Hours vary Jacksonville (904) 699-2626
Strictly Builders Inc
Tile Work That Holds Its Line for Years

Family-owned · Jacksonville Local

Tile Work That Holds Its Line for Years

From substrate prep to final grout seal, every tile set by Strictly Builders Inc is laid to last.

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Florida's Tile Contractor Standard, Done Differently

Tile work isn't just a finish material. It's a structural commitment. The reason most tile jobs fail within a few years isn't the tile itself. It's what happened underneath it before the first piece went down. At Strictly Builders Inc, Ryan Alson approaches every tile installation the way a builder approaches a foundation: substrate first, layout second, aesthetics third. That order matters. Whether you're looking at a kitchen backsplash, a full bathroom tile remodel, or large-format floor tile through an entryway, our process starts with an assessment of what's under the surface before a single tile is set. Call us before you start shopping for tile.

The scope of tile work determines cost more than any other single factor. A simple ceramic floor in a 60-square-foot bathroom is a different job than a custom fireplace tile installation using natural stone with intricate cuts. Material choice plays a role: porcelain runs denser and harder than ceramic, requires different thin-set mortar formulations, and demands slower, more precise cutting. Natural stone adds sealing requirements on top of that. Substrate condition matters too. If the subfloor has flex or moisture issues, those have to be corrected before tile goes down or the grout will crack within a season. Shower niches, heated floor systems, waterproofing membranes, and decorative inlays all add scope. Every job is different. Contact Strictly Builders Inc for an accurate estimate.

What Sets the Work Apart

01

Substrate Assessment First

We check for levelness, flex, and moisture before the first tile is ordered. A substrate that moves or holds water will crack your grout and loosen your tile within a year. We address the base layer as a structural step, not an afterthought.

02

Correct Mortar for Each Material

Porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone each require different thin-set formulations and coverage percentages. Using the wrong mortar is one of the most common reasons tiles pop loose. We match the mortar to the material and the substrate every time.

03

Precision Layout and Symmetrical Cuts

Before a single tile is set, we plan the layout across the full surface. That means symmetrical cuts at borders, consistent grout spacing, and no sliver cuts hiding in visible corners. The layout stage takes time. It's worth it when the finished surface reads as intentional.

04

Waterproofing Where It Counts

Showers and wet-area floors require a waterproofing membrane behind the tile, not just water-resistant backer board. We apply the correct membrane system for the application, which is the difference between a shower that lasts and one that damages the wall cavity behind it.

05

Grout Selection and Sealing

Grout color and joint width are aesthetic decisions, but grout type is a technical one. Epoxy grout performs differently than sanded or unsanded cement grout, and every finished tile surface needs to be properly sealed. We advise on the right grout system and seal it before we leave.

06

Full Scope Under One Contractor

We don't just set tile. When tile work connects to subfloor repair, demolition of existing surfaces, or paint finishing around newly tiled walls, we handle those under the same project. No hand-off between separate trades. One call, one crew, one finished space.

Materials We Work With

Porcelain, Ceramic, Stone, and Everything Between

Material selection changes how the job gets executed, not just how it looks.

  1. 01

    Porcelain Tile

    Dense, low-porosity, and highly durable. Porcelain is the right call for high-traffic floors and any surface with regular moisture exposure. Cutting it cleanly requires diamond blades and patience. We don't rush the cuts.

  2. 02

    Ceramic Tile

    More workable than porcelain and well-suited for walls, backsplashes, and lower-traffic floors. The range of sizes, finishes, and price points makes ceramic the most versatile option on most residential jobs.

  3. 03

    Natural Stone

    Marble, travertine, and slate require sealing before installation and again after grouting. Each slab reads differently, so layout planning is even more important when the material itself has variation. We've set marble tile on kitchen backsplashes and client reviews confirm the result holds up.

  4. 04

    Large-Format Tile

    Tiles over 15x15 inches require a flatter substrate and back-buttering technique to achieve full mortar coverage. The substrate work here isn't optional. Without it, large-format tiles hollow-sound and crack at the corners under foot traffic.

