Infloormation

Do you have a small bathroom that you think is too small for any pattern or personality? You aren’t alone. It’s a common thought that small rooms just don’t have the space to handle pattern or design. This room is an example of how you can not only use a pattern in the room, but add some style elements to give it some life and personality.

In this bathroom, not only has the tile been turned on the diagonal, but mosaic dots have been placed in the intersections of the tile for added contrast. The dots in the floor do a great job of complimenting the color of the countertop. In this small room, granite, porcelain and slate have all been used to turn this small bathroom into a charming area!

It’s always a good idea to scale out a room when you are trying to add pattern to a small area, but a general rule of thumb is to make sure that you have enough room to fit at least 2 full tiles across the room.

Don’t be shy! Larger tiles can actually help make rooms look larger than small tiles. When there are less lines for your eyes to break up the room will appear less chopped up.

Small rooms can also handle dark colors without feeling too small, but we’ll save that conversation for another day.

The moral of the story? Just because your room is small, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t deserve some pattern and character! Visit the virtual room designer on our website and try on different floors to see what you can come up with!

Have you lived in your home for a while and want just a little something new? Decorating with wall tile can add a splash of color to an existing area without a lot of disruption to a room or your daily life. (*in comparison to most flooring projects!) Maybe you’ve got grease spatter stains behind your stove and could use a backsplash. Maybe you’ve got a bathroom that’s a little boring and it just needs some decorative attention. Below are some ideas on decorating with wall tile that may just inspire you!

Kitchen:

• Add a backsplash – either something decorative and functional behind the stove or sink area or all of the walls in the kitchen.
• Tile the front of a bar area if there are footprints on the sheetrock.
• Tile a table top for added protection and color.

Bathrooms:

• Add a wainscoting of tile to the bathroom walls. Get creative, use multiple sizes and / or colors!
• Add or replace a sink backsplash with a decorative tile listello.
• Frame a mirror with decorative tile.
• Add tile behind your bathtub. Don’t be shy – go all the way up to the ceiling. Create an area that says, “Calgon, take me away!”

Other rooms:

• Add tile to a fireplace surround.
• Tile the risers of your stairs with a decorative tile.

For other ideas specific to your home or project, call or visit us today to get some ideas of what will work in your home and then we can give you a free estimate to help you decide! If these projects sound like more than you want to tackle, but you still want to add a splash of color, we’ve got area rugs for that. You can even buy online!

Dal-Tile has launched its new OutStand Technology, a patent-pending glaze technique that provides tile with unparalleled surface wear and stain resistance while infusing the tile with Microban® antimicrobial product protection, which provides a layer of protection from stain- and odor- causing bacteria that won’t wash off or wear away. Dal-Tile Corp. has been awarded the exclusive rights in North America to manufacture tiles with Microban technology.

Additionally, tiles made with OutStand Technology contain some of the highest pre- and post-consumer recycled material contents (RMC) in the industry, which may help building and remodeling projects achieve credits and/or points in a variety of green building programs, such as LEED.

As part of the launch, Dal-Tile Corp. has unveiled two new product collections under the Daltile and American Olean brands that are the first to be manufactured with OutStand Technology: Daltile’s Colour Scheme and American Olean’s Urban Tones. The new collections are American-made and contain more than 60% RMC, including post-consumer recycled glass.

“Our objective is to manufacture the most innovative and sustainable products in the marketplace today,” said Lori Kirk-Rolley, senior marketing director for Dal-Tile Corp. “Our Color Scheme and Urban Tones’ product collections contain more than 60% pre-consumer recycled materials content, more than any other glazed porcelain tile in the industry, and are scratch- and stain- resistant, and features Microban® antimicrobial protection.”

During the manufacturing process, OutStand Technology’s patent pending glaze technique creates a crystalline-shield-like protection, which results in superior surface wear resistance. This protection will last the life of the tile, never needing to be reapplied and making the tiles perfect for heavy commercial applications. Tiles with OutStand Technology also have a high wet coefficient of friction, and are frost and chemical resistant.

One of the key ingredients in Dal-Tile Corp.’s new OutStand Technology is Microban protection. On an unprotected surface, bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes. Microban protection works continuously to keep tile surfaces cleaner for longer by inhibiting the growth of stain- and odor- causing bacteria. Additionally, unlike other antimicrobial agents on the market, Microban technology doesn’t require UV light to be effective. It won’t wash off or wear away, giving the tile an added level of durable, long lasting protection.

