Tile in our Reston projects
The second Reston bathroom used marble subway tile on the shower walls with a built-in niche, set inside a frameless glass enclosure. Subway tile is a simple shape, so the quality of the layout shows: straight lines, even grout joints and clean cuts around the niche and valve.
What 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
Picking tile that fits a Reston home
Reston's contemporary houses and modernist townhouses tend to look best with restrained tile: larger formats, fewer grout lines and a limited palette. Our guide to tile for modern and minimal bathrooms covers formats, grout color and how to keep a simple design from looking unfinished.
Practical points matter as much as style. Floor tile should have enough texture to be safe when wet, and small mosaic tiles on a shower floor give better grip and follow the slope to the drain. Large wall tile needs flat walls, so wall prep is part of the price.
Waterproofing and heated floors
We use Schluter waterproofing for tiled showers, and Schluter Ditra-Heat when a homeowner wants a heated floor. Ditra-Heat needs a dedicated circuit and a thermostat, so it is planned with the electrical work.
Condo and townhouse floors
In a condo or upper-level townhouse bathroom, removing old tile is loud and dusty. Check with your association about allowed work hours and any requirements for sound-reducing underlayment under hard flooring before choosing a floor.
Do you need a permit to retile?
Fairfax County lists replacement of tiles among work that does not need a permit. If the tile work is part of a remodel that moves plumbing or adds circuits, the overall project may need permits.
Tile and flooring 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 for planning only and are not a quote; the written scope for your Reston bathroom sets the actual price.
Common tile mistakes we see in Reston bathrooms
- Choosing floor tile that is slippery when wet because it looked good in the showroom.
- Ordering exactly the square footage measured, with nothing extra for cuts, breakage or a future repair.
- Picking a wall tile before deciding where the niche, valve and glass go, so cuts land in awkward places.
- Skipping a transition plan where new bathroom tile meets the hallway floor.
Most of these are planning problems, not installation problems. We settle the layout, the niche and the transitions on paper before tile is ordered, and we suggest keeping a box of spare tile in case a piece ever needs replacing.
What tile brands do you install?▸
Daltile is on our published materials list, including porcelain and ceramic lines. We can also discuss tile you have already chosen.
Can new tile go over old tile?▸
We generally remove old tile so we can check the substrate and install proper waterproofing. Tiling over old tile hides problems.
Is a heated bathroom floor worth it?▸
Many owners like it, especially on slab or over unheated spaces. It adds electrical work and a thermostat, so plan it before the floor goes down.