Burch Brothers Flooring provides expert flooring installation for ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tile across Garner, NC, Raleigh, NC, and the surrounding Triangle area. Our skilled tile installers in Garner, NC have more than 30 years of experience setting tile floors in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and commercial spaces. Whether you need a full tile floor installation for a new construction project or a tile replacement in an existing home, we handle every step from surface preparation through grouting and sealing. Call (919) 615-0022 to schedule a free in-home estimate.
Not sure which tile style is right for your space
We bring samples to your home so you can compare materials, colors, and patterns in your actual lighting. Call (919) 615-0022 to schedule a free in-home consultation.
Tile Types We Install
We install ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, and glass tile for residential and commercial tile projects throughout Garner, NC and the Raleigh, NC area. Each tile type has different properties that affect where it performs best and how the installation project should be handled.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is the most widely installed floor tile in homes across Garner, NC and Wake County. It is made from clay fired at high temperatures and finished with a glaze that provides color, pattern, and surface protection. Ceramic tile works well in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and entryways where the floor sees regular moisture and foot traffic. It is one of the most affordable tile flooring solutions for homeowners working within a set project budget.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is a denser, harder version of ceramic tile fired at higher temperatures. The result is a floor tile with lower water absorption, which makes it suitable for outdoor installations, unheated spaces, and rooms where standing water is a concern. Porcelain tiles hold up to heavy foot traffic and resist scratches better than standard ceramic. We install porcelain tile floors in bathrooms, mudrooms, patios, and commercial spaces across Garner, NC and Raleigh, NC where durability is the top priority.
Natural Stone Tile
Stone tile includes slate, marble, travertine, and limestone. Each stone type has a distinct appearance that adds a premium look to any floor. Natural stone requires more careful installation work than ceramic or porcelain because the tiles are thicker, heavier, and more sensitive to adhesive and grout selection. Stone tile floors also require periodic sealing to prevent staining and moisture penetration. We work with homeowners in Heather Hills, Vandora Springs, Forest Hills, and other Garner, NC neighborhoods on stone tile projects that match the home’s character and the floor’s functional demands.
Glass Tile
Glass tile is used primarily for backsplashes, accent walls, and decorative borders rather than floor installations. It adds visual depth and reflective character to kitchens and bathrooms. We include glass tile as part of broader tile installation projects when the design calls for it.
Kitchen and Bathroom Tile
Tile is the default flooring solution for rooms where water, heat, and daily wear are constant factors. It resists moisture at the surface, cleans up easily, and does not warp or swell the way wood or laminate floors do when exposed to spills and humidity.
Kitchen Tile Flooring
Kitchen floors take more impact than almost any other floor in the house. Dropped pots, dragged chairs, spilled liquids, and constant foot traffic all test the floor surface every day. Porcelain and ceramic tiles rated for floor use handle this without showing wear. Grout lines in kitchen floor tile installations should be sealed during the project and resealed periodically to prevent staining from cooking oils and food. We recommend large-format tiles for kitchen floors because fewer grout lines mean less maintenance work over time.
Bathroom Tile Installation
Bathrooms are the single most common room for tile floor installation in Garner, NC homes. The combination of moisture, humidity, and direct water contact makes tile the strongest flooring choice for this space. For bathroom floor tile, we recommend tiles with a textured or matte surface finish for grip, which is one of the best tile solutions for wet-area safety. Wall tile installation in showers, tub surrounds, and behind vanities is part of most bathroom tile projects we complete across the Raleigh, NC and Chapel Hill area.
Entryways and Mudrooms
Entryways and mudrooms are the first floor surface guests and family members see and step on. Tile floors in these areas need to handle dirt, sand, water from shoes, and heavy traffic without showing wear. Porcelain and slate tiles are strong solutions for entryway floor installations because they resist scratching and clean quickly. Homeowners along Timber Drive and in neighborhoods near Lake Benson frequently choose tile for these high-traffic transition spaces.
Tile vs Other Flooring Options
Tile wins in wet areas. No other floor material matches tile for long-term waterproof performance in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Where tile falls short is underfoot comfort and installation speed. Tile floors are harder and colder than LVP, carpet, or hardwood. Installation takes longer because each project involves adhesive curing, grout setting, and sealing time. For rooms where moisture is not a primary concern, other flooring solutions may be a better fit. Visit our flooring installation in Garner page for a full overview of the flooring types we install.
Our Tile Installation Process
Every tile floor installation project we handle in Garner, NC and the greater Raleigh, NC area follows a consistent process. Our team has refined this work over decades of residential and commercial tile installation projects across Wake County.
Surface Preparation
The subfloor determines whether a tile installation will last. We inspect the surface for level, firmness, moisture content, and structural soundness. Concrete floors may need grinding or patching. Wood subfloors may need cement backer board installed over the surface. Any floor that moves or flexes will crack tiles and grout over time, so we address structural issues before setting a single tile.
Layout and Planning
We dry-fit the tile layout before any adhesive goes down. This step determines the starting point, the cut plan at walls and obstacles, and how the pattern flows across the floor. Good layout planning minimizes waste, avoids slivers at the edges, and ensures the finished floor looks intentional from every angle.
Setting and Adhesive
We apply thinset mortar to the prepared floor surface using the correct trowel notch for the tile size and type. Each tile is set into the mortar bed, leveled, and spaced. For large-format tiles or stone tile installations, back-buttering (applying mortar to both the floor and the tile back) ensures full adhesive coverage and prevents hollow spots.
