Tile Installation Toronto
Wedi Pro Certified Installer | Renomark Certified (BILD Member) | Toronto & GTA
Tile work is the craft the company was built on. Chris Tile & Renovations has been installing tile in homes across Toronto and the GTA since 2007 — bathroom floors and shower walls, kitchen backsplashes, large-format floor tile, entryways, feature walls, and everything in between. It is not a secondary service to our renovation work. It is the core of what we do and the reason most of our bathroom and kitchen renovation clients choose us.
Good tile installation is more than placing tile correctly. It starts before the tile goes down. The substrate needs to be flat, solid, and properly waterproofed in wet areas. The layout needs to be planned so the tile pattern reads well across the entire space, not just on one wall. The thin-set needs to match the tile format and substrate. The grout joints need to be consistent. And the finishing details — how the tile meets the floor, the trim pieces, the caulk lines — need to be done with care. We hold all of these things to a high standard on every project.
.png)
We are Wedi Pro Certified installers — a manufacturer certification specific to the Wedi waterproofing and tile backer system used in shower and bathroom wet area construction. We are also Renomark Certified (BILD Members), which means every tile project we take on comes with a written contract and a contractor you can hold accountable. We serve all of Toronto and the GTA including Mississauga, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Oakville, and Burlington.
What Wedi Pro Certified Means for Your Tile Project
Wedi is a foam-core tile substrate with an integrated waterproof surface. It eliminates the waterproofing failures that happen with traditional cement board in showers and wet areas. Pro Certified installers are trained by Wedi directly in proper board installation, joint sealing, and how to achieve a fully waterproof system — not just a tile installation that looks good. In a condo, this certification matters for property management documentation. In any home, it means your shower will not leak into the structure behind it.
Wedi Pro Certified Installer
Manufacturer-certified waterproofing
WHERE WE INSTALL
Tile Installation Services in Toronto
Shower Tile
Full shower tile installation including Wedi waterproofing system, floor tile with proper slope to drain, wall tile floor to ceiling, built-in niches, and bench surfaces. This is where waterproofing and installation quality matter most and where we have the most experience and the strongest certification backing the work.
Bathroom Floor Tile
Bathroom floor tile installation in all formats from classic 12x12 to large-format 24x48. Proper substrate preparation, tile leveling systems on large format, and in-floor heating mat installation when requested. The floor and shower tile are planned together so the grout joints and layout align across both surfaces.
Kitchen Backsplash
Subway tile, large-format porcelain, natural stone mosaic, handmade ceramic, herringbone, stacked, and every pattern in between. We plan the layout before any tile goes up — centering, offset, full tile at eye level — so the backsplash looks intentional and not like an afterthought. Electrical outlet covers and trim pieces handled as part of the installation.
Large-Format Floor Tile
24x48, 32x32, 24x24, and other large-format tiles for open-plan living spaces, hallways, and kitchen floors. Large-format tile demands a flat substrate, full back-buttering, and a tile leveling system — otherwise lippage is inevitable. We do this work correctly or we tell you the substrate isn't ready and fix it first.
Feature Walls
Tile feature walls in living rooms, bedrooms, behind fireplaces, and in entryways. Stone veneer, large-format porcelain slab, wood-look tile, and decorative ceramic. Feature walls live or die by the layout planning — the tile needs to be centered, level, and balanced in the space to look like it was always meant to be there.
Entryways and Mudrooms
High-traffic entry tile in porcelain, slate, or natural stone. Entryway tile needs to be durable, non-slip, and properly transitioned to adjacent flooring. We handle the threshold transitions, saddle pieces, and edge trim as part of the installation so nothing looks unfinished.
Tub Surrounds
Tub surround tile installation with proper waterproofing at the tub ledge and all corners. Three-wall and four-wall surround configurations. Subway tile, large-format, and stone tile all installed with the appropriate substrate and waterproofing methods for a wet surface that sits above a tub.
Outdoor Tile
Porcelain pavers and outdoor tile for patios, covered porches, and balconies. Outdoor tile installation requires frost-resistant tile, proper slope for drainage, and the right substrate and adhesive for exterior conditions. We assess the site before quoting to confirm the installation method is appropriate for the specific location and exposure.
TILE TYPES
Tile Materials We Work With
Each tile material has specific installation requirements. Here's a practical overview of the materials we install most and what matters for each:
Porcelain
The most commonly installed tile material in Toronto homes. Dense, durable, frost-resistant, and available in every format from small mosaic to large 32x32 slab. Porcelain works in every application — shower floors, bathroom floors, kitchen floors, and backsplashes. Large-format porcelain requires extra substrate preparation and a leveling system. We install more porcelain than any other tile type.
Ceramic
Softer and less dense than porcelain, ceramic tile is well-suited for wall applications including backsplashes, bathroom walls, and tub surrounds. It cuts cleanly and takes handmade or textured surfaces well. Not recommended for floor applications in high-traffic areas or any outdoor use. Classic subway tile is ceramic and remains one of the most popular backsplash choices for good reason.
Natural Stone — Marble, Travertine, Slate
Natural stone requires sealing before and after grouting, a white or grey thin-set (never standard grey, which can bleed through light stone), and a grout that matches the stone's maintenance requirements. Marble is beautiful but soft and prone to etching from acidic cleaners. Travertine requires filling before grouting. We have experience with all natural stone formats and advise you on what maintenance to expect before any natural stone goes in.
