Tile Installation
Precision tile installation for kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor living, and whole-home projects across the San Francisco Bay Area — executed by our own crew of expert tile setters.
Our Services
Bathroom walls, bathroom floors, shower walls, shower floors, shower ceilings, shower niches, shower curbs, shower benches, shower jambs, etc.
Floor & wall preparation, waterproofing, floor heating installation, tile installation, grout installation, etc.
All patterns including herringbone, chevron, basket weave, subway, stacked, offset, etc.
All tile materials & types including ceramic, marble, porcelain, terracotta, glass, zellige, etc.
All tile sizes including large format, mosaics, hexagons, penny rounds, etc.
Backsplashes for kitchens, vanities, laundry rooms, mudrooms, etc.
All patterns including herringbone, chevron, basket weave, subway, stacked, offset, etc.
All tile materials & types including ceramic, marble, porcelain, terracotta, glass, zellige, etc.
All tile sizes including large format, mosaics, subway, etc.
Interior flooring for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, mudrooms, ADUs, etc.
Exterior flooring for decks, balconies, patios, courtyards, pool surrounds, etc.
All patterns including checkerboard, herringbone, chevron, basket weave, subway, stacked, offset, etc.
All tile materials & types including marble, ceramic, porcelain, limestone, flagstone, bluestone, etc., including tiles or pavers over pedestals.
All tile sizes including large format, planks, mosaics, hexagons, etc.
Why JB Tile & Stone?
Our tile setters have decades of experience and a focus on precision, alignment, and detail.
Expert Craftsmanship
Quality Control
Through our decades of experience, we have developed a process that is designed to catch problems before they become expensive corrections.
Built for High-End Homes
Our office and field teams are experts at working alongside architects, designers, builders, and discerning homeowners.
Specialized Expertise
Our crews are experts in installing mosaic, large format, and other technically demanding tile applications.
Our Own Crews
Your project is installed by our own employees, not handed off to unproven subcontractors.
We ensure every aspect of your project is executed well, from material procurement and layout through installation and final punch list.
Complete Project Coordination
Our Process
Sourcing the right tile — and the right quantity — is more complex than it may seem. As an optional service, we can manage the entire material procurement process, from initial take-offs through jobsite delivery:
Take-Offs: We visit the site and precisely measure each installation area, calculating the required square footage of tile needed, taking into account the appropriate overage for cuts, waste, and pattern matching.
Material Pricing: We source materials through our network of trusted trade vendors and provide you with competitive contractor pricing.
Order Coordination: We place and manage orders on your behalf, confirming availability, lead times, quantities, and product details to help keep the project on schedule.
Delivery & Storage: We coordinate delivery from the vendor to our shop, where materials are inspected and securely stored until the jobsite is ready. When the time is right, we deliver the materials directly to the project.
Our goal is simple: make sure the right materials arrive at the right place, in the right quantity, at the right time. By managing procurement from start to finish, we help eliminate one of the most common sources of project delays—materials arriving late, in the wrong quantity, or damaged.
We've spent decades building relationships with the Peninsula's leading tile vendors, and we put those relationships to work for every project we take on.
Material Procurement (Optional)
Before a single tile is permanently set, we carefully plan and review the layout to ensure the finished installation looks intentional from every angle. We dry-lay and establish the layout while accounting for pattern alignment, focal points, grout joint sizing, tile orientation, and how cuts will land at walls, corners, edges, and transitions.
This meeting is also an opportunity to confirm the scope and specific design details of the installation. We review important decisions such as tile direction, starting points, niche and fixture alignment, trim and edge details, transitions, and other project-specific details that can affect the finished appearance.
We then review the proposed layout with you and your designer or GC and obtain explicit approval before setting begins. Our goal is to eliminate surprises by making the important decisions before the tile is installed—not after.
Layout Planning & Review Meeting
Before a single tile is set, we assess the existing substrate and establish the ideal foundation for a lasting installation. Depending on the project and site conditions, there are two primary approaches to tile setting:
Thin-Set Installation: Tile is bonded directly to an existing substrate using thin-set mortar. When the substrate is suitable and properly prepared, direct bonding can be an efficient and cost-effective approach.
Mortar Float Installation: On most of our projects, our preferred approach is to hand-float a layer of mortar to create a surface that is exceptionally flat, plumb, and level before any tile is installed. Floating requires more time and craftsmanship than direct bonding, but it can be the difference between a good installation and one that looks truly immaculate.
Waterproofing. In wet areas—including shower walls, shower floors, and other areas exposed to water—we install a dedicated membrane waterproofing system before tile is set. Our preferred system is Schluter, whose complete waterproofing systems are backed by a lifetime warranty when installed according to their requirements. We are experienced with a wide range of waterproofing systems and can work with the system specified for your project.
Radiant Floor Heating. Electric radiant floor heating is increasingly popular in high-end residential construction. Our crews are experienced and expertly trained in the installation of in-floor heating systems, including properly embedding heating cables beneath the finished tile surface.
Site Preparation
Once the layout has been approved and the substrate is properly prepared, our installers begin setting tile using the appropriate mortar, trowel technique, and coverage for the specific tile, format, and substrate. We pay close attention to alignment, plane, lippage, and consistent grout joints throughout the installation.
For large-format tile and natural stone, we use full back-buttering to achieve proper mortar coverage and support. Proper coverage is critical to the long-term performance, durability, and appearance of the installation.
Mosaic tile demands a different level of precision than standard field tile, and it is an area where our crews truly excel. We take the time to ensure patterns flow seamlessly from piece to piece—or sheet to sheet—and remain properly aligned around corners, niches, fixtures, and other details. The goal is to make the installation look like one continuous, precisely crafted surface.
Before grouting, we confirm the grout color, grout type, and joint width with you, your designer, or GC. We then grout the installation carefully and consistently, paying close attention to clean, uniform joints and a finished surface that complements the tile.
The details matter. Our goal is not simply to get the tile on the wall or floor, but to deliver a clean, precise installation that looks exceptional and performs beautifully for years to come.
Setting & Grouting
Once installation is complete, we thoroughly clean the tile and remove grout haze, mortar residue, and other installation debris. We leave the jobsite clean and ready for the next trade.
We then conduct a final walkthrough with you and/or your GC to review the completed installation, confirm that the work meets the approved scope and design, and identify any remaining punch list items. We address those items promptly and make sure the installation is complete to your satisfaction before we consider the job closed.
We don't consider the job finished when the last tile is set. We consider it finished when the details are complete and you're happy with the result.