Questions and Informed Answers About Tile and Design

With so many styles of tile and stone to choose, from how do I know which one is right for me?

The simple beauty of designing with ceramic tile is its versatility. Most designs can be worked into any environment. For instance, with the popular stone looks, there are “irregular edge” pieces that fit well into rather rustic settings, while others can simply be blended into your decorating schemes. Why not stop into our showroom and let one of our consultants show you the world of possibilities?

What are the most popular styles today?

Incorporating the use of glass tile and metal tiles into a project is a very popular idea.  Certainly, glass tiles can be used on their own with stunning results.  However, think about mixing glass with tile or mixing metal with natural stone, the possibilities are endless.  Our showroom is filled with ideas such as these and our staff eager to help you bring it all together.

How do glazed and full-body tiles differ?

Glazed tiles are coated with a liquid glass that is baked into the surface of the clay. The glaze offers an unlimited array of colors and designs, and also protects the tile from staining. Unglazed tiles are similar, but their surface is not coated. Full-body porcelain tiles do not show wear because the color extends throughout the tile, making them ideal for commercial applications.

Do you need to seal ceramic tile?

Since most tile is glazed, it should not need to be sealed. For a specific type of tile or a tile you are unsure of, check with our experts first.

What should I bring with me to your showroom?

As much or as little as you like. While deciding which type, style and size are important facets of your decision making process, nothing can compare with touching and feeling all the different tiles that we have to choose from. Bring us your paint colors, rug swatches, tub colors, wallpaper selections and let us help you design the room of your dreams. We will be happy to provide you with samples of your selections and we’ll even keep a copy of your selections on file to help expedite your ordering process. Our expert staff of qualified professionals is there to help you every step of the way.

What can be done to keep grout looking clean and fresh?

The best product to hit the market in a long time is TruColor™ grout by Bostik. It is a premixed formulation, so working with it is a snap.  It’s also more flexible and most importantly: stain proof! While it is a bit more costly than conventional cement-based grout, we believe the benefits are well worth the investment. We’ll be happy to show you this remarkable breakthrough when you visit our showroom.