Tile Flooring
About Tile Flooring & Backsplashes from Stine Home
At Stine Home + Yard, we carry beautiful, quality floor and wall tiles to help you create the look you want in your home. Choose from our wide selection of tile, available in a variety of colors, patterns, designs, styles, materials, shapes, and sizes. Whether you are looking for new tile flooring, a backsplash, shower wall, or an accent wall, you will find the perfect product for you. Tile is versatile, durable, low-maintenance, and easy to maintain. Plus, tile can last many years, or even a lifetime with the right care. Since tile is waterproof, you can install it in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and more without worrying about your floors or walls. You will love your new tile floors, backsplashes, showers, or other accent walls from Stine Home.
Ceramic vs Porcelain Tile
There are many similarities between ceramic and porcelain tile. They’re both clay-based and fired in a kiln; available in different colors, patterns, and designs; and give you extreme durability. However, there are some differences. The type of tile you choose will depend on your personal preference and lifestyle, as well as your budget.
Ceramic Tiles are fired at a lower heat than porcelain tiles, which results in a less dense product. However, they are more affordable and easier to cut so they’re more ideal for DIY projects. Ceramic tiles have attractive clean lines and the glaze can be customized in a variety of colors and patterns. They make beautiful backsplashes because of their artistic and eye-catching design. They can be used for flooring ideally in areas with less foot traffic. Ceramic tiles tend to stay cooler, which is a benefit for warm climates.
Porcelain Tiles are denser and more resistant to water and wear and tear than ceramic tiles, but they cost more initially. Since porcelain is so durable, you are less likely to have to replace them over time. Porcelain tiles are available in both glazed and unglazed options, but unglazed tiles last longer and are less likely to chip.They are also resistant to heat so they can be used for countertops, as well. Porcelain tiles can stand up to areas with high foot traffic, as well as areas with more water, such as shower walls.
Things to Know About Wall & Floor Tile
Both wall tile and floor tile provide you with many benefits, as well as beautiful designs, for your home. Some floor tiles can be used on the wall, but for the most part these are two separate products made for different uses. Wall tile and floor tile have different ratings for hardness and slipperiness. Floor tiles are harder, more durable, and are not slippery when wet, while wall tiles are lighter, smaller, and could be smooth and less resistant to friction. Before you buy floor tile or wall tile, here are some more things you should know.
- Finishes
Tiles are available in a variety of finishes that add depth and texture to your room. Along with color, texture is an important design element that helps create visual interest and express your personal style. Finding the right one is important to your overall look. Tile finishes range from polished to glossy to matte to textured with rough surfaces.
- Grouts
Grout is available in different types to fit your needs, sanded, unsanded, and epoxy, each with their own unique characteristics. Sanded grout is gritty, and the large grains of sand in the grout help prevent cracking. Sanded grout is ideal for floors and high-traffic areas. Unsanded grout, sometimes referred to as nonsanded or wall grout, is smoother as the particles are finer. It is typically used on wall tiles. Epoxy grout is waterproof so it does not need to be sealed, making it the right choice for areas prone to moisture, such as showers.
- Styles
Styles of tiles vary greatly, giving you a vast selection of options. They range from contemporary to traditional, neutrals to bold colors and patterns, elegant to rustic, and more. You can choose mosaic tiles for an eye-catching backsplash or accent wall, or a classic subway tile for a kitchen that will never go out of style. Hexagon or round tiles will give you a contemporary, artistic look, or choose square or rectangle tiles for a more traditional look. Natural stone, such as marble, will give you an elegant look, while wood-look tile will allow you to have the natural beauty of wood in any room of your home. There is a style perfect for everyone and every home.
- Glass
Glass tile is beautiful and available in a variety of colors and an array of shapes and sizes. There are glass tile options for your walls or your flooring, but make sure the floor tiles are made for foot-traffic. However, the best use for glass tiles are as backsplashes or decorative accents. Glass tiles give you an elegant design and provide a bit of radiance in your room because they reflect light. They are also durable and not likely to crack, but they are susceptible to scratching.
- Natural stone
Natural stone is the perfect tile option for bringing a touch of the outdoors inside. Because these materials occur naturally, each tile has its own unique markings and colors making them one of a kind. You can choose from granite, travertine, marble, limestone, and more. They are durable, making them a great choice for flooring, backsplashes, or even countertops. No matter where you use natural stone, they will provide you a high-end look at a reasonable price.
- Underlayment Heating
Tile provides you with a lot of benefits and style for your home. But it tends to be colder underfoot than other flooring types. To create a warm floor, especially in your bathroom, you may consider an underfloor heating system. A heated floor is ideal for cool mornings. Underlayment heating works best with porcelain or stone floors because they conduct heat best.
Wall and Floor Tile Installation
The installation of both floor and wall tiles is best left to professionals or an advanced DIY’er. Tile takes special tools and skill sets to ensure it is beautiful from day one and will last a long time. Installing tile is a multi-step process that takes a few days to complete because it is an involved and complicated process. Plus, you will have to allow time for both the mortar and the grout to dry. Floor tile and wall tile are installed using different methods. It’s best to consult your manufacturer’s guide before proceeding with your own installation.