💖Your SHOWER CURB needs lovin too! #showercurb #itsthestep💖

When you work with Hamilton Tile of Woodstock, GA you can expect that WE will install all HARD SURFACES inside your shower.

We spend a lot of time and effort waterproofing and getting things perfect, we don't turn the stone installation over to someone else.

A hard surface stone company fabricates them, we cut them to size and install them.

This is a part of our quest for perfection when we are remodeling your home and you can learn more about our thought process and methods in the video below.

Linear vs. center shower drain: Pros and Cons.

So you’ve started researching the construction of your new dream shower. I bet you never imagined that so much went into this section of your home.

The planning stages of any tile work, especially your shower, is most certainly the hardest part. There are so many options and so many finishes, the kicker being that they are all EXPENSIVE and PERMANENT.

O JOY!

One often overlooked item: THE DRAIN.

What is a drain?

It’s the place the water from the shower head goes to leave the shower system. It goes down that metal grate that is located in the shower pan. The water goes to this grate because the shower pan is sloped that way. The water goes into the grate which is connected to pipe that brings it to the sewer system.

As with everything in life, there are OPTIONS for your drain…Generally, most builders use the cheap $10 plastic ones, but you deserve FAR better than that in your dream bathroom.

There are drain options like, finish, color, shape, design and the topic of this article,

Check out this article explaining the difference between a Schluter shower drain and a 3 piece shower drain for a water in water out shower system.

LINEAR OR CENTER.

The crazy part here: linear can also be a center drain. MIND BLOWN.

But, in the interest of limiting confusion a “center drain” is going to be classified as a 4'“ square or circle. I’ll also state that this type drain doesn’t need to be centered, either. It can’t be located anywhere in the shower pan, really.

But, for this article, the smaller 4” located in the middle of the shower pan will be called a “center drain”.

CENTER DRAIN

So, what’s so great about a center drain?

For the cost conscious, center drains are the most inexpensive. You can get one for as little as $10. The Schluter ones we use, that look great, run around $100. They are also easier to install, so a beginner or a DIY homeowner can realistically put one in themselves.

Most people get center drains, so tile guys are used to installing them. Installation of a center drain is tile guy 101 so the possibility of running in to problems with the installation is far less.

When buying a center drain we recommend getting a shower floor tile that is under 3” to better conform with the shape of the pan and to also allow for better, more secure footing.

Although smaller tile is recommended you can use bigger tile, but your shower floor will have to be “envelope cut” which is a more technical installation technique.

Center drains are also less maintenance. The water goes down this drain at such a speed and volume that you rarely have to take the grate off and they almost clean themselves with very little extra maintenance.

You have a world of finishes available for your center drain. Most match the drain to the finish of their bathroom fixtures, but you can essentially do any color or a custom designer drain like these:

www.DesignerDrains.com

This company was featured on Shark Tank and they can make you a drain grate cover with a tremendous design, like a fish, a tree, your company logo or your name. WHATEVER YOU CAN THINK OF.

All shower configurations support the use of a center drain. If you’re building a “zero entry” or a “curbless” shower you can use one, if you have a curb you can use one too. They are the most versatile of all drain types.

Center drains are not as glorious looking. They’re not the drain to use if you want to IMPRESS. Esthetically, they are not as pleasing as the linear option. They just don’t LOOK as cool.

Center drains are the more FUNCTIONAL, COST EFFECTIVE option.

They’re great at what they do, taking the water out of the shower!

But of course they can be as SMOKING and as custom as you want!

LINEAR DRAIN

Linear drains, heavy on LOOKS and FORM . They’re show stoppers when you look at them.

They are very long and can span from one side of a shower to the other.

“Wow, that looks expensive!”

Well, mostly because they are! That is a big downside of a linear drain. They cost a ton of money in comparison to a center drain. More money for the drain itself and also more money to put it in because there is a higher degree of precision involved with their installation.

These drains are TRICKY to put in. The plumbing has to be set up more EXACT. They have to be installed perfectly level. Don’t think that any Joe Schmo handy man can put one of these in!

