Hours vary Jacksonville (904) 699-2626
Strictly Builders Inc
Tile Floor Installation That Holds Up for Decades

Family-owned · Jacksonville Local

Tile Floor Installation That Holds Up for Decades

From bathroom floors to full kitchen tile, Strictly Builders handles the entire installation under one roof.

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Tile Floor Installation Done to Last

Most tile failures trace back to one thing: poor subfloor prep before the first tile goes down. A contractor who skips the leveling, skimps on mortar coverage, or rushes the layout creates a floor that cracks, pops, and grouts loose within a few years. Strictly Builders Inc handles the whole process, surface evaluation, substrate prep, layout planning, setting, grouting, and finishing, so the tile you choose is actually the last thing you have to think about. Call for a free estimate and we'll walk you through what your floor actually needs.

Tile installation cost depends on the size of the area, the condition of the existing subfloor, the tile format you've chosen, and whether the layout involves cuts, patterns, or custom borders and inlays. A straightforward bathroom floor in good condition is a different job than a large open-plan living space with a diagonal layout and decorative border. Labor, material, and substrate repair all factor in. Every job is different, contact Strictly Builders Inc for an accurate estimate.

What Goes Into a Real Tile Installation

The visible tile is maybe 30% of the job. The rest is what keeps it from cracking.

01

Subfloor Evaluation

We check for flex, moisture, and level before anything else. A floor that moves under load will crack tile no matter how good the tile is. If there's a problem underneath, we fix it first.

02

Layout Planning

Where you start the layout determines where cuts land. We plan the grid so seams fall in natural places and the tile reads balanced across the full room, not pieced together at the edges.

03

Mortar and Setting

Coverage matters. We back-butter large-format tile and use the right thinset for the substrate and tile type. Hollow spots under tile are where failures start.

04

Grouting and Sealing

Grout width, color, and sealer are finishing decisions that affect both look and durability. We don't rush this stage, a poorly grouted floor collects moisture and stains before the year is out.

05

Transitions and Trim

Where tile meets another floor type, a threshold, or a wall base, the transition has to be clean and functional. We handle trim work installation as part of the job, not an afterthought.

06

Cleanup and Walkthrough

Grout haze gets cleaned before we leave. You get a walkthrough so you can see every section and ask questions before we're done on-site.

Tile Types

Ceramic, Porcelain, Natural Stone: Not All Tile Installs the Same Way

Ceramic tile is forgiving and affordable. Porcelain is denser, harder to cut, and better suited for high-traffic areas and wet environments. Natural stone, travertine, slate, marble, requires different mortars, often sealing before grouting, and more careful handling throughout. Picking the wrong setting material or skipping the sealer step on stone is the kind of mistake that's expensive to reverse. Ryan Alson has worked with all of it. If you're comparing tile types and not sure which makes sense for your space, that's worth a conversation before you buy anything. For areas where you're weighing tile against a floating floor, we also install luxury vinyl tile and can help you think through the trade-offs honestly.
grouting and sealing work, professional service in Jacksonville, FL

Process

How the Installation Goes, Start to Finish

  1. 01

    Assessment and Prep

    We evaluate the subfloor, check for moisture, repair any damage, and confirm the surface is level and stable before any tile comes out of the box.

  2. 02

    Layout, Setting, and Grouting

    We plan the grid, set tile with proper mortar coverage, allow full cure time, then grout and seal according to the tile and grout manufacturer specs.

  3. 03

    Finishing and Walkthrough

    Transitions get installed, grout haze gets removed, and we walk the finished floor with you before we pack up. If something's not right, we fix it before we leave.

Floors We've Installed Across the Region

Strictly Builders installs tile flooring in residential and commercial spaces throughout the area. Whether you're in a craftsman home in Fleming Island or a newer build near Saint Johns, the process is the same: solid prep, clean layout, no shortcuts.

Common Questions About Tile Floor Installation

What do you put down before tiling a floor?
The subfloor has to be structurally sound, flat, and dry. On a wood subfloor, we typically install cement backer board to give the tile a rigid, moisture-resistant base. On concrete, we check for cracks and level low spots with self-leveling compound. Skipping this step is the most common reason tile installations fail early.
How long does tile floor installation take?
A standard bathroom floor takes one to two days including cure time before grouting. Larger areas or complicated layouts take longer. Mortar needs time to cure before grout goes down, so rushing the schedule creates weak spots. We won't grout over fresh thinset just to finish faster.
What size tile works best for a small bathroom floor?
Larger tiles can actually make a small bathroom feel bigger by reducing the number of grout lines in the visual field. But large-format tile demands a flatter subfloor, any low spots show up as hollow tile or rocking corners. We assess the floor condition first and tell you what format it can actually support before you buy.
Why does floor tile crack after installation?
The three most common causes are subfloor movement (the subfloor flexes under load), inadequate mortar coverage (tile bridges a hollow instead of bonding fully), and using the wrong thinset for the tile type. Large-format porcelain over a bouncy wood subfloor is a common setup that cracks within a year if the substrate isn't addressed first.
Can tile be installed over existing tile?
Sometimes, but it's not always a good idea. You need to verify the existing tile is fully bonded, the height change won't cause transition problems, and the subfloor can handle the added weight. If the old tile is loose or cracked in multiple places, removing it and starting clean is usually the right call. We'll look at the existing floor and give you a straight answer.
Do you handle tile work in kitchens and bathrooms beyond floors?
Yes. We install tile on walls, in showers, and for kitchen backsplashes as part of full kitchen remodeling and bathroom projects. If you're doing a remodel that involves multiple tile surfaces, we can handle the whole scope as one job rather than coordinating multiple contractors.
Do you handle grout sealing after tile installation?
Yes. Sealing grout is part of finishing the job correctly, not an optional add-on. Unsealed grout in a bathroom or kitchen floor absorbs moisture and stains within months. We seal after grout cures and can advise on resealing intervals depending on the grout type and how much traffic the floor takes.

Get a Straight Answer on Your Tile Floor

Strictly Builders Inc handles tile floor installation from subfloor prep through finished grout, no subcontractors, no handoff mid-project.

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