Bathroom & Shower Tile

Waterproofing Comes First

Every shower we build gets a waterproofing membrane before any tile goes on. The two methods we use are Schluter Kerdi sheet membrane (a polyethylene sheet bonded directly to cement board or drywall) and hot-mop liner (a built-up roofing material applied by a specialist in the shower pan). Which method we use depends on the shower design and the substrate condition. What does not change is that the waterproofing step happens, is inspected, and is correct before the first tile goes down.

This matters because water that gets past tile does not just cause cosmetic damage. In the post-war bungalows common to Vermont Knolls and Manchester Square, a leaking shower can damage the wood framing inside the wall over months before the problem becomes visible from the outside. A properly installed waterproofing layer prevents that entirely.

Cuts, Niches, and Fixture Holes

Bathroom tile work involves more cuts per square foot than any other room in the house. Outlets, faucet valves, showerheads, and niches all require precise cuts, and in a small bathroom, nearly every tile along the perimeter gets cut at least once. We use an angle grinder with a diamond cup wheel for circular cuts around pipes and valves, and a wet saw for straight cuts. Niche framing uses Schluter NICHE prefab units or site-built framing with mesh-reinforced cement board, depending on the design.

Grout joint size in a shower affects both the look and the maintenance burden. Tight joints (1/16 inch for rectified large-format tile) read as minimal and modern but require more precise layout. Wider joints (3/16 to 1/4 inch for handmade or dimensional tile) accommodate natural variation in tile edges. We discuss joint size as part of the tile selection process.

Service Areas for Bathroom Tile

Bathroom and shower tile work is available throughout Vermont Knolls, Manchester Square, and Westmont. We are familiar with the bathroom layouts typical to the post-war homes in these neighborhoods and can give you a realistic scope estimate over the phone before scheduling a site visit.