that are generally ‘blank slates,’ and therefore will be easy to incorporate their own style into without having to make major structural changes.
Can I Install Tiles On My Own?
Unless you have previous experience installing tile, doing so can be a tricky endeavor. While you might be tempted to try the installation on your own to save money, if you end up making mistakes, you could end up having to spend more than you originally planned. Uneven tiles will have to be pulled up, and if you don’t have a wet saw or any of the required tools, you’ll have to rent and/or purchase these items.
Additionally, you may not have the experience to be able to determine if your existing flooring is an acceptable surface to tile on. If there are issues with your subfloor, such as wood rot, applying tile over these issues will just allow them to fester and impact the structural integrity of your home.
If you’re really set on trying to tile your home yourself, take on a smaller project at first, such as a tile backsplash. This should give you a pretty good idea of what your abilities and limits are.
Contact Mr. Handyman Today For Your Newtown Tile Installation
For Newtown tile installation, Mr. Handyman of Newtown and Yardley has you covered. From preparation to final sealing, as well as any required tile repairs down the line, we can take you along every step of the way.
Whether you live directly in Newtown, or in one of the surrounding Bucks County communities such as New Hope and Southampton, our tile installation pros will be proud to serve you with outstanding service. Just take a look at our reviews to see for yourself.
To book an appointment or receive more information about our services for everything from basic home improvements like tile repair to major bathroom remodeling projects, give our office a call at 215-607-6465 today!