Design range
Colour, scale, texture, pattern and finish can make tile quiet and monolithic or expressive and detailed.
Tile surfaces · London, Ontario
TileSurfaces that shape the room.
Floor tile, walls and backsplashes considered as one architectural composition—from proportion and finish to grout and installation.
The material
More than a floor finish.
Tile can establish the entire architecture of a bathroom, anchor an entrance or create a precise backsplash that connects cabinetry and countertops. Format, layout, finish and grout each affect the final composition.
Porcelain and ceramic serve different applications, while natural stone—when available and appropriate—brings its own maintenance and installation requirements. The substrate and installation quality are as important as the tile itself.
Why choose it
Why tile has architectural impact
Moisture-ready options
Correctly specified tile assemblies can support bathrooms, showers, entries and other demanding applications.
Durable surface
Suitable products resist everyday wear and are straightforward to maintain when installation and grout are properly planned.
Application continuity
Coordinate floors, walls, niches, backsplashes and feature areas through a unified material palette.
Where it works best
Design the complete surface
Tile performs across floors and walls, but each application has different slip, moisture, substrate and installation requirements.
Bathrooms & showers
Coordinate floor scale, shower details, wall surfaces and slip considerations within the complete assembly.
Kitchens & backsplashes
Use format, colour and grout to connect cabinetry, counters and the room’s broader material palette.
Entries & mudrooms
Specify a durable, cleanable surface with appropriate texture and transitions for changing outdoor conditions.
What to consider
Installation is part of the design
Tile is unforgiving of weak preparation. Layout and substrate decisions determine how refined the finished surface feels.
Substrate & flatness
Large-format tile and long sightlines require careful substrate preparation and layout planning.
Wet-area assemblies
Showers and wet rooms require complete waterproofing systems beyond the visible tile surface.
Slip & finish
Surface texture and product rating should suit the application, especially where floors may be wet.
Heat & transitions
Heated-floor compatibility, finished height, thresholds and connections to other floors should be resolved early.
The Shop-from-Home experience
Compose tile with the whole room.
Tile interacts closely with cabinetry, counters, plumbing finishes, paint and natural light. Reviewing samples in the room makes undertones and surface reflection much easier to understand.
A focused in-home review also creates space to discuss format, grout, transitions, floor heat and installation conditions before the design is finalized.
- Coordinate tile with counters and cabinetry
- Compare surface reflection in the room
- Review format, layout and grout direction
- Consider substrate, heat and transitions
Installation & project support
Coordinate the visible and technical details
Depending on the project, support can include material selection, measuring, quantities, removal and preparation planning, tile installation coordination, transitions and cleanup. Wet-area assemblies require project-specific scope confirmation.
- Material curation
- Site measure
- Layout discussion
- Quantity planning
- Preparation review
- Installation coordination
- Finishing details
Frequently asked
Practical questions, clear answers.
What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tile?
Porcelain is typically denser and has lower water absorption. Ceramic encompasses a broad range of products, many intended for walls and some rated for floors. The product’s tested rating and intended use matter more than the label alone.
What tile works best for bathroom floors?
Choose tile rated for floors and appropriate for wet conditions, with a format and finish that support grip, drainage and the room’s layout. The waterproofing and substrate beneath the tile are equally important.
Can floor tile be used on walls or backsplashes?
Often yes if the structure and setting materials can support its weight. Wall tile cannot automatically be used on floors because it may not have the required strength or wear rating.
What should I know about grout?
Grout colour, joint width, type, sealing requirements and maintenance all affect the finished design. Grout is not a substitute for waterproofing, and installation guidance varies by product and application.
Can tile be installed over heated floors?
Many tile systems work well with approved electric or hydronic floor heat. The heating system, substrate, membrane, setting materials and movement accommodation must be compatible.
Complimentary in-home consultation
See the room as a whole.
Book a complimentary in-home consultation to compare tile formats, finishes and grout direction alongside the surfaces already in your space.