Available Tile Choices - Travertine

The Benefits of Travertine Tile

Another elegant natural stone material that makes a great floor covering is travertine. This stone, when used in a home can increase, not only the appeal, but also the value of a home. Although it is one of the more expensive floor coverings, many home owners choose this beautiful stone to decorate kitchens or bathrooms. Here are a few reasons why this natural stone surface material might be a good choice for you.

One benefit that we just alluded to is that travertine adds value to the home in the eyes of both the home owner and many potential home buyers. For many reasons, travertine is a relatively safe material. One property that qualifies it as a safe floor covering is that, compared to its lower priced counterparts, it has better grip. Travertine is a natural stone and is porous whereas ceramic tile, for example, is smooth and can become very slippery when wet. Compared to carpeting, it is less conducive to allergies, because it is a hard surface.

Other benefits of travertine flooring are more of a question of taste and maintenance. For example, ceramic tile is more of a fashion material because the tile manufacturers change the designs and patterns every few years. Now some people might think that this is a good thing because who wants to have the same tile as everyone else? However, these changes in the designs 'date' the older styles and even if the flooring is newer looking, the style and pattern of the tile itself gives away its age.

Finally, travertine flooring stacks up well against natural hardwood since termites really do not have an appetite for stone like they do wood. So, there is no need to worry about the little pests devouring your floors.

So, if you are willing to shell out a bit more cash for this higher-end material, it can prove to be a great, timeless surface in your home.

Available Tile Choices - Limestone

Limestone Tile and Its Properties

The next flooring material that we will consider in our series of hard surface flooring posts is limestone.

This natural stone may have some properties that some would consider to be drawbacks, but it is considered to be an elegant choice for flooring. While limestone is a hard material compared to other types of flooring, it is actually a relatively soft material compared to other natural stones. Additionally, limestone is porous and can absorb spills and stain if not properly treated periodically. For that reason, it is recommended that it be sealed every few years to maintain its naturally stylish look.

Since limestone is a soft stone, it is sometimes shaped or carved to add character to design of the room. Like many other flooring materials, limestone can be found in a range of colors, making it an appealing choice for a variety of decorating styles.

In summary, although limestone like other materials has disadvantages, it also has some strong benefits. These outstanding pluses make it a regular choice in upscale designs and construction.

Available Tile Choices - Slate

Slate Tile Flooring and Its Properties

If you are looking for a floor that is strong, long lasting, and has natural beauty, slate might just be the material for you. This durable material withstands heavy traffic and is strong enough to endure harsh weather conditions. As a result, it is great for indoor or outdoor use.

Since slate is a such a durable, rugged, and versatile material, it might be tempting to think of it in limited designs or only for rustic looking designs. However, slate flooring is available in a variety of colors. This means that slate can be incorporated into many designs relatively easily.

Slate, like all other substances that are used for flooring, does have some disadvantages, among which are the cost of the installation. All-in-all, slate can be a great, long-lasting material that rugged, yet stylish.

Available Tile Choices - Marble

Characteristics of Marble Tile

The second natural stone material that we need to consider is the luxuriant Marble. Like granite, marble is an elegant material that is durable and beautiful. It has a very distinct appeal and an unmistakable look that seems to never go out of style.

There are marble floors that were installed hundreds of years ago that remain today. One reason for this, is that marble is very strong and durable - being naturally stain and damage resistant. Another reason for the long life span of marble flooring is the timeless beauty and the variety of the material's color and pattern.

Overall, marble floors not the lowest price material for flooring. However, many feel that it is a material that provides great value over the long term.

Available Tile Choices - Granite

Properties of Natural Stone - Granite

Granite is a very hard stone by nature so it is easy to slip into the thinking that it is tough but not very appealing. That thinking would be inaccurate because there are a variety of colors and patterns available.

This diversity in appearance means that you do not have to compromise on looks just to get a long lasting floor covering. Even after years of wear the stone is very attractive and retains its unique look. While other hard surfaces age in such a way that they look worn and faded, granite does not suffer from these weak points. Rather, it holds its beauty and shows wear at a slower rate - making it attractive for a longer period.

Granite is an easy material to maintain when sealed properly and the appropriate cleaning agents are applied to the material as directed.

Overall, if you are seeking a durable, yet elegant material that is sure to last for many years, you might consider granite.

