Planning guide
A guide to tile in Arizona homes
Tile is in nearly every remodel we do: shower walls, kitchen backsplashes and floors that run through the house. Here is what goes into tile work that lasts, and how to choose the right tile for each space.
Shower tile and waterproofing
Shower tile sits on a waterproofing system: a membrane or waterproof board behind the walls and a sloped pan under the floor. Tile and grout alone are not waterproof, so this layer is what keeps water out of the walls. Porcelain wall tile, smaller mosaics on the floor for grip, and niches built in during framing make a shower practical and easy to clean.
- Subway and elongated subway tile
- Large-format porcelain with fewer grout lines
- Marble-look porcelain
- Mosaic shower floors
- Recessed niches and accent strips
Floor tile and wood-look tile
Wood-look porcelain plank tile is one of the most popular floors in Arizona homes. It looks like hardwood but handles heat, water, pets and sand without warping or scratching, and it stays cool underfoot. Running one floor through the kitchen, living areas and halls makes a home feel larger and more connected.
Large-format tile needs a very flat floor. Uneven slabs cause lippage, where tile edges sit at different heights, so floor prep and leveling are part of a good install.
Cracked tile and Valley slabs
Most Valley homes are built on concrete slabs, and slabs can develop cracks over time. When tile is set directly over a crack, the crack often comes through the tile. A crack-isolation membrane under the new tile helps reduce that risk. If your existing tile has cracks running across several tiles in a line, that is usually the slab, not the tile.
Kitchen backsplashes
A backsplash protects the wall behind the counter and sets the style of the kitchen. Popular options include classic white subway tile, stacked or vertical layouts, herringbone patterns, handmade-look tile and full-height slab backsplashes behind the range. Backsplash tile is installed after the countertops so the bottom row sits tight to the counter.
Tub surrounds and patterned floors
Replacing a fiberglass or dated tile tub surround with new tile is one of the fastest ways to update a hall bathroom. Patterned floor tile, like checkerboard or encaustic-look porcelain, adds character to bathrooms, laundry rooms and entries without the upkeep of real cement tile.
Grout, sealing and hard water
Grout choice affects how a tile job looks years later. Lighter grout shows stains; darker or mid-tone grout hides them. Some grouts resist stains better than standard cement grout. Valley hard water leaves mineral spots, so choosing finishes that are easy to wipe down makes a big difference in showers.
