Tile services
Tile Floor Installation
If you want flooring that is permanent, clean and green, porcelain tile deserves serious consideration.
When it comes to flooring you have a lot to choose from. If you are looking for an option that is permanent, clean and green, you should be seriously considering porcelain tile.
There are many options when choosing the right tile, and not all are equal. We recommend shopping with a locally owned tile distributor — they are more likely to take the time to understand what you need and point you in the right direction. We offer consultation for all your tile projects.
We recommend porcelain tile
If you want longevity and durability with the least maintenance, shop for a porcelain tile. Porcelain is by far the most durable tile on the market — but beware, not all porcelain is created equal.
Porcelain tiles are typically made with porcelain clays that have specific properties. These tiles are dense and, by definition, have water absorption of 0.5% or less. Non-porcelain tiles have water absorption greater than 0.5%.
There are both glazed and unglazed porcelain tiles, and it is important to know the difference. Glazed porcelain is usually a little easier to clean, because glazing fills in microscopic holes that can be present in unglazed tile. On the other hand, unglazed porcelain may have better slip resistance.
Preparation is the whole job
Many people skip important steps on floors. Is the floor level? Has anyone checked uniformity against the TCNA recommendations? If the tile is going directly over concrete, has your installer checked the absorption rate of the concrete to ensure a quality bond? Installing over a wood subfloor brings its own challenges, tools and materials. The last thing you want is to install expensive porcelain and then have to remove it because of bonding issues or another installation failure.
Know before you buy
Reading a tile spec sheet
Tile classifications
Tile is classified into four categories — Non-Vitreous, Semi-Vitreous, Vitreous and Impervious. Water absorption determines the best area of use for each.
Shade variation
The Ceramic Tile Distributors of America publishes a shade guide for ceramic and porcelain tile on a V1–V4 scale. Shade variation is inherent in all tile, including man-made porcelain, glass and ceramic; shade and texture vary from piece to piece within production runs. V1 has little or no change piece to piece, while V4 has a large variety of colour and texture difference.
Dye lots
Firing at very high temperatures causes slight differences in colour between one batch and the next, so tiles are grouped before packaging by dye lot and calibre, and the dye lot is printed on every box. This is why you should order enough tile to complete the job and to keep spare for repairs later — five to twenty percent extra depending on the specified pattern.
Thinking about tile floors?
Free estimates, 28 years in the trade, and honest advice about what will actually last in your home.