These are some of the materials your tile contractor needs to be familiar with:


Ceramic tile and porcelain tile of all sizes
  Ceramic tile adds beauty and durability to floors and "wet" areas.
  Porcelain tile is more robust and is suitable for interior and exterior.

Natural stone including granite, marble, limestone, slate and travertine
  Granite and marble are beautiful, higher end products. Travertine is generally
  less expensive, it's the most common building stone worldwide. These
  natural stones have a high polish and are slippery when wet. Limestone and slate are a
  great choice for floors in "wet" areas (kitchens and baths). Natural stone requires sealing.

Glass tile and mosaics
  Glass tile adds a "wow factor" to any tile installation. It requires
  special installation techniques.

Quarry stone and pavers
  Quarry stone and pavers are extremely dense. They are suitable for high traffic
   areas and can take incredible abuse.

Adhesives and fasteners appropriate for the application
  The Tile Council of America sets the standards for proper and acceptable tile
   installation procedures.

Crack suppression membranes
  These protect against failure from poor substrates and control joints.

Isolation membranes
  These allow tile  installation over wood and other substrates.

Waterproof moisture barriers
  These isolate your tile from your home and protect both.

Mud (mortar walls and decks)
  Portland cement mixed with sand and water allows you to slope to
  a drain or shape and level as needed.
 
Self-leveling compounds
  SLC trues problem areas, requires experience to achieve good results.

Sealers
  Sealers protect grout and natural stone and are mandatory for freeze-thaw conditions.

CBU's (cementious backer units) i.e. Wonderboard and Hardibacker
  CBU's are basically moisture stable sheetrock. They are a faster and less labor intensive
  alternative to mud.

Wood (for dry rot repairs, baseboards, thresholds, etc)
  Failed, leaking showers typically require substrate repair.

Plumbing (for drain and shower valve installation)
  Sweating copper pipe skills mean not having to hire another contractor.