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.

Carpet Research Resources - IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)

In this post, we will consider the third resource for finding information regarding carpet. The first post discussed a resource for general information about carpeting while the second post, featured a resource that can help in additional aspects of carpet information including choosing carpet, cleaning carpet, and Eco-friendly carpeting. This post will focus on a resource that can help you make decisions regarding carpet care professionals.

After you have spent the time, money, and effort choosing and purchasing your new carpeting or rug, you will probably want to know how to keep it in its best condition and get the most wear with the longest life possible. If so, that is where the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) can help.

As the name suggests, the IICRC specializes in certifying carpet cleaning professionals so you do not have to wonder if the individual that is cleaning your carpet or rug is qualified. This can be important since there are some companies out there that aren't completely honest about the fees involved with their services. In fact, to help make consumers aware of the danger, we recently wrote about the tactics that some carpet cleaners use to run up the price.

If you would like to learn more about the IICRC, be sure to check out their web site.

Carpet Research Resources - CRI (Carpet & Rug Institute)

Recently, we wrote a post about a resource that many people are familiar with for learning more about carpet - Wikipedia. Continuing along the trail of good resources for information regarding carpeting, we thought we would provide a couple of more resources that many might find helpful. We will consider one in this post and the other in the next.

One resource for carpet is the CRI (Carpet & Rug Institute). Regardless of the kind of research, whether commercial or residential, you will find areas of the site designed to provide information about it. The CRI provides information on:

• Carpet Types
• Carpet Research
• Rugs
• The Carpet Industry
• Carpet Care and Maintenance Tips

So if you are looking for information about carpeting, one of the first places you will no doubt want to look is the CRI.

Carpet Research Resources - Wiki

For consumers, knowing what products are available is important in the decision making process.
but, where does a person go to find information that can help them to choose the right carpet for a specific area or room?

One place that can provide a good deal of information on carpet is Wikipedia. Most people are probably familiar with this online collection. One nice thing about this resource is that it is a result of contributions by a diverse group of individuals and the reader can get a variety of perspectives.

So if you are wanting a variety of information from a variety of sources, the free encyclopedia might be a good place to try.