01 / SubstrateCan you tile over my existing floor?
Sometimes, and it is rarely the right call. Tiling over an existing floor raises the level at every threshold, adds weight, and ties the new floor to whatever the old one is doing. Where the existing floor is sound and level and the height works, it can save real money — but it has to be assessed, not assumed.
02 / SubstrateWhy does flatness matter so much for large tile?
Because a large rigid tile cannot follow a dip. Where the substrate deviates, one tile edge sits proud of its neighbour — lippage — and you feel it underfoot and see it in raking light. The bigger the format, the tighter the flatness has to be.
03 / SubstrateMy slab has cracks. Is that a problem?
It depends on whether they are moving. Dormant shrinkage cracks are routine. Active cracks will telegraph straight through a bonded tile floor, which is what uncoupling and crack-isolation membranes exist to prevent.
04 / Wet areasWhat actually makes a shower waterproof?
A continuous bonded membrane beneath the tile, sealed at every corner, junction and penetration, over a pan that falls correctly to the drain. Tile and grout are not waterproof — they are the wearing surface over the layer that is.
05 / Wet areasShould I use epoxy grout in a bathroom?
In a shower and on a bathroom floor, usually yes. It resists staining and does not absorb, so it stays looking right for far longer. It costs more and demands more skill to install and clean, which is why it is not universal.
06 / FormatsIs wood-look tile a good idea in South Florida?
It is one of the most sensible flooring choices in this climate. It handles humidity and water without moving, survives a wet dog and a hurricane season, and the current ranges are convincing. The trade-off is that it is harder and cooler underfoot than wood.
07 / FormatsHow wide should the grout joints be?
Wide enough for the tile’s actual dimensional variation, which is a property of the tile and not a matter of taste. Rectified tile allows very narrow joints; pressed tile does not. Forcing a joint narrower than the tile permits produces a wavering line that no amount of skill fixes.
08 / OutdoorCan the same tile go inside and out?
Only if it is rated for exterior use and has adequate slip resistance wet. Many ranges offer matched interior and exterior finishes for exactly this, which is how you get continuity from a living room onto a terrace.
09 / OutdoorWhy is travertine so common on pool decks here?
It stays comparatively cool underfoot in direct sun, it has natural texture that helps when wet, and it suits the local architecture. It is porous, so it needs sealing and it will mark — that is the trade for how it feels barefoot in August.
10 / OutdoorWhat makes exterior tile fail?
Almost always water and movement. Inadequate falls, blocked drainage, setting materials not rated for exposure, and missing movement joints in a surface that expands in full sun. The tile itself is rarely the problem.
11 / CondoDo I need permission to tile in a condominium?
Usually yes. Most associations require approval, contractor insurance naming them, and an impact-sound underlayment beneath hard flooring with a minimum rating. Some also limit added weight. Get their requirements in writing before ordering.
12 / MaintenanceHow do I keep grout looking new?
Seal cement grout, clean it with a neutral cleaner rather than anything acidic or bleach-based, and deal with spills promptly. Or specify epoxy grout at the start and largely stop thinking about it.
13 / MaintenanceDoes natural stone need sealing?
Yes, and again periodically. How often depends on the stone, the finish and how hard the floor is used. It is a small maintenance task that prevents a large restoration one.
14 / CostWhy do quotes for the same tile vary so much?
Because the tile is often the smaller number. What differs between quotes is the preparation — levelling, isolation, waterproofing, movement joints — and those are exactly the items that are invisible on handover day and decisive three years later.
15 / CostHow much extra tile should I order?
Enough for cuts and waste on the pattern chosen, plus a genuine surplus kept on site. Dye lots do not repeat, so a box in the garage is the difference between a repair that disappears and one that announces itself.
