Your hometown flooring experts

Tile is one of the most durable flooring options available. Done right, a properly installed tile floor can last the life of the home. At Carpet Barn, we carry ceramic and porcelain tile and install it throughout Central PA. Our installers know what tile work requires, from proper substrate preparation and layout planning to precise cutting and grouting. If you want tile done well, we can do it.

We stock an in-store selection of tile at our New Cumberland showroom . For customers who want something specific, we also have access to a much larger special order catalog. Whether you have already picked out your tile or you are just starting to look, come in and we will walk you through the options.

Our Tile Installation Process

Tile installation requires more steps than most other flooring types. Here is what the process looks like from start to finish when you work with Carpet Barn:

Step 1: Free Estimate

We start with a free, no-obligation estimate. Come into our showroom to see tile samples in person, or we can come measure your space at home. We look at the subfloor condition, the layout of the room, and your tile selection before giving you a written quote.

Step 2: Subfloor Assessment and Preparation

Tile is unforgiving when it comes to subfloor quality. A subfloor that flexes, dips, or is not level will crack grout and eventually crack tile. We check the subfloor carefully before any tile goes down. If the subfloor needs patching, leveling, or additional backer board, we handle it as part of the installation.

Step 3: Layout Planning

Before setting any tile, we plan the layout. This ensures the pattern looks intentional and the cuts fall in the right places. Good layout planning avoids awkward partial tiles at doorways and visible edges. It takes more time upfront but makes a significant difference in the finished result.

Step 4: Setting and Grouting

We set each tile in mortar or adhesive using spacers to keep joints consistent. We let the mortar cure fully before grouting. Rushing the grout step is one of the most common reasons tile installations fail. We grout at the right time and clean the tile properly before the grout hardens.

Step 5: Final Walkthrough

When the job is complete, we walk through the space with you to confirm everything looks right. Grout lines should be consistent, tiles should be level with no lippage, and any cuts should look clean. Every Carpet Barn tile installation comes with a 1-year workmanship warranty.

Types of Tiles We Carry and Install

Not all tile is the same. The type you choose affects how it looks, how durable it is, and where it can go. Here is a breakdown of the main tile types we work with:

Ceramic Tile

Made from natural clay fired at high temperatures. Ceramic tile is a reliable, budget-friendly option for walls and moderate-traffic floors. It comes in a wide range of sizes, colors, and finishes. Softer than porcelain, so better suited for interior floor and wall applications rather than heavy commercial use.

Porcelain Tile

A denser, harder version of ceramic tile made from finer clay and fired at higher temperatures. Porcelain is more water resistant, more scratch resistant, and more durable than standard ceramic. It works well on floors, walls, and in wet areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms. Available in tile-look, wood-look, and stone-look formats.

Stone-Look Pocelain

Porcelain tile printed to replicate marble, slate, travertine, or natural stone. You get the aesthetic of natural stone without the maintenance requirements or the cost. A popular choice for bathroom floors, shower surrounds, and entryways.

Wood-Look Tile

Porcelain tile manufactured to replicate the grain and texture of hardwood planks. Combines the look of wood with the durability and water resistance of tile. A practical solution for bathrooms and kitchens where real wood is not a good fit.

Large Format Tile

Tiles in larger sizes, typically 18×18 inches or larger, up to 24×48 and beyond. Large format tile creates a cleaner, more open look with fewer grout lines. Requires a very flat subfloor and experienced installation to avoid lippage between tiles.

Specialty Tile and Special Order

Mosaic, decorative, encaustic, and other specialty tile formats available through our special order catalog. If you have a specific tile in mind that we do not carry in-store, ask us. We have access to a wide range of manufacturers and distributors.

Ceramic vs. Porcelain: Which One Should You Choose?

This is the question we get most often from tile customers. Here is a straightforward comparison:

Not sure which to choose for your project? Our team will help you sort it out. Stop by the showroom at 505 Park Rd., New Cumberland or give us a call. We will talk through what makes the most sense for your space.

