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Service 08 / 11

Tile Work

Tile is one of the trades Real Deal Builders handles across the Santa Clarita Valley, inside a kitchen or bath project or as a job on its own. Licensed tile setters do the install, and every wall and floor is checked against the Real Deal standard before it is yours. We install shower tile, floor tile, backsplash tile, and natural stone tile over prepared substrate and, in wet areas, over a proper waterproofing membrane. A tile install lasts as long as what sits under it, and the layer nobody sees is the layer you are actually buying. We install to the specifics of the material you chose and finish the grout and edges so the job reads as designed rather than improvised.

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Explore the areas we serve →

Tub alcove tiled in narrow stacked vertical tile with a long recessed niche, and large format stone look tile on the side walls
Timeline
A few days to a couple of weeks
Trades we manage
Substrate prep, waterproofing, set, grout, seal
Permits
Not required for finish work
Typical scope
Backsplash, shower, floor, or natural stone install

Process

How this comes together

The layers under a tile install

Every tile install is a stack of layers, and each layer has a job. The substrate has to be flat and firm. Backer board has to be fastened to spec. In wet areas, a waterproofing membrane has to cover the backer and turn into any drain or fixture penetration. Thinset has to be the right size for the tile format. Only then does the tile go on. We follow that stack because it is what keeps water out of the framing and keeps the tile bonded for the long haul.

This is the layer where cheap installs save money and where callbacks come from a few years later. We do not save money there, because it is the money that decides how long the finished job lasts.

Planning the tile layout

The difference between a tile install that reads professional and one that reads sloppy is layout. Where the full tiles land, where the cuts fall, how the grid meets the drain, how the pattern turns a corner, how the backsplash ends against the cabinet or the window. We plan the layout before any tile is set so the finished job reads as designed rather than improvised.

Natural stone tile installation, large format porcelain, and specialty patterns like herringbone and chevron each ask for their own handling. We install to the specifics of the material rather than treat every tile the same, and we seal natural stone against stains as part of the finish.

Tile install layer cross section Five stacked layers, bottom to top: substrate, backer board, waterproofing membrane, thinset mortar, tile with grout. Anatomy of a tile install Five layers, each with a job 5 4 3 2 1 5 · Tile + grout Porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone. 4 · Thinset mortar Bonds tile. Trowel size matched to tile format. 3 · Waterproofing membrane Required in showers. Optional on dry floors. 2 · Backer board Cement or fiber. Fastened to substrate to spec. 1 · Substrate Floor sheathing or wall studs. Flat and firm. A tile install lasts as long as what sits under it. The layer nobody sees is the layer you are buying.
Scroll or swipe to see the full diagram. The layers under every tile install. A tile install is a stack of layers. Each layer has a job, and the substrate is what decides how long the finish reads flat. In wet areas the waterproofing membrane is the layer that keeps water out of the framing.

What this service includes

  • Tile work installation across kitchens, baths, entries, and floors
  • Shower tile installation over waterproofing membrane and backer board
  • Floor tile installation, small format through large format porcelain
  • Backsplash tile installation, cut cleanly around outlets and end pieces
  • Natural stone tile installation, sealed and detailed for the material
  • Substrate prep, waterproofing, and layout planning before the first sheet of thinset
  • Grout, sealing, and edge trim to finish the install cleanly

Our work

Recent work

Shower tiled in wood look plank tile with a floating corner bench, a small square mosaic floor, a center drain, and metal trim closing every edge
Shower alcove tiled in white subway tile around a window, with a navy patterned floor tile outside the curb
Marble star and cross mosaic being set on a shower floor around a square drain, with a level laid across the surface to check the fall

From first call to final walkthrough

A clear process. A better experience.

  1. 01

    Site Consultation

    We visit your home or property, listen to your goals, assess the space, and establish the scope of work.

  2. 02

    Detailed Proposal

    You receive a written scope and a fixed price before any construction begins.

  3. 03

    Expert Coordination

    We coordinate every trade and phase in the proper sequence, with one dedicated point of contact keeping the project moving.

  4. 04

    Final Walkthrough

    We review the completed work with you, address any final details, and make sure everything meets the Real Deal standard before we close the project.

Also see

Related services

Hall bathroom with a white double vanity, two undermount sinks, and a tub surround and floor in gray marble look tile

Bathroom Remodeling

Full and master bathroom remodels with proper waterproofing under every tile.

View service → White shaker kitchen open to a dining room, with a white island under two lantern pendants and dark stained beams across the ceiling

Kitchen Remodeling

Full kitchen remodels, from a refresh to a complete layout redesign.

View service → Alcove with a new travertine tile floor laid in a repeating pattern, fresh white baseboard, and painted doors either side

Flooring & Staircases

Hardwood, vinyl plank, laminate, and tile, plus custom stair treads and risers.

View service →

Cities we serve

Real Deal Builders delivers this service across the twenty cities we serve, from the Santa Clarita Valley into the San Fernando Valley. These pages cover the work city by city.

Tile Work in Santa Clarita Tile Work in Valencia Tile Work in Newhall Tile Work in Saugus Tile Work in Canyon Country Tile Work in Stevenson Ranch Tile Work in Castaic

FAQ

Common questions

The questions we hear most often, answered plainly. If your question is not here, call us and we will answer it the same way.

What kinds of tile work do you do?

We install shower tile, bath and kitchen floor tile, backsplash tile, wall tile, and natural stone tile. Tile work is one of the services we handle most often, both as part of a kitchen or bath remodel and as its own standalone scope.

Do you install shower tile with proper waterproofing?

Yes. Shower tile installation gets a waterproofing membrane over the backer board before any tile goes on, plus a properly sloped and bonded shower pan. That is the industry standard and it is what keeps the framing behind the wall dry.

Do you do backsplash tile installation as a standalone job?

Yes. Backsplash tile installation is a common standalone scope. It is a smaller project than a full kitchen and it changes the room meaningfully. We handle the tile, the layout around outlets and end pieces, and the grout and edge trim.

Can you install large format tile?

Yes. Large format tile, twelve by twenty four and up, asks for a very flat substrate and the correct trowel size for full mortar contact under the tile. Skipping that leads to lippage and hollow spots. We install to spec.

Do you install natural stone tile?

Yes. Natural stone tile installation, marble, travertine, limestone, and slate, is part of our regular work. Natural stone is porous and needs sealing, and different stones need different handling. We install to the specifics of the material you chose.

Do you do floor tile installation over an existing subfloor?

Sometimes. A subfloor for tile has to be very flat and rigid. Some existing subfloors work, others need an added layer of cement board or a self leveling underlayment first. We check and tell you what your specific floor needs.

How long does a tile job take?

A backsplash usually takes a couple of days. A bathroom floor takes a few days. A full shower tile install takes about a week including the waterproofing and grout cure. Larger scopes and natural stone can take longer.

Do you seal grout and stone tile?

Yes. Grout gets sealed as part of the finish. Natural stone gets sealed both before grouting and after, so grout does not stain the stone and stains do not soak into it in service.

How much does tile work cost?

Cost is driven by tile square footage, tile material, whether waterproofing is involved, and layout complexity. A simple square set backsplash and a large format herringbone shower with natural stone are very different projects. We price against a written scope.

Can you match my existing tile?

Sometimes. Older tile lines get discontinued, and an exact match may not be possible. We can often find a close match, or design a border, transition, or accent that resolves the difference cleanly.

Planning a project like this?

Get a free quote Call (818) 276-7344