“Microban protection  makes the Colour Scheme and Urban Tones collections a great fit for use in education, healthcare, hospitality and other high traffic environments where protection against odor and stain causing bacteria  is a concern,” said Kirk-Rolley.

Additionally, depending on the building site, Colour Scheme and Urban Tones may help projects earn additional points in some green certifications for materials transportation, because they are manufactured in Dal-Tile Corp.’s state-of-the-art plant in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Also, since some government-funded projects or contracts mandate the use of American-made products, Colour Scheme and Urban Tones field tiles meet that requirement.

The new Colour Scheme and Urban Tones collections have been certified by the Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA). Some foreign imports entering the market today claim to be porcelain tile, but do not actually meet the U.S. standards for porcelain, putting those who specify tile at risk of choosing an inferior product for their projects. PTCA protects them by guaranteeing the products specified are, in fact, porcelain tiles.

New Product Introductions:

Daltile’s Colour Scheme – Glazed Porcelain Floor Tile

Colour Scheme is a glazed porcelain floor tile that pairs a sleek, contemporary look with the high-performance and eco-friendly benefits of OutStand Technology, which includes Microban Technology.

The new collection is available in a wide color palette, including 12 solid colors (Arctic White, Black, Urban Putty, Biscuit, Uptown Taupe, Desert Gray, Suede Gray, Galaxy, Cityline Kohl, Artisan Brown, Garden Spot and Luminary Gold) and 11 “salt and pepper” colors (Arctic White Speckle, Black Speckle, Urban Putty Speckle, Uptown Taupe Speckle, Desert Gray Speckle, Suede Gray Speckle, Galaxy Speckle, Cityline Kohl Speckle, Artisan Brown Speckle, Garden Spot and Luminary Gold Speckle). Colour Scheme is available in three modular field tile sizes (6”x 6”, 12”x 12” and 18”x 18”) and is designed to coordinate with Daltile’s Keystones floor and wall mosaic tiles and Semi-gloss and Modern Dimensions wall and mosaic tile collections, as well as mosaics that feature the same colors. A full commercial trim package completes the collection and is available in all solid colors.

It’s starting to get cold outside and it’s only going to get colder! Are you thinking about a tile project in a room that you spend a lot of time in? Are you thinking about a tile project in a room that you often don’t wear shoes in? You might want to consider putting radiant heat under those tiles!

Think about starting your day with your feet hitting the floor and your feet not being so cold that it sends shivers through your whole body, but instead feeling warm and cozy. Imagine stepping out of the shower or tub onto a warm tile floor. Wouldn’t it be nice to stand in front of the coffee pot waiting for your coffee on a warm tile floor rather than a cold one?

Some things you might not know:

• You can install radiant heat in small areas such as a bathroom or a large area such as a kitchen or even your whole home.
• Radiant heat warms the floor and not the air so you don’t lose heat when doors are opened.
• It doesn’t stir up dust so there is no concern for allergies with radiant heat.
• When your feet are warm – so is the rest of your body!
• Radiant heat does not cause significant increases to your power bill.

Call us today at 1.877.525.0066 to discuss your project to see if radiant heat flooring is right for you. Our knowledgeable sales staff is standing by to answer your questions about radiant heat flooring.

Tile countertops are one of today’s popular design choices and have several benefits that you should be aware of! Below are some of the advantages of tile countertops as well as solutions for two of the most common concerns about tile countertops.

Tile countertops often have a bad reputation for two main reasons. First, people comment on the potential for the grout to stain. Second, people comment that the grout joints make the surface uneven to cut on. There are two very simple solutions to these concerns. To avoid grout staining, simply use an epoxy grout or a penetrating sealer. To avoid cutting on an uneven surface, a cutting board should be used. In fact, a cutting board should be used anyway!

