Canonical: https://jandastonedesigns.com/flooring/tile/ Porcelain · Ceramic · Polk County, FL # Tile Flooring Installation Porcelain and ceramic tile flooring for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and covered lanais. Properly installed tile lasts decades with minimal maintenance. From $8/sq ft installed. Price it (863) 267-4222 Lakeland flooring showroom: 5259 Florida Ave S, Lakeland · Mon-Fri 8-4 Tile done poorly fails predictably: cracked grout, popped tiles, water reaching the subfloor. Done correctly, the same installation lasts 30 years or more. Our installers handle proper [subfloor preparation](https://jandastonedesigns.com/flooring/flooring-installation-repair/), isolation membrane where required, correct mortar selection and proper grout joint sizing. For Florida floors, porcelain beats ceramic in most cases: a denser body, lower water absorption, better resistance to thermal shock and better wear in high-traffic areas. The cost difference between premium ceramic and basic porcelain is small, so we default to porcelain unless there is a specific reason otherwise. **Lines we carry:** Alpha Tile & Stone · Keystone · Elysium · Everlife by MSI Why tile ## What to know before you choose ### Waterproof when sealed The porcelain body is essentially waterproof, and grout joints are the only path for water. We seal all grout at install and give you a resealing schedule, typically every 1 to 3 years. ### Heat and damage resistant Tile shrugs off dropped pots, dragged furniture and direct heat. Damage is rare and isolated when it does happen. ### Design flexibility Wood-look planks, marble-look slabs, geometric patterns and large-format panels are all available. ### Porcelain tile Water absorption under 0.5 percent. Our default for floors, lanais, kitchens and high-traffic areas. ### Ceramic tile Water absorption of 3 to 7 percent. Right for shower walls, backsplashes, decorative patterns and lower-traffic indoor floors. ### Lanais and sunrooms UV exposure, humidity swings and occasional rain ruin most flooring categories. Porcelain is not affected. Installed price range ## Estimate your floors Estimated installed range $3,200 - $6,000 Porcelain & ceramic tile, 400 sq ft at $8-$15 / sq ft installed LVP ****** Tile ****** Hardwood ****** Laminate ****** Financing from $500 to $25,000 through Wisetack, 3-60 months for qualified buyers. [Details](https://jandastonedesigns.com/financing/) [Get my exact quote](https://jandastonedesigns.com/contact-us/?project=flooring&material=tile&sqft=400#estimate) Installed ranges per square foot, as published on this site. Your written quote follows a free on-site measure. How it works ## From selection to installation - ### Showroom visit Compare LVP, tile, [hardwood](https://jandastonedesigns.com/flooring/hardwood/) and laminate samples side by side. Bring photos of the rooms you are renovating. - ### Free on-site estimate We measure square footage, inspect the subfloor and run a moisture test before quoting. - ### Material selection The final decision happens with samples in your home, so you see colors under your own lighting. - ### Subfloor prep Removal of existing flooring, subfloor leveling and moisture barrier installation. The single biggest factor in how a floor performs long-term. - ### Installation Installed to manufacturer specifications. Most rooms complete in one to two days. - ### Walkthrough and care We walk every transition, threshold and corner with you and hand off a care guide for your material. In the showroom ## See it in person Luxury vinyl plank samples in warm oak tones on a display stand Shower with blue plank-look wall tile, recessed niches and a pebble floor Stacked natural stone feature wall in the Lakeland showroom Shower with blue hexagon tile accent wall and brushed brass fixtures Rigid core LVP plank samples in grey and wood tones Porcelain floor tile sample racks in light stone looks Shower with marble-look wall tile, matte black fixtures and a hex mosaic floor Aisle of tile and flooring samples in the Lakeland showroom Mosaic and backsplash tile samples on a showroom wall FAQ ## Tile: common questions ### What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tile? Porcelain has a denser body (under 0.5 percent water absorption) than ceramic (3 to 7 percent). Porcelain is better for floors, exterior applications and high-traffic areas. Ceramic suits wall tile and lower-traffic indoor floors. For flooring we default to porcelain. ### How often does grout need to be sealed? Every 1 to 3 years depending on use. For heavy-traffic bathroom and kitchen floors, lean toward every year. For low-traffic areas, every 2 to 3 years is enough. Unsealed grout absorbs water and discolors over time. ### How long does tile installation take? Most bathroom installations take two to four days, including subfloor prep, setting, mortar cure, grouting and grout cure. Kitchens and large areas run four to seven days. The cure times between stages are not something we rush. ### Will my tile crack? Properly installed tile rarely cracks. The most common cause is movement in the subfloor, either flex in a wood subfloor or settling in a concrete slab. We assess the subfloor and add an isolation membrane where movement is likely. ### Can tile be installed over a concrete slab? Yes, and it is one of the easier installations. A slab is rigid, and tile bonds directly to it with the right mortar. We test the slab for moisture and flatness first. Most [Polk County](https://jandastonedesigns.com/service-areas/) slab homes are excellent candidates for tile. ### What size tile should I choose? Large-format tiles (12 x 24, 24 x 24, 24 x 48) minimize grout lines in modern kitchens and bathrooms. For shower floors and small bathrooms, smaller tiles (2 x 2 mosaic, 4 x 4) give better slip resistance and easier sloping to the drain. ### Can you install heated floors under tile? Yes. Electric radiant heat mats go between the substrate and the tile. Florida homeowners most often add them in master bathrooms and entryways. Keep comparing ## Related [LVPAnthology · Everlife by MSI · DDC Flooring](https://jandastonedesigns.com/flooring/luxury-vinyl-plank-lvp/)[Bathroom remodelingVanity tops · Shower tile · Cabinets · Waterproof flooring](https://jandastonedesigns.com/remodeling/bathrooms/)[Kitchen remodelingCountertops · Cabinets · Backsplash · Flooring](https://jandastonedesigns.com/remodeling/kitchen-remodeling/)[Installation & repairLakeland, FL · Polk County](https://jandastonedesigns.com/flooring/flooring-installation-repair/) Related pages: [Flooring](https://jandastonedesigns.com/flooring/), [LVP](https://jandastonedesigns.com/flooring/luxury-vinyl-plank-lvp/), [Bathroom remodeling](https://jandastonedesigns.com/remodeling/bathrooms/) and [Kitchen remodeling](https://jandastonedesigns.com/remodeling/kitchen-remodeling/). Related guides: [How to Plan a Kitchen Remodel When Replacing Cabinets, Countertops, and Flooring](https://jandastonedesigns.com/how-to-plan-a-kitchen-remodel-when-replacing-cabinets-countertops-and-flooring/) and [Best Flooring for Florida Humidity — A Lakeland Homeowner’s Guide](https://jandastonedesigns.com/best-flooring-for-florida-humidity-a-lakeland-homeowners-guide/). Visit or book a measure ## Compare full samples in Lakeland (image: Inside the J&A Stone Designs Lakeland flooring showroom) Flooring showroom with cabinets on display and countertop consultations ### [Lakeland](https://jandastonedesigns.com/locations/lakeland-fl/) 5259 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33813 Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM · Sat-Sun closed - Luxury vinyl plank, tile, hardwood and laminate - Flooring installation and repair - Cabinet displays and countertop selection [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=5259%20Florida%20Ave%20S%2C%20Lakeland%2C%20FL%2033813&destination_place_id=ChIJ8V1eqPk73YgR7gWXTcM1Lz4) Call ## Free on-site estimate. Written quote. No obligation. [Request an estimate](https://jandastonedesigns.com/contact-us/#estimate) (863) 267-4222