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March, 2017 | Flooring Supply Shop Blog

Myths you Should Stop Believing in Concerning Tile

tiles with style

Myths you Should Stop Believing in Concerning Tile

Are you coming up to a Home Improvement project soon where you will be replacing your flooring but are weary of choosing tile? Maybe it’s because you have heard some things about it that sound horrifying, you are now against the very idea of even considering it. Maybe you don’t hate tile that much, but today we will go through the 6 most common myths about tile and show you the truth. This way you can make an educated, well thought out decision. Here are the myths, and why they aren’t true.

Myth: Tile is boring

Reality: Nowadays with the multitude of different flooring options available tile seems boring and difficult to customize. Hardwood is available in so many different grains, styles, & colors. Carpet has been expanding to include a wider variety of texture than ever before and vinyl now can be created to mimic any natural material out there. What many don’t realize is that in the last decade imaging technology has greatly improved, now tile can be customized to mimic hardwood, natural stone, or a completely custom pattern. Today you have more opportunity for tile customization than even your choice of hardwood.

SunTouch floor heating, radiant floor heating, under floor heating

Myth: Tile flooring is cold

Reality: This myth is true in some sense but not entirely. It is portrayed much worse than it is in reality. Tile is a conductor of temperature and holds a certain temperature for a very long time (kind of like stone). Taking this into account, during the winter if you live in a cold area tile that is exposed to the cold will retain the temperature and remain cool for long periods of time without warming up. Not always though, there is such a thing as radiant heat mats that can be installed directly underneath the tile. These can be controlled by a thermostat and will often actually help you save money on your heating bill (although they are pricey to install in the beginning). Another factor to pay attention to: the location where the tile is being installed and the material underneath. Above a well insulated area that is not directly perpendicular to the outdoors the tile will not have as a great a source of cold temperature as tile installed directly over concrete.

Myth: Wood alike tile looks fake

Reality: Maybe at first, but today wood look alike tile often times looks better than the real thing. With advanced imaging technology wood textures are printed directly onto the travertine creating not only a beautiful look but an authentic feel. If you are worried about the grout lines that will give it away, don’t. You can purchase tile that is finely cut to match the surrounding pieces requiring little grout and almost no transition.

porcelain tile, stone, marble, ceramic tile, bathroom tile, floor tile, wall tile

Myth: Tile flooring is expensive

Reality: Every valuable investment is made with hope that it was worth it. Although tile is significantly more expensive to purchase and install than vinyl or carpet it can last for much longer. The most durable vinyl won’t last longer than 20 years. Carpet, you’ll be lucky if it lasts 10-15 years. Tile on the other hand will last a lifetime, if not longer. There’s a reason it has been the go to flooring material for thousands of years. Spending double what you would spend on carpet or vinyl will pay off in the long run. Even if you aren’t planning on selling your house in the short term: if done right, tile will increase the monetary and visual value of your home.

Myth: Tile breaks easily

Reality: Tile; porcelain, ceramic, & travertine are much more durable than you imagined. Yes it is possible to chip or crack tile, but much less so than majority of other flooring materials. Tile is the only material that water will not damage, as well as the only material that you can be sure will not face scratching or denting from a pets claws. If one tile is damaged it can easily be taken out and replaced by a new one. Vinyl on the other hand requires repairing the whole section.

Myth: Tile requires little or no maintenance or care

Reality: Although tile is plenty more durable than most other flooring materials, it still requires upkeep and maintenance. A properly sealed tile floor requires much less maintenance as it will not be affected as much by daily wear and tear. You must periodically reseal the floor to ensure that it is protected as well as picking up stains and moisture as soon as it happens. Although ceramic and porcelain are considered strong materials the grout in between them will give way to acid and erosion, thus should be avoided.

Credit Visit our company blog at www.divinehns.com/news for more flooring industry news.

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4 Reasons to Buy Heated Flooring

If you’ve ever experienced the feeling of stepping onto a cold tile floor after a warm shower, you will know it can be a bit of a shock to the system. Change that cold tile floor to a heated floor and the soles of your feet are delighted by a sensation like no other. Here are just four reasons why buying heated flooring from Flooring Supply Shop is one of the best investments you can make for your home.

Our Heated Floors Are Extremely Affordable

While the cost of installing heated flooring was once a very expensive project, many heated floors are now electrically powered and what’s more, you can install them yourself. EasyHeat Warm Tile Elite Mats are super thin floor mats that warm stone and tile floors and are a fraction of the price of traditional heated floors. They are also easier and quicker to install than conventional floor warming mats. EasyHeat Warm Tile Elite Mats are suitable for installation in bathrooms, kitchens, entries, sunrooms and more.

