FAQs

Warm colors are Reds, Oranges and Yellows. Hues that remind us of sunshine, fire and warmth.

Floor tiles can be used on walls. However, wall-specific tiles are not durable for heavy traffic floor areas. They are lighter and thinner.

Both are made from clay, baked, fired and glazed. Porcelain is fired at a high temperature. Usually ceramic has a red or brown clay body while porcelain has a lighter colored body. Wall-specific tile has a white body. Porcelain is much less porous, with a slower water absorption rate through the back side of the tile that is durable and suitable for heavy traffic such as commercial areas. Also, color-body porcelain has color throughout the body of the tile and can be used for exteriors. Both have glazed surfaces, unless specified as "unglazed."

Ceramic is fired at lower temperatures than porcelain, but it is absolutely durable for interior use, especially with the introduction of high density ceramics. If it is used for exterior application, make sure it is rated for such. Durability of ceramic is optimized by proper preparation of the surface where it is to be installed, as well as use of proper mortar for the size of the tile.

Measure the length and width of your space, then multiply to determine square footage. Keep in mind every installer will calculate a little differently. We suggest ordering an additional 7%-10% to allow for waste and to have attic stock for repairs should they ever be needed.

Glazed tile will have a glossy/polished finish, satin/matte or abrasive/slip resistant finish that makes the top side of either ceramic or porcelain non-porous. A glazed tile will not absorb a sealer. Unglazed tile is almost always porcelain, which has an absorption rate of about.2% but it does have microscopic pores that can catch dirt; it is difficult to clean. It is recommended that unglazed porcelain be sealed with a penetrating sealer which will not penetrate the porcelain but will fill in the pores to make for easier cleaning.

Sweep, vacuum or mop; clean up spills as quickly as possible. It is important that your cleaner of choice is a "no rinse" cleaner. Never use a detergent for cleaning tile; rather, we recommend using a neutral pH cleaner. Detergents are difficult to completely remove and tend to catch dirt if not completely removed. Use clean water with a cloth, sponge or dampened mop and try to avoid leaving water in grout joints to dry. If you choose to seal your grout, make sure it is clean and fully dry. Sealing grout aids is stain prevention in high use areas, but it does not keep cementitious grout from getting dirty over time.

Steam cleaning is not recommended or warranted by any flooring manufacturer in our showroom. Tile is the only exception, but even that comes with moisture concerns. Improper cleaning will void your product warranty. We sell products in showroom that we recommend for cleaning all types of surfaces.

In regards to a floating vinyl click together (floating) product, it is not truly waterproof; it is water-resistant. "Waterproof" is meaning from the top down or on the surface. If water is sitting on the surface, there should not be an issue with water going under the flooring. However, if water remains for an extended period of time or goes underneath the flooring, the flooring will need to come up to prevent mold and mildew. Water will always travel to the lowest point. We'll be happy to discuss this in more detail with you.

Glue-down Vinyl: Glue-down vinyl is single plank material applied to your subfloor using pressure sensitive adhesive. Glue-down is more easily repaired than floating vinyl flooring and tends to be more cost effective.

Floating Vinyl: Floating vinyl is a click-and-lock installation that is not attached to the subfloor. Floating floors have a rigid core and are now being made with the acoustic pad attached. This flooring is usually suitable for use over a subfloor that has some imperfections. A floating floor is much more difficult to repair than glued-down flooring.

Epoxy grout historically has an epoxy base and a separate grout colorant. We're excited about the new generation of pre-mixed epoxy that is due to hit the market. Epoxy is best used in wet areas, because it is a non-porous product which helps to prevent mold and mildew, and is stain resistant. The cost of epoxy grout is a bit more up-front, but it is a good alternative to basic cement-based grout, which will need to be sealed and maintained more regularly.

Granite, marble, and quartzite are popular natural stone surfaces used for countertops. Any natural stone is inherently porous. It does not need to be sealed to protect it from staining. We seal all of our natural stone surfaces as part of our installation process. The stone will need to be resealed periodically in the following years. If you notice that water is no longer holding a bead on the surface, it's time to reseal. Sealing your granite is something you can do yourself (similar to waxing a car), or you can have professionally done (and is a service we offer). The best way to clean and maintain your natural stone countertops is cleaning with a mild soap and water or even rubbing alcohol.

Quartz is a man-made product using primarily ground up natural stone as its base. For the most part, it is nonporous and its movement is more predictable than natural stone. But no, it is not generally less expensive than granite. Quartz should not be used outdoors where it will be impacted by direct sunlight.

It is not recommended to sit a hot pot on any countertop surface without a barrier (hot pad, trivet, etc.). Setting something hot on a room temperature surface can shock the stone and discolor the surface, leaving a visible mark that may not be able to be repaired.