PREMIER MN TILE CONTRACTORS

The major difference is how the two are made. During the creation process, porcelain tile is blended with sand and heated to become a tougher, more durable surface, making it less porous and susceptible to water damage and spills. Porcelain tile is much denser and more durable than ceramic tile.

You should never buy the exact amount of tile needed to complete a project. Always order 10%-15% extra product based upon pattern layout to accommodate for cuts, repairs, breaks and mistakes.

Porcelain tile is known to last the longest. If properly installed and maintained, ceramic tile can last a lifetime. Unglazed tile tends to show less wear than glazed tile and will last longer in higher traffic areas. According to the Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components, the average life expectancy of a ceramic tile floor is 75 to 100 years, while natural stone such as marble and granite can last more than 100 years.

You don’t have to pick a grout that matches your tile exactly. Choose a color that blends with the colors in the floor tile. Due to different environmental factors and installation methods, the color of the grout will vary slightly in each installation, making finding an exact match difficult. Darker grouts are easier to keep clean. Modern grout is often stain and mildew resistant, making maintenance very simple. The shade you choose depends on what you are trying to accomplish – choosing lighter colors blends your design together, whereas darker colors create a more dramatic effect.

• Water resistant
• Abrasion resistant
• Color permanent
• Does not cut, tear, gouge, puncture, warp, rot, burn or require refinishing

Tile installation is more expensive when compared to other coverings. However, in the long run it can be less expensive when you factor in replacement and maintenance costs with other materials. Since it can be permanent, it is important to select a tile you absolutely love. We always recommend getting 2-3 quotes from different MN Tile Contractors so you can compare them apples to apples and choose the right Minnesota Tile Installation Company for your project.

If the crack is located in one area across a single tile, the tile most likely received a sharp blow from an object. When not bonded properly, ceramic tiles can break frequently in kitchens due to pots and pans getting dropped. This type of fracture can be repaired easily by replacing the single tile. However, if the crack is long, extending across multiple tiles, you are looking at a crack in the slab below. This can be repaired by removing the damaged tile, putting down a crack isolation membrane, and reinstalling the tile.

New Grout:

• Since cementitious grout is porous, sealing will help keep grout joints clean. You should allow grout to dry for at least 48 hours. After 48 hours, make sure the grout is clean before sealing. Also make sure that the sealer you use is recommended for grout.

Existing Grout:

• It is important that you establish a routine for cleaning existing grout. Occasionally clean with cleaners that contain acid, bleach, or vinegar. These type of cleaners will etch the tile and grout over time. You should have two types of cleaning procedures:

1. 1. 1. Occasional Heavy Duty Cleaning
         • Use Aqua Mix ‘Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner’
      2. Regular Routing Cleaning
         • Use a concentrated non-acidic phosphate free cleaner and occasional ‘Heavy Duty Cleaning’ when dirty

• Too much water or polymer additive was used in the grout mix.
• Water may have been added after cement hydration already began, which results in weak, crumbling grout.
• Flexible Substrate (plywood, etc.)
• The tile was not bonded, resulting in loose tile.
• The grout joint was not completely filled during installation. This leaves voids on the surface.
• Insufficient thinset (the glue applied over the mortar) was applied during installation.
• When there is an isolated grout crack in specific areas in a large floor installation, the usual cause is lack of expansion joints.
• There was a non-sanded grout used with the grout joints too wide. When the grout shrunk, it inevitably cracked.

A Bullnose tile is recognizable because of its characteristic rounded edges and is considered a trim piece for tile. Bullnose tile is used for the following purposes:

• Eliminating rough or sharp edges of a finished tile design.
• Replaces baseboard on a tiled floor.
• Covers corners.
• Frames the perimeter of a tile design.

Bullnose tiles are the perfect option for finishing up tile work because not only are they visually appealing, but they function well for decorative trim and protect your corners.

Glazed Tile:

• Additional non-porous coating after it has been fired (a layer of liquid glass is added)
• Good for kitchens and baths
• Wider variety of colors and patterns
• Less thick/dense than unglazed
• Less slip resistant
• Shows more scratches with higher lustre
• Stain resistant

Unglazed Tile:

• No additional coating
• A bit more durable
• Great for a variety of interior and exterior uses
• Earthy coloring options
• Denser/thicker
• More slip resistant
• Scratch resistance
• More vulnerable to stains