We went to one job to help and saw a linear drain put in COMPLETELY WRONG and not to manufacturer specifications. “SORRY, your whole shower has to come out.”

True story.

So, highly skilled, expensive installers are necessary for these drains. Not only that,

Check out the prices on these things!

Of course, that doesn’t include the grate!

Now, you can get cheaper linear drains…but generally speaking, they’re cheaper for a reason. A lot of them are designed poorly or designed for an antiquated shower building method…Don’t go cheap on a shower. There’s a lot of water involved with showers and if you buy some cheap crap, you may pay more long term. If you’re trying to look like a spender, be a spender. Don’t be a faker!

As stated above, they’re expensive but they look OUTSTANDING.

People use them because they can use the same tile throughout the entire bathroom, including the shower and they can place the linear drains in interesting places because the shower pan will only be sloped in ONE direction, rather than like a bowl when you are using a center drain.

This client wanted his drain in front of the shower bench, so we obliged.

And, as you can see we used a large format tile that matched the outside bathroom floor.

With a linear drain, think CONTINUITY. CONTINUITY of a type of tile, CONTINUITY of a theme. If you want to really have continuity, get a tileable grate, like this one here.

What is another major downside of a linear drain other than the cost?

THE MAINTENANCE!

When the water from the shower goes into a long, linear drain, the VELOCITY of the water slows down considerably. The longer the drain, the slower the water velocity to evacuate the water out of the system. So, you have to clean a linear drain VERY often. Clean it of the hair, the dirt, the grime from your daily shower. The drain is at a slight pitch and it simply slows down the flow of the water, so you have to CLEAN a linear drain MUCH more often.

So, more of a pain in the ass to put in, more money, less functional.

But DAMN do they look COOL!

Check out this video of a shower we made to see the process of putting in a linear drain as well as the finished product:

DANG! Look at these OLD Hamilton Tile videos! Oh, the improvement.

That’s the break down from a pro installer!

Choice is great, but it puts a bit of PRESSURE on every selection for your bathroom.

Ultimately, your shower is a one time thing. Re-sale value of your house is super important. Getting what you WANT is probably most important. So, that’s where I always lean. Get what you WANT. Your bathroom is a once in your lifetime thing. Make it look and work the way you want to make it look and work.

If functionality is important to you….get a center drain. If looks are important to you and cost not an object, get a linear drain. If you couldn’t care less at all, GET A PLASTIC SURROUND and use your money for something else!

Thanks for reading.

Woodstock, GA: Curb-less, Barrier-free, zero-entry Showers..How, What, WHY?

In today's video, Woodstock, GA: Curb-less, Barrier-free, zero-entry Showers..How, What, WHY we answer many questions about this popular shower type.

Curb-less, Barrier-free or zero-entry showers are one of the most popular showers in the bathroom game. In today’s posting, I’ll be referring to them simply as curb-less showers. It’s my favorite term and it rolls off the tongue nicely.

Curb-less showers look unbelievable and people love them because you can use the same main floor tile inside the shower pan and it brings continuity to a bathroom. Curb-less showers make a space more open because you’ve eliminated the obstruction of the curb that holds the water in.

People also like them for their functionality. Particularly, elderly or handicap people prefer to have them because they have limited movement.

What sometimes discourages people from doing curb-less tile showers is the increased cost in building one. Why do they cost so much? Well, a lot of that is because there are special conditions needed to make them work the way they should.

The entirety of your bathroom needs to be flat AND level. Level, because there is no curb to stop the water, so if you’re floor had a tilt to it, there’s a good possibility the water from the shower flows out of the shower.

So, when we are making bathrooms flat AND level, that requires leveling floors with a self leveler or mud. Which can be a ton of labor and material.

Another factor, is you have to get the slope for your shower pan from somewhere.

All shower pans have a slope to the drain. So, the drain has to be lower than the surrounding outside floor. You often have to raise the outside floor by adding plywood and lower the inside of the shower where your pan will be by recessing the sub floor between the joists.

