Flooring a Damp Basement: Why Tile Works and What It Needs
Why basements need different materials and different preparation, and how to get a below-grade floor that lasts.
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Tile & Renovation Guides
The Ultra Reno Blog
Practical advice on tile installation, kitchen and bathroom renovation, costs and materials — written for homeowners across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and the wider GTA.
The Best Time of Year to Renovate (It Isn’t Spring)
Contractor availability and material lead times change with the seasons. Why late fall and winter are often the best window for indoor tile work.
Read guide →Are Heated Tile Floors Worth It? An Honest Answer
What in-floor heating involves, what it costs to run, where it makes sense and where it doesn’t.
Read guide →What to Ask Before Hiring a Tile Contractor
Twelve questions that separate a skilled tile setter from someone who owns a wet saw. Ask these before you sign anything.
Read guide →Why Tile Cracks, and How Proper Subfloor Prep Prevents It
Cracked tile is almost never the tile failing. It is the floor underneath. Here is what causes it and what proper preparation involves.
Read guide →Uncoupling Membranes: Why Tile Floors Need Them
Seasonal humidity swings move your subfloor through the year. An uncoupling membrane is what stops that movement cracking your tile.
Read guide →Why Your Shower Needs a Waterproofing Membrane
Tile and grout are not waterproof. If a shower quote does not name a membrane system, that shower will fail. Here is what to look for.
Read guide →How to Choose Grout Colour, and Why Epoxy Is Usually Worth It
Grout colour changes the whole look of a tile job more than most people realise. Here is how to choose, and when to pay for epoxy.
Read guide →Large Format Tile: Pros, Cons and What It Takes to Install
Why 24-inch-plus tile makes rooms feel bigger, why it is far harder to install well, and how to spot a quote that skips the necessary steps.
Read guide →Porcelain vs Ceramic Tile: Which Is Right for Your Home?
The real difference between porcelain and ceramic, what each is suited to, and where each one belongs in your home.
Read guide →Planning a Renovation?
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