Consumer Information

I have a Concrete Slab Sub floor, is there preparation needed before tile installation?

All cracks and voids need to be repaired prior to the installation of a tiled surface when the tile is being directly bonded to the concrete. KB Flooring has many years of experience dealing with these issues. Cracks in the slab mean you will get problems later down the road if you don't do anything about it. There are many "crack suppression" products available on the market. However, if the crack is structural (with a height difference from one side of the crack to the other), you should consult KB Flooring because crack suppression products might not be enough.
The best choice depends on the severity of the damage. In extreme cases, it might even be best to remove a large section of concrete slab and replace it with a new one rather than patching all the cracks. NEW CONSTRUCTION: it is important to let the slab cure. Allowing the slab to age a while will allow cracks to occur if they are going to. Then they can be dealt with. Concrete can deform or crack for a year or even more. The industry calls for a minimum 28 days curing time before any flooring should be installed. If you are concerned about cracks, you may want to have an isolation system installed onto the slab to separate/detach the tile from the slab

Turn cold tile luxuriously warm

How does it work?

Do we install heated floors?

Happily, flooring KB Floorong can tackle it with ease thanks to many years of experience. Those of you who are unfamiliar with electric floor heating will find a wealth of information readily available from industry manufacturers and associations we can readily supply.

Two of the most basic choices are tiling material and tiling size. Ceramic tile is known for its resistance to stain and colourful applications. Stone tile is better known for its strength and classic textures. But, as much time as homeowners spend on this basic tiling choice, it rarely makes or breaks a tiling project. Including installation, the average cost of a ceramic and porcelain tile is $1,912, while the average cost of stone tile is $2,083, according to Service Magic, leading online resource connecting homeowners to home improvement contractors. Moreover, the percentage of consumers who would recommend their tile project and contractor to someone else also reveals a negligible difference with ceramic and porcelain registering a 94.9 percent satisfaction rate and stone at 95.4 percent.
Tiling size can also create a variety of different decorative effects and installation costs. Fortunately, 12"x12" tiles are great for most projects, relatively easy to install, and are reasonably priced. Choose a tile that is smaller or larger and extra costs generally apply. Small tiles require additional time and patience to set the tile. A 6"x6" tile actually quadruples the number of tiles and the time it takes to set them. At the same time, larger tiles are more difficult to set evenly, as sub flooring must be perfectly level to avoid raised or lowered edges.

There's no denying the visual appeal of a tile installation. "Nothing looks better than new tile," says Billy Emerson from Vinita, OK. Yet, the best tile applications usually involve a decorative eye with a careful balance to meet your budgetary demands. Going into a tile project, many homeowners appreciate neither the difference a border, insert, or patterned accent can make nor the extra cost such accents will add to the installation. Dot inserts, for example, create a beautiful accent to your tile, but at substantially higher costs. Including these accents intermittently on your floor may not be a huge deal, but some inserts can cost $20-$40 a cut. If you include 100 or more such inserts—which is by no means unheard of—you can pay $4,000 for this single tile accent. Just ask Bobby of KB Flooring for more information.
Avoid going on a roller coaster ride in which you quickly decide to upgrade a homogenous tile pattern, only to realize you can't afford your "dream" tile. Chances are you'll find yourself frustrated and more likely to make a poor final decision. Consider, from the very beginning, both your budget and your desire for decorative flair. Basic variations and permutations generally won't entail thousands of dollars of extra costs but can still add remarkable charm to your tile.