If your bathroom is on concrete, get ready to get the jack hammer out to remove concrete to get your slope.

Sounds like a lot of work, huh?

Well, it is and if it’s more work it’s more money.

All that to get rid of a four inch curb!

Some bathrooms are a bad candidate for a curb-less shower. Bathrooms with tubs very close to the shower, those are bad because the water lines and drains are close to flowing water. It can be done, but not a good idea.

Is there a closet door next to the shower? Another possible water exit point. A bad scenario for a curb-less shower.

If you’re looking to have a curb-less shower, consider the amount of space around your shower. It’s best to have at least 3 feet around the perimeter so waterproofing can be installed to guard against water escaping.

Another complaint, revolves around the bathroom flooring being flush with the outside flooring. Sometimes it’s not possible. It takes a lot of manipulation to get the height needed for slope and it’s not uncommon to have to build up a bathroom floor quite a bit. Nothing a wood threshold or a carpet ramp won’t solve!

Another factor with curb-less showers is glass door/panel installation. In a curb-less shower scenario you want absolutely no penetrations in horizontal surfaces and if there are select penetrations, it’s wise that your installer takes immense pre-cautions.

Curb-less showers are no joke and one of the most complex applications for tile. Your installer needs to have a considerable amount of skill and precision to pull one off.

I’ve laid out a few pictures from one of our recent projects for you to check out and see what the building process is all about. In the above video I’ve also shown you an EPIC curb-less shower fail so you understand what a bathroom remodel nightmare looks like.

Don’t let this post and video discourage you from getting a curb-less shower. They are luxury, they look incredible and if you need one, get one. But, be prepared to pay for one. That one decision to get rid of the curb, sets off a chain reaction in your bathroom. A decision to get rid of a curb, opens a can of worms in your bathroom.

As we always say though, with your money and our knowledge and hard work, your wish is our command!! :)

This is a photo of a curb-less shower in Johns Creek post flood test. Everything passed and we first start setting the outside floor.

This floor was also heated, so it added another layer of complexity. We always are sure to waterproof well outside the wet area, and we also water proof up the walls with kerdi band.

Here’s the finished photos of the barrier-free in Johns Creek, GA.

If you decide you’re in the market for a curb-less shower, give us call like Homer here, we’ll get you something that will truly do your home JUSTICE!

🚿Should you tile up to the ceiling on your next shower remodel?💁

Should you tile up to the ceiling on your next shower remodel?

With the many customization options available when you are buying a new shower, one question many ask is,

“Should I go up to the ceiling with my tile?”

The answer is… IT’S UP TO YOU!

BUT:

As a tile installer and bathroom re-modeler, I recommend going to the ceiling if the conditions are right.

There are a few reasons I encourage my clients to tile up to the ceiling:

1. Tile is meant for a wet area.

   No one likes to see wet paint and drywall. When you’re taking about a shower, water gets everywhere. If the tile doesn’t go to the ceiling, the section of the shower with paint and drywall will get wet. Paint and drywall is not water proof, so, overtime you may have problems with mold and decay. The paint and drywall won’t perform well in a wet area, like your shower. It may take a long time, but it is a possible problem.

   Some people solve this problem with a higher quality paint, but let’s remember this is a shower. Tile should be the norm in the entirety of the space.

   EVERYTHING GETS WET IN YOUR SHOWER!

   Save yourself the head ache and tile it!

An example of a shower that has not been tiled to the ceiling. The paint and drywall is seeing a lot of moisture.

2. The tile installer is on site, have them tile it!

Why not spend the extra money and have the tiler go all the way? !n builder grade homes, I see it all the time, tile stopping well below the ceiling. The tile installer is there, why wouldn’t you have them tile all the way to the ceiling?!

Well, we know the answer. It’s to save money. Over the course of many houses it adds up, but when you’re having your bathroom remodeled, spend the extra money and time, while you can, to have the tile brought to the ceiling.

