About Tile

Frequently asked questions about ceramic tile, porcelain & natural stone

 

1. How do you take care of ceramic tile? Porcelain? Natural Stone?

 

~Ceramic tile and porcelain are very easy to keep clean.  Sweep or vacuum as needed and mop with a ceramic tile cleaner or a mild detergent (like Spic-N-Span or Mr. Clean).  Don't use harsh abrasives. 

 

~Natural stone (travertine, marble, granite, etc.) is sealed as part of our installation process.  Natural stone should be cleaned with neutral cleaners.  Never clean with any product containing acid, lemon, or bleach.  Acids, even a light solution of vinegar and water, will eventually etch and damage natural stone.  Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.  Many common food and drinks contain acids (including alcohol and citrus juices) that will etch or dull the surface.  Wipe up and clean with mild soap and warm water all spills immediately.  Stone sealers should be applied as soon as you notice water no longer stands (beads up) on the surface. 

 

~We include an upgraded stain resistant grout (Prism) in our quote.  This helps your grout look better for a longer period of time and does not need to be sealed.

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2. What size tile looks best in a kitchen? In bathrooms?

 

Most people are using 12 x 24s or 24 x 24s in kitchens.  If you want to make your bathroom seem bigger, a larger tile or a tile installed on the diagonal will accomplish this.

 

3. Do you match the grout color to the tile or contrast the tile?

 

That is personal preference; a matching grout will blend in with the tile, while a contrasting grout will stand out.  A white grout discolors easily.  Darker grouts are easier to maintain.

 

4. Do I have to have grout?

Yes, grout is necessary to fill the spaces between the tiles and to help to secure the tile.  If grout is not used, eventually the tiles will damage each other along the edges, due to movement from above and below. Also, even if it looks perfect, the slight variation will cumulatively result in a line that runs way off true. Lastly, consider spills. You need grout to ensure nothing can get between your tiles. Would you rather have a very small grout line filled with grout, or a very small grout line filled with spaghetti sauce?" 


If a small grout line is a priority for you, let us know, as each tile we sell has a recommended grout joint size, and we can help you choose accordingly. A rectified tile will be your best choice, as it requires a much smaller grout joint. Rectified tiles are mechanically ground, after firing, to an exact size, so the edges are more precise. Most rectified tile requires a 1/8" grout line.

 

5. Is it more expensive to do a border or pattern?

 

Yes, the more labor intensive and intricate the designs or details of your installation, the more it will cost.  Remember that tile is the most permanent floor covering so now is the time to install exactly what you want!

 

6. How much does it cost to install ceramic tile? How much is an average kitchen? An average bathroom floor?

 

A 300 square foot kitchen should range between $3500 and $5000 fully installed and a bathroom floor (based on 150 sq. ft.) between $2500 and $3000.  Minimum charges will apply when you are doing a small job like a backsplash or powder room.

 

7. How easily does tile chip/break?

 

Both ceramic and porcelain are capable of chipping; however, they do not chip easily.   Broken tiles are normally the result of improper installation.

 

8. How level does my floor need to be for tile?

 

As with all floors, the subfloor will need to be level and flat prior to installation.  This is to prevent damage to the tiles and to give you the best installation possible.  Leveling will be assessed during your in-home estimate.

 

9. What is porcelain tile?

 

Porcelain tile is similar to ceramic but is much stronger and harder.  Porcelain has a fine sand base (as opposed to a clay base) and is fired at higher temperatures than ceramic.  Some porcelains are glazed (the color is only in the glaze coat) while some are through-body, meaning the surface color goes all the way through the body of the tile.  A through-body porcelain will not show chips and scratches as easily.

 

10. What is Schluter?

 

Schluter is a manufacturer of metal trim for the edging of tile. Schluter profiles are available in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. This trim protects tile edges from cracking and chipping, eliminates the need for caulking, and provide easy transitions between adjacent floor and wall coverings. Schluter also makes other tile installation related products, including shower systems and floor warming products.

 

11. Do you do backsplashes? Tub and shower surrounds? Fireplace surrounds?

 

Yes, the cost starts at about $2000.00 for labor and materials and goes up depending on the size of the job, tile chosen, and the details involved in the installation.

 

12. Should I seal my grout? When do I seal the grout?

 

If you have a standard cement-based grout, you should seal the grout, but you don’t have to. 

 

13. Can we walk on my floors immediately after they are installed?

 

You will need to stay off your tile floor for the first 12 hours after it has been installed.  This is to keep the tiles from shifting or moving while the adhesive is drying.

 
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14. What are some of the design trends in tile?

Large tile:  18” x 18” and 24” x 24” tiles are frequently installed, even in small rooms.  Rectangular shapes (for example 12” x 24”) are being used on floors and walls. Texture, movement, and shade variation is very popular – the more it looks hand made the better.  For color, neutrals are the top color schemes used:  off-whites, beiges, and bones. Blues and greens are very much on trend.

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15. Which should I do first, paint or the new floor?

We recommend doing your floors first. This is particularly important when there is demo (for example, removing hard surface floors and/or subflooring) being done. A reputable painter will not have any problems protecting and not damaging your brand new floors. By doing the painting last, you don’t have to worry about any damage from the demo or installation, touch-up painting, painting your primed baseboards and/or shoemold, etc.
 

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