Get matched with top ceramic tile pros in Plains, KS

Tile will almost always last longer than laminate flooring, regardless of the type of tile installed. Porcelain tile can last for 75 years or more with proper care, and even less durable ceramic tile will last for 60 years or more, provided they’re installed by a tile professional. On the other hand, laminate flooring has an average lifespan of around 20 years, and you might only get 10 to 15 years out of low-cost laminate flooring. As such, tile will add far more value to your home than laminate.

The cost to install porcelain tile is about $1,930 on average. Porcelain tile prices range from $880 to $3,000 or more. The average cost tends to be higher than ceramic tile because porcelain tile is very durable. Porcelain tile rating also factors into the material cost. Tile ratings are as follows:

• Grade 0: Walls only

• Grade 1: Walls and light traffic floors

• Grade 2: Rooms with light traffic, but not kitchens or hallways

• Grade 3: Kitchens, hallways, and entryways

• Grade 4: Any area, interior or exterior

• Grade 5: Highest durability good for any area, interior or exterior

The tile spacing you should use will depend on the tile and where you’re installing it. Choosing the right tile spacers to maintain a consistent gap between your tiles is tricky. Generally, tile spacing shouldn’t be less than 2 millimeters on walls and 3 millimeters on floors because of stress relief requirements. Getting it wrong can result in uneven tiles and early repairs.

You cannot tile directly over hot mop waterproofing because tile requires a smooth, solid surface to adhere properly. Additionally, the shower bed pan needs to be raised and sloped toward the drain to prevent water from pooling. However, you can hot mop and apply a sloped mortar bed over the top (to which the tile can then be adhered).