Grouting
After the thinset cures, we apply grout between every tile. Grout color, width, and type (sanded vs. unsanded) are selected based on the tile material and the joint size. We clean excess grout from the tile surface during the work and ensure consistent joint depth across the entire floor.
Sealing
Grout sealing is one of the most important steps in any tile installation project and one of our core flooring solutions for long-term floor protection. We seal all grout lines after the grouting is complete and the material has cured. Natural stone tiles also require a surface sealer to prevent the stone from absorbing liquids. We walk homeowners in Garner, NC and Raleigh, NC through the resealing schedule so the floor stays protected between professional maintenance visits.
Most single-room laminate installations are completed in one day. Whole-home installations typically take two to three days. For a broader look at our flooring installation services across all product types, visit our flooring installation page.
Tile Flooring FAQ
Here are the questions Garner homeowners ask us most often about our expert tile flooring installation.
How long does tile floor installation take?
Tile floor installation typically takes two to four days for a standard single room. This timeline breaks down into several critical phases: one day for surface preparation and cement board underlayment, one to two days for laying the tile and allowing the thinset mortar to cure, and a final day for grouting and sealing. The exact duration depends heavily on the room size, whether you are using ceramic or dense porcelain, and the complexity of the tile pattern.
In commercial or high-traffic residential spaces, time is money. Understanding this multi-day curing timeline prevents you from walking on the floors too early, which causes irreversible tile lippage and requires a complete, costly tear-out to fix.
Can tile be installed over existing flooring?
Yes, you can install new tile directly over existing flooring, such as concrete slabs or older, well-bonded ceramic tile. However, the existing subfloor must be completely level, rigid, and structurally sound without any cracks. You cannot install new tile over floating floors, cushioned vinyl, or hardwood, as the natural movement will shatter the new grout lines and tiles.
While floating new tile over an old floor saves you heavy demolition costs today, it raises your floor height, potentially requiring you to undercut doors and adjust baseboards. A thorough subfloor inspection guarantees you aren’t building a heavy new investment on a failing foundation.
Do you repair broken or cracked tile?
Yes, we can repair broken, chipped, or cracked floor tiles without replacing the entire floor. Our technicians carefully grind out the surrounding grout, chisel up the damaged tile, and prepare the exposed subfloor. We then install a matching replacement tile and blend the new grout to match the existing floor’s color and structural integrity.
A single cracked tile is often a symptom of a larger structural issue, like a settling foundation or missing expansion joints. By executing a localized spot repair instead of a full tear-out, you protect your cash flow while letting our experts diagnose the root cause before it spreads.
What is the best tile for a bathroom floor?
The best tile for a bathroom floor is textured porcelain. Because bathrooms are high-moisture environments, you need a material with an extremely low water absorption rate. Porcelain is denser and more water-resistant than standard ceramic. Additionally, choosing a matte or textured finish—or a mosaic pattern with frequent grout lines, provides essential slip resistance (a high Coefficient of Friction) when the floor is wet.
Specifying the correct bathroom flooring isn’t just an aesthetic choice; it is a long-term liability and maintenance decision. Investing in textured porcelain upfront prevents costly water damage to your subfloor and dramatically reduces slip-and-fall hazards in your property.
What should you put down before tiling a floor?
Before tiling a floor, you must put down a dedicated tile underlayment, such as a cement backer board or a modern uncoupling membrane, installed over a structural plywood or OSB subfloor. These materials are embedded in a layer of modified thinset mortar and fastened down securely. This critical barrier provides a rigid, moisture-resistant surface that bonds perfectly to your tile adhesive, preventing the natural movement of the house from transferring to the rigid tile above.
Skipping proper underlayment to save a few dollars on materials is the fastest way to ruin a high-end tile job. By investing in a premium uncoupling membrane up front, you ensure the structural integrity of the floor, effectively waterproofing the substrate and preventing catastrophic, costly tear-outs down the road
What happens if you put tile directly on plywood?
If you put tile directly on plywood, the natural expansion and contraction of the wood will quickly cause your grout to crumble and your tiles to crack. Plywood is highly porous and absorbs moisture directly from the thinset mortar, which instantly weakens the adhesive bond. Furthermore, wood subfloors have natural deflection (bending) under heavy foot traffic, and rigid ceramic or porcelain tile simply cannot flex with it without snapping.
Laying tile directly on bare plywood is a classic “cheap contractor” trap. It might look perfectly fine on day one, but within months, the floor will inevitably fail. Protecting your technical ROI means demanding strict adherence to TCNA (Tile Council of North America) standards so you don’t end up paying for the exact same installation twice.
Do you have to use cement board under tile?
No, you do not always have to use cement board under tile, but you must use an approved underlayment over wood subfloors. While cement board is the traditional, cost-effective choice, modern synthetic uncoupling membranes (like Schluter-DITRA) are lighter, easier to cut, and provide superior waterproofing and crack isolation.
Material selection should be driven by the specific demands of your space, not just old habits. While cement board is cheap, a premium uncoupling membrane installs significantly faster, saving you billable labor hours while offering vastly superior protection against foundation shifts and moisture damage.
Get a Free Laminate Flooring Estimate
Burch Brothers Flooring serves Garner, NC, Raleigh, NC, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding Triangle area. We bring tile samples to your home so you can compare floor tile options under your actual lighting before committing to a project. Call (919) 615-0022 or request a free estimate and our team will schedule a time that works for your household.
What Our Customers Are Saying
Our 5-star reviews speak for themselves. Customers consistently highlight our great job, professionalism, and customer satisfaction. From floor repair to complete new flooring project, homeowners trust Burch Brothers to get it right the first time.
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