Tile at Studio41

All materials for the project should be purchased at the same time. Tile is the basis of your space and it should be picked out first so you can make sure everything else matches cohesively. You always want to start with picking out and installing floor/wall tile first. Then you can move on to trim plumbing, trim electrical and lighting, then faucets, hardware, and larger items like shower doors and shower heads, toilets, vanities, sinks, etc.

The majority of our tile is priced by the box, with the exception of mosaic tiles and trim pieces, which are priced by the piece. You’ll need to know the exact square footage of your space in order to know how much tile you will need to purchase. You will also need to factor in waste caused by cutting tiles to fit the space and installation patterns.

Locally stocked tile from our vendors can typically be available for the same day or next day pick up. Special order tile usually takes 10-14 business days before it can be shipped or picked up. If an item is backordered, we will let you know as soon as possible so you have the option to wait for the material or make a new selection.

This depends on a couple of factors like your level of experience, the shape of your space, and the type of tile you are using. You should purchase 10-15% more tile for cuts, waist and in case you need to replace tiles in the future. It’s easy to lay tile, but it’s difficult to do it well. If you’re striving for perfection, or if your space has challenging crevices and hard to reach areas, then it may be easier to work with a contractor. Certain tiles, like porcelain, vinyl or wood are fairly easy to install yourself. Other tiles like natural stone and glass can be more challenging to cut and may require a bit more experience or a contractor to install them. If you’re curious about your specific tile, please ask a team member.

Much of your decision comes down to the color, style, and look that you are going for. However, aesthetics aren’t the only factor you should take into account. There are certain kinds of tile that work better in some spaces than others. Tile is categorized by hardness and foot traffic durability, otherwise known as a PEI rating. This rating ranges from 1 to 5, with 1 receiving no foot traffic (like wall tile), and 5 receiving heavy foot traffic where you’ll need more durable tile. You also want to take into account slip resistance and water absorption rates of your tile, especially when picking options for bathrooms and outdoor spaces.

KITCHENS – Kitchens see high foot traffic, so they require more durable floor tile with a higher PEI rating. PEI ratings indicate the endurance and hardness of any enamel-coated porcelain or ceramic tile, depending on the foot traffic in a living area, Popular kitchen floor tile options are ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, vinyl, and wood. Another popular location for tile in a kitchen is the backsplash. Using decorative or colorful tiles here can really make your space pop. Commonly used tile for backsplashes include porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, glass, and metal.

BATHROOMS – Bathrooms see less foot traffic than kitchens, so you can choose floor tile with a lower PEI rating. For shower and floor tile, you’ll want to choose a more slip resistant option, like a matte finish instead of polished. Since full baths (bathrooms with a shower or tub) are high moisture spaces, you’ll need to choose tile with low absorption rates. Commonly used tile types for bathrooms are porcelain, ceramic, glass, natural stone, vinyl flooring, and wood.

OUTDOOR – Since outdoor tiles are constantly exposed to the elements, you’ll need to choose durable, non-porous, slip-resistant options for your deck or patio. Outdoor porcelain tiles are great durable options that will not absorb water or crack in extreme weather. Natural stone tiles are also a stylish and durable outdoor option. Remember, if you use polished stone it will be more slippery when wet, whereas unpolished natural stone tiles are more slip resistant. Outdoor pavers or Quarry tiles are also a great optionFor those living in warm weather climates, cement is also a good outdoor option. However, if you live in a climate that sees freezing temperatures in the winter, we advise against cement as it may crack over time from the constant freezing and thawing.

Grout, mortar and trim can all make or break your look. Learn more about each below. You can purchase these from Studio41 along with your tile selection.

GROUT – A paste that comes in nearly every color that fills the spaces between your tile. Grout keeps water out and is often used as a design element to tie the space together and ensure a clean finished look.

Types of Grout:

Sanded– Suitable for large tile seams, interior flooring projects, and high-traffic areas.
Unsanded– Suitable for thin tile joints, bathroom floors, and shower walls.
Furan Resin– Ideal for industrial locations, chemical-resistance, and heat-resistance.
Epoxy– Suitable for high-traffic areas, moisture-resistance, and longevity.
Polymer Cement Grout– Suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, and high-traffic tile floors.
Single Component Grout– Ideal for color consistency, chemical-resistance, and stain-resistance.
Pre-Mixed Polymer Resin Grout-Perfect for DIY application, moisture-resistance, and stain-resistance.

MORTAR – A mixture of lime with cement, sand, and water, used to attach tile to a surface. You’ll need this to make sure all your tiles stay in place.

TRIM – Trim goes along the edges of a tiled area and where tiles meet walls or go around corners. It makes the appearance professional and polished, and it also helps protect the tiles. Without trim, the edge of a tile is exposed. Many of our manufacturers make matching trim for their tiles.

SEALER– Sealers protect porous tile and grout from the cold (or hot) cruel world of spilled coffee, red wine, grape juice, and other food. Sealers are not a cure-all but rather a preventative measure. For example, if you drip hot coffee across the counter, a good sealer will allow the drip to bead up until you sponge it away.