Expert Wall & Floor Tiling in Cambridge
Porcelain, ceramic and natural stone tiling for floors, walls, bathrooms and kitchens — set out by laser and finished to a professional standard.
Professional tilers in Cambridge
At 1st Builders Cambridge, our tilers handle everything from a single bathroom to a whole-house floor in large-format porcelain. We prepare the surface properly, set every line out with a laser, and use a levelling system on big-format tiles so the finished floor is flat, even and free of lippage.
We tile floors and walls in porcelain, ceramic and natural stone — bathrooms and wet rooms, kitchen floors and splashbacks, hallways, utility rooms and conservatories. Where a floor needs it we tank and waterproof, lay decoupling membranes over timber or underfloor heating, and make sure the substrate is sound before a single tile goes down.
Most of our work comes through recommendation. Whether you are retiling one room or fitting out a new extension, we treat the preparation as seriously as the finish, because that is what makes tiling last.
Tiling we take on
- Large-format porcelain floors
- Bathroom and wet-room tiling
- Kitchen floors and splashbacks
- Natural stone, marble and travertine
- Hallways, utility rooms and conservatories
- Wall tiling and feature walls
What we handle for you
- Surface preparation and levelling screeds
- Tanking and waterproofing for wet areas
- Decoupling membranes over timber and underfloor heating
- Laser setting-out for straight, square lines
- Levelling systems on large-format tiles
- Grouting, sealing and silicone finishing
Why it matters
- A flat, lippage-free floor that stays put
- Proper waterproofing so wet rooms do not fail
- Tiles that cope with underfloor-heating movement
- Clean grout lines and neat, sealed edges
- Preparation that makes the finish last
Large-Format Porcelain, Laid Level
Big tiles are unforgiving — any dip or high spot in the floor shows up as lippage between them. We prepare and level the substrate first, then use a levelling clip system as we lay so every tile sits flush with its neighbour. The finished floor is flat underfoot and clean along every joint.
- Substrate checked and levelled before tiling
- Levelling clips and wedges on every large-format tile
- Tiles back-buttered for full adhesion, no voids
- Consistent, lippage-free joints across the floor
Set Out by Laser for Straight, Square Lines
A tiled floor is only as good as its setting-out. We work from a laser line so the joints run true across the whole room, plan the layout so cut tiles fall in the least visible places, and keep the grout lines even from wall to wall. On wet areas we tank and waterproof before any tile goes down.
- Laser setting-out for straight, square joints
- Layout planned so cuts land out of sight
- Tanking and waterproofing for bathrooms and wet rooms
- Neat grouting, sealing and silicone to finish
Tiling FAQs
Can you tile over existing tiles?
Sometimes — if the existing tiles are sound, well stuck and flat, and the extra height is not a problem at doors and fittings. More often we lift the old tiles so we can check and prepare the substrate properly, because tiling over a hollow or loose floor just moves the problem up a layer.
Can you lay large-format porcelain tiles?
Yes — large-format porcelain is a lot of what we do. Big tiles show every imperfection in a floor, so we level the substrate first, use a levelling clip system as we lay, and back-butter the tiles for full adhesion. The result is a flat floor with no lippage between tiles.
Can you tile over underfloor heating?
Yes. We lay a decoupling membrane over the heating so the tiles and adhesive are protected from the floor’s expansion and contraction, use a flexible adhesive and grout, and follow the correct first-heat process so the floor does not crack.
Do you waterproof bathrooms and wet rooms?
For wet rooms and shower areas we tank the walls and floor with a waterproof membrane before tiling and form the falls to the drain. Getting the waterproofing right is the single most important part of a wet room — it is what stops leaks reaching the structure below.
How long does it take to tile a floor?
A typical bathroom is a few days including preparation, waterproofing and grouting; a large open-plan floor takes longer. The adhesive and grout also need curing time before the floor takes full traffic, which we build into the schedule.
Do natural stone tiles need sealing?
Yes — natural stone such as marble, limestone and travertine is porous and needs sealing before grouting and again afterwards to protect it from staining. We use the correct sealer for the stone and advise you on ongoing care.
Ready to start your project?
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote. From the moment we pick up the phone, we guide you through the entire building process.
Get in touch
Tell us about your project and we'll get back to you with a free, no-obligation quote. If you have planning permission and drawings ready, we can visit on-site to evaluate your project quickly.
- 01223 912222
- Cambridge & East Anglia