Frequently Asked Questions

What areas does Twombly Tile serve?

We're based out of Ontario, Oregon, and will gladly travel to install your tile within a reasonable radius. Our typical area of service includes Ontario, Vale, Nyssa, Fruitland, Payette, Weiser, Caldwell, and Nampa.

 

We've been in business for over a decade. Max Twombly, owner and founder of Twombly Tile, started his own business in 2004 after learning under an expert tile installer for several years. Today, Twombly Tile has served hundreds of happy homeowners in over 14 years of operation.

 

How long has Twombly Tile been in business?

Yes. We hold all applicable contracting licenses and are fully insured as required by the State of Oregon.

 

Is Twombly Tile fully licensed and insured?

Can Twombly Tile help design my project?

Yes, we're happy to help with designing your tile project. We have years of experience in laying out bathrooms and kitchens, and can share our advice and ideas with you. We can also advise you on tile details and finishing touches to bring your room together. We have an enormous library of past projects to pull from, as well, so we can show you photos of the options that are available to you.

However, if you're looking for an interior design expert or have no idea where to start, we recommend heading to Emser Tile in Boise. Emser has expert salespeople on the floor who design tile projects all day and have great insight on what features go well together, how to match color schemes, and more.

I found a great picture on Pinterest. Can Twombly Tile replicate it?

Yes! In fact, that's really helpful. If you have inspiration photos, we can often recreate the look. We can also work closely with Emser Tile to find either a very similar or exact match to tile you've seen in photos online.

However, remember that the limitations of your space may make it more difficult or even impossible to do certain things. For instance, a curbless shower may not be an option unless it's possible to cut into and lower your subfloor. Your existing home's limitations may make it impossible to duplicate certain aspect of the photo you like, but we'll do our best to design and install something that comes as close as possible to your dream. 

 

Can I buy my tile from somewhere like Home Depot and have you install it?

Yes, we'll install tile you've purchased at a home improvement retailer like Home Depot or Lowe's. However, there are things you should know before you buy your tile. Keep in mind the following FAQ answer.

 

For the most part, the tile at retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe's is sufficient quality for non-commercial spaces.

 

The overall quality and appearance of a tile job has much more to do with the installation than with the tile itself. 

That said, there are things you should keep in mind when purchasing your tile from a retailer like Home Depot or Lowe's. 

  1. Get all the tile you need right away: One of the pitfalls of purchasing from a store like Home Depot is that they're not exclusively a tile retailer, and they likely won't have large batches of the tile you want on hand. If you don't buy all of the tile you need, you may find a week or two later that they're sold out of your tile, and they may or may not be able to get more in. We recommend purchasing more than you'll need and returning any unused product.
  2. Pay attention to dye lot: Many customers aren't aware that the color and even shape and size of your tiles can vary greatly based on dye lot. If you choose to order more tile through Home Depot or Lowe's to get enough for your project, you will probably end up getting product from more than one dye lot. This means you'll likely have noticeable differences in color, shape, size, and texture of your tiles. Home Depot employees may not be tile experts, either, and may not be able to help you get a consistent dye lot throughout your order. If you choose to order through Home Depot or Lowe's, you'll need to be willing to do the extra work to purchase tile from only one dye lot to get a good result. 
  3. Be aware of ordering complications: Unlike wholesale tile suppliers such as Emser Tile or Daltile, big box retailers may not be able to get orders of additional product in quickly. They may charge you high fees and add to the cost of your project. 

If you have your heart set on a tile at Home Depot or Lowe's, we're happy to help you find enough of the right product to get your project finished. We have had customers piece together enough tile from several suppliers around town (with careful attention to dye lots) with success—it's just a little more work than going through a wholesale tile supplier. 

Is the tile from home improvement retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's high quality enough?

This can vary greatly based on your project.

 

A short project such as a typical bathroom remodel of only shower surround tile and bathroom flooring could take as little as three working days. An entire master bathroom remodel could stretch up to two weeks. A typical shower will take between four and six working days. For a detailed estimate of your job's cost and time commitment, contact us.

How long will my tile installation project take?

For the most part, we recommend choosing the tile you like rather than worrying about durability. One of the great things about tile is that you'd have to really abuse a high-quality tile to see obvious signs of wear in a residential setting. Most types of tiles are highly durable and long-lasting. If you're installing tile in a high-use, high-traffic area or need something tough, porcelain is a good choice. We're happy to help you find the right tile for your project if you're unsure; just give us a call.

 

What tile should I choose for durability?

Don't see your question answered here? Give us a call.