Tile Installation in Missoula & Western Montana

Substrate, waterproofing, layout — the reasons tile lasts.

Showers, backsplashes, and floors. Schluter or RedGard waterproofed. Mortar bed, set straight, grouted right.

About this service

Tile fails when the substrate fails. We start with a substrate that's right for the application — cement board on walls, mortar bed on floors, full waterproofing in showers. The visible work is the easy part.

Layout matters as much as the install. We dry-fit every shower wall before mortar so the tile lines work at the niche, the corners, and the curb. No half-tiles in odd places.

What's included

Cement board or Schluter substrate
RedGard or Kerdi waterproofing
Custom shower niches with mosaic accents
Wall and floor tile install
Grout and color-matched caulk
Stone slabs (countertops, sills)
Tile saw work for custom cuts
Shower curbs and benches

The honest take

We can do anything from a basic 12×24 marble look to herringbone with a glass mosaic accent. The price scales with layout complexity, not material — a complicated pattern in cheap tile can cost more than a simple pattern in nice tile.

Process

How a tile job runs.

Step 01

Demo

Old tile out, substrate exposed.

Step 02

Substrate

Cement board, mortar bed, or Schluter.

Step 03

Waterproofing

RedGard or Kerdi membrane.

Step 04

Dry-fit

Layout planned to corners and niches.

Step 05

Set

Tile installed wall by wall.

Step 06

Grout

Grout, color-matched caulk.

Step 07

Seal

Sealer applied, walkthrough.

Start your tile job

Tile in Missoula & Western Montana

Most of our tile work in the Missoula and Bitterroot Valley markets falls into three buckets: full bathroom remodels (showers, floors, backsplashes), kitchen and bar backsplashes, and large-format floor tile in mudrooms and entries — the high-traffic surfaces that take the brunt of Montana mud, snowmelt, and grit.

Failures in tile come from substrate. Cement board over greenboard, mortar bed instead of plywood, full waterproofing (Schluter Kerdi or liquid RedGard) on every shower surface — these aren't upgrades, they're the floor of acceptable. We dry-fit shower walls before any mortar goes down so tile lines hit corners, niches, and curbs the way they should. Stone slab work (countertops, vanities, sills) is also in scope.

Common project types

Custom shower tile — Marble, porcelain, stone with mosaic niches and curbs.
Kitchen and bar backsplashes — Subway, hex, picket, slab, custom patterns.
Floor tile — Large-format porcelain in mudrooms, baths, kitchens, and entries.
Stone slab work — Quartz, granite, marble countertops, vanities, sills.
Heated floors — Schluter Ditra Heat or in-floor systems before tile install.

FAQ

Tile — frequently asked questions.

How much does tile installation cost in Missoula?

$8–$25 per square foot installed for most projects, depending on tile type, layout complexity, and substrate prep. Simple 12×24 marble-look porcelain on flat substrate runs lower; herringbone with mosaic accents on a custom shower runs higher. Tile material is separate. We'll quote both labor and a tile budget on the consultation.

Do you waterproof showers properly?

Yes. Schluter Kerdi membrane or RedGard liquid — never just cement board and mortar. Waterproofing is non-negotiable. Leaks behind tile destroy framing and we've torn enough rotted-out showers apart to know it's not optional.

Can you tile over existing tile?

Sometimes, but usually not the right move. We assess the substrate before recommending. If the existing tile is well-bonded and flat, it's possible; if there's any movement, cracking, or hollow spots, we tear it out and start clean.

How long does a typical bathroom tile job take?

1–2 weeks for a standard bathroom with shower walls + niche + floor. Longer for large-format mosaic, custom layouts, or whole-bath remodels with stone slab vanities. Demo and substrate prep take more time than people expect.