Tile is the finish; waterproofing is the system
When a tiled shower fails, the tile itself is rarely the problem. Water gets past grout into a wall or floor that was never properly protected. That is why our tile work starts with the layer underneath. Bathroom Brigade uses Schluter's tile-in waterproofing, Kerdi-Shower kits and Kerdi-Board, in showers and tub areas.
This matters in Vienna's older housing. A bathroom from the 1950s or 1960s may have tile set the way it was done then, and decades of small leaks can soften a subfloor without showing on the surface. Signs worth a closer look: loose tiles, grout that keeps cracking in the same place, a floor that flexes near the tub or toilet, or a stain on the ceiling below.
What our tile and flooring work includes
- Shower surround, floor and backsplash tile
- Waterproofing in wet areas
- Material selection sized for daily bathroom use
- Removal of existing tile and flooring
A stone accent wall in a Vienna bath
The Vienna primary bathroom we remodeled uses a black marble accent wall behind a freestanding tub. A single dramatic surface like that does a lot of work in a room, and it is a good way to use a premium material where it shows most while keeping the rest of the tile simpler.
Choosing tile for each surface
Floors
Porcelain is dense and well suited to bathroom floors and wet areas. Daltile, one of the brands Bathroom Brigade installs, offers both porcelain and ceramic lines. Smaller tiles add grout joints, which add grip underfoot; larger tiles mean fewer joints to clean.
Shower walls
Wall tile does not carry foot traffic, so ceramic opens up more options. Full-height tile, mosaics and patterns such as herringbone take more material and labor than a simple layout.
Heated floors
If you want a warm floor, it has to be planned before the tile goes down. Bathroom Brigade installs Schluter Ditra-Heat for heated tile floors, which puts the heating cable in a membrane under the tile. It needs power and a control, so it is coordinated with the electrical work. Our heated bathroom floors guide covers the details.
Permits for tile work
Fairfax County lists replacement of tiles and of flooring material as work that does not need a permit. Tile is usually only part of a bathroom project, though; a heated floor adds electrical work, and a shower rebuild usually involves plumbing.
Typical cost
| Tier | Typical Scope | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Tile & Flooring | Shower surrounds, floors, and backsplashes installed to hold up to daily use. | $3,000–$9,000 |
Typical Northern Virginia reference ranges from Bathroom Brigade's published cost guide. They are a planning starting point, not a quote. The written scope for your Vienna bathroom sets the actual price.
Can new tile go over old tile?▸
We generally remove the existing tile and flooring so we can see and correct what is underneath, especially in an older bathroom. Removal of existing tile and flooring is part of our tile service.
What tile is best for a bathroom floor?▸
Porcelain is dense and suits floors and wet areas. Texture and the size of the tile affect grip and cleaning. We help you choose during the Select step.
Can you add a heated floor?▸
Yes. We install Schluter Ditra-Heat under tile. It is planned with the electrical work because it needs power and a control.
Does retiling a bathroom need a permit in Fairfax County?▸
The County lists replacement of tiles and flooring material as not needing a permit. A heated floor or plumbing changes add permit requirements.