Some advantages to using tile countertops:

• More durable than laminate
• Long lasting
• Easy to maintain
• Can coordinate with the floor or backsplash tile
• More cost effective than solid stone slabs
• Multiple options for edge treatments (matching or coordinating tile, wood, decorative tile)
• Multiple design options such as modular installation, diagonal installation or offset joint installation

This photo shows how you can use a larger floor tile, but still coordinate the countertop and backsplash with the same tile – just using different sizes and installation techniques. This image also shows how well tile trim pieces finish off the edge of the countertop. (Be careful when shopping, not all tiles are offered in sizes suitable for countertops nor are trim pieces available for all tiles)

Don’t forget about using granite tiles on the countertop. This is a great alternative to a natural stone slab and even has smaller grout joints if that is a concern for you. The pieces can be cut down to form the finished edge of the countertop.

What other advantages do you find that tile countertops offer? Leave us a comment!

The  full backsplash is often forgotten because people think they have the backsplash covered with the 4″ splash that generally accompanies the countertop. A tile backsplash not only serves the functional purpose of protecting the wall,  but it also serves as a design element that can tie your whole kitchen together. Why not do all you can to decorate with your backsplash in addition to using it for wall protection?

In this kitchen example, Dal Tile does a great job of coordinating the floor tile with the wall tile. The floor tile and the wall tile are actually from the same collection, they are just different sizes used in different patterns. Note that the floor is one pattern while the field of the backsplash is another pattern with the accent behind the stove an additional pattern.

Let’s focus on the accent design behind the cook top. Dal has used a few simple elements to create a dramatic and stylish focal point for this kitchen. As already mentioned, the tile used here is the same as the floor and the field tile of the backsplash, but is used in a diagonal installation in the center behind the cooktop. Taking the diagonal installation one step further, dots were placed in the intersections of the tile to coordinate with the countertop.

To make the area stand out even more, the diagonal tiles are framed with a chair rail creating dimension and depth in this area. The introduction of the additional color does a great job of drawing attention to the picture frame as well as providing a tie in to the cabinets.

To keep everything from being a solid color in the kitchen, Dal used a mosaic to create an additional border around the chair rail or picture frame. This makes the whole area behind the stove feel larger and brings in multiple additional colors that can be used for coordination of other decorative items in the kitchen such as dish towers, artwork, dishes or fabric.

This design is artful, timeless and a great example of how to use multiple tiles in multiple sizes to create a beautiful kitchen tile design.

This photo features Continental Slate Brazilian Green 18 x 18 , 12″ x 18″, 12 x 12 , 6 x 6 field tile with 4 x 12 border and Fashion Accents Antique Pewter chair rail. Modified Hopscotch (Cont. Slate) pattern shown on floor.

Experiment with tile designs using these products in our virtual room designer. Or upload your own room to see what these tiles will look like in your home!

This use of tile on the wall in this powder room is referred to as wainscoting. Wainscoting can be higher up the wall than this, but in this case it only goes to about chair rail height. It can include tile that is larger, smaller, in different patterns, different styles and more.

This tile does a great job of giving this small bathroom some personality and interest. The particular texture of this tile is its best feature. Not only does this tile install look fantastic, but it serves a purpose as well! The tile serves as a sink splash as well as wall protection.

Because this tile stops below the chair rail it allows a different texture and wall surface to be installed above the chair rail. In this case, the wall above the chair rail is darker than the bottom half of the wall. This keeps a small room from feeling smaller with all of the walls being dark.

Also worth noting, the style and elegance of the toilet and sink. The lines of these fixtures compliments the beauty of the tile on the wall. Also, notice the toilet paper holder is the same finish as the hardware on the other fixtures. It’s all in the details…..

When you are ready for a new tile floor, there is one important ingredient that often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. That’s the selection of a grout color. All floors have to be grouted in order to protect the edges of the tile and fill the space in between tiles. You might be wondering, “Why is this so important?”

Different grout colors can change the look of your tile floor. For example, if you have a white tile floor and you choose a dark or colored grout the grout lines are going to be more pronounced and noticeable than if you were to use a white grout which would blend with the tile. In most cases, you want the grout to blend or go away. After all, you are paying for the look of the tile and not the grout! In some cases, for example if you are using a black and white floor in a checkerboard pattern you have to choose a grout color to blend with one of the two tiles.

Choosing the right grout color depends on your goal.

