At Baker Bros., the place “Where Fashion Meets Flooring”, we have a
reputation for being trustworthy and helpful. A history of assisting our customers
through all the steps involved in placing the right flooring in your home at the
right price for you.
With us you never go it alone. We’re you’re flooring partner. And we
have over 60 years of solid, on-going customer relationships to underscore that
fact.
We also believe our support, and presence, doesn’t end at our showroom doors.
It continues all the way through installation, and well after.
But the topic here is installation. And it’s another flooring area where we
shine like few others. We handle hundreds of flooring installations every week.
Week in and week out. The fact is, nobody knows or does installations better.
That’s why, when it comes to installing your stone flooring, Baker Bros. offers
you…
More answers per square foot.
All the answers you need to be knowledgeable and prepared for the big day when new
natural stone flooring will transform your home.
Being ready for the installation of your stone flooring will make the entire process
go faster and more efficiently.
Knowing what to expect and being prepared will also be a lot less stressful on you,
your family and your home.
So check out the information below, be flexible and anticipate, then look forward
with confidence to the day your new stone flooring comes home.
Recommendation #1: Let our pros take it from here.
Installing this type of floor is heavy, difficult work; labor intensive and extremely
exacting. It’s simply not for the do-it-yourselfer. We strongly recommend
you call upon the reliable, seasoned, dedicated professionals from Baker Bros. to
install your natural stone floor.
That way you can be assured of a beautiful, efficient and correct installation.
Which is precisely what our goal is for you.
However, while installing natural stone flooring is a skill that is developed through
years of experience, your understanding of the basics of installation will increase
your knowledge of the process, and enhance your confidence in the professionals
working in your home.
So please allow us to cover some of the basic steps our professional installers
will perform.
They’ll begin by checking out the state of the substrate.
As with most flooring products, the first step is to prepare the substrate, the
surface on which the stone tile will be laid. Should your subfloor require additional
labor to allow us to meet the Arizona Registrar of Contractors requirements for
installation, we will discuss this with you prior to any additional work being done.
With cement subfloors, our installers can apply the mortar directly to it and simply
lay the tile.
Wood subfloors, however, usually require a CBU or cement backer unit for support
and a moisture barrier.
It’s important to note that movement in the substrate material can sometimes
occur. For example, water penetrating the grout and/or freezing and thawing temperatures
can sometimes cause tile to rise, crack or chip.
Now it’s time to lay your tile.
Our installers will measure the area and snap chalk lines for an accurate layout,
then determine which pieces of tile will need to be cut to fit the area.
Tiles that need to be cut are measured and marked with a pencil.
Our installers then use a wet saw with a diamond blade to cut through the stone
tile.
Once the layout has been determined, our installers can begin setting the tile.
Your beautiful new stone floor is about to be born.
Thinset mortar, which is a cement-based adhesive, is applied to the surface with
a notched or grooved trowel.
The tile is then placed into the thinset and pressed firmly into place.
Please note that imperfections in your subfloor will require differing amounts of
mortar to be applied. This installation, commonly know as a medium bed installation,
is more time consuming and thus more costly than a typical tile installation. However,
in order for your stone installation to be done properly, this is a must.
Decision time: should we grout, wedge or butter?
Depending on the type of tile, stone tile may be installed with narrow grout joints,
meaning the tiles are laid very close to each other on all sides.
If it is a large tiled area, our installers may use plastic tile wedges or spacers
to maintain consistent spacing between each tile. In small areas they may not use
these at all.
Depending on the circumstance, our installers may also back butter the
back of the tile with thinset mortar which will strengthen the bond between the
tile and mortar already laid on the substrate.
We take accuracy to the next level.
As our installers move along setting the tile, they continually check to make sure
the newly tiled area is as level as possible.
Since stone tiles vary in thickness and size, the amount of thinset mortar applied
is adjusted where needed.
The last step is all about grout.
After all the tiles are set and the thinset mortar has fully cured, our installers
fill the joints between the tiles with grout.
Both sanded and un-sanded grouts are used in natural stone installations.
The type of grout used is determined by the tile, grout joint width and particulars
of the installation.
The grout mixture is spread over the tiled area with a grout float to fill in all
the joints.
A sponge is then used to remove excess grout from the surface of the tile, while
leaving the grout in the joints to cure.
What to know and do before installation day
Relocate your furniture.
Remove all furniture and other objects and materials from the areas of installation.
Before moving, you’ll also need to empty the contents of china cabinets, closets
and the like. Remember that our professional installers are not professional movers.
They will assist in every way possible, but larger pieces, such as pianos, large
hutches and entertainment centers will be the customer’s responsibility to
move.
What’s to be done with your present floor covering?
Please consider how your old floor covering will be taken up and disposed of. Depending
on the current floor covering, this can be a time consuming and messy task. We will
be happy to discuss removal options with you.
If you prefer to remove your present floor covering yourself, do it at least one
day prior to installation to allow for cleanup and floor preparation. If removing
old carpet, please leave tack strips in place and pull the staples out of the floor
from the original pad.
Now turn your attention to the trim.
You should know that, in many cases, moldings and baseboards need to be removed
for stone installation. Our installers will do this for an additional charge but
will not be responsible for damage or breakage due to dry or brittle wood.
Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching after the installation
is complete. If necessary, this is your responsibility.
Get expert council on your sub flooring.
Your existing sub-floor may need to be prepared to receive the new stone tiles,
or a new sub-floor may be required. This is a job best left to the professionals
and, again, we can help you with these decisions.
It is important that the sub-floor be clean and level. That helps insure your new
stone flooring will be as beautiful and well supported as possible.
Include a door plan in your preparation.
When stone flooring is installed, there’s always the possibility that the
doors, especially closet doors, basement and bedroom doors, may not clear the new
floor and swing free.
Our installers may remove doors in order to install the stone and re-hang them.
If there is a clearance issue you may want to arrange for a qualified carpenter
to shave or cut down your door(s) after the installation of your new floor.
Don’t let clean-up be a toss-up.
Installing stone flooring will produce waste. These materials will be collected
and disposed of by our installers.
What to know and do during installation day
On installation day be home and handy.
Be prepared to be at home the day of installation and be available in case our installation
crew has questions. Your presence will insure that the correct stone is installed
in the right areas. Because it is difficult to estimate the length and circumstances
of each job, we may not be able to give you an exact time of arrival but we will
provide a time frame.
Your family is our concern.
Our installers will use a variety of tools and techniques that can make the work
area hazardous. Please make sure that your children and pets are kept out of the
work area on installation day.
Follow through with a walk-thru.
We recommend that, prior to the completion of the installation; you walk thru the
job with our installation team. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions
and be clear on any final details.
What to know and do after installation day
Give yourself breathing room.
If you are sensitive to dust and odors, good ventilation should be established for
48 to 72 hours after installation.
Being prepared is the result of being informed.
We want you to be as well prepared as possible for the installation of your new
stone flooring. To that end we’ve assembled the most knowledgeable sales people
and the most experienced installers to provide you with solid information, reliable
resources and proven solutions.
Since 1945, Baker Bros. has helped thousands of customers prepare for installation
day by offering them…
More answers per square foot.