Natural Stone Tile Choices

Rocks, they are everywhere. Yet, many people have found that natural stones make very attractive and durable floor covering solutions. In the next few posts of this tile flooring series, we will take a look at a variety of natural stone materials and consider the pros and cons of each type of stone. 

However, there are some characteristics that the whole group of materials share. We will take a brief look at these characteristics in this post.

Benefits and Characteristics of Natural Stone Tile

One of the biggest benefits of natural stone as a floor covering, is the distinct, unique beauty that is evident in every piece. Whether you are drawn to the rugged, durable look of slate or the smooth, clean look of marble, you can appreciate that a floor constructed from a natural material has the potential for creating a completely personalized look. This characteristic of natural stone flooring allows it to be used for custom designs and remodels.

In addition to the distinctive looks that can be achieved with a natural stone floor covering, the material is relatively easy to maintain compared to other kinds of hard surfaces. Its durability is also a benefit that makes natural stone a desirable surface.

In the next few posts, we will look at some different natural stone materials and discuss the properties of these.

Available Tile Choices - Porcelain

In a previous discussion in this series of posts we looked at ceramic tile flooring and some of its qualities. In this discussion, we will take a look at porcelain tile and see how it compares and measures up to its counterpart.

Porcelain Tile Properties

If you read the post covering the ceramic tile properties, you have already seen some of the advantages to porcelain tile as compared with other hard floor covering materials. porcelain is actually a kind of ceramic material that carries some additional benefits. One of the most prominent features that cause people to go with porcelain tile is that it can be used outside and is not subject to moisture retention and cracking like its non-porcelain ceramic counterpart.

While porcelain tile is less prone to breaking from temperature change, that does mean that it is not as inexpensive as the tile option we previously discussed. Additionally, porcelain material is more difficult to install than regular ceramic tile. A big reason for this is that specific tools are needed to cut porcelain tile and this makes the install process a bit more challenging.

The durability of porcelain flooring is not to be confused with a plain, drab appearance. Porcelain can match the beauty and appearance of hardwood flooring without the maintenance and care that is required for genuine wood. This blend of durability combined with an attractive, wood-like appearance makes porcelain a definite choice for many.

In the end, if your set on a ceramic floor covering that is resistant to temperature change or you are seeking a wood floor that is durable and easy to care for, and you do not mind paying a bit more, then porcelain might be the way to go.

Available Tile Choices - Ceramic

This post is the first in a series of posts that will cover a variety of materials used to make tile flooring. The material that we will discuss here is ceramic. Our consideration of ceramic tile will include characteristics of the material.

Characteristics of Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile has many properties that make it a unique choice for anyone looking to install a hard surface as a floor covering. The variety of colors and patterns available make ceramic tile an appealing option. Having a number of color, texture, and pattern choices allows for flexibility when decorating a new or existing home.

Another benefit to choosing ceramic tile is the ease of installation. For many reasons, this material makes installation easier than tiles made from other materials. Additionally, the Internet has many do-it-yourself instructional videos and written tutorials to help newbies with the install. Along with the potential for reducing the labor costs by doing the install oneself, the cost of ceramic tile is often times much lower than other materials.

No material is perfect for everyone. They all have disadvantages and ceramic tile is no exception. One thing to keep in mind when deciding on whether to use ceramic tile flooring is whether the floor is going to be indoor or outdoor. Because of its porous nature, ceramic tile is not a good choice for outdoor use. It can retain moisture and crack under extreme temperature changes.

Finally, ceramic tile can also become slippery if the surface gets wet. This could be a safety concern if the floor will be exposed to moisture. Often times this disadvantage can be overcome by using a rug or floor mat in traffic paths.

Overall, ceramic tile is a popular floor covering material and is used very frequently in kitchens and baths. The ability to install this kind of flooring without the need for a lot of specialized tools makes it a reasonable choice for many do-it-yourself projects.

 Regular cleaning of ceramic tile is recommended and if you would like to know more please feel free to give us a call or contact us through our web site.

Available Tile Choices - Series

 Tile Flooring Series - A Look at Tile Choices

In this series, we will be taking a look at a variety of tile materials. In individual posts, we will be discussing pros and cons of each material. The materials we will be posting on include:

• Ceramic
• Porcelain
• Natural Stone
• Granite
• Marble
• Limestone
• Travertine
• Slate

As you can see above, some of these tile materials fall into a common group of natural stone. Each of these materials will be considered one at a time. However, there may be a post describing the natural stone group as a whole.