Tile stands up to humidity and water better than any other floor here. On a raised house, the framing must be stiff enough first, or the grout will crack.
Tile is everywhere in Greater New Orleans for a reason. Ceramic and porcelain do not care about damp air, and a tile floor can be cleaned and kept after water comes in, as long as the slab and the setting bed were sound. Porcelain is denser and absorbs less water than standard ceramic, which makes it the usual pick for kitchens, baths, laundry rooms and enclosed porches.
Tile on a raised house needs a stiff floor. Joists that bounce or a thin subfloor will crack grout and tiles, so we check the framing and add a layer of plywood or cement board, or an uncoupling membrane, as the floor needs. Large tiles need a flatter base than small ones, so an uneven subfloor may need work before setting.
Slab homes have their own issue: cracks in the concrete can carry up through the tile. A crack isolation membrane over the slab helps stop that. In humid bathrooms, grout can grow mildew, so good grout, a sealer where the product calls for it, and a running exhaust fan go a long way. We go over tile size, layout and trim before you get a written quote.
Tile flooring in New Orleans: common questions
Porcelain or ceramic for a New Orleans bathroom?
Porcelain absorbs less water and is harder, so it is the safer pick for wet rooms. Ceramic works fine on walls and in dry rooms.
Can tile go on a raised wood floor?
Yes, if the floor is stiff enough. Bouncy joists or a thin subfloor have to be fixed first, or the grout will crack.
Why does my bathroom grout turn black?
Usually mildew, from damp air and moisture sitting in porous grout. Better ventilation, regular cleaning and sealing the grout help.
How it works
- Free in-home estimate: Call, text or book online. We measure the rooms and check the subfloor.
- Written quote: Material, prep and price in writing.
- Prep & delivery: We plan the order of rooms, deliver material and let wood acclimate.
- Install & walk-through: Our crew installs or refinishes, cleans up and walks it with you.