Our Heated Floors Use Less Energy

Our Radiant Floor Heating systems are proven to reduce energy usage compared to other forms of heating, keeping energy costs to a minimum while also delivering exceptional comfort. EasyHeat products in particular, also have extremely low EMF and such levels are comparable to standard household products such as televisions, mobile phones and refrigerators.

Our Heated Floors Are Suitable For Most Rooms

Although typically installed in the bathroom, the great thing about heated flooring is that it can be installed in almost any other room, providing they are fitted with appropriate flooring. If you have hardwood floors in one of your rooms for example, the changed in temperature may cause gaps in the wood. Choosing porcelain tiles, for example, means you can install heated flooring without any concerns and without sacrificing styles. Many people install heated floors in kitchens, bedrooms and basements, where it tends to get drafty.

Our Heated Floors Don’t Make Any Noise

One of the great things about the heated flooring we sell is its ability to deliver heat without noise. Both SunTouch Radiant Floor Heating and EasyHeat Radiant Floor Heating products will go unnoticed in your home in terms of noise. Of course your boiler is likely to make noise, but for many people, that’s hidden away in the basement or behind a cupboard where noise cannot be detected.

Our Heated Floors Are Out Of Sight

Whereas with traditional floor heating, heat emitters often restrict furniture placement, with a Radiant Floor Heating system, the floor surface is what emits the heat. By choosing SunTouch Radiant Floor Heating or EasyHeat Radiant Floor Heating products, you won’t need to compromise the aesthetics of your rooms, since you can place furniture wherever you would like.

You can check out our SunTouch Radiant Floor Heating and EasyHeat Radiant Floor Heating products for more information

Tile tips for your kitchen design

From ceramic to marble, slate to stone, with so many tiles to choose from, tiling your kitchen can be daunting. If you’re completely redesigning your kitchen, it’s tempting to focus more on choosing appliances than the small details like tiles, but they can be the key to your kitchen’s new look and if chosen correctly, will enhance your kitchen beautifully. Here are some things to consider when shopping for kitchen tiles.

Different materials have different qualities

Ceramic tiles
One of the reasons ceramic tiles are so popular in kitchens is their durability. Dropping plates or cutlery, for example, won’t leave a mark. Ceramic tiles withstand lots of traffic and don’t soak up moisture. They can even be slip-resistant with the right finish. Another huge benefit of ceramic tiles is that they are fireproof, which is particularly important in the kitchen.

Porcelain tiles
Similarly to ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles have low water absorption which means they are less likely to be stained. Typically a popular choice for bathroom floors, porcelain is a popular choice for bathroom tiling, although the fact that porcelain tiles are easy to maintain with no polishing or sealing means they are great for kitchens.

Natural stone tiles
Natural stone tiles are popular choices for kitchens due to their wild variations in color and quality. Each tile is completely unique and can look really beautiful as a surface, but it’s important to do your homework when looking for colors. Granite is a popular choice for kitchens, the hardest natural stone and a good natural water repeller.

Color

Create a color scheme
When choosing a colour scheme for your kitchen, a good rule of thumb is to aim for two dominant colors and one accent color, which will enable the room to become whole with separate pieces of color and adds depth to the composition. You may also consider painting your kitchen cabinets or furniture, such as a wooden table and chairs, to match your tile choices.

Choose countertop first
Before choosing your floor or wall tiles, you should first pick out a material and color for your countertops, since they are usually what people notice first when walking into your kitchen. When you come to choosing your flooring, take a sample of your countertop with you to ensure colors are coordinated.

Create contrast
The best kitchen designs have a balance of tones and materials. For example, white is a popular color for cabinets and tile backsplash, but by also using white tiles on your kitchen floor, the room will go from feeling light and fresh to institutional. Try to use a combination of light, medium and dark tones, for example, by matching floors and countertops and having cabinets as a secondary color, or vice versa.

Style

Retro
Retro style kitchens are quickly coming back into fashion and can be the key to making your kitchen pop. Classic and sophisticated, black and white floor tiles are a must-have in retro decorating and also have a timeless appeal that can be paired with more contemporary and traditional style accessories. You can also add a hint of colour by choosing a contrasting tile backsplash.

Modern
If your preference is a modern kitchen, emphasizing grey, black and white in your tile choices will keep your kitchen looking sleek. Pairing granite or marble countertops with stainless steel appliances creates an elegant feel. If you want to design a modern kitchen with a little more color, add a bright mosaic tile backsplash or pick out a vibrant floor finish.

Traditional
The traditional kitchen design is warm and classic and can be interpreted according to your taste. Shades of chocolate brown are a popular choice for floors and countertops, while deep blues and rich reds give a hint of colour on cabinets or accent areas. You might see marble, brick, stone and even wood on the backsplash.

March, 2017 | Flooring Supply Shop Blog