The Versatility of Tile Flooring Allows Your Creative Juices to Flow
Tile flooring allows you to put together patterns and designs to create a clean and modern look. You can choose from various sizes, colors, shapes, and textures. What’s not to love about flooring that enhances the appearance of your home, meets your requirements, is easy to care for, and can stand the test of time?
Ceramic tiles date back to Ancient Egypt, Ancient China, and Mesopotamia, but current technology allows for designs and applications that weren’t possible even a decade ago. If your ceramic tile has become outdated or you’re ready for a remodeling project, it might be time to check out the latest tile options and their benefits.
Reasons Why Customers Choose Tile Flooring
Tile is loved by homeowners and designers because it is:
- Durable
- Easy to care for
- Environmentally friendly
- Beautiful and versatile
- Scratch-resistant
- Fire-resistant
- Water-resistant
If you have your tile professionally installed, you can expect it to outperform and last longer than most flooring.
Get Scratch-Resistant Tile for Busy Households
If you have kids and pets, you’re probably used to more traffic and wear and tear to your furnishings and décor. Certain activities may cause real damage to your flooring. This is why you should consider the scratch-resistant grade and quality when choosing your new tile.
It helps to choose between grade III and IV because both levels are extremely resistant to scratching. You also do not have to worry about a tear or cut with one of these grades.
Use Heat- and Water-Resistant Tiles Where It Counts
The fireplace is a focal point of a room. You can make this area stand out with beautiful tiles that are also resistant to heat. Fire-resistant tile does not burn or emit toxic fumes. Hot items also will not melt or scorch the surface of the tiles, so consider this option for the kitchen too.
Water resistance is important to consider when it comes to kitchen and bathroom areas. Your tile will undoubtedly get wet in these rooms. Fortunately, a dense tile will absorb little to no water. A sealant may be used to increase the water resistance of your tile, but it’s essential to choose the right sealant for your particular tile product.
The Beauty of Technology
Advancements in flooring technology have resulted in unlimited options in colors, styles, sizes, and shapes. Choose solid tiles in different colors and sizes to create a pattern of your own, or select prints and custom designs to achieve a look that’s uniquely yours. Glazed tiles make for easy cleanup, while textured finishes are another great option. This finish is easy to clean, and the non-slip feature helps prevent accidents, which is ideal in wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and entryways.
No matter what you require from your floor, enjoy a high-end and timeless look that’s also practical and affordable with the right tile flooring.
Care and Maintenance
Wipe glazed wall tiles periodically using a cloth or sponge dampened with a non oil-based household cleaner. Vacuum glazed floor tiles regularly to remove dirt and other gritty particles, then damp mop or sponge with an all-purpose, non oil-based cleaner. Remember not to use ammonia, as it will discolor grout. Clean unglazed wall and floor tiles in a similar manner using a solution of water and soapless detergent instead of an all-purpose cleaner.
Once the tile has been cleaned and dried (shortly after installation), grout joints should be treated with a silicone sealer. Grout, the material used to fill the spaces between tiles, is porous, and sealing it at this time will simplify maintenance in the future (Epoxy grouts do not require a sealer). We recommend you apply a sealer at least twice a year for maximum stain protection.
Neglected or heavily trafficked tile may require more intensive cleaning. Clean glazed wall tiles with a scouring powder or all-purpose cleaner applied to a non-metallic pad. Rinse and wipe dry. For glazed floor tiles, use a commercial tile cleaner, or apply a strong solution of an all-purpose, non oil-based cleaner or scouring powder paste. Let stand for five minutes, brush and scrub. Then rinse with clean water and wipe dry. For heavy-duty cleaning of unglazed wall tiles,
make a paste of scouring powder. Apply to surface and let stand for five minutes. Scour with brush, rinse and wipe dry. Unglazed floor tiles can be cleaned in the same manner. Though a small brush is suitable for most floors, you may want to use a scrubbing machine for large areas.
To clean badly soiled countertops, apply a solution of scouring powder and very hot water. Let stand for five minutes, scrub with a stiff brush and rinse. Soap scum, mildew stains and hard-water deposits may be removed from ceramic tile using cleaning products that are commonly available at your local supermarket or home improvement store. With soft water, use an all-purpose, non oil-based cleaner. Allow to stand for five minutes before lightly scrubbing with a sponge. Rinse well.
Ceramic tile and Natural Stone cleaning products and sealants may be purchased at your local home center or floor covering store. Consult the manufacturer of the cleaner, sealant or wax for usage instructions and more detailed information about how its specific cleaning solution or sealant may impact the safety, maintenance or appearance of your ceramic tile product.
- Test scouring powders on a small area first (not recommended for natural stone).
- Use a sealer on grout joints.
- Have any damaged or broken tiles removed and replaced only by a qualified contractor.
- Use cleansers containing acid or bleach for routine maintenance.
- Use wax cleaners, oil-based detergents or sealants to maintain your tile (sealants may be used on grout joints and natural stone).
- Use ammonia (it will discolor grout).
- Use harsh cleaning aids like steel wool pads or scouring pads containing metal.
- Use a cleaning agent that contains color