As far as design constraints, there are limitless possibilities for ceramic tile. Available in numerous color and size variations, there are always additional application options as well- ceramic tile doesn’t have to stop at the floor, you can unify your design and create ceramic accents in the form of backsplashes, countertops, and shower stalls.

Ease of maintenance is probably ceramic tile’s biggest appeal. It is this quality that makes it ideal for use in areas where moisture might be an issue, as carpeting and wood cannot compete when it comes to dampness & spills. Ceramic tile also requires little in the way of a cleaning routine, since it is spill-resistant and does not trap allergens or bacteria. Another strong point of ceramic tiles is their wear resistance. Ceramic tile has a high level of durability and longevity, making it a great value.

Carpet tiles are exactly what they sound like: smaller squares of carpeting, which are installed by laying them together, like tiles. This type of carpeting allows for creating patterns of infinite customization.

The biggest incentive to utilize carpet tile, rather than broadloom carpeting, is the ease of installation. The flooring can be installed quickly, and can be completed when offices are closed, to avoid business disruption. It can be installed section-by-section, meaning that less moving of furniture is required. And if one section of carpeting eventually gets stained or otherwise flawed, it’s a simple process of removing the affected carpet tiles, and replacing them with new ones- no cutting or measuring required.

Here are some other reasons to consider tile with color or range:

• Dirt, hair, and scratches are much easier to hide, because the inconsistency of color creates a camouflage effect.
• The flooring appears to have more ‘depth’ & richness.
• More colors present makes designing easier- there are more color choices for you to pull for accents into your decorating scheme.
• It looks less ‘grid-like’ and mathematical. When there is no pattern or color interest, the eye falls onto the grout lines, which are emphasized and give a very geometric, sharp feeling.

Tile flooring is filled with options, and with the right choice, it can dictate a design scheme, bringing life and versatility into your décor. The best advice if you’re hesitant is to take home samples, and look at them laid on the floor, not up to your face (as this is the height you’d see the tiles from every day).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA):

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. The organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

Prevention is worth an ounce of attention

Tile floors are going to get dirty from time, no matter what you do. You don’t live in a continual plastic bubble, so dirt is going to get tracked across them. Stains happen. Food gets stuck and sometimes fossilized. Pay attention to the little details of your floor. As marks develop, deal with each one immediately. It will result in a cleaner floor that shines through the test of time.

Clean spills right away

Stains only get worse when they are ignored. By cleaning up spills immediately, you’ll minimize them and protect your floor. Don’t let them dry on the floor. They may leave a permanent stain, made all the worse by collecting dirt that sticks like fly tape. Sweep and mop the floor often. Dirt that’s quickly removed is kept from being ground up on the surface of your tile. Be consistent and thorough. The more you sweep and mop, the easier the job will be because dirt won’t want to stick around.

Use mats to catch the dirt

Mats placed in strategic locations can work wonders. They are good at catching the dirt in well-trafficked areas, protecting your floor from grunge as well as wear and tear. Choose a mat that’s easy to clean. You can focus your cleaning more easily on the mat if it catches the majority of the dirt.

Elbow grease works wonders

When it comes down to it, you just have to get down and dirty with the dirt and scrub. Check with the floor manufacturer for recommendations on what kind of cleaner to use. There are many all-purpose cleaners available, but test them on a small surface before hitting the entire floor. Some seem to do their job by burning through the dirt, but can damage your floor in the process. You may want to choose a brand that’s environmentally conscious. You can probably find a natural solution that can get rid of the dirt without contaminating your kitchen.

A hot water lemon and vinegar solution is a nice natural cleanser that won’t pollute your home and it leaves a nice smell. You get the fresh smell of lemons without wondering where the chemicals have been.

Sweep before you wash

Always sweep or vacuum your floor before you start scrubbing. Washing an un-swept floor can encourage the dirt to stick and stain, creating more damage than it’s worth. Clean all dirt with a broom and dustpan or a vacuum if you prefer the electrical approach. It saves the dirt from being kicked back and forth, as well as prevents it from being caked on to stand the memories of time.

Do a final towel dry

You may want to dry off your tile floor at the end to keep dirt from re-sticking to it. It may also help to wear a pair of old socks when you are washing the floor, so you can move freely on the washed areas without leaving dirt stains.

Tile floors are beautiful and easy to maintain. All it takes is regular cleaning and sweeping to keep stains at bay and keep your home looking beautiful. Keeping up on it and running a broom across every day or two saves time at the end of the week. Don’t let the job pile up. Keep it clean and down to size with regular care and maintenance.

Some considerations & differences:

• Quartz tiles are denser, and non-porous
• Granite tiles are generally more affordable
• Quartz tiles, because of the manufacturing process, generally have a more consistent color throughout.
• Granite tiles tend to have more color veins, striations, and variations.

Stone Tile in the Kitchen

Considering how many times you drop things, leaving dribbles of spaghetti sauce here, grape juice spills there; putting stone in the kitchen is a natural step. There’s no reason to cry over spilled milk when all it takes is a paper towel to clean the damage. Natural stone has the capabilities to handle any stain in the kitchen, plus its classical, sound structure makes it feel like you’re cooking a medieval feast.

