Tile Installation in Chesapeake, VA
Porcelain and ceramic tile for Chesapeake kitchens and baths, set on crack-isolation membrane so slab movement stays out of the tile.
Keeping Slab Cracks Out of Your New Tile
Concrete slabs crack as they cure and settle, and a hairline crack in the slab will eventually show up as a crack through your tile. In Chesapeake, where slab homes are everywhere, that is the most common tile failure we are called to fix. We bridge slab cracks with a crack-isolation membrane, flatten the surface, and only then set the tile. Showers get a full waterproofing system as well.
Crack-isolation membrane
Lets the slab move slightly without cracking the tile above it.
Where we work
Where We Work in Chesapeake
Kitchen and bath tile with crack isolation.
- Newer homes in Hickory: Large-format porcelain through open kitchens.
- Greenbrier bathrooms: Shower and floor remodels with full waterproofing.
Field notes · Chesapeake
Tile installation in Chesapeake, up close
Tile notes for Chesapeake bathrooms, laundry rooms and entries.
Chesapeake, VA
Bathrooms due for an update
Many Chesapeake homes from the 1990s and 2000s have their original bathroom tile and fiberglass tubs. Tile work here is often a bathroom refresh: new porcelain floors, a tiled shower, and better waterproofing than the house was built with.
Moist ground under the slab
Tile itself does not mind water, but cracked grout and shifting slabs do cause problems. Over concrete, we use an uncoupling membrane that lets the slab move slightly without cracking the tile above it.
Membranes, levels and clean grout lines
Showers get a full waterproofing membrane, floors get a leveling system so tile edges line up, and we use stain-resistant grout so the laundry room and mudroom stay easy to clean.
Before we start
4 things to planChoosing a layout
Pick a tile layout for your Chesapeake project.
The same tile can look completely different depending on how it is laid. Tap a layout to see where it works best.
Straight lay, large format
12×24 porcelain
- Looks
- Clean and modern, with few grout lines
- Best for
- Living areas, kitchens, open floor plans
- Labor
- Standard
- Note
- Big tiles need a very flat floor. We level first.
Offset brick lay
Subway or rectangular tile
- Looks
- Classic and relaxed
- Best for
- Bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms
- Labor
- Standard
- Note
- We keep the offset to a third on long tiles to avoid lippage.
Herringbone
Rectangular tile at 45°
- Looks
- High-end, with lots of movement
- Best for
- Entryways, bathrooms, feature floors
- Labor
- More cuts and layout time
- Note
- Allow about 15% extra tile for cuts.
Hexagon mosaic
Small sheets
- Looks
- Vintage and textured
- Best for
- Bathrooms and shower floors
- Labor
- Careful sheet alignment
- Note
- Lots of grout lines give bare feet extra grip.
Wood-look plank
6×36 or 8×48 porcelain
- Looks
- Hardwood style, fully waterproof
- Best for
- Kitchens, baths, basements
- Labor
- Leveling clips on every joint
- Note
- Laid in a random stagger so it reads like real boards.
Chesapeake tile installation FAQ
Why did cracks appear in our Chesapeake tile floor?
Most often a crack in the slab underneath. Crack-isolation membrane prevents it in new installs.
01Can you tile over our existing tile?
We usually remove it so we can treat the slab properly.
02Do you install large-format tile?
Yes, over a flattened base.
03How long does a kitchen floor take?
About three to five days including cure.
Book your free Chesapeake estimate
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