How a Tile Project Runs

  1. 01

    Step 1: Surface and Substrate Review

    We inspect the existing substrate for level, flex, moisture, and compatibility with the planned tile. Any subfloor or backer issues get resolved before tile is ordered or installation begins.

  2. 02

    Step 2: Layout, Cut Planning, and Setting

    We dry-lay the field to confirm the layout before mixing mortar. Cuts are marked, tile is set in sequence with consistent spacing, and every piece is checked for full coverage beneath it.

  3. 03

    Step 3: Grouting, Sealing, and Final Review

    Grout is applied after the mortar cures, joints are finished clean, and the surface is sealed. We do a final walkthrough before calling the job complete. If anything reads wrong on close inspection, it gets addressed before we leave the site.

Straight from Google

What Clients Say About the Work

2.65 verified Google reviews
Ryan did a great job for us! Marble tile, kitchen backsplash and kitchen painting all look great. Delivered high quality work on time and on budget. I would highly recommend giving him a call.
Lisa BlowLisa BlowOct 2025 · Google
Super thorough and very friendly owner. does a fantastic job!
Kendall BlowKendall BlowNov 2024 · Google
Read all 5 reviews

Common Questions

Tile Work Questions, Answered Directly

Can a handyman do tile work, or does it need a contractor?
A handyman can set tile on a simple, low-stakes surface. But if the job involves a shower, wet-area floor, or any tile over an existing subfloor, a contractor who understands substrate prep and waterproofing is the right call. Improper waterproofing behind a shower wall doesn't fail immediately. It fails two or three years in, and by then the damage is behind the wall.
How does substrate condition affect tile longevity?
Directly. Tile is rigid. If what's beneath it moves, flexes, or holds moisture, the grout joints crack first, then the tiles loosen. In Florida, moisture is a constant variable. We check for subfloor flex and vapor before we set a single tile. On concrete slabs, we check for flatness and any cracking that could telegraph through the finished surface.
What's the difference between sanded and unsanded grout, and when does it matter?
Sanded grout contains fine aggregate and is used for joints wider than 1/8 inch. Unsanded grout is used for tighter joints, especially on polished stone surfaces where sand can scratch the face. Using the wrong type in the wrong joint width causes shrinkage, cracking, or surface damage. It's a technical decision, not a preference call.
How long does tile work need to cure before it can be used?
Thin-set mortar typically needs 24 hours before light foot traffic and 72 hours before full loading. Grout needs 24 to 48 hours before it should get wet. In humid Florida conditions, cure times can run longer than manufacturer specs. We factor this into project timelines so the finished surface isn't stressed before it's ready.
What causes grout to crack shortly after installation?
Grout failure within the first year almost always comes back to one of three things: the substrate moved, the mortar coverage was insufficient under the tile, or the wrong grout type was used for the joint width. Settling, subfloor flex, and humidity cycling all apply stress to the grout joint over time. Flooring repairs and patching can address isolated failures, but recurring cracks usually signal a substrate problem that needs to be corrected at the source.
Do you handle tile replacement as well as new installation?
Yes. Tile replacement involves removing existing tile without damaging the substrate beneath it, which is more technically demanding than new installation. The backer or subfloor has to be assessed after demolition before new tile goes down. Strictly Builders Inc handles both the removal and the full reinstall as a single scope of work.
What tile materials do you work with?
We install porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone including marble and travertine. Each material has different mortar requirements, sealing schedules, and cutting techniques. Porcelain cuts harder than ceramic and requires diamond blade equipment. Natural stone needs sealing before installation and again after grouting. We match the installation method to the material, not the other way around.

Areas We Serve for Tile Work

Strictly Builders Inc completes tile installation and replacement projects across North Florida and the surrounding coastal communities. If your project falls outside these areas, call and we'll let you know directly.

Get Your Tile Work Estimated

Strictly Builders Inc. Available Monday through Friday around the clock, Saturday 6AM to 6PM, and Sunday.

Call (904) 699-2626 Call for a Free Estimate

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