Making a Monumental Backyard

Stone is a perfect addition to the scenery in a backyard, creating structures that are monolithic in shape and influence. You can add stone to create a scenic backyard waterfall, build seating areas or places for plants to catch their rays. Stone is a perfect way to sculpt walking areas, separate flower beds, and tie the backyard together in a shape of wonder and nostalgic classicalism. You can add birdbaths and sundials for more scope in an outdoor garden.

If you create your own cement blocks, you can get creative and submerge items of interest for decoration. This could include other ornamental stones, statuary or rubber balls for a fun approach to style. Children’s toys make a nice addition, as do figurines or plants that leave fossil like impressions.

Fireplaces as good as a classical novel

Nothing creates classical beauty like a hearth made of impressive granite, marble or other solid stone. It’s perfect for gathering in front of the fire to tell stories like the days of yesteryear, a romantic evening in front of the glow of a fire, or just cuddling up to a hot cup of chocolate and a good book. Stone fireplaces can take a home back to life’s basic meanings with a solid goodness that’s been fashionable for centuries.

Stone for Bathrooms

Absorbing dampness yet following the suggestion of classical beauty, stone is perfect for the bathroom setting. It’s easy to cover up the surface of most bathrooms, yet suggests a classical feel that’s feels good on your feet coming out of the bath. It adds a decorative touch to meet the designs of most bathrooms. There’s something solid about stone that’s as functional as it is decorative.

Proper Installation a Plus

As equal as choosing which type of stone to use, proper installation is integral to the job looking great. Make sure you hire a professional as it means all the difference. If you are going to make the investment, be sure to do the job right. Stone lasts a long time, so be happy with the job because it may have a longevity that outlasts even you.

Solidness that lasts

When properly cared for, natural stone lasts virtually forever. It’s the stuff of castles and Greek monuments, surviving through the years to tell the legacy of the tale. Stone is classic because it is so enduring. Choose what you want wisely and carefully. What you create out of stone will definitely stand the test of time.

Product: Sultan

Best Over: Hard surfaces (wood, laminate, vinyl, tile & stone)

A foam-based pad with a waffled texture- Sultan is our most basic non-slip pad for hard surfaces.

Product: Cush-n-Hold

Best Over: Hard surfaces (wood, laminate, vinyl, tile & stone)

A thicker version of Sultan, Cush-n-Hold is one step up in regards to cushioning. This is our best seller in rug padding!

Product: Super Movenot

Best Over: Carpet, tile & stone

This reversible pad has 2 sides, making it versatile enough to use on carpet, or tile surfaces. The textured, fibrous side should be laid face down for carpet. The rubberized side should be laid face down for tile & stone. This product will also prevent telegraphing of the grout lines through the rug.

Bathroom Ceramic Tiles

There was a time when marble was the only choice for a sophisticated bathroom. But that was when tiles were limited to glass rather than the wide range of ceramic and porcelain tiles that exist today. Modern tiles can easily rival marble tile flooring in efficiency and beauty, and the average ceramic tile is much less expensive than its marble counterpart.

Bathroom ceramic tiles are designed for durability and elegance. They are tremendously versatile and their lower cost allows you more freedom to use them in novel ways. Tiles also tend to offer a better grip than a highly polished marble surface, helping to prevent slipping after bathing or showering.

If you are really set on the marble look, you can achieve that same elegant appeal with less cost by using the marble as an accent piece. Try using a granite or marble countertop instead of re-doing the entire bathroom floor in marble. There are excellent ceramic tiles to coordinate with almost any countertop shade you could pick; why spend the money to put marble down all over the bathroom?

Of course, there are some situations where marble – and only marble – will do the job. If you have your mind truly made up, make sure that your marble supplier is responsible and willing to work with you. Some marble installers can be resistant to your questions and ideas, installing your floor the way they want to with little or no input from you. A good company will be happy to answer your questions and help you get the bathroom you really want.

Explore:

• Travertine Stone Tile
• Karastan Area Rugs

But despite this crucial role, many bathrooms remain in the design dark ages. Most are covered with dated and worn bathroom floor tiles, relics of a bygone era rather than shining beacons of modern style. Toilets and plumbing fixtures are often tarnished and loose. Some full baths have remarkably dirty and mildewed showers. No matter how nice your foyer might look, no guest will be thinking of the entry hall when they enter a bad bathroom!

Luckily, today’s tile market offers many different options to help you get the ceramic mosaic tiles your bathroom deserves. These tiles provide an incredible variety of design options, everything from standard stone-finish flooring to intricate inlays. With the right company, you can go from design concept to installation quickly and efficiently. Even better, ceramic mosaic tiles are less expensive than stone and much more pleasant to walk on: where stone can sometimes grow chilly, ceramic mosaic tiles stay much more reliably at room temperature.

Ceramic Mosaic Tiles

Without a doubt, tiles are an excellent option for giving your bathroom a vibrant new look. But don’t just think of them as bathroom floor tiles; good ceramic is much more versatile. Here are just a few ways you can use a seemingly common tile to give your bathroom unexpected flair:

• Create a pattern on the floor.
• Vary the size of the tile while keeping the color constant.
• Incorporate a tile accent.
• Install tile on your walls or counters as well.
• Design your own wall art to highlight a sink or architectural feature.

With so many options, ceramic tile is the clear choice for the bathroom and beyond. Check out Travertine stone tile.