Tile Is What You See. Waterproofing Is What Makes It Last. We Never Compromise on Either.
Custom Tile & Waterproofing in San Antonio, TX
Custom tile work defines how a bathroom looks, feels, and performs over time. But tile is only as good as what’s behind it. Bath by Design SA installs custom tile with a complete waterproofing system underneath — not shortcuts, not cement board alone, not hoping for the best.
Our tile installations are built to last 20+ years in San Antonio’s hard-water, high-humidity environment. We work with every tile type and format — large-format porcelain, natural stone, glass mosaic, cement tile, and designer collections — and we treat the waterproofing beneath it as the foundation that determines whether any of it holds up.
Prefer to talk now? Call (210) 683-8917
30+ Years Experience
Workmanship Warranty
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Licensed, Bonded, Insured
Our Waterproofing System: Why It Matters
Waterproofing is the most critical and most commonly skipped step in bathroom tile installation. Here’s the truth about what most tile jobs actually get — and what ours include:
What Most Contractors Do
Install cement backer board (HardieBacker or similar) and tile directly over it. Cement board is water-resistant — it won’t disintegrate when wet — but it is not waterproof. Water vapor and incidental water penetration move through it over time, reaching the wall framing, insulation, and structural elements behind it. This is why showers fail 3–7 years after installation: not because the tile fell off, but because the substrate behind it rotted.
What We Do
We apply a full waterproofing membrane over the substrate before any tile goes in. The membrane we use varies by project and substrate condition, but includes systems from Schluter (Kerdi, Kerdi-Board), RedGard, and Wedi — each appropriate for different substrates and shower configurations. The membrane is applied to all wet surfaces: shower walls floor to ceiling, shower floor, niche interiors, and all penetrations (drain, valve, faucet).
- Bonded waterproofing applied over cement board — our standard for most residential showers Schluter Kerdi membrane:
- Foam substrate with integrated waterproofing — eliminates cement board, lighter, easier to achieve a flat surface Kerdi-Board:
- Rolled or brushed waterproofing used in specific situations including mud-bed floors and retrofits RedGard liquid membrane:
- Full foam tile backer with integrated waterproofing for lightweight, high-performance applications Wedi system:
💡 Pro Tip: Ask any tile contractor you’re evaluating: ‘What waterproofing system do you use behind shower tile?’ If the answer is ‘cement board’ — that’s the answer to look out for. Cement board is part of a waterproofing system; it is not the waterproofing system itself. |
Custom Tile Options for San Antonio Bathrooms
Large-Format Porcelain
24″x24″, 24″x48″, and 12″x24″ porcelain tile is our most recommended choice for San Antonio showers and floors. It’s non-porous (will not absorb mineral-laden water), durable, available in every aesthetic style, and dramatically reduces grout lines compared to smaller formats. Fewer grout lines = less mineral buildup = easier maintenance in our hard-water city. Available in concrete-look, marble-look, stone-look, warm earth tones, and solid white/cream finishes.
Natural Stone (Marble, Travertine, Slate)
Natural stone creates a unique, organic look no porcelain fully replicates. Each piece is different — the variation is part of the aesthetic. However, natural stone requires sealing on installation and annually thereafter, is sensitive to acidic cleaners (including vinegar and many commercial bathroom cleaners), and shows mineral deposits more visibly than matte porcelain. We install it for clients who want the look and understand the maintenance.
- Elegant, high-end, requires most maintenance Marble:
- Warm, earthy, filled and honed finishes work best in wet areas
- Textured, rustic, excellent natural slip resistance on floors
Mosaic Tile
Small-format mosaic — 1″x1″, 2″x2″, penny rounds, hexagon — creates more grout lines, which provides natural slip resistance on wet shower floors. This makes mosaic the preferred floor tile for curbless and roll-in shower designs. Also popular for niche interiors as a contrast accent to large-format wall tile.
Glass Tile
Glass tile is best used as an accent: niche interiors, a feature wall strip, a border row. It’s bright, reflective, adds visual depth, and pairs well with large-format surrounds. Full-wall glass tile requires specialized installation (no standard thinset) and is more prone to showing mineral deposits in hard-water environments.
Cement & Encaustic Tile
Cement and encaustic (pattern) tile creates bold, artisan-style designs particularly popular in transitional and Mediterranean-influenced interiors. They require sealing and careful grout selection. We use them primarily in powder rooms, feature walls, and accent applications rather than full shower surrounds.
Designer & Large-Panel Tile (Up to 48"x96")
For projects where the goal is near-seamless walls — minimal grout lines across a full shower surround — large-panel porcelain slabs (up to 48″x96″) are available. These require specialized installation equipment, careful substrate preparation, and precise handling. We’re experienced with large-panel installation and offer it for projects where budget allows.
