Is it better to tile or use a tub surround?

• <div><p>The choice of whether to tile or use an acrylic tub surround is up to you and can be based on a number of factors, including aesthetics, cost, waterproofing, ease of cleaning, and maintenance.</p><p>Tile is a beautiful, classic bathtub surround choice; while <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/tile-installation-cost.htm">tile installation cost</a> is higher, it’s customizable and offers visual appeal. Tile is also harder to clean and presents waterproofing problems because of grout lines. Acrylic surrounds can be more affordable, don’t require much maintenance, and are easier to clean. However, they aren’t usually as visually appealing and may need to be replaced if they become damaged.</p></div>

Get matched with top ceramic tile pros in Chevak, AK

Q: When should you not use large tiles?

• <div><p>There are no unbreakable rules of design, but experts recommend against using large tiles in areas with poor subflooring where they&rsquo;re more prone to cracking, in areas where the floor isn&rsquo;t entirely level, over raised areas or dips, and in bathrooms where budget is the primary concern. The size of your bathroom shouldn&rsquo;t be a reason not to use large tiles; in fact, larger tiles, also known as slab tiles, can be a modern and sleek choice for bathroom floors and walls.</p></div>

Q: Can I cut tile without a wet saw?

• <div><p>Yes, it&rsquo;s possible to cut tile without a wet saw; instead, you can use an angle grinder, a glass cutter, a snap cutter, tile nippers, or a rotary tool with a tile-cutting blade. A manual tile cutter or snap cutter works well for the larger tiles that wet saws are typically used for, while smaller projects might just require nippers or a glass cutting wheel. If you&rsquo;re working with large quantities of tile, however, power tools are best.</p></div>

Q: What is the best trowel for penny tile?

• <div><p>The best trowel for penny tile is a 3/16-inch-by-5/32-inch V-notch trowel. Because of the small size of the penny tile, you want a trowel with small notches that can lay a thin layer of mortar on the surface you&rsquo;re tiling. If the notches are too wide, you risk applying too thick of a layer of mortar, and it can squeeze out between the penny tiles.</p></div>

Q: Does the floor have to be completely level for tile?

• <div><p>Your floors should be completely level for tile, otherwise you risk damaging the tiles in the future. When there are even small gaps or hills in the subfloor beneath the tile, this puts more pressure on the tile when you walk around on the floor. With repeated traffic, the tiles are at risk of cracking, and you&rsquo;ll have to deal with tile repairs sooner than if the floor was completely level.</p></div>

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

Find Ceramic tile pros in Chevak

A Plus Contractor

4.92(

)

A Plus Contractor

4.92(

)

Customers say: True professional

Recommended by 94% of Angi customers

A+ Painting provides interior and exterior painting services for both residential and commerical buildings. We provide services from Anchorage to the Mat-Su Valley Area, whether it's just one room or an entire home. As painting specialists we pride ourselves in our workmanship and can guarantee your satisfaction. You can find more details and some photos on my website.

"Excellent performance by A Plus Contracting. Yong and his crew far exceeded my standards. Very thorough and meticulous. He was on time and efficient. His crew were very hard working and treated our yard and home as if it were their own. I would hire them again without any hesitation."

Tim G on June 2020

"Excellent performance by A Plus Contracting. Yong and his crew far exceeded my standards. Very thorough and meticulous. He was on time and efficient. His crew were very hard working and treated our yard and home as if it were their own. I would hire them again without any hesitation."

Tim G on June 2020

Case & Gamble Construction

5.00(

)

Case & Gamble Construction

5.00(

)

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

We are general contractors licensed, bonded, and insured with a residential endorsement (#117477) meaning that we can provide new construction, additions, remodels, and renovations. We provide all services related to the above from the ground up. We strive to provide a custom experience for each homeowner. We are a partnership business with a combined 25+ years of experience. Please call or email to set up a free estimate.

"Great! Case & Gamble were very professional and communicated well throughout the process. Would absolutely hire again."

Daniel J on May 2019

"Great! Case & Gamble were very professional and communicated well throughout the process. Would absolutely hire again."

Daniel J on May 2019

AKE electric service LLC

5.00(

)

AKE electric service LLC

5.00(

)

Customers say: Quick response

Recommended by 100% of Angi customers

We are a family owned and operated business with several years of experience. We specialize in residential interior remodeling, cabinets, tile and much more. Please reach out to us directly at 907-885-7227 for more information.

"They do great work and can do it all. They don’t have to sub out work. Saved me money this way."

Veon K on January 2022

"They do great work and can do it all. They don’t have to sub out work. Saved me money this way."

Veon K on January 2022

A&A Quality

No reviews yet

A&A Quality

No reviews yet

26 years of experience

Specializing in bathroom remodeling from complete demo and redo to just a shower reno. I am a perfectionist and guarantee top notch quality workmanship. Also do residential and commercial tile, shower pans, minor plumbing and electrical.

Skilled in all aspects of my trade including new construction or remodel, residential or commercial. In 1997, I began my career in tile/stone masonry in Las Vegas with Bricklayer's and Allied Craftsmen Local #13. After the financial crisis, I left Nevada to come back home to Alaska in 2009. I learned my trade from some of the best tile/stone masons in the country. I am owner and sole employee of my business so, all work done by TileMaster is done by me. Please verify my Alaska contractor's license (#171572) and Alaska business license (#10147598) at https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/Home.aspx You can also view my portfolio on Facebook.com (TileMaster)

Ceramic Tile questions, answered by experts

There are no unbreakable rules of design, but experts recommend against using large tiles in areas with poor subflooring where they’re more prone to cracking, in areas where the floor isn’t entirely level, over raised areas or dips, and in bathrooms where budget is the primary concern. The size of your bathroom shouldn’t be a reason not to use large tiles; in fact, larger tiles, also known as slab tiles, can be a modern and sleek choice for bathroom floors and walls.

Yes, it’s possible to cut tile without a wet saw; instead, you can use an angle grinder, a glass cutter, a snap cutter, tile nippers, or a rotary tool with a tile-cutting blade. A manual tile cutter or snap cutter works well for the larger tiles that wet saws are typically used for, while smaller projects might just require nippers or a glass cutting wheel. If you’re working with large quantities of tile, however, power tools are best.

The best trowel for penny tile is a 3/16-inch-by-5/32-inch V-notch trowel. Because of the small size of the penny tile, you want a trowel with small notches that can lay a thin layer of mortar on the surface you’re tiling. If the notches are too wide, you risk applying too thick of a layer of mortar, and it can squeeze out between the penny tiles.

Your floors should be completely level for tile, otherwise you risk damaging the tiles in the future. When there are even small gaps or hills in the subfloor beneath the tile, this puts more pressure on the tile when you walk around on the floor. With repeated traffic, the tiles are at risk of cracking, and you’ll have to deal with tile repairs sooner than if the floor was completely level.

The choice of whether to tile or use an acrylic tub surround is up to you and can be based on a number of factors, including aesthetics, cost, waterproofing, ease of cleaning, and maintenance.

Tile is a beautiful, classic bathtub surround choice; while tile installation cost is higher, it’s customizable and offers visual appeal. Tile is also harder to clean and presents waterproofing problems because of grout lines. Acrylic surrounds can be more affordable, don’t require much maintenance, and are easier to clean. However, they aren’t usually as visually appealing and may need to be replaced if they become damaged.

The Chevak, AK homeowners’ guide to ceramic tile services

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