Why Tile?
Why Tile?
Tile has been used in people's homes and temples since before the time of Christ. The Pharaoh Zoser (4000 B.C.) used it in his tomb because he wanted a material that would last forever. When archaeologists cracked open his pyramid some 5800 years later, He was found to be quite dead, but his tile was in nearly perfect condition!
Tile not only has stood the test of time, it also is the best material for repelling water. This makes it the perfect choice for bathrooms and kitchens. The strength and durability of tile is far greater than linoleum or carpet, so it is the perfect choice for flooring. If you install tile in a room that gets sun exposure, it will actually absorb heat and release it slowly at night, which is something that can't be said for carpet or linoleum.
I would have to say the best reason for tile is the stylish look it adds to a home. No other material has the presence and timeless beauty of tile. A well picked tile can be the perfect accent to existing decor and add value and classic style to any home.
What kind of tile should I use?
Depending on the project you have in mind, you have a wide variety of tile choices . I recommend the use of a non-skid glaze on any tile you choose for any flooring tile. But other than that, your choice of size, shape, and color is completely dependent on your personal judgment.
Where can I put tile in my home ?
Anywhere you want! Typically, tile is used on entryways, stairs, kitchens, bathrooms, family rooms, fireplaces, door & window frames, patios, porches, paths, and fountains.
Can I tile over existing tile?
Yes, it can be done, but I recommend starting fresh. When tiling over an existing tile job, the new project will only be as strong as the tile job under it. If the underlying tile is loose or weak anywhere, it compromises any new tile project.
Should I do my kitchen in marble or granite?
If you decide to do a kitchen in dimensioned natural stone, Granite is a much better choice. Granite is much harder and resistant to scratches and scuffs than Marble is.
Remember, Granite or Marble projects usually require some amount of "Bullnose fabrication". This process polishes and "rounds off" edges on stone tiles that will be used as "trim edges". This makes Marble and Granite projects a bit more costly than projects done in ceramic tile.
The tile in my home is old and some are cracked, can I replace individual tiles?
Yes. In most cases it is not a problem. I always warn my customers that unless they have the original tile saved from the original project, they may not be able to get it. Tile companies tend to discontinue whole product lines every 5- 10 years, which means if you don't have the original tile, you may not be able to find it, or even find a close match. The new grout always seems to "outshine" the older grout and highlight the "patched" area. Most tile repairs wind up looking like repairs .
The other problem I run into is sometimes you wind up having to pull out more tile than originally planned because of other tiles cracking and chipping during the repair process. My recommendation in this situation is also to start fresh.
My grout is old and gross and moldy looking, can it be taken out and replaced?
Yes, regrouting is always an option. My only problem with regrouting is many tile companies charge almost as much for labor to regrout as I charge for labor to retile. It becomes a question of "would I like new grout, or a new kitchen?"
My contractor had a few boxes of tile left over when he was done, should I take them back for a refund, or save them?
Save them! Most tile stores charge a "restocking fee" if they refund (up to 20 %). Other tile stores have no refund policy at all. Saving unused tile is smart in the long run if you decide to ever do any further remodeling in the future and need original tile. In 10 years finding that particular tile may be an impossibility. So, stick a box or two in your attic , you'll be glad you did!
What should I use to clean my tile?
Try this recipe....
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Ammonia
1/2 cup Vinegar
1/2 gallon Warm Water
Take a gallon jug (a old plastic milk jug is perfect) and fill it up halfway with warm water. Then add the above amounts of baking soda, ammonia, vinegar. Put the cap back on the jug and shake well. After a good shake, fill up the rest of the jug with warm water. Now you have an ideal solution for cleaning ceramic tile.
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