Book a Bathroom Remodeling Consultation
Custom Tile Layout Patterns
How tile is laid is as important as what tile you choose. We install every standard and custom pattern:
- — Clean, contemporary, makes large-format tile look its best Straight / grid lay
- — Classic, slightly more forgiving on walls that aren’t perfectly plumb Offset / brick lay
- — Makes ceilings appear higher; popular for narrow shower walls Vertical stack
- — Distinctive, adds visual interest; requires more cuts and installation time Herringbone
- — Similar to herringbone but with parallel directional flow Chevron
- — Creates visual movement; adds perceived space in smaller bathrooms Diagonal
- — Pairs large-format tiles to mirror natural stone veining across the joint Book match
- — Main surround in one tile, accent wall in another format or color Feature wall with contrasting tile
Custom Tile & Waterproofing Cost in San Antonio
Scope | Typical Range | Notes |
Shower tile installation (labor), standard format | $8–$14/sq ft labor | Tile cost separate |
Shower tile, large-format (24″+), complex layout | $14–$22/sq ft labor | Precision-intensive |
Full shower tile project incl. waterproofing + demo | $5,500–$12,000 | All-in scope |
Full bathroom floor tile (60–90 sq ft typical) | $2,200–$5,000 | Material + labor |
Niche tile (accent, per niche) | $450–$950 | Add-on to shower project |
Large-panel installation (48″x96″) | $20–$35/sq ft labor | Specialty scope |
Tile material cost is in addition to installation labor and varies significantly — from $2–$4/sq ft for standard ceramic to $25–$60+/sq ft for premium stone or designer large-panel. We provide full itemized estimates separating material and labor so you can make informed decisions.
Serving San Antonio and Surrounding Areas
Bath by Design SA serves homeowners throughout the greater San Antonio metro area — Stone Oak, Alamo Ranch, The Dominion, Helotes, Shavano Park, Boerne, New Braunfels, Converse, Universal City, Schertz, and Cibolo.
What Our Clients Say
“Outstanding and quick service. I was very impressed with their professionalism and their attention to detail. Thank you so much!”
Keith Gunter
We first worked with David and Melina a few years back when their team assisted with correcting another company’s renovation mistakes. We were very pleased with the final outcome which made it an easy choice to go with Bath By Design for our next project.
When we first started thinking about updating our fireplace, we knew we wanted something more modern, efficient, and low-maintenance than our old gas setup…
Sherry Friedman
Bath By Design SA did a great job on our bath remodel. From a garden tub and stall shower to a luxurious walk-in shower. They are professional in their approach and ensure the plan in place is exactly what the customer wants. Contractors used throughout the project do quality work and David consistently checks progress. We love our new shower!
Wendy Tiemann
“I wanted a soaking tub for quite a while. Bath by Design SA made my dream come true. David and his team met all my expectations. His crew worked diligently from start to finish, they were professional and courteous during the entire process. They took great care by covering my floor, furniture and cleaned up before they left for the day. If you’re looking to remodel your bathroom I highly recommend Bath by Design SA. The first two are before pics the rest are after.”
Graciella Calentine
Custom Tile & Waterproofing: FAQ
How do I know if my shower was waterproofed properly when it was built?
You often don’t — until problems appear. Signs of inadequate waterproofing include: mold that returns quickly after cleaning (moisture getting behind tile), hollow-sounding tile when tapped (adhesive failure from moisture), soft or spongy spots on the tile surface, grout that crumbles easily, or musty smell persisting in the bathroom. If any of these apply, the shower should be assessed before additional tile work is done over it.
Can you tile over existing tile?
Technically possible in some situations, but not recommended as a general practice. Adding tile over existing tile adds weight to the wall, can trap hollow spots if the original adhesive is failing, and makes it impossible to inspect or repair the waterproofing behind the wall. In most cases, demo and starting fresh with a proper waterproofing system produces better long-term results.
How do you prevent grout from cracking or staining?
Grout cracks when: there’s movement in the substrate, joints are too wide for the grout type selected, or corners and transitions are grouted instead of caulked (corners must be caulk joints — they flex; grout does not). Grout stains when it’s not sealed. We seal all grout on completion and recommend annual homeowner resealing to maintain performance.
What grout should I choose for a walk-in shower?
For San Antonio showers, we recommend either unsanded grout for joints under 1/8″ (common with large-format tile) or epoxy grout for maximum stain and mineral resistance. Epoxy grout is harder to install and costs more, but is the highest-performing option in hard-water environments. We discuss grout selection during the design phase based on your tile choice and joint spacing.
Book a Design Consultation
Prefer to talk now? Call (210) 683-8917