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These are the questions homeowners in Clinton Township and around Macomb County ask most often about tile floors, showers, backsplashes and repairs. If your question is not answered here, use the quote form or call and describe your project. Cost figures below are general national estimates from published cost guides, not quotes; local prices depend on your home and the installer.
Cost Questions
How much does tile installation cost per square foot?
Angi lists tile installation at roughly $5 to $45 per square foot including materials, with labor around $3 to $15 per square foot. HomeGuide lists roughly $10 to $50 per square foot installed. The spread comes from tile type, pattern, prep work and whether old flooring must be removed.
How much does it cost to tile a shower?
Angi's shower tile cost guide puts a typical shower tile job at about $1,800 to $5,000, with an average around $2,700, and custom showers can exceed $10,000. Waterproofing, niches, benches, glass and plumbing changes all add to the total.
How much does a kitchen backsplash cost?
Angi's backsplash cost guide lists about $480 to $1,500 for a typical backsplash, averaging around $1,000 for about 35 square feet. Handmade, stone or mosaic tile costs more.
How much does regrouting cost?
HomeGuide's regrouting cost guide lists about $5 to $11 per square foot for floors and $7 to $28 per square foot for showers, or roughly $450 to $2,000 for a standard shower.
Why do tile quotes vary so much?
Quotes differ in what they include: demolition, subfloor repair, waterproofing, leveling, trim, sealing and cleanup. Compare quotes line by line and ask each installer what products and methods they use.
Basements and Concrete Slabs
Can tile be installed in a Michigan basement?
Yes. Porcelain tile is one of the best floors for basements because it is not damaged by occasional moisture. The slab should be checked for moisture, cracks and level first, and any active water problems should be fixed before flooring goes down.
What about cracks in my basement slab?
Small, stable shrinkage cracks are common. An installer can use a crack isolation or uncoupling membrane over them so the crack does not telegraph through the tile. Cracks that are wide, uneven or growing may point to a structural or water issue that should be evaluated first.
Will tile feel cold in my basement?
Tile on a slab feels cool. Electric radiant heat under the tile is a popular fix; see our heated tile floors page. Insulating underlayment over the slab can help the system warm up faster.
Freeze-Thaw and Winter
Can I use tile outdoors on a porch or patio in Clinton Township?
Only tile rated for exterior use in freeze-thaw climates should be used outdoors here. Porcelain with very low water absorption is the usual choice. Outdoor tile also needs proper slope, drainage, movement joints and exterior-rated setting materials, because water that soaks in and freezes can pop tiles loose.
Why does the tile in my entryway or garage-entry mudroom crack?
Entries take winter salt, sand, temperature swings and heavy traffic. Cracked tile is often caused by a flexing subfloor, poor mortar coverage or no movement joints at the perimeter. Durable porcelain, proper prep and a sealed grout help.
Can tile be installed in winter?
Interior tile work can be done year-round. Setting materials need the room to be within the manufacturer's temperature range, so unheated rooms or garages may need temporary heat.
Showers and Bathrooms
What waterproofing should be behind my shower tile?
Tile and grout are not waterproof on their own. Modern showers use a waterproofing system such as a sheet membrane (for example Schluter-KERDI), a liquid membrane (such as RedGard or Hydro Ban) or a foam board system, installed per the manufacturer's directions. A flood test of the shower pan before tiling is a good practice.
Can new tile go over old tile?
Sometimes, on floors that are flat, solid and well bonded, but it raises the floor height and hides any problems underneath. In showers, tiling over old tile is generally not recommended because the waterproofing behind it cannot be checked.
How long does a bathroom tile project take?
A floor may take a few days; a full shower often takes a week or more because of demolition, waterproofing, curing and grout times.
Repairs and Maintenance
Can one cracked tile be replaced?
Usually. An installer removes the grout around the tile, breaks out the damaged piece and sets a new one. Matching is easiest if you have spare tiles from the original job. See tile repair and replacement.
Why is my grout cracking or crumbling?
Common causes are movement in the floor, missing movement joints, a mix that was too wet, or water getting behind the tile. In showers, crumbling grout can be a sign of water damage behind the wall.
Do I need to seal my grout and tile?
Cement grout and natural stone generally benefit from sealing. Porcelain and glazed ceramic tile do not need sealing, and epoxy or many single-component grouts do not either. Follow the grout manufacturer's guidance.
Working With Us
Are you a tile contractor?
No. Clinton Township Tile is a referral and information service. We connect homeowners with independent local tile installers, who provide estimates, perform the work and stand behind their warranties.
Is there a cost to request a quote?
No. Requesting a quote is free and there is no obligation.