What Type of Floor Do You Need? We’ve Got Your Covered!
Why choose tile
Benefits – when properly installed it will provide a lasting floor, shower, backsplash or countertop.
Maintenance – very little maintenance required with tile. No need to wax or polish. Simply clean with water and occasionally a tile care product.
Infinite Possibilities – with the multitudes of tile sizes, colors, shapes, colors, textures and patterns you can design any room in your home to fit your personality and preferences.
Price – with a variety of tiles available there is something for every budget.
Allergens – Tile floors do not harbor allergens such as dust or animal dander.
Tips on Selecting Tile
Color – bring samples of your cabinets, carpet and paint with you to our showroom to help you select the tile that is right for your home.
Size – tile is available in so many sizes, shapes, colors, patters and textures. Our showroom staff can help you select the tile that is right for your application.
Measuring – keep in mind that you will need to order more tile than the actual square footage of your project. You will need a percentage of waste to accommodate for cuts. Your installer will be able to help you determine how much extra tile to order.
Timing – please let us know the approximate date that your installer will need your products by so that we can order them and have them on hand when your installer is ready for them, eliminating the chance of delay of your project.
Types of Tile
Porcelain Tile – this tile is dense and non-porous. This type of tile is the most commonly used tile and can be used in outdoor and indoor settings.
R-11 Tile – Some porcelain tiles come in R11 anti-slip finish making them ideal for wet areas and outdoors areas that might be subject to rain.
Ceramic Tile – This type of tile is made from fired clay and often times is less expensive. Generally not recommended for outdoor wet areas.
Stone Tile – naturally quarried out of the earth. Each tile has natural and individual uniqueness. Stone tiles are porous and will need to be sealed. Generally not recommended for outdoor use.
Glass Tile –Glass tiles are as they sound made from glass, often times transparent with colored backings. Glass tiles are commonly used in Backsplashes or as decorative accents. Glass tiles are not able to be installed in many applications and should have manufacturer recommendations checked prior to install.
Mosaic Tile – small format tiles generally adhered to a mesh backing. Typical uses are shower pan, decorative bands, and listelles
Bull Nose/Surface Bull Nose – a trim tile with common size being 3”x12” with one edge that is finished. Typically used at the edge of a shower or countertop to give the installation a finished look. Bull nose also comes in a pencil bull nose, a thinner option to the traditional 3”x12” bull nose. Another option to use instead of bull nose is metal edge trim.
Concrete Tile –made from concrete with decorative print on the top. Tend to be thicker. Can be irregular in size, similar to a hand-made tile.
Wood is sold in various size planks and thicknesses. Wood can be full thickness or engineered where the main portion of the plank is man made sheet boards and just the top layer is real wood. Full thickness wood has many beautiful characteristics but comes with a much higher installation costs as well as on going maintenance and expansion and contraction. This is why the industry has moved largely towards other options such as engineered wood so that the product is more stable with temperature and humidity changes, in turn giving the customer a much more friendly and maintenance free end product.
Why choose wood
- Wood is a natural product that offers a large selection of colors and grain patterns.
- Finishes can be easily repaired – most wood floors can be refinished should they be damaged.
- Wood floors do not harbor allergens such as dust or animal dander.
Types of Wood Floors
Full Thickness Wood Floors
This product is wood all the way through
Pros
- It has old-world character.
- It can be refinished multiple times.
- Specialty pieces can be made from stock, this is helpful when installing on stairs
Cons
- It is sensitive to temperature and humidity changes (during dry times of the year it can have gaps between planks due to shrinking, during humid times it can have lippage due to swelling, it is a living moving product.)
- It can be prone to damage.
- Should not be installed in wet areas.
- High maintenance.
- Most wood floors must be nailed down to your subfloor (cannot be installed over concrete subfloors)
Engineered Wood Floors
This product is made with sheet boards on the bottom layer with a thin layer of real wood on the top.
Pros
- It is more stable and less sensitive to temperature fluctuations
- Some engineered floors can be refinished once
- The installation options are greater – it can be floated or nailed down, meaning that it can be installed over concrete or wood subfloors
- Less costly than full thickness hardwood
Cons
- Can be prone to damage
- Should not be installed in wet areas
- High maintenance
Laminate flooring is a popular choice in recent years.
Laminate flooring is a manmade product that is made to look like real wood. It offers the look of wood flooring with a smaller price tag. Laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of styles, colors and finishes.
Pros
- Affordable – a smaller price tag than real wood floors
- Ease of installation – this means that the installation cost will be lower.
- Installation options – laminate floors can be installed over concrete or wood subfloors.
- Cleans easily – relatively low maintenance, any liquid should be wiped up immediately to avoid staining or warping
- Variety of selections – there are many options, most laminates are made to look like wood and offer a wide selection of choices of looks and colors. Some laminates are made to look like tile
- Allergens – Laminate Floors do not harbor allergens such as dust or pet dander
Cons
- Susceptible to warping or staining if liquids are not wiped up quickly
- Should not be installed in wet areas
- Cannot be sanded or refinished should an area be damage
Vinyl Flooring has Come a Long Way in the Recent Years
Vinyl is now made to look like wood or tile and is a durable man-made product that is highly resistant to damage from scratching, gouging, water and staining.
Pros
- Affordable – lower cost than wood or wood look tiles. Installation cost is less as well.
- Look and Style – made to look like real wood. The texture can even feel like real wood.
- Moisture Resistant – very durable when it comes to moisture. Can be installed in wet areas.
- Wear Layer – very thick wear layers are available, will hold up to high traffic. Vinyl planks are being used in a lot of commercial settings. If it can hold up to that imagine the durability in your home.
- Installation – can be installed on concrete or wood subfloor. Some vinyl planks can be glued down if needed
- Maintenance – very easy to care for
- Allergens – vinyl flooring does not harbor dust or pet dander
- Excellent choice for rental properties
Cons
- Can be punctured with very sharp objects, very heavy objects can leave indentations. It is recommended to use coasters or protective felt tips on the base of furniture legs.
- Care must be taken when moving furniture – with all flooring you must be careful when moving furniture as it can damage flooring
- Can be difficult to remove if glued down.
Carpet is Comfortable
Carpet is commonly made from polyester or nylon strands attached to a woven backing. The benefits of polyester is cost and stain resistance, the benefits of nylon are that is holds memory preventing traffic depressed areas and can be softer to the feel.
Pros
- Carpet is pleasant to walk on
- Warm to the touch
- Provides a level of sound insulation
- Color, style and texture choices are unlimited
Cons
- Can stain if something is spilled on it although stain resistance varies by the material the carpet is made from
- Carpet can show wear patters in high traffic areas.
- Carpet is not water resistant. Not recommended for wet areas.
- Allergens – can harbor dust and pet dander