I recommend water proofing to the ceiling, as well. Whether that is a waterproof backing board, a water proof membrane or a liquid waterproofing. Have your installer continue the water proofing all the way to the ceiling. Make sure you request it.

3. Tiling up to the ceiling makes the space feel more spacious.

You can trick the eye with this decorator’s trick. Take the tile to the ceiling. On the tub surround below, you can tell what I mean. Tiling up to the ceiling really makes the space feel and look much larger!

4. Tile to the ceiling makes the bathroom look more modern!

I’m mostly seeing 3/4 showers in older, less updated homes. If you’re looking to UPDATE your home, tiling to the ceiling is a must! It makes the space look more luxurious.

5. Bull nose edging or profile edging will be MORE expensive than tile!

It’s unsightly to have unfinished edges in a tiled area.

So, anywhere you stop your (porcelain) tile you will need some sort of edging, (excluding miters) whether that is bull nose or profiles. Bull nose is EXPENSIVE! More expensive, in fact, than the tile itself. The bull nose edging on the top of a shower costs more money than the tile itself and is also more work for the installer to put in! JUST TILE IT!

There are a few situations where it’s NOT advantageous to to tile to the ceiling! Let me explain those here:

When you have 12 foot high ceilings, (or more) we will usually stop below the ceiling. It allows us to go well above the shower head so you still have the illusion of height.

In the photo below, we were boxed in by what would look visually pleasing.

We looked at the room and thought the window was a good stopping point for the tile. The question with tile is often, where do you stop? It’s very subjective as to what looks best , and sometimes you need to determine the most logical point that gets you your desired look.

If you have high ceilings, unless you want to spend some serious coin tiling everything, you need to make a decision on where you want the tile to stop.

If you have crown wrapping a room, I recommend stopping below the ceiling or removing the crown and having a finish carpenter come in to rearrange it. In the situation below, the crown goes against the wall to zero, where as the tile will stick out proud of the crown 1/2”. No way to make that look great.

The builder didn’t “build out” the crown, so, where the tile met the crown received a large bead of silicone! Doesn’t look as good as it could:

If you have crown and you don’t want to re-do it all, to accommodate tile to the ceiling, I’d say you should stop it below the crown.

Here’s an example of what it means to “build it out”:

If you have crown and you want to go to the ceiling, the solution is to build out the crown to accomodate for the thickness of your tile. This way, the wood crown trim to tile transition doesn’t look FUNNY!

In closing,

Buying a custom tile job is your personal expression. So, what happens in your home is your personal choice.

When I’m speaking to my clients, I frame the project like this:

Not only does tiling up to the ceiling have an aesthetic element, but it also has a functional element. Tile functions better than any other finish. Tile lasts longer than any other finish! Yes, it also can look better than any other finish.

You pay more for tile than most other residential coverings, but it ultimately lasts longer and you get more use out of it, so over time it is the least expensive option! Remember, that cost over time!

Tiling to the ceiling will be an added expense but tile is a luxury, it is inherently expensive! Go all the way because you are dealing with a permanent finish. It’s not something that can be easily added after the fact.

Tile to the ceiling and enjoy the benefits of tile for the life of your home.

Woodstock, GA: Glass shower doors. What does it cost and how does it go?

Woodstock GA: Glass shower enclosure. What does it cost and how does it work?

There have been a lot questions directed at me about glass door installations. Today, Jason, owner and lead installer of Hamilton Tile breaks down the details of glass shower door installation.

What to do and what not to do. What it costs. How our process works.

Follow us on IG @HamiltonTileGA

Read the blog post about glass door installation mentioned in the video: .

https://www.hamiltontilega.com/a-tileguys-journey-blog/2018/2/11/shower-glass-installation-atlanta-ga?rq=glass%20

Check out Chattahoochee Shower Doors www.chattdoors.com

Wet Saw Tent: How to cut without the mess.

Wet saw cut tent.

