1. How do you sell your tile?
Floor and wall tile is sold by the square foot. Decorative pieces, trims, and listellos, by the piece. Mosaics are typically sold by the sheet.
2. What is a listello?
Usually refers to a border tile. A deco? Usually refers to highly decorative piece of tile.
3. What is bullnose?
Bullnose is a type of tile trim with a "rounded" edge. It might be used to "frame out" wall tile to smooth out an abrupt edge, or is sometimes used on counter tops.
4. Do I really need an underlayment?
It is recommended in most cases. Depending on the type, a good underlayment can help protect your tile investment for years to come. Some functions of underlayment are: to provide a moisture barrier, and to help with crack suppression.
5. What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile?
Both are excellent tile choices. Ceramic tile is made of clay, minerals and water. It is processed with heat to create certain desired characteristics. This tile "body" can be covered with a glaze which will give it its decorative characteristics. Porcelain tile's main ingredient is highly processed fine ground sand. The tile "body" is created through intense heat and pressure. Due to the manufacturing process, porcelain tile is a denser tile, making it a stronger material than ceramic tile. Keep in mind that since it is a stronger material, different tools are needed to install and cut porcelain tile.
6. What does the term "shaded" or "lot" mean?
Tile is manufactured in different production runs or lots. Over time these production runs will have slight variations in size and color. Typically, each carton of tile will have stamped on it: the lot number or "shade", and the caliber, or size. It is important to understand that if you purchase tile and have to replace a few pieces of it in the future, an exact match may not be possible. A good tile contractor knows that there will be a slight variation of shade, sometimes within one product line, and they will mix the pieces before installation.
7. Is natural stone a shaded product?
Absolutely. All natural products are shaded to one degree or another, that is what gives them their "natural" beauty. In most cases these products should be sealed.
8. Do you provide samples?
We provide samples of most of our tile products, in most cases at no charge, provided that they are returned to us. We do charge a nominal fee for decos, listellos, mosaic sheets, and trims, as these pieces tend to have a higher price point.
9. Will my sample look exactly like my tile? Trim pieces?
Since sample pieces and trim pieces may be manufactured in a separate run from floor and wall tile, the sample and the actual tile may not be an exact match.
10. How do the terms glaze finish and matte finish relate to tile?
Glaze is the ceramic coating that goes on the "top" of the tile, at times giving it its glassy look. A matte glaze or satin finish is more of a "low gloss" look.
11. What is the difference between sanded and unsanded grout?
The main difference is spacing. How wide are the grout joints? For grout joints under 1/8", unsanded grout is typically used. Unsanded grout may also be used on high gloss or polished items, or marble to prevent scratching. For grout joints wider than 1/8", and typically up to 1/2", use sanded grout. The sand is added to help bind the grout in the wider grout joints.
12. What else do you stock?
We carry a wide range of tools, sponges, bathroom accessories, backerboard, and setting materials.
13. Tile is all the same, right?
Not necessarily. There are many types of tile for many different applications. These applications vary widely based on whether the tile will be used indoors, or outdoors, it's coefficient of friction, it's porosity absorption, it's MOH's Hardness scale rating, the type of material used to make the body of the tile, and also the type of glaze that may be on the tile. If you are unsure if a particular type of tile is suited for your application, ask your tile contractor. Of course we're here to help out too.
