TILE AND STONE ADD BEAUTY AND VALUE TO YOUR KITCHEN OR BATHROOM
Tile and stone, when properly installed, last the lifetime of a house. This toughness–combined with the natural beauty of stone and an incredible array of tile types, colors, patterns, and textures–makes tile and stone the materials of choice where quality and character are paramount. Your home can literally be transformed by elegant flooring, impactful counters, and backsplashes in your kitchen, and/or exquisite walk-in showers and baths.
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS WHEN SELECTING TILE OR STONE
Selecting the right tile or stone for your job requires asking yourself the following questions: Where and how do I plan to use the tile or stone? What is my budget? What is the architectural style of my house? What is my personal taste? What are my living habits?
BRING HOME A FEW SAMPLES BEFORE MAKING A FINAL SELECTION
Once you have narrowed your choices, buy a few samples. Live with them for a few days. Look at them next to other surfaces and materials with which they will share the space. Be sure to switch on the lights in the room; the tile color will look different in your home than it did under the showroom lights.
STONE TILE CAN BE AN AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE TO STONE
Tile and stone are fundamentally different. Tile is made from slabs of clay that are fired for hardness. Stone is just what its name implies: quarried slate, limestone, flagstone, granite, or marble. A third material, called stone tile, is made from real stone aggregate suspended in a polymer binder. This is a relatively affordable alternative to stone.
TILE COMES IN MANY COLORS AND MAY BE GLAZED OR UNGLAZED
Glazed flooring tiles have very hard, smooth surfaces that reject water and stains. They are thicker and less glossy than tiles used for walls and counters. The glaze, applied between the first and second firings, gives the tile color and texture. Glazed tile comes in many beautiful colors and may be high gloss or satin, matte or dull, smooth or textured. Unglazed tile is unfinished, so it is usually the color of the fired clay or an added pigment. It doesn’t scratch as easily as glazed tile but, because it doesn’t have the hard surface finish, it is more liable to stain. It is generally treated with a sealer or wax for protection and, therefore, requires more maintenance.
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL TO HELP WITH SELECTION AND INSTALLATION
Have you ever seen a stone or tile job done by the weekend warrior, do-it-yourselfer? In many cases, surfaces aren’t even, patterns don’t line up quite right, grout deficiencies exist, colors don’t quite match, etc. Unless you are a skilled craftsman, we recommend that you turn to the pros for tile and stone work. It may cost you a little more in the short run but the value will be there over time, along with a lot fewer headaches.
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