CUSTOM TILE WORK · DAYTON OHIO
A tile job is only as good as the prep underneath it. Before any tile gets cut, RA Cooks Renovations levels the substrate, waterproofs wet areas with a proper membrane, and dry-lays the pattern so every cut lands intentionally — not as an afterthought at the wall.
We've been installing tile across the Miami Valley since 1987 — bathroom floors, walk-in showers, kitchen backsplashes, mudroom entries, and fireplace surrounds. Most jobs come in through our Kettering design center, where you can see and feel every option before you commit.
SCOPE OF WORK
Porcelain, ceramic, or stone over a properly leveled and waterproofed subfloor. Heated-floor mat compatible. Detailed transitions to adjacent flooring and matching baseboards.
Schluter or Wedi membrane systems, sloped pre-pitched pans, niches with finished returns, and curbless designs. Linear drains, glass enclosures, and accessibility upgrades available.
Subway, mosaic, slab, herringbone — installed level under cabinets, scribed clean against countertops and outlets. Slab backsplashes with bookmatched seams when the look calls for it.
Durable porcelain or stone designed to take wet boots, sand, and dog traffic. Matching transitions to adjacent flooring, integrated bench seating, and tile-clad lower walls when needed.
Heat-rated tile around gas and wood-burning fireplaces. Floor-to-ceiling slab installs, herringbone hearth detail, and matching mantel work coordinated with our finish carpenters.
Bookmatched slab walls, mosaic insets, and statement tile for powder rooms, dining nooks, and laundry rooms. Designed in our Kettering showroom against your real lighting and finishes.
OUR PROCESS
Meet at our Kettering showroom or your home. We talk pattern, grout color, layout, and the specific demands of the room.
Floor leveled, walls plumbed, cement board or backer prepped. In wet areas, a Schluter or Wedi waterproofing membrane goes on first.
We map the layout so cuts land intentionally — focal pieces stay full, partial cuts go where they're least visible.
Full-spread thinset (no spot-bonding), proper trowel size, consistent grout joints. Large-format tile gets back-buttered for full coverage.
Color-matched grout, smooth joints, edge profiles or bullnose at exposed terminations. Natural stone is sealed before grouting.
Job-site clean, every cut and grout line inspected, hardware reset. We don't leave until you've signed off in person.
KETTERING DESIGN CENTER
Our showroom on Smithville Rd is where most tile decisions get made. Real samples, real lighting, full mock-ups — pattern, grout color, edge profiles, transition pieces. We help you see how it will actually feel in your home.
Walk in any weekday between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, or book an appointment to skip the wait.
MATERIALS
Whatever look you're after, we'll help you pick the right material for the room — and the right setting system underneath it.
Our most-installed material. Dense, water-resistant, available in wood-look planks, large-format slabs, hexagons, and traditional sizes. Excellent for floors and high-traffic areas.
Lighter and more affordable than porcelain. Best on walls, backsplashes, and lower-traffic floors. Wide pattern and color range.
Premium look with character that varies tile to tile. Requires sealing and proper underlayment. We handle stone-specific prep so it lasts.
Classic shower niche or backsplash inset. Adds shimmer and accent without committing the whole room to a bold pattern.
24"×48" and bigger. Fewer grout lines, modern look, but unforgiving — needs perfect substrate prep, back-buttering, and a leveling system.
Encaustic patterns, hand-painted mosaics, metal accents. Mixed with field tile to add character at focal points without overwhelming.
RECENT TILE PROJECTS
A look at recent tile installations — bathroom showers, kitchen backsplashes, and floor work — designed and built by our in-house crew.
SERVICE AREA
RA Cooks Renovations installs tile across the Dayton metro from our Kettering showroom — Dayton, Oakwood, Centerville, Beavercreek, Washington Township, Bellbrook, Miamisburg, and Springboro.
ONE CONTRACTOR, FULL PROJECT
Most tile work happens during a bigger remodel. RA Cooks Renovations handles all of it under one roof — same crew, same project manager, one warranty.
Full bath remodels — vanities, walk-in showers, soaking tubs, layout changes, tile end-to-end.
Learn more →Custom cabinetry, countertops, backsplash tile, and full layout redesign — designed in our showroom.
Learn more →Family rooms, in-law suites, theaters, gyms, bars — finished basements designed for daily use.
Learn more →Multi-room renovations and full-home updates — coordinated trades, single project manager.
Learn more →Tear-off and replacement, architectural shingles, ridge vents — installed by our in-house crew.
Learn more →Hardwood, laminate, LVP — installed and refinished, with clean transitions to your tile work.
Learn more →← Scroll to see more →
INSTALLATION SERVICES
Tile is one of seven installation services. Same in-house crew, same warranty, all designed and built from our Kettering showroom.
Bathroom floors, walk-in shower walls, kitchen backsplashes, mudrooms, fireplace surrounds, and feature accents — designed and installed by our in-house crew.
Solid and engineered hardwood — installed, sanded, stained, and finished. Refresh existing floors or start new across the Miami Valley.
View →Waterproof, scratch-resistant LVP installed throughout your home. The look of hardwood without the maintenance — installed level and clean.
View →Durable, low-maintenance laminate floors. Subfloor prep, level transitions, clean cuts — warrantied workmanship.
View →Tile, slab, and mosaic backsplashes installed clean and level. Subway, herringbone, mosaic, slab — installed under cabinets and scribed to countertops.
View →Convert an underused tub into a modern walk-in shower. Custom tile, glass enclosure, optional accessibility features.
View →Replace hollow-core doors with solid-core panels, swap closet bypass doors, install new trim and hardware — clean jamb prep, level fit.
View →← Scroll to see more →
FAQ
How long does a tile installation take?
A bathroom floor takes 3–5 days. A walk-in shower runs 1–2 weeks (waterproofing has to cure, then tile, then grout). Backsplashes are typically 2–3 days. Larger jobs and stone need more time for prep and sealing.
Do I have to remove the old tile myself?
No. We handle demo, dust control, debris removal, and disposal as part of the job. We can also remove old vinyl or laminate flooring before laying tile.
What's the difference between porcelain and ceramic?
Porcelain is denser, less water-absorbent, and more durable. Ceramic is lighter and cheaper but better suited to walls and lower-traffic areas. We'll recommend the right one for your space and budget.
Can you do heated floors under tile?
Yes. We install Schluter Ditra-Heat or similar mat systems before the tile goes down — most common in master bathrooms and mudrooms.
Is your tile work warrantied?
Yes. Our installation work carries a written workmanship warranty. Manufacturer warranties on the tile itself vary by product and we'll walk you through them before purchase.
Visit our Kettering showroom or book an in-home consultation. We'll walk through scope, samples, layout, and a clear written estimate.
Book a consultationFrom the Journal
Tile, flooring, and bath inspiration from RA Cooks Renovations.
Take the next step
Our NARI-certified team will measure your space, listen to your goals, and send a transparent line-item proposal within 5 business days. No pressure, no surprises — just a clear plan for the project you’ve been picturing.
Local & Nearby
Touch the materials, see the finishes, and meet the team that will design and build your project — by appointment or walk-in.
Stop By Our Showroom
Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Get Directions →15 pages · CertainTeed Integrity Roof System · the cheap-roof math, plus a $1,000 design credit if you book within 14 days.