Best Places to Install Tile Floors

Tile is one of the most versatile flooring materials when it comes to where it can go. These are the spaces where it performs best:

Bathrooms

Tile is the standard choice for bathroom floors and shower surrounds for good reason. It is waterproof, easy to clean, and holds up in wet conditions better than any other flooring type. Porcelain is the preferred choice for floors, while ceramic works well for walls.

Kitchens

Kitchen floors see heavy foot traffic, dropped items, and regular spills. Tile handles all of it. Porcelain tile in a larger format gives kitchens a clean, modern look that is easy to maintain.

Entryways

First impressions matter, and tile holds up to the constant foot traffic an entryway sees. Mud, snow, and wet boots are no problem. A durable porcelain tile with a slip-resistant surface is a smart choice here.

Laundry Rooms

Laundry rooms are high-moisture spaces that need a floor that does not care about water. Tile is the practical answer, and the lower square footage keeps the project cost manageable.

Mudrooms

Similar to entryways but often with heavier use from kids, pets, and outdoor gear. A durable tile with a textured surface and a darker grout color keeps the space looking good longer.

Basements

Tile works well on concrete subfloors, making it a logical choice for basements. It handles any moisture that comes up through the slab better than wood or carpet. A warm tile color helps offset the cooler feel of below-grade spaces.

In-Stock Tile and Special Order Options

We keep an in-stock selection of ceramic and porcelain tile at our New Cumberland showroom. Our in-stock tile lets you see the actual product in natural light before you commit, and move forward quickly on projects with standard sizing.

For customers who want a specific look, size, or format not available in our showroom, we offer special order access through our manufacturer and distributor network. Special orders cover a much wider range of tile options. Ask our team about availability and lead times when you stop in.

A Note on Subfloor Requirements for Tile

Tile is one of the most demanding flooring types when it comes to subfloor preparation. Unlike carpet or vinyl, tile has no flex. Any movement in the subfloor transfers directly to the grout lines and eventually to the tile itself.

Here is what we check and address before tile goes down:

• The subfloor needs to be flat within industry standards. High spots get ground down and low spots get filled with floor leveling compound.
• Structural integrity. A subfloor that flexes or bounces under foot traffic will crack tile grout over time. In some cases, the structure below needs additional support.
• Concrete subfloors in basements need a moisture check before tile goes down. Excessive moisture coming up through the slab can affect the adhesive bond over time.
• Backer board. In wet areas like bathrooms, a cement backer board goes down over the subfloor before tile. It provides a stable, moisture-resistant surface for the tile to bond to.

We do not skip these steps. Proper subfloor prep is what separates a tile floor that lasts 30 years from one that starts failing in 3 years.

Why Choose Carpet Barn for Tile Installation?

Tile installation takes skill and patience. Here is what you get when you work with our team:

• Family-owned since 1974. Over 50 years of doing right by Central PA homeowners. Our reputation is built on quality work, not volume.
• Proper subfloor prep is part of the job. We check flatness, moisture, and structural integrity before any tile goes down. These steps are not optional.
• Careful layout planning. We take the time to plan the layout before setting a single tile. Good planning is the difference between a floor that looks intentional and one that does not.
• 5 experienced installers with over 100 combined years in the field. Tile work requires precision. Our installers have the experience to deliver a clean, consistent result.
• In-stock and special order tile. We carry an in-store selection and have access to a wide special order catalog. If you know what you want, we can likely get it.
• 1-year installation warranty on every job. No exceptions.

Tile Installation Throughout Central PA

Our tile installation team works out of our New Cumberland showroom and serves homeowners across Central PA. We regularly install tile in Camp Hill, Lemoyne, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Enola, Shiremanstown, Lower Allen Township, Wormleysburg, Steelton, Lewisberry, York Haven, and Dillsburg. Not sure if we cover your area? Give us a call.

Get a Free Tile Installation Estimate

Ready to install tile in your home? Stop by our showroom at 505 Park Rd., New Cumberland, PA 17070 to see our in-stock tile selection in person. Or call us to schedule a free estimate at your home. We will measure the space, assess the subfloor, and give you a detailed written quote with no pressure and no obligation.

Feel free to give us a call at 717-938-1609 We are happy to answer any tile and flooring installation questions and set up a free estimate!