Tile Contractors in New York, NY

New York Tile

For homes in New York, bathroom tile is almost as common as indoor plumbing. Be it ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone, the classic looks, uncommon durability, and overall cost-effectiveness have enticed generations of Empire State residents to install bathroom tile. New York is a place where looks can take you far, but surface appearances are far from the only thing New Yorkers are concerned with. Here are a few helpful hints for choosing the best tile for your bathroom, and a few reasons why this material's appeal is much more than skin deep.

The Basics of Tile Installations
Knowing the relative difference of various tiling styles and materials is critical for a tile that can and should last for several decades. Ceramic, and particularly porcelain, is probably your best bet for a crack/stain-resistant and long lasting tile, although you should make sure to choose tile that has color that runs all the way through, in case your tile does chip. Stone, on the other hand, can often be laid with a tighter set, reducing the maintenance of cleaning the grout. Stone tile also tends to be slightly more coveted by homeowners, which is important when it comes time to sell your home. Since many New York bathroom tile installations are performed in relatively small spaces, it is often a good idea to choose high quality tiles, as it won't raise your project cost as much as it could potentially raise the desirability of the space it's installed in.

Tile size is very important to overall performance. Larger tiles will reduce the amount of grout you use and can give the appearance of space in a smaller bathroom (a particular benefit for homes in New York). Bathroom tiles are built to last, but the grout between your tiles can be affected by moisture if it's not sealed properly. When installing any bathroom tile, New Yorkers should make sure that their grout is sealed up tight to prevent stains and mildew and to ensure that no water gets behind your tiles, causing them to loosen or fall off.

Professionally Installed Tile
Expert New York bathroom tile installation is one of the biggest factors in how long your new tile looks good and performs well. While many do-it-yourselfers have attempted this project, the end results range from the near-professional to the next-to-worthless. The basic concept of installing tile is a simple one, but the years of practice a pro brings to this project is something you don't want to overlook. Keeping tiles straight, maintaining continuous grout lines and depth, precision tile cutting, and adequate sealing of the installation from moisture are all more difficult than they might appear. Remember, if this job were as easy as it sounded, there wouldn't be so many New York bathroom tile companies for you to choose from!

Tile Aesthetics
Of course, the most exciting part of selecting and installing bathroom tile of any kind is the aesthetic appeal. Much like interior painting, installing tile as part of flooring, walls, shower stalls, or backsplashes can have a transformative effect on a bathroom. Also, like a dozen paint swatches, you may be overwhelmed with the options. Stone tile will offer a myriad of textures, while ceramic/porcelain will offer a similar array of colors and effects. As if these kings of the tiling industry weren't enough, alternative tiles such as glass and rubber, along with concrete stamping, round out the limitless possibilities. If you can imagine it, you can have it. Plus, don't forget the grout that is an integral part of any tile installation. Colored grout can create a beautiful decorative accent and minimize the appearance of dirt and grime that is inevitable, in spite of the most diligent cleaning schedule.

Flooring Tile
The most popular type of New York bathroom tile is used not on your walls, but on the floor. This is an understandable trend, as carpet and hardwood flooring—the kings of residential flooring—have trouble standing up to the moisture-rich area of a New York bathroom. Tile is relatively inexpensive to install and more durable than most flooring materials. This also makes New York flooring tile a popular choice for kitchens and entryways, although it's generally considered too uninviting and sterile for more intimate and communal areas, such as living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.

Tile Prices
The cost of New York bathroom tile is a difficult thing to pinpoint. Quoting the average of total projects costs doesn't reflect the size of your particular tiling installation. Quoting prices per square foot doesn't account for the considerable difference in various contractors' installation fees. Plus, installing tile on the seventh floor of a Manhattan condo is different, by nature, than a house on the Jersey Shore or on Long Island. Our data at HomeAdvisor suggests an average-sized bathroom floor in New York can be tiled for anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000. Overall, $500 to $15,000 is a more accurate representation of just how big the range can be. In the end, the generic and conventional wisdom of looking for the best value without cutting corners remains true for all types of New Yorkers and their tiling projects.

Tile Companies
There are plenty of them out there, and choosing the right New York tile installation company is a must if you want the results you imagined at a price you can afford. Because the phone book is brimming with willing tile companies, New York is a particularly difficult place to separate the wheat from the chaff. Here at HomeAdvisor, we do our best to match you with the best company for your needs. Not only are each of our New York bathroom tile specialists screened to assure a reputation for good business practices, you'll also have the advantage of reading ratings and reviews about specific companies left by homeowners like you. This means you'll get a good idea of which company you're likely to work well with; it also means that every contractor we'll match you with has an added incentive to do a good job and gain positive feedback from you!