How are tiles priced?
The type of material (natural stone, porcelain, glass or ceramic), finish, country of origin and availability are all determining factors of tile prices.
What is the difference between natural stone tiles and porcelain tiles?
Natural stone tiles (i.e. Travertine, Marble and Onyx) are products of the earth with no two tiles being the same. They vary in shade, veining and are porous materials. Porcelain and ceramic products are baked at high temperatures to create a hard dense surface. They are printed to emulate different shades and colours and are non-porous.
Do I have to seal natural stone?
Yes, all natural stones have to be sealed, by sealing the stone you are protecting it from any potential products that can cause stains.
How often do I have to seal my tiles?
Depending on where the natural stone is installed, on average natural stone tiles have to be sealed once every 5 years. If your tiles are in a high traffic area they should be sealed once every 1-2 years.
Are there tiles specifically made for walls and floors?
Yes. Most ceramic, glass and decorative tiles are made for use on walls. Most porcelain and natural stone tiles that are used for floors however can be used for both purposes.
Will my tile be exactly the same as the sample that I get?
No. Natural stone tiles vary from tile to tile and porcelain tiles sometimes have different dye lots. A dye lot is a batch of porcelain created at one time. Dye lots vary depending on the temperature and conditions on any particular day. Sometimes this variances are very slight and other times very drastic depending on the material. It is important to like the overall look of any particular tile as opposed to one specific sample.
Do larger format tiles have a greater probability of cracking?
No. If the installation is done properly then the weight will be evenly distributed over its cement base. It is important that larger format tiles be installed on a floor that is level to ensure that no cracking occurs.
Why use tiles instead of other types of flooring?
Tiles are durable and have more longevity than other types of flooring. They are fire and frost resistant, are suitable for a lot of traffic. It is especially true for porcelain where it has a very low moisture ratings and will not stain.