Mosaic Tile
Glass, stone, and ceramic mosaic tiles on mesh backing. Common for shower floors, decorative borders, and backsplash accent rows. Mosaic installation is more labour-intensive than large-format work — smaller tiles mean more grout joints and more time spent leveling and finishing. We price mosaic installations accordingly and are honest about the labour cost difference.
Porcelain Slab
Very large format porcelain panels (often 48x96 or larger) used for countertops, shower walls, and feature walls. Slab installation requires specialized handling equipment, specific thin-set coverage, and careful layout planning because the panel cannot be re-cut easily once down. We have the tools and experience to install porcelain slab correctly.
What Separates a Good Tile Installation from a Bad One
Most homeowners can't tell the difference between good and bad tile work until the problems show up — cracked grout, loose tiles, lippage, or a shower that leaks into the wall after two years. Here is what we do on every project that separates our work from contractors who don't:
-
Substrate assessment before tile goes down. If the floor or wall isn't flat enough, we fix it before tiling. A 10-minute substrate fix prevents years of tile and grout problems. Contractors who skip this are setting you up for a failed installation.
-
Tile leveling systems on all large-format work. There is no acceptable lippage on a quality tile installation. We use leveling clips and wedges to hold large tiles at the same plane during set so the finished floor is flat from edge to edge.
-
Full back-buttering on large-format and stone tiles. Large tiles set with insufficient thin-set coverage are hollow in the middle. Hollow tiles crack and move. We back-butter large tiles fully and use the correct polymer-modified thin-set for the tile type and substrate.
-
Proper cure times between stages. Waterproofing, thin-set, and grout all require cure time before the next step. We don't rush it. Rushing cure time causes grout cracks, tile movement, and waterproofing failures.
-
Layout planning before the first tile goes in. We dry-lay the tile and plan the full layout before setting anything. Centering, grout joint alignment across multiple surfaces, and full tiles at eye level. The difference between a tile job that looks planned and one that looks improvised comes down to this step.
Tile Installation Cost in Toronto (2026)
Labour pricing for tile installation, not including tile materials:
Labour pricing does not include tile, grout, or materials. Mosaic tile, natural stone, and complex patterns add to installation cost. Waterproofing (Wedi system) in showers is quoted separately as part of the substrate work. Get a free quote for your project →
Frequently Asked Questions
Labour pricing for tile installation starts around $800 to $2,500 for a kitchen backsplash. A shower tile installation runs $2,500 to $5,500 for labour. A full bathroom tile job including floor, shower walls, and tub surround runs $4,500 to $9,000 for labour. Large-format floor tile runs $18 to $35 per square foot for labour. These prices do not include tile or materials. We provide a free quote after seeing the project. Book yours here.
Wedi Pro Certified means we've completed manufacturer-specific training in the Wedi waterproofing and tile backer board system. In practical terms it means our shower waterproofing is done to a documented standard, not improvised. The Wedi system creates a fully waterproof substrate before tile goes on — if installed correctly it cannot leak. This matters in every home and especially in condos where a bathroom leak can damage the unit below and result in personal liability.
Either works. Most clients select and purchase their own tile from tile showrooms in the GTA. We advise on quantity calculation, format suitability for the application, and any installation considerations before you buy. If you'd rather not deal with sourcing, we can supply tile directly through our supplier network. Before any tile gets installed, we review what's been selected to confirm it's appropriate for the application.
Yes, and large-format tile is something we install regularly. The key requirements are a flat substrate (any high spots or dips need to be corrected first), full back-buttering of each tile, the correct polymer-modified thin-set rated for the tile weight, and a tile leveling system throughout the installation. Without leveling clips, large-format tile develops lippage — where one tile edge sits higher than its neighbour. We use leveling systems on all large-format work as standard practice.
A kitchen backsplash takes 1 to 2 days. A bathroom floor installation takes 2 to 4 days. A full shower tile installation with Wedi waterproofing takes 4 to 7 days including cure times between the waterproofing, thin-set, and grout stages. A full bathroom tile job including floor, shower walls, and tub surround takes 6 to 10 days. We do not rush cure times — it is one of the most common causes of grout cracking and tile failure in jobs where corners were cut.
Both. We take on standalone tile installation projects — a kitchen backsplash replacement, a bathroom floor retile, a feature wall installation — as well as tile work that is part of a larger bathroom or kitchen renovation. If you have a specific tile project that doesn't involve a full renovation, we are happy to quote on it directly. Reach out here.
Related Services
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from GTA homeowners who trusted us with their renovations.
See All ReviewsChris just finished a renovation of our master bathroom and we are extremely happy with the work done and how it looks. All our wishes were followed, his suggestions improved our original vision. His team was professional, friendly, on time and completing work as per schedule. This was our first job with Chris and we already have two more projects upcoming.
Sasha Habsid
We have used their services more than once. Starting with a realistic estimate, clear goals, and thorough description of work. Quality of work was exemplary. The worksite was extremely clean. Design recommendations from Chris helped us reach our vision. Highly recommended.
Jelena Pejovic
Chris and his company did an incredible tiling job in our bathroom. He has done multiple jobs for us and his work is always exceptional. Professional in all aspects. Efficient, trustworthy, and I have total confidence the work will always be well done.
Stuart Nodell