Bathroom tile installation in Shorewood is mostly about replacing 1970s-1990s ceramic with period-appropriate hex marble or porcelain that fits the home’s 1910s-1930s tudor architecture. Most projects are tile-only — vanity stays, toilet stays, but the floor or shower walls get fully replaced. Pricing $4k-$12k.
We’ve installed tile in 95+ Shorewood homes since 2019. Tile selection skews period-appropriate: white hex floors, subway walls with dark grout, marble accents. Heavy classic-traditional, light on contemporary trends.
Shorewood Tile Project Types
- Floor tile only — replace existing floor with white hex mosaic. $3k-$6k typical.
- Shower wall tile only — new tile in shower while keeping fixtures. $4k-$8k typical.
- Floor + shower walls — the most common scope. $7.5k-$13k.
- Decorative accent — mosaic stripe, decorative border, niche tile. $1k-$3k add.
Period-Appropriate Tile for Shorewood Tudors
- 1-inch white hexagon mosaic floor — the original 1920s tudor floor tile. Available with optional black hex border or stripe.
- Subway wall tile with dark grout — the timeless choice. 3×6, 4×12, or 4×16. Dark grout shows the linework and resists staining.
- Marble penny rounds — period-correct for shower floors, easier slope-to-drain.
- Basketweave mosaic — classic 1920s pattern, often white marble with black accent.
- Marble subway — for clients who want a subtle upgrade from ceramic. Carrara or Calacatta.
Shorewood Tile Pricing
Timeline
- Floor only: 3-5 days
- Floor + shower walls: 5-8 days
- Premium designer: 7-12 days
Tile Substrate Matters
The tile you see is only as good as the substrate underneath. We use Schluter Ditra under floor tile and Schluter Kerdi for shower walls. Schluter is a waterproof uncoupling membrane that prevents tile cracking from subfloor movement and stops water from reaching subfloor or studs. Costs $400-$800 more than basic cement board but eliminates 90% of tile failure modes. Standard on every Shorewood tile job.
What’s Included
Demo and disposal of existing tile, subfloor inspection and repair (if needed), Schluter waterproofing membrane (shower areas), tile install, grouting, sealing of natural stone (when applicable), basic threshold and trim work. Shorewood permits not needed for tile-only projects unless plumbing is touched. 5-year warranty on workmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does bathroom tile installation cost in Shorewood?
Floor only: $3k-$6k. Floor + shower walls (most common): $7.5k-$13k. Premium designer with natural stone or custom mosaic: $13k-$20k. Pricing depends on tile selection and square footage.
What’s the right tile for a 1920s Shorewood tudor?
Hex mosaic floors (1-inch white or marble), subway wall tile with dark grout, marble penny round shower floors, basketweave accent. Period-appropriate looks better and resells better than generic large-format.
Do I need to replace plumbing or fixtures during tile work?
No — tile-only projects keep your existing vanity, toilet, and fixtures. We tile around them or remove and reinstall. If plumbing or fixtures are old enough to need replacement, we’ll flag it during consultation.
Can you preserve original 1920s tile if I want to keep it?
Sometimes — if condition allows. Original hex floors and subway walls in good condition can be cleaned and re-grouted instead of replaced. We assess on day one of consultation.
How long does tile installation take?
Floor only: 3-5 days. Floor + shower walls: 5-8 days. Premium designer: 7-12 days. Tile-only projects move faster than full remodels because no plumbing or electrical work.
Do you supply the tile?
We can — or you supply your own. Most clients let us source through trade suppliers (10-25% discount passed through). You can specify exact tile from any supplier.
What about uneven 1920s subfloors?
Common in Shorewood tudors. We level subfloors with self-leveling compound before installing tile substrate. Adds $400-$1,200 depending on severity. Critical for crack-free tile.
What’s your tile warranty?
5-year warranty on workmanship: grout, tile setting, waterproofing membrane. Manufacturer warranty on tile and grout product. Natural stone resealing recommended every 2-3 years.
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