If your goal is for the grout to just serve as a filler rather than a decorative element, choose a grout color that blends with the tile. If there are multiple colors in the tile, the best way to blend the grout to the tile is to choose a grout color that most closely resembles the color on edge of the tile. Since there are so many tiles offered and only a handful of grout colors, choose the color that blends best with the tile. The grout doesn’t have to match exactly. (The actual color will vary slightly from the sample anyway)

You may have a concern for dirt and staining of your grout. This doesn’t mean that you have to choose a grout color that is much darker than your tile. Be aware that you can still use a light grout color in high traffic areas, but you would need to seal it in order to protect it from staining.

Another goal may be to use the grout color to tie in an accent color. Be advised that your home’s accent color may change and you will be stuck with the accent grout color. There are ways to change grout colors, but why take the risk?!? Make use of your accent colors in other areas such as home decor items and art.

If you choose a grout color that changes the appearance of your tile floor in a way you were not expecting, know that you can change the grout color. The grout can be removed, but this needs to be done by a professional because the edges of the tile can be permanently damaged during the grout removal process. Another alternative is to use grout stain. This is much easier and can be performed by you if you have  the time and patience!

When shopping for a new tile floor, feel free to ask a Pierce Flooring representative for advice on the right grout color. We’ve made these decisions many times and can offer advice about how to achieve the look and feel you are going for.

When it comes to choosing a surface for countertops, there are many choices including tile, granite, marble, travertine, limestone, quartz, glass, concrete, paper and other solid surface materials. Let’s take a closer look at tile countertops and the benefits of using tile.

• Cost – tile can be a much less expensive alternative to solid surface products.
• Green – recycled tile products make great choices for countertops.
• Variety of color – There are many more styles and colors of tile to choose from than other products.
• Variety of sizes – Tile comes in a variety of sizes that can be used for countertops such as 4×4, 6×6, 12×12 and other sizes.
• Variety of styles – you can choose from ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, metal and more.
• Ability to mix, match and coordinate – whether you want your countertops to match or simply coordinate with your floor, wall, shower or backsplash, tile gives you the ability to do so!
• Texture – tile countertops give you more texture than most countertop choices.
• Easy maintenance – just like tile floors, tile countertops are easy to maintain. Additionally, sealing your grout makes them even easier to maintain.

If you are thinking about tile for your kitchen counters, bath counters or powder room tops call or come in to see us today. We can show you the many options you have to choose from and provide a free estimate to see if tile is right for you and your budget!

Dallas, TX, July 25, 2009–Dal-Tile has launched a customized cutting service that allows any Daltile or American Olean ceramic or porcelain floor tile to be custom ordered in linear and rectangular sizes, ranging from a minimum of 2” wide to a maximum of 24” long. With the launch, a core assortment of products from top-selling collections in a variety of popular sizes is being offered with a short lead-time. Any of the brands’ other ceramic or porcelain floor tiles can be special ordered.

The service, called Linear Options under the Daltile brand and Linear Express for American Olean, uses the company’s automated cutting equipment to create the custom sizes at the Dallas factory. Tiles can be specified with straight or beveled edges so that all four sides have the same visual appearance. In preparation for the launch of this service, Dal-Tile has made significant investments in new equipment and space at its manufacturing facilities.

“Before our linear-cutting service, anyone looking for linear shapes and rectangular sizes were either limited to a handful of collections that offered those options premade or they had to have the tiles cut down at the job site by their installer. Now, any Daltile or American Olean rectified porcelain tile or glazed floor tile can be ordered in popular linear and rectangular sizes, making the design options virtually endless,” said Lori Kirk-Rolley, senior marketing director for Daltile.  “And since the custom cuts are done at the factory, the quality of the cuts is more consistent and higher quality than doing it by hand.  Additionally, we’re helping reduce labor costs at the jobsite by removing this extra step in the installation process.”

The core assortment of products were selected from many popular porcelain tile collections and are being offered in a range sizes with a three-week lead time, including floor tiles from Daltile’s City View (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Concrete Connection (3 ¼” x 20”), Metal Effects (3 ¼” x 20”), Fabrique (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Monticito (6” x 18”), Veranda (3 ¼” x 20”) and Vibe (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”) collections and American Olean’s St. Germain (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Avenue One (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Nouveau (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”) and Ultra Tech (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”) collections. However, any ceramic floor tile, including these core offerings, can be custom cut to any size within the minimum width (2”) and maximum length (24”) limits, with lead times to be determined at the time of the order.