Our Installation Process

We have designed our installation procedure with consumer satisfaction as the ultimate goal. If you decide to have your floors installed with Touchtone Canada, this is the process that you should expect. 

Step 1: Measurements and Quotes

During the first visit to the site, the team will measure and determine the quantity of products and services required to complete the job. Our Installation experts will review your needs on the site, cover all the requirements and answer all questions that you may have. As we tour your home with you, we will do the measurements and provide you with an initial quote.

Your Touchtone sales expert will assist you in discovering your jobs needs and make suggestions on the type of product that you may want to consider. For a quick understanding about which products to use in your home, please refer to our Flooring Buying Guide. 

Sales expert will book the schedule after consultation and will choose a date and time that is best suited for your schedule. Based on the given schedule, Installations Manager will then assign the installation experts from our 90+ team of experienced professionals. Most Touchtone installers have been working in the industry for 15+ years and as a result have become masters at their craft. 

Step 2: Installation Process

Pre-installation preparation: We request you clear the job site a day before the install date by moving any pertinent furniture, appliances etc. to a secure and safe place.

Our Installation experts will be arrive at the pre-scheduled time. They will then perform a pre-walk through to make sure the work order matches with the materials brought on site. Upon completion, or at end of each installation day, the job site will be cleaned up for safety and all excess materials will be disposed of. 

Step 3: Walk through and feedback

After the installation, our Installation experts will do a walk through of your job site to review the work done. They will also go over our Customer Acceptance form for your feedback and to make sure the job was done as per your requirements.

If there are any questions or concerns, we will make sure they are addressed immediately. All relevant notes are kept in for quality control and warranty purposes.

Post installation our Installation experts will educate you on how to best maintain your product and will ensure your satisfaction prior to leaving the premises. 

Frequently Asked Questions

General Quarries

Does Touchtone carry enough in-stock supplies to support large orders? 

Yes! Touchtone keeps a wide selection of readily available ceramic, porcelain, carpet, mosaics, hardwood, laminate and stone tiles as well as installation material on hand. We are able to support large orders and in the event that we do not have the particular product of your choice, we are excellent at finding solutions. 

Does Touchtone Canada deliver?

Absolutely! For a minimal charge, we will be glad to deliver supplies to your home or jobsite. Please let us know what your needs are and we will make it possible. 

What is the typical wait-time for items on special-order?

Lead time varies depending on the material chosen for your project. Special order products may take as few as five days, while some may take up to 4-6 weeks. Lead times will be indicated at the time of product selection.

Can purchased items be returned if unopened?

This will depend upon the material that is chosen. Stocked materials that are unopened may be returned within
30 days with a 35% restocking fee. There are no returns on discontinued or sale items and absolutely no returns of non-stock special order materials.

Floor & Wall Tiles

What is the difference between glazed and unglazed tiles?

Glazed tiles are coated with a liquid glass which is then baked into the surface of the clay. Glazes come in an unlimited array of colors and designs and protect the tile from staining. Unglazed is similar to glazed tile however the surface is not coated. Unglazed tile does not show wear because the color extends throughout the tile, making it ideal for heavy traffic situations.

Can you install tile onto plywood?

Yes Tile can be installed on 1½”inch, ¾” inch of exterior plywood and on 1½” board of backer board. Note: Do not use interior plywood because water from the thinset will be absorbed by the wood and swell up, this will destroy the surface of the tile
.
Can you install tile onto drywall?

Yes, if mastic is used to bond the tile to the drywall. Thin set is used in all other applications because it is rated for floor (foyer) and wet areas (shower).

What type of tiles are used for outdoors?

Any tile that is frost-resistant may be used outdoors. For safety reasons, only unglazed tiles with a slip and resistant surface should be used on patios, walkways, pool decks, etc. Glazed tiles should be used only on completely covered outdoor areas.

What is the recommended waste for a tile order?

This will depend on your tile layout. Standard waste for tile that is laid out with no pattern is 10%. For a diagonal layout or other more involved patterns, anywhere from 14 – 20% is recommended.

How wide should my grout line be?

It really depends on your taste but no less than 1/8″ and no more than 3/8″. We usually tell people to go a size smaller than they think they want as the lines can sometimes seem wider than what you pictured originally. 

How long should I wait before walking on a new tile floor?

Most floors can take light foot traffic after 12 hours of being laid, this limit is the same in regards to grout. If possible, it is best to wait a full 24 hours.

Why does a white powder form on shower tile?

There is salt in the mud bed (underneath the tile) and when excessive amounts of water reach the mud bed, the water evaporates through grout lines pulling the salt with it, depositing the salt on the tile surface.

How do I care for grout?

Grout is essentially portland cement with color pigment added. Due to the porous nature of cement, grout was, until recently, very prone to staining. Recent enhancements in the production of grout and its raw materials have made grout a much denser product. The addition of latex additives in the mixing of the product will also increase the density of the grout. There is also a large variety of penetrating sealers that can be applied to the grout as soon as 72 hours after installation. Though the initial cost for epoxy and urethane grout is more, these products provide a stain-proof and color-consistent grout joint.

Why does white grout turn yellow?

Too much bleach in the cleaning product can turn grout a yellow color.

Carpet

Which type of fiber hosts the most durable carpet?

Regardless of the fiber, carpet durability is mainly determined by the construction of the carpet itself. A dense construction and shorter pile height will be more durable than looser, shaggier carpets. For Berber carpets, the smaller tighter loops will be more durable than the larger looser loop.

How to I protect my carpet from mold?

Have your carpet professionally cleaned. Mold  grows on dirt found in the carpet but not on the carpet itself.

How often should I clean my carpet?

Carpet should always be cleaned the way the manufacturer specifies, approximately every 12-18 months

Hardwood

Can I use hardwood in my bathroom?

We would not recommend it because of moisture. Many vinyl flooring option offer a realistic wood patterns that would be better suited for the bathroom environment. Most engineered wood species are suitable as well as they are made to be put in areas that may be subject to excess moisture. This is because the lacquer finish will protect the boards from eroding.

What should I use under furniture legs?

There are felt pads you can use which come in various sizes. Some pads just stick on the bottom of the legs and others need to be nailed on. Never hit the pads directly with a hammer. Follow the directions provided with the pads. Check and clean the pads often to prevent debris, dirt and small particles from being trapped in the pad, which may cause scratches in the wood floor’s finish.

Laminate flooring or hardwood?

That is a very personal choice and part of it will depend on your budget. Laminate flooring tends to generally be cheaper. Pets can really play havoc with a new wood floor but most laminates have a very hard surface. Weigh the pros and cons for your household.

Can I install hardwood myself?

Yes you can install your own hardwood floor. However, unless you have some experience of fitting floors we strongly urge you to have your floor fitted professionally. 

Does hardwood flooring damage the environment?

No, hardwood is a sustainable resource that is commercially more now than ever before. Each year more wood is added to the net levels of hardwood species trees that are available. 

My Hardwood floor has a crack in it - is that normal?

Because wood is a natural product it will react to changes in its environment. The most common causes of separations are Mother Nature and dryness. The loss of moisture is the most frequent reason for shrinkage of individual pieces and cracks. Most cracks are seasonal – they appear in dry months, or the cold season when heating is required, and close during humid periods. This type of separation is considered normal.

Luxury Vinyl Planks and Tiles

When it comes to Luxury Vinyl Flooring can I just glue down the perimeter?

It is recommended by some experts however for an extra sturdy lay we prefer to glue the whole area.