Remodeling · Twin Cities & Anoka County

Tile Installation in Minneapolis, MN

We install ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and large-format tile on floors, walls, showers and backsplashes. In wet areas we build and waterproof the shower before any tile goes up, so the finished surface keeps water where it belongs. We work across Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Anoka County.

Get an estimate Call (763) 439-6173

Tile installation for showers, floors and backsplashes

Tile is unforgiving. If the surface underneath is out of flat or the shower is not sealed, the problems show up as cracked grout, loose tiles or water damage in the wall. We take care of the whole assembly, from demolition through the last bead of caulk.

Ceramic and porcelain tile installation
Natural stone tile
Large-format tile
Tile showers: walls and floors
Bathroom floor and wall tile
Kitchen backsplashes
Mosaic and decorative accent tile
Tile fireplace surrounds
Old tile removal
Cracked tile repair and replacement
Grout repair, replacement and regrouting

Read the full scope →

Where we install tile

Shower walls, shower floors and tub surrounds
Bathroom floors and wainscot walls
Kitchen backsplashes
Fireplace surrounds
Entry, mudroom and laundry floors
Accent walls and mosaic details

Materials

Ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and large-format tile. Each one has its own needs. Natural stone may need sealing. Large-format porcelain needs a very flat substrate. Mosaics take more layout time to keep grout lines straight.

Prep, repair and finishing

We demo old tile, repair or replace backer board and subfloor, and prepare the substrate so it is flat and stiff enough for the tile you picked. We install and replace grout, fix or swap out cracked tiles, and finish edges with trim pieces or bullnose so there are no raw cuts showing.

How a tile installation project runs

1

Site visit

We look at the space, check the floor for deflection and the walls for flatness, and in showers look for signs of past leaks.
2

Tile and layout decisions

You pick the tile. We talk through layout, grout color, niche and bench placement, and how the edges will be finished.
3

Estimate

We put the scope in writing, including demo, prep, waterproofing and installation.
4

Demolition

Old tile and damaged backer come out. Any rot or water damage we find gets repaired before moving on.
5

Substrate and waterproofing

We install backer board or a membrane system, slope shower floors to the drain and waterproof the shower area. Plumbing changes are handled by licensed subcontractors we coordinate.
6

Setting tile

Tile is set from a planned layout so cuts land in the right places.
7

Grout, caulk and cleanup

We grout, caulk the change-of-plane joints, seal stone where needed and clean the surface.

Good to know

Tile installation in Minnesota: what to plan for

Shower waterproofing comes first

Water that gets past tile in an upstairs or main-floor bathroom ends up in framing and ceilings. A properly installed waterproofing layer is the part you never see, and it matters more than the tile you pick.

Seasonal movement

Houses here shift as humidity swings between summer and winter. Movement joints and flexible caulk at corners and changes of plane give the tile room to move so grout does not crack.

Cold entry floors

Tile at a back door or mudroom takes salt, slush and freezing boots all winter. Porcelain holds up well there, and we pay attention to the subfloor under those areas because cold drafts and moisture often find their way in.

Heated tile floors

Radiant floor heat is popular in Minnesota bathrooms. The heating mat goes in under the tile, and the electrical connection is done by licensed subcontractors we coordinate. The decision has to be made before the floor is tiled, since adding heat later means tearing the tile back out.

Basement floors

Concrete slabs in basements can crack and carry moisture. We check for cracks and dampness first and use an uncoupling or crack-isolation membrane where it makes sense, so slab movement does not telegraph through to the tile and grout above it.

Tile installation questions

Can you tile right over my old tile?

In most showers and wet areas, no. The old tile has to come out so we can inspect the wall and build a proper waterproof assembly. On some floors and backsplashes, tiling over a solid, flat existing layer can work, and we will tell you if your situation qualifies.

Is grout waterproof?

No. Grout and most tile let some water through over time. The waterproofing layer behind the tile is what protects the framing and subfloor, which is why we treat it as the most important part of a shower job.

My shower grout is cracked and stained. Do I need a full redo?

Not always. If the tile is solid and there are no signs of water getting behind it, we can remove and replace the grout and recaulk the corners. Loose tiles, soft spots or staining on the ceiling below point to a deeper problem that needs a closer look.

Does large-format tile need anything special?

Yes. Big tiles need a flatter floor or wall than small tiles, so we spend more time on leveling and use setting methods meant for large tile. That prep is what prevents uneven edges and hollow spots.

When can I use my new shower?

Thinset, grout and waterproofing products each need time to cure before they get wet. We follow the manufacturer's cure times and let you know when the shower is ready for use.

Tile Installation across the Twin Cities

Based in East Bethel, working across the north metro and the Twin Cities. Not sure we cover your town? Call or send the form and we'll tell you.

Anoka County: East Bethel · Blaine · Coon Rapids · Anoka · Andover · Ham Lake · Ramsey · Fridley
Hennepin County: Minneapolis · Brooklyn Park · Maple Grove · Plymouth
Ramsey County: St. Paul
Sherburne County: Elk River

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Planning this project?

Send a few details and photos. We'll call to set up a walkthrough.

Get an estimate Call (763) 439-6173

Tile Installation in Minneapolis, MN

Tile installation for showers, floors and backsplashes

How a tile installation project runs

Site visit

Tile and layout decisions

Estimate

Demolition

Substrate and waterproofing

Setting tile

Grout, caulk and cleanup