Shower and Wet-Area Tile

What This Service Covers

Shower and wet-area tile is the most technically demanding tile work in a home. Water gets behind tiles through grout joints, at fixtures, and at transitions to other surfaces. When the waterproofing layer is not right, the damage shows up months or years later, often in a wall cavity or subfloor where you cannot see it until it is already a structural problem.

We treat every wet installation as a waterproofing project first and a tile project second. That means applying a sheet or liquid membrane to the substrate before setting any tile, sloping shower floors to drain properly (typically 1/4 inch per foot toward the drain), and sealing all penetrations, corners, and transitions with the correct material for the application.

Beyond the technical side, we also handle the layout and design work that makes a shower look intentional. Tile placement is planned so that cuts at the eye-level entry are symmetrical, niche heights align with grout joints, and accent strips (if any) land on consistent horizontal lines.

What We Work With

We install ceramic, porcelain, natural stone (slate, marble, travertine), mosaic sheets, and large-format slabs in wet areas. Each material has different installation requirements. Natural stone needs to be sealed before grouting to prevent staining. Large-format tiles in a shower require a very flat surface and back-buttering to achieve full coverage behind the tile. Mosaic sheets on a shower floor need to be set with attention to the slope so water drains rather than pools.

We work with standard mud-bed shower pans, prefab acrylic pans, and custom tile-over-foam shower pan systems. If you are unsure which direction to go, we can walk through the tradeoffs during the estimate.

What Is Included

• Substrate assessment and preparation
• Waterproofing membrane application
• Layout planning and dry-set before installation
• Tile cutting, setting, and grouting
• Niche, bench, and threshold tile work
• Caulk at all movement joints and transitions
• Cleanup before we leave each day