Tile Services in Ann Arbor, MI

Rooms That Look Sharp and Stay Watertight

Thinset coverage decides whether tile lasts: 80% contact behind dry-area tile, 95% in showers and every exterior application, with no void larger than about 2 square inches. Danaher Family Masonry and Restoration handles tile services in Ann Arbor, MI with that standard held on every piece, from kitchen floors and bathroom walls to shower pans sloped a minimum 1/4 inch per foot and waterproofed at 15 mils across 2 coats. Grout joints follow the tile, never below 1/16 inch.


Careful sequencing keeps water where it belongs, and 40 years of combined experience is what tells us the membrane goes on in two coats, movement joints land every 8 to 12 feet in wet areas, and full mortar contact gets checked before any grout float touches the wall. Tile has been part of what we do, seasonal discounts apply to it, and whoever sets your first tile sets the last one. Book a consultation through our contact page and we will talk through materials and layout.

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How We Create Beautiful, Durable Tilework

  • Kitchen Tile Installation

    Kitchen floors and walls take spills and constant traffic, so we set tile over a substrate flat within 1/4 inch in 10 feet, hold full mortar contact under every piece, and plan cuts so full tiles land where the eye goes.

  • Bathroom Tile Installation

    Bathrooms combine water, heat and tight cuts around fixtures. Wall and floor tile goes down over a properly prepared substrate with perimeter movement joints held at 1/4 inch, and grout joints sized to the tile, never narrower than 1/16 inch in the room.

  • Shower and Wet Area Waterproofing

    Showers get liquid waterproofing in at least 2 coats at 80 square feet per gallon, building a minimum 15 mils, with the floor sloped 1/4 to 1/2 inch per foot. A flood test holds water 24 to 72 hours before tile is set.

  • Tile Replacement

    Cracked or loose tile usually points to a problem underneath, so we open the area, check the substrate and bond, then reset matching pieces. Where movement caused the failure, a crack isolation membrane rated to bridge 1/16 or 1/8 inch goes in first.

  • Backsplash and Accent Tile

    Backsplash runs are short but unforgiving, since every joint sits at eye level above the counter. We set the field square to the cabinets rather than the wall, keep grout lines consistent, and finish outside corners and edges cleanly against cabinets and outlets.

  • Custom Tile Design and Material Selection

    Choosing material comes before choosing pattern. We walk through porcelain, ceramic and natural stone with you, flag where tile longer than 15 inches counts as large format and needs a 33% maximum running-bond offset, then price options during a consultation.

Why Choose Us for Tile Services

Waterproofing Done Before the Tile

Water damage behind tile is expensive and invisible until it is severe. You get a membrane and a flood test done before anything decorative happens, which means the pretty part of your bathroom is sitting on a system built to keep water contained.

Grout Lines That Stay Straight

Straight joints are what people notice from the doorway, and crooked ones nag forever. Careful layout, consistent spacers and attention to lippage limits of 1/32 inch on smaller tile mean the finished surface reads as one plane instead of a patchwork.

Layouts Planned Around the Room

Nobody wants a sliver cut at the doorway. Planning the layout around sightlines, fixtures and cabinet runs puts full tiles where you look first and pushes the small cuts into corners, so the room feels considered rather than simply covered.

Seasonal Discounts on Tile Work

Seasonal promotions and discounts on tile work mean the timing of your project can lower what you pay for it. Ask during the consultation what is running, and we will tell you plainly whether waiting a few weeks would help your budget.

Dust and Debris Kept Contained

Demolition of old tile makes dust that travels through a whole house. Plastic barriers, covered floors and daily cleanup keep the mess inside the room being worked on, so you can keep living normally while a bathroom or kitchen is out of service.

A Finish That Survives Daily Use

Tile should still look right after years of wet feet, dropped dishes and cleaning products. Correct mortar coverage, properly sized movement joints and grout suited to the joint width give you a surface that resists cracking and hollow spots long after installation day.

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Tile Work Worth Looking At Every Morning

Good tile is quiet work. Nobody sees the membrane, the mortar coverage or the movement joints, but those are what keep a bathroom dry and a kitchen floor solid 10 years later. Danaher Family Masonry and Restoration brings that attention to tile projects across Ann Arbor, MI, whether the job is a single backsplash, a full shower rebuild, or a floor that has started cracking. Materials come from local suppliers, pricing stays competitive, and seasonal discounts on tile work can make the timing worth discussing. There is no pressure to decide anything on the spot. Send us the details through our contact page and we will set up a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the best way to waterproof a tile shower?

    Liquid waterproofing applied in at least 2 coats at 80 square feet per gallon, reaching a minimum 15 mils, is the reliable approach. Slope the pan 1/4 to 1/2 inch per foot and flood test it 24 to 72 hours first.

  • How long does grout have to dry before it can get wet?

    Sanded grout wants misting for 3 days to cure properly, so keep the shower out of service through that window. Surface temperature also matters: grout should not be installed below 50 or above 100 degrees, which slows or ruins curing.

  • Can I put new grout over old grout in the shower?

    No. New grout needs a joint depth to grab, so the old material has to come out first. Danaher Family Masonry and Restoration removes failed grout properly in Ann Arbor, MI, then checks whether the substrate underneath is the source of the problem.

  • Is cement board necessary for shower tile?

    Cement board or an equivalent approved backer is the standard behind shower tile, since drywall breaks down once water reaches it. Whatever the backer, the waterproofing layer over it does the real work of keeping moisture out of the wall.

  • Can I put backsplash tile directly on drywall?

    Yes, a kitchen backsplash can go over sound, clean drywall because it stays dry in normal use. Wet areas are different: showers and tub surrounds need a proper backer and waterproofing, since drywall cannot survive repeated saturation behind tile.

  • What are the downsides of tiling over existing tiles?

    Adding a layer raises the floor height, adds weight, hides whatever failed underneath, and complicates transitions at doorways. Danaher Family Masonry and Restoration generally recommends removal in Ann Arbor, MI so the substrate can be checked and corrected before new tile goes down.

  • What happens if you don't seal tile grout?

    Unsealed cementitious grout absorbs water, stains and soap residue, and stays damp longer in a shower. That moisture works into the joint and eventually loosens grout, so sealing keeps the joints cleanable and slows the staining that makes a floor look tired.

  • Can you just replace tile in a shower?

    Individual broken tiles can be cut out and replaced if the waterproofing behind the wall remains intact. Once water has been getting through for a while, spot repair only hides the issue, and the wet area needs opening up and rebuilding.