In today's post we show you how to cut inside or around expensive items without making the mess. Every wet saw has some degree of over spray when cutting. The water hits the blade, hits the tile and often makes a mess. This is especially a pain when you are cutting inside. In this video we go over the plans we utilized from the DIY Tile Guy in order to limit the mess we make when we use our wet saw.

Click here for the link to the DIY Tile Guy’s informative blog post with plans:

https://www.diytileguy.com/diy-wet-saw-tent/

Leaky Shower Repair and Prevention: Woodstock, GA.

A leaky shower can be a disaster! You spend a lot of money on your dream master bath, only to have it leak from day one. Hamilton Tile of Woodstock, GA has a simple and easy solution for your shower leak issues.

We provide peace of mind during all of our master bathroom remodels by always, always, always following a simple rule: An ounce of prevention goes a long way!

Professional Tile bathroom remodeling services: Cartersville, GA

Bathroom Tile remodel service in Cartersville, GA.

In today's video we are remodeling bathroom tile in Cartersville, GA.

Our target market has always been people who care about how their project is built.

What's behind the wall, the small intangibles that we consistently perform to make for an anxiety free project. It's not hard to do what we do, film and photography technology is ubiquitous and cheaper than ever. Every contractor has the opportunity to have their very own "This Old House" in order to build confidence in their customers.

Why don't they?

It’s simple: They can't.

With content marketing we put ourselves out there in order to show you the most important stuff, what's underneath the tile! Unless you have your t's crossed and your I's dotted this kind of transparency isn't possible. Our goal: To SHOW you what you're going to get with us, who we are, and why we are different.

Thanks for watching and visiting our blog!

Instagram: @HamiltonTileGA

Bathroom Remodeling: Low & Slow NOT Blow & Go

I’ve been having a lot of fun with an analogy lately. With over 200 documented leads last year, many people get familiar with our company and our price structure. Often, we are not in the same stratosphere when it comes to arbitrary expectations. I get it! Not everyone values the same things.

Check out my blog post Why we're losing craftsmanship in a 'Market for Lemons' and a prescription for change. for my theory as to why!

I’ve been comparing our tile service to barbecue lately. Lovingly prepared by an over weight man, with a big, beautiful belly…maybe a touch of “secret sauce” on the edge of his mouth, one of those chef hats, with secret spices, specialized equipment and techniques…20 years of experience and the passion to match; cooking up that brisket or rack of ribs…LOW AND SLOW.

THAT’S US.

Now compare that to the other guys, the blow and go, minimum standard types…the mystery white vans…the “looks good enough from my house” variety. They’re like McDonald’s. Yeah, McDonald’s is okay. I ate it as a kid! It’s “cooked” by a 16 year old at their first real job, it’s questionable what’s really between the bun, awful quality, but it’s cheap and fast!

THAT’S THE OTHER GUYS.

We’ll never be McDonald’s, they’ll never be brisket. The question is, which one do you want to eat today?

So, when you’re deciding what “type” of tile work to go with, I recommend barbecue…because you have one shot at it and McDonald’s will be a long term cost that you don’t want to pay!

Tiling a custom shower ceiling in Johns Creek, GA.

Here today the guys at Hamilton Tile are tiling a custom shower ceiling in Johns Creek, GA. We are at your service when the unexceptional won't make the grade. Our proven systems and processes ensure an anxiety free bathroom remodel that is guaranteed to impress!

Maybe you have a technical project that you can’t trust to a stranger, or a person who is difficult to communicate with; someone who doesn’t have the receipts or a proven history with the knowledge to secure success. We understand your needs and you are likely our customer. We possess exactly the skill set you need.

The finish of an inset box can change the look of a shower.

In the photo below, we used the same tile, but edged the inset box in a different manner. As the title of this blog post states, it changes the whole look!

My goal here is to let you know you do have options!

On one side of the photo is an inset box ‘picture framed’ with the ‘bull nose’ tile on the outside of the box.

On the other side is an inset box with the ‘bull nose’ on the inside of the box.

Everything else is the same!

What looks better to you?