Where Flooring Jobs Actually Fail — the Subfloor
The subfloor is the cement screed under the tile. A tile laid on an uneven screed sits with hollow pockets; it cracks when weight concentrates on a hollow, the grout line opens, and within two years a corner lifts — and the homeowner blames the tile. The right sequence: floor levelled to within 3 mm across the room, screed cured fully before tile arrives, tile adhesive (not cement-sand mix) for vitrified and large-format tiles, and a 3 mm perimeter gap for thermal movement. Skip any of these and the floor ages quickly, whatever brand of tile was used. This base work is part of our civil contractor in Thane scope.
Tile and stone options — what I default to in each room
Living and bedrooms — vitrified tiles. 600×600 or 800×1200 mm for living rooms, 600×600 for bedrooms. Brands — Kajaria, Somany, Johnson, Nitco, RAK. Double-charge or full-body vitrified for high-traffic areas. Glazed vitrified for bedrooms. Rectified edges for tight grout lines.
Kitchen — vitrified tiles, matt or anti-skid finish near the sink and hob. Wall tiles — glossy ceramic or vitrified, larger formats (300×600 or 600×1200) to reduce grout joints.
Bathrooms — anti-skid vitrified for floor, glossy vitrified or ceramic for walls. The full bathroom tile and waterproofing detail sits on the bathroom renovation page.
Marble — Italian, Indian (Makrana, Rajasthan green, Banswara), or Onyx for premium scope. Polished, honed or leather finish. Marble needs sealing every 18 to 24 months in Thane and Mumbai humidity, otherwise it absorbs stains.
Engineered wood — solid wood is not the right answer in coastal humidity. Engineered wood (3-layer with a hardwood top veneer) handles humidity better. Laminate flooring is the budget option and works for 5 to 7 years before wear shows. Monsoon-specific material guidance in best materials for Thane homes.
Grouting — where the small detail decides the long-term look
Two grout types, both used in the same flat for different rooms.
Epoxy grout in wet zones — bathrooms, kitchen floor near the sink, balcony if exposed to rain. Costs more, does not stain, does not yellow, does not absorb water. Brands — Laticrete, MAPEI, Bostik. This is the line in the BOQ where I do not accept a substitute.
Cementitious grout elsewhere — living room, bedrooms, dry zones. Lower cost, fine where moisture is not the concern. Available in matched colours for any tile choice.
Most contractors use cementitious grout everywhere because it is cheaper. The yellow grout lines you see in a 3-year-old bathroom — that is the result.
Thane, Mumbai & Navi Mumbai
Jyani Interior is based in Thane Manpada and provides full interior design and civil work across Thane, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Thane and Thane West come first, with the same complete scope extending across the MMR — a site visit confirms society rules and access before we begin.
Thane
- Manpada,
Ghodbunder Road,
Thane West,
Majiwada,
Hiranandani Estate,
Kasarvadavali,
Kolshet Road,
Kapurbawdi,
Patlipada,
Waghbil,
Brahmand,
Owale,
Vasant Vihar,
Pokhran Road,
Naupada,
Panchpakhadi,
Wagle Estate,
Vartak Nagar,
Kalwa,
Mumbra,
Diva,
Mumbai
- Mulund West and East,
Bhandup,
Nahur,
Vikhroli,
Powai,
Ghatkopar,
Andheri,
Borivali,
Kandivali,
Malad,
Goregaon,
Bandra,
Dadar,
Chembur,
Navi Mumbai
- Airoli,
Ghansoli,
Rabale,
Kopar Khairane,
Vashi,
Sanpada,
Nerul,
Belapur,
Kharghar,
Kamothe,
Panvel,
Ulwe,
Taloja,