Tile Installation Expert Joey Freeman, Distinctive Tile & Marble, Shares Before/After Images

Do you love seeing before/after images of beautiful tile installations? If yes, you will enjoy this article where we catch up with tile installation expert Joey Freeman who shares beautiful photos!

Shawn "Joey" Freeman is the proud owner of Distinctive Tile & Marble in the Fort Myers market.

Meet Joey Freeman, Distinctive Tile and Marble, Tile Installation Expert in Cape Coral, Florida

TOA: Tell us about yourself and your background installing tile and stone?

JF: I have been running my business, Distinctive Tile & Marble Inc., since 2005. I learned how to set tile right out of high school, when I got a job working for a large tile company in Naples, Florida.

After that, I worked for different tile companies over the course of 10 years.

Joey and Lauren Freeman, Distinctive Tile & Marble, Cape Coral, Florida, and their children

Altogether, I have been installing tile and stone for about 22 years. Today, I am still installing tile and play an integral part on every job that I am hired to do.

TOA: How did you get started with Distinctive Tile and Marble?

JF: My wife, Lauren, and I started Distinctive Tile & Marble together in 2005.

We really make a great team. She has an arts background and we always had a dream of combining our skills together. We both like to work with our hands, are perfectionists, and have an artist’s eye when it comes to tile installation.

Stairs before Distinctive Tile & Marble tiled them.

We worked together for about three years installing tile, and creating a positive reputation for our business.

Today, she stays at home raising our two children and does the office work for our business.

Distinctive Tile & Marble used 6x24 Wood Cherry to tile these stairs. View from below.

Distinctive Tile & Marble used 6x24 Wood Cherry to tile these stairs. View from above.

TOA: What geographic area do you serve?

JF: Distinctive Tile & Marble Inc. serves all of Lee County, Florida, including Sanibel and Captiva Island.

Before of floor that Distinctive Tile & Marble remodeled with wood plank tile.

Distinctive Tile & Marble installed Bosco wood plank tile in Taupe on this floor.

TOA: What type of installations do you focus on?

JF: I primarily like to focus on bathroom remodels and floor installations.

They are both improvements that can really change the look of a space and boost the value of a home.

Master bathroom that Distinctive Tile & Marble is remodeling using 18x18 Classic Commercial Travertine.

I also have the ability to make handicap accessible showers, which I do a lot of, because many showers are not made to accommodate people with disabilities.

>> See Universal Design and Designing With Tile

The before and after comparisons are amazing (ed. as you can see from the before and afters included in this article) and home owners are always “floored” by the end result.

TOA: How long have you shopped at Tile Outlets of America?

JF: I have been shopping at Tile Outlets of America since 2003. A contractor I worked for at the time introduced me to the Fort Myers store, and I have been shopping there ever since, and sending all of my customers there as well.

Distinctive Tile & Marble used Deck Grigio Plank on the floors and walls in this bathroom remodel.

TOA: What do you like most about shopping at Tile Outlets?

JF: Tile Outlets of America is my first choice for all of my tile needs, not only for the huge selection of materials they carry, but also because all of the employees are very helpful, courteous and personable towards me and all of my customers.

It’s great products, great people and great service!

Distinctive Tile & Marble included Occhialino grey pebble in this master bathroom remodel to contrast with the wood plank tile.

TOA: What are some of the current tile products and installation trends you are seeing?

JF: The biggest trend I am seeing right now is the wood-look tile installed on floors. They are long planks of tile that come in various colors. It’s a great product because you get the look of wood with less maintenance and more durability.

>> See Five New Wood Looking Tile Planks To Transform Your Home!

Distinctive Tile & Marble installed Niza wood look tile planks on this floor.

I am also starting to see the wood-look tile installed on shower walls, which is what I have done in my master shower at my home. (See images above.)

Another trend is the large format tiles with tight grout joints, which I have been installing as well. For a job like this, I use the leveling system, which are basically small clips set into grout joints that level the floor. It is comparable to mud setting but at a much less cost.

>> See Explore Large Size Tile Ideas For Your Floors

>> See Learn How to Use the Tuscan Leveling System When Installing Tile

Distinctive Tile & Marble installed the large format Amazonia Perla with tight grout lines.

TOA: What are some of your favorite tile/stone installations and why?

JF: My favorite installation is the Travertine French pattern. It consists of 4-5 varying sizes of natural stone to create a repeating pattern. It is a timeless and beautiful material that will always hold its value and desire in the home.

>> See The Truth About Buying Travertine Tile

I also love the wood-look tile. It’s a fairly new trend but a material that I would consider to be timeless and valuable in may ways.

Distinctive Tile & Marble installed Cascade Blend Versailles Pattern for this patio floor.

TOA: Joey, what advice do you have for someone considering a tile installation project?

JF: First, do your research to hire a licensed contractor who can provide referrals/reviews and pictures of their work. A tile project is an investment in many cases, so you want to make sure you have a credible person doing the work.

>> See How To Select a Tile Installation Contractor?

Also, consider what type of material is best suitable for you space, cost, and maintenance needs.

For instance, installing Travertine on floors will be more costly for materials, labor to install, and maintenance because it is a porous stone compared to vitreous material, like porcelain tile, or a cheaper product like ceramic tile.

I always recommend putting an admix into grout so that it is a sealed product, protected from staining.

Another view of the Distinctive Tile & Marble Cascade Blend Versailles Pattern patio.

TOA: Joey, how can readers reach you?

JF: I can be reached through phone at (239)440-0644 or email, distinctivetm@gmail.com.

I also have a website through HomeAdvisor and Angie’s List, where I have been a Super Service Award Provider since 2008.

TOA: Thanks very much, Joey and Distinctive Tile & Marble, for sharing these beautiful tile installations images and sharing perspective on your business!

If you're looking to make your dreams become reality, be sure to stop by Tile Outlets of America in Fort Myers so you can find the perfect tile and stone and the right tile installation expert!