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Mann Tile Resource Center

Tile Remodeling Ideas, Guides & Expert Advice

Explore shower remodel tips, backsplash inspiration,
waterproofing advice, DIY shower kit guides, and practical
resources for Southwest Florida homeowners.

Mann Tile Resource Center - Our Blog

At Mann Tile, we believe your home deserves the very best in quality, design, and craftsmanship. That’s why we’ve created this Tile Resource Center—a space dedicated to sharing expert tips, design inspiration, and practical advice for homeowners and contractors across Englewood, Venice, North Port, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, and Charlotte County.

Whether you’re researching your first remodel or exploring options for your next big project, our articles are designed to give you the confidence and knowledge you need to make the right choices. From DIY shower kits to full-scale bathroom remodels, we cover it all with the perspective of trusted local experts.


Your Local Tile Resource Center

Our blog goes beyond tile trends. It’s a guide for anyone looking to upgrade their home with tile showers, backsplashes, and flooring. Each article is written with the challenges of Florida homeowners in mind—from humidity and waterproofing to design styles that stand the test of time.

Some of our most popular reads include:

  • Backsplash design inspiration for kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Tile shower waterproofing tips to prevent leaks and damage.
  • Flooring options that balance durability and beauty for high-traffic areas.
  • DIY shower kit guides for homeowners who want to tackle projects themselves.

Looking for design help right away? Visit our Showroom in Englewood to explore samples, styles, and one-on-one consultations.


DIY Shower Kits: A Game-Changer

One of the most exciting offerings from Mann Tile is our line of DIY shower kits. These all-inclusive packages are designed for homeowners who are handy and want to transform their bathrooms without hiring a contractor. Each kit includes waterproofing materials, premium wall and floor tiles, grout, edging, sills, shelves, and even a stainless steel drain.

Paired with step-by-step video instructions and backed by a 10-year warranty on waterproofing materials, our DIY shower kits make it possible to build a stunning, leak-proof shower with confidence. They’re perfect for anyone in Englewood, Venice, North Port, or Port Charlotte looking to save on installation costs while still achieving a professional finish.

Explore our DIY Shower Kits to see what’s included.


Why Local Matters

Choosing a tile company that understands the unique needs of Southwest Florida homeowners makes all the difference. At Mann Tile, we’re not just contractors—we’re part of the community. Our team has proudly served Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties for over a decade, helping families create bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces that combine beauty and functionality.

We know the importance of reliable waterproofing in our humid climate, the styles that fit Florida homes best, and the details that elevate a remodel from good to great. That’s why our Tile Resource Center is more than a blog—it’s your go-to guide for local expertise.


Explore More Resources

Our articles are constantly expanding to cover the topics homeowners ask us about most. Some areas you might want to dive into:


Get Started Today

Whether you’re looking for a DIY shower kit, guidance on backsplash ideas, or step-by-step tutorials on waterproofing, the Mann Tile Resource Center is here to help.

Ready to talk about your project? Contact us today to schedule a consultation, or visit our Englewood showroom to see why homeowners across Venice, North Port, Sarasota, and Charlotte County trust Mann Tile for their tile and remodeling needs.

Demo Day: Protecting the Home … and your health!

By tilemann | July 16, 2026

Demo day can look a little chaotic. (and cool! Watch our video!) There are tools running, tile coming off the walls, dust in the air, and pieces of the old project getting carried out. It is one of those parts of remodeling that can feel messy no matter how careful you are. But good demolition […]

Layout Explained: Our Installer Mats walks us through the process of installing this STUNNING shower.

By tilemann | July 15, 2026

Some tile jobs look simple when they are finished, but there is usually a lot of planning behind the scenes. That is especially true with a patterned shower wall. In this video, Mats Olson, one of our tile installers, explains how he approached this shower installation. The wall tile has a straight herringbone pattern, which […]

Which One Is the Cadillac of Thinsets? Ardex X5 or Schluter’s All Set?

By tilemann | July 9, 2026

Meet David, helper to one of our OG installers, Ed. On a recent job site visit, David was captured on video making a STRONG statement: “x5 is the Cadillac of Thinsets” BOOM!! He then proceeded to explain why he was saying that, equating the thinset to the #2 Pencil, the Dixon Ticonderoga. (Watch the video […]

Why We Prefer Schluter Waterproofing Over Traditional Water-In/Water Out Systems

By tilemann | July 7, 2026

In this video, we react to a Tik Tok that shows pea gravel around the shower drain as a water-in/water out system. We’ve written extensively about waterproofing and shower systems. Today, we’d like to touch specifically on water-in/water-out. In traditional shower builds, you’ll often hear about weep holes and “water-in/water-out” systems. The idea is that water can […]

Is Marble or Porcelain Better For You? – Don’t make a painful mistake!

By tilemann | July 3, 2026

Marble is beautiful. No argument there. (Watch the video) It has that classic, high-end look that people have loved for a long time. When you see a bathroom with real marble, it can feel elegant, timeless, and a little fancy in the best way. But here is the thing: just because something looks beautiful does […]

Micro Tile and The Historic Tile Revival – 2026 Trends To Keep An Eye On.

By tilemann | July 1, 2026

Tile trends are funny. (Watch video) For a while, everyone wants the biggest tile possible. Large format, slab look, fewer grout lines, clean and modern. Then suddenly, the design world turns around and says, “Actually… what if we went tiny?” we get it! Micro tile and historic-inspired tile are making a comeback, and when they […]

Is 12×24 Tile Outdated? Not So Fast.

By tilemann | June 29, 2026

On our latest set of Tik Tok reactions, Rob reacted to a video that talks about tile trends for 2026. And man, she went straight for the jugular! “if you’re still using 12×24 tile, you can keep scrolling.” OUCH!! White kitchens are out. Gray floors are out. Subway tile is out. And apparently, now 12×24 […]

Color My World Tile

By tilemann | June 24, 2026

Check out our latest Tik Tok reaction video! For a long time, a lot of bathroom tile played it pretty safe. White tile. Gray tile. Beige tile. Maybe a little accent strip if everyone was feeling wild. But lately, homeowners are getting a little braver — and honestly, we are here for it. One trend […]

Why the First Row of Tile Matters So Much

By tilemann | June 23, 2026

When you are tiling a shower or tub surround, the first row of tile is a big deal. It might not seem like much at first. It is just one row, right? But that first row is what everything else builds off of. If it starts crooked, uneven, or out of level, the problem does […]

A Little Life Advice from the Tile World (Jack The Tiler UK)

By tilemann | June 17, 2026

Running a business in the trades takes a lot of work. There is always another job to look at, another customer to call back, another estimate to finish, and another problem to solve. If you are not careful, the work can take over every part of your life. That is why this piece of advice […]

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