Tile Buying Guide

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are created with a mixture of clays that are pressed into shape and fired at a high temperature. Depending on the intended use the bisque, or body, of ceramic tile may be glazed. Ceramic tile is extremely durable and can be used in a variety of environments while providing a unique visual appearance.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tiles are a heavy, dense clay tiles made of compressed clay dust and fired to extremely high temperatures. The color of a porcelain tile frequently is added to the clay itself, giving the tiles a “color through” body. Porcelain tile flooring can withstand heavy foot traffic while maintaining its color and beauty.

Natural Stone Tile

Natural Stone is a product that is extracted from the earth such as Granite, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Slate, Onyx, and others. Natural stone is more than just a rock, these products are hand selected from the best sources to ensure both durability and beauty.

Glass Tile

Glass tiles work well in kitchens and bathrooms as they are durable, easy to clean, do not absorb moisture and are virtually stain resistant. Glass tiles are very stylish and attractive, and come in a wide variety of styles, sizes and colors.

Glass & Stone Mix Tile

This tile features a unique look that combines glass and stone creating a single mosaic tile with various colors and textures.

Tile Tips

We know that finding the right flooring for your project can seem overwhelming, here are some tips to help make the whole process easier!

By using coordinating floor and wall tile, you can design an inviting backdrop that brings family and friends together. And what better place to gather than in the kitchen.
Today ceramic tile is frequently combined with other hard surfaces like stone, glass and metal. The results can be breathtaking.
The modular nature of tile shapes and sizes provides unlimited pattern potential for those wishing to mix and match sizes.
To create variety without introducing a second color to a tile design, randomly intersperse matching decorative tiles on walls or the backsplash.
Tile dots can give your space a custom look and bring in other colors from your design palette.
Grout joints can help you achieve whatever look you are after. Tiles set close together offer a clean sophisticated feel. Wide grout joints complement natural, rustic looks.
An entryway can set the tone for an entire home. Begin there, then carry a theme throughout. Try keeping the color family consistent while varying other elements such as size, borders, accents, textures, or designs.
A small bath doesn’t necessary need small tiles. Larger tiles require fewer grout lines and can help open up a space.
Create some intriguing color contrasts, and create a truly personal look, by mixing field tile from one of our products with accent pieces from another.
When decorating, take into consideration the subtle color variations in tile. Notice how floor and wall tile not only coordinate with each other, but also with things like wall and trim paint. All colors can blend together to give a cohesive look to a room.
Decorative tiles can form attractive boundaries between areas with different tile patterns.
Natural stone products are great accents for ceramic tile.
If you’re installing tile in a living room area with a fireplace, tile the fireplace too in matching tile or in a contrasting color, or consider using the decorative border and corner.
Use light colored tile in a smaller room. This will give the impression of more space and make the room seem larger.
Remember to consider traffic patterns when choosing grout color. Lighter colored grouts may not be the best choice in heavily used rooms like kitchens.
Laying the tile at a diagonal is a great way to add a little understated visual punch to a room without overwhelming it.
The quality of light greatly affects color. Direct sun, incandescent, fluorescent and halogen sources can render tile hues differently. It is important to examine a sample of your tile in the room where it will be installed.
An understated tile can handsomely support more attention for furnishings, window treatments and accessories.
You can use more than one tile pattern on a floor- for instance, a second pattern, introduced around the perimeter of the floor will help define the space.
When porcelain tile graces a floor, it creates a new level of warmth and uncommon richness within a room.
Tile can be used on a larger scale to create a grand effect. Larger tiles can create a more vast layout and the appearance of a spacious area.
Remember that grout is offered in many colors. Choose grout that matches, contrasts or coordinates with your tile for the particular effect you prefer.
Tile texture has a major effect on color and patterns. A matte finish creates a warmer casual mood and makes spaces feel more intimate. In general, textured tiles are easier to blend with other elements in the room.
Decorative tiles add a unique aspect to any application. Use decos to create border designs on the floor or the wall. The possibilities are endless!
Probably the most powerful of the design elements is color. From calm to bold and cool to warm, tile offers an abundance of choices.
Using tumbled natural stone, marble, or granite as decorative accents with tile can provide a very expensive look for very little money.
Tile with a porcelain body is very rugged and can be used in heavy traffic areas. It may be used in a variety of interior and exterior spaces.
If your floor adjoins a stairway, consider using matching floor tile on the stair risers to unify the space.
A tile design doesn’t have to involve the use of more than one tile color. For instance, laying the tile in a combination of patterns on an entryway floor can make a dramatic yet subtle statement.
Sometimes a simple color scheme is best- particularly for small spaces. For instance, in a small kitchen, coordinate the cabinet paint color with the tile color for a unified look.
Trim and border tiles link patterns and allow you to define focal points and activity areas.
Don’t be afraid to use bold colors to create a truly distinctive look.
Often overlooked opportunities for tile include outdoor kitchens, barbecues, entertainment areas and planting beds.