Commercial tile installation is a different scope than residential. Larger formats, tighter flatness tolerances, waterproofing membrane systems, fast-track schedules in occupied buildings, and substrate conditions that range from pristine new concrete to 50-year-old slabs with six layers of failed adhesive underneath. ATR Floors installs porcelain, ceramic, glass, and mosaic tile in commercial environments across the Twin Cities — with substrate preparation, setting bed systems, and grout specification included under a single turnkey contract.
ANSI A108
Installation Standards
TCNA
Handbook Compliant
Turnkey
Prep Through Grout
The problem
Concrete variation will create lippage, poor coverage, hollow spots, or an unacceptable finished appearance.
How ATR solves it
ATR corrects flatness, elevations, and surface condition before tile setting begins.
The problem
Existing cracks, joints, deflection, or substrate movement can transfer directly into the finished assembly.
How ATR solves it
ATR evaluates the substrate and installs the appropriate repair, membrane, setting, and joint treatment system.
The problem
Commercial kitchens, restrooms, showers, and entries need coordinated waterproofing, slope, setting, and grout decisions.
How ATR solves it
ATR manages the substrate and tile assembly together so each layer supports the specified performance.
The problem
Tile must transition correctly to carpet, resilient flooring, wood, coatings, or polished concrete.
How ATR solves it
ATR coordinates multiple commercial flooring types and substrate elevations under one contract.
Tile is specified in commercial environments where moisture resistance, durability, and aesthetic impact all matter — and where the substrate must be prepared to tolerances that most residential tile contractors do not encounter.
The dominant commercial tile choice. Dense, low-absorption (<0.5%), and available from 4x4 mosaics to large-format gauged porcelain panels exceeding 48x96 inches.
Standard ceramic for commercial walls, backsplashes, and light-traffic floors. Higher absorption than porcelain, which makes it appropriate for walls, accent bands, and decorative installations.
Decorative glass tile for feature walls, backsplashes, pool surrounds, and accent borders. Requires specific setting materials and careful installation technique to prevent cracking and maintain translucency.
Small-format tile (1x1 to 2x2 inches) mounted on mesh or paper sheets. Used for shower floors, pool interiors, decorative murals, and intricate patterns where large-format cannot reach the design intent.
Modified or unmodified thin-set, medium-bed mortar, waterproofing membranes (sheet or liquid-applied), and crack isolation membranes — selected per substrate, tile type, and exposure.
Sanded cementitious for joints wider than 1/8". Unsanded for narrower joints. Epoxy grout for food service, healthcare, and laboratory. Urethane grout for hospitality stain resistance.
Common commercial substrates each have their own preparation requirements. Our turnkey scope handles substrate assessment, flatness verification, leveling, membrane installation, and Clean Slate removal of old materials.
Substrate flatness, mortar coverage, and lippage tolerances installed to the published standard, not the shortcut.
Chemical removal of existing coatings and adhesives — no grinding dust in your occupied facility.
Sheet, liquid-applied, and peel-and-stick waterproofing and crack isolation per TCNA Handbook.
Showers, steam rooms, pool surrounds, and commercial kitchens — installed with flood-tested membrane systems.
ATR removes old tile-setting materials and prepares the concrete for leveling, membranes, coatings, polished concrete, or a new finished floor.
In many cases, yes. Tile can be installed over existing tile, terrazzo, or concrete if the existing surface is structurally sound and well-bonded. We assess the existing floor for hollow spots, delamination, and flatness. If removal is required, the Clean Slate Process handles it without grinding dust.
Every tile project includes substrate assessment, flatness verification, and surface preparation. If leveling is required, we install cementitious underlayment to bring the substrate within ANSI tolerances. If existing coatings or adhesives need removal, we use the Clean Slate Process. If waterproofing is required, we install the membrane system.
We install waterproofing membrane systems per the membrane manufacturer's specification and TCNA Handbook guidelines. Options include sheet membranes (bonded to the substrate before tile) and liquid-applied membranes (rolled or sprayed). Flood testing is performed where specified to verify membrane integrity before tile is set.
Yes — see our dedicated Large Format Tile service page. Large-format tile (12x24 and larger) requires tighter substrate flatness, specific lippage-free setting standards, and anti-fracture membranes. Our crews are equipped and trained for panels up to 48x96 inches and beyond.
ATR provides a 2-year workmanship warranty on tile installation covering adhesion, grout integrity, and waterproofing membrane performance. Tile and grout manufacturers provide separate material warranties.
Include tile spec, substrate type, sq ft, and project schedule. We respond within one business day with a detailed scope.
