Choosing Tile for Your Home Renovation

There are many ways you can use beautiful tile in your home renovations. You can install tile flooring, tile the bathroom, add some decorative tile backsplash in the kitchen or to have a tile feature wall. Tile is durable, easy to clean and versatile when it comes to colours, textures and style.

There are several types of tile to choose from including ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tile made from materials like granite, marble, slate and travertine. Tile & Stone Source International, with locations in Edmonton and Calgary, share some information on each material to help you choose the right tile for your home renovation.

Ceramic & Porcelain Tile

Both ceramic and porcelain tile are made from clay, with porcelain being made specifically of porcelain clay, that is fired by a kiln. The difference between the two is that ceramic is more water absorbent than porcelain. This is because porcelain is fired at a hotter temperature than ceramic during manufacturing. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are glazed to help build a resistance to stains and to make them easier to clean. The glazing process also allows the manufacturer to add colours and design to the tile, which is a nice benefit.

Not every ceramic tile is created equal. Depending on it’s rating and how it was manufactured, certain tile products might work well for wall use, for example, while others with a higher rating can be used as flooring in a high traffic area. If you’re not sure, speak to the pros at Tile & Stone Source in Calgary and Edmonton.

Granite Tile

Granite has been a popular choice for countertops, but it can also be used as tile flooring, backsplash, fireplace and wall tile. Granite is the second hardest material on earth, making it very strong and durable. Since it is formed from extreme pressure and temperatures deep underground, each piece of granite is totally unique, showcasing its natural patterns, veining and flecking. One of the benefits of granite is that there will literally be no other tile like the tile in your home. Polished granite looks spectacular and is easy to clean and maintain.

Marble Tile

Marble is also a popular choice for tile among homeowners. It can give your home a look of elegance and comes in a variety of colours and unique veining. Marble is more porous than granite, which means it is softer and isn’t as resistant to scratches and stains. Because of this, marble is a great choice for wall tile, tub surrounds, fireplaces and other areas that don’t have as much traffic as the kitchen counter!

Slate Tile

Slate is a natural rock comes from sedimentary rock shale, silt and clay compacted by high pressure and temperatures.  It works well for flooring and wall tile and is typically varying shades of black, grey and green. Slate comes in a range of finishes to match your home’s style. It gives a smooth texture, is easy to clean and maintain, is stain resistant and when installed properly, slate is very durable. Slate retains heat, which makes it a great choice for flooring, especially in the bathroom.

Travertine Tile

Travertine can be considered marble, but it’s also a variety of limestone. It’s less dense than marble and more porous, so it is not stain or scratch resistant like granite or slate. However, properly sealing your stone with an impregnating sealer alleviates much of the maintenance associated with travertine. Travertine tile is a beautiful choice for shower walls, mosaics, entry walls, fireplaces and flooring in low to moderate traffic areas.

Tile Flooring Stores in Calgary and Edmonton

Tile and Stone Source is committed to helping customers make the most informed decisions on their tile, stone, mosaic and ledgestone selections. Often, shopping for tile can be a confusing, complicated, and frustrating experience. They understand that you have a unique set of needs and their goal is to create an unrivalled tile shopping experience. They want you to both be at ease while shopping, and be confident in their choice of tile.

“Know Your Tile” means creating an enjoyable atmosphere for you. Everything from the procurement of product, to showroom design, to staff training