Questions before the project
Useful answers, without the filler.
These are the questions that matter when planning real tile work. If your project is different, send us the details.
Ask about your projectWhat areas does WNA Tile & Design serve?
WNA is based in Prince Albert and works in the Lakeland area, Saskatoon and surrounding Saskatchewan communities. Project location, scope and scheduling all affect travel availability, so include the project address or community when you request a quote.
What should I send when requesting a quote?
A few clear photos of the existing space, approximate dimensions, your project location and any inspiration images are a great starting point. For showers and renovations, photos that show the whole room are usually more useful than close-ups alone.
Why does WNA talk so much about preparation before tile?
Tile can only perform as well as the assembly supporting it. Flatness, structure, waterproofing, movement accommodation and clean transitions are addressed before the finish tile is set because those hidden details affect both appearance and long-term performance.
Can an existing bathroom be converted to a curbless shower?
Often, yes, but the floor structure, drain location, available depth and surrounding room all matter. A true curbless result is easiest when those conditions are planned early rather than trying to solve the elevation after finishes have been selected.
Can heated flooring be added under large-format tile?
Yes. WNA regularly integrates electric floor heat with uncoupling and tile assemblies. The exact build depends on the substrate, room geometry and tile selection, so the heating layout is planned as part of the floor system rather than as a separate add-on.
Are tile and grout waterproof?
No. Tile and grout are the visible finish, but a shower needs a dedicated water-management system behind them. WNA plans the drain, substrate, waterproofing, transitions and penetrations so water that reaches the assembly is managed properly instead of relying on the tile surface to act as the waterproof layer.
This is one of the most important differences between a shower that only looks finished and a shower that has been built as a complete system.
Can existing custom shower glass be reused during a rebuild?
Sometimes. The glass condition, hardware, shower layout and the dimensions of the new assembly all have to cooperate. If reuse makes sense, the finished dimensions need to be planned from framing onward because waterproofing, mortar and tile all add thickness.
Copper Elegance is an example where the shower opening was rebuilt within tight tolerances so the existing custom glass enclosure could be reinstalled.
What needs to be considered before installing 24 x 48 or other large-format tile?
Large-format tile makes substrate flatness, layout and mortar coverage especially important. Each tile spans more of the floor or wall, so irregularities that might be less noticeable with a smaller format can affect several edges at once.
WNA evaluates and prepares the substrate first, then plans the layout, mortar transfer and movement accommodation around the tile and the room rather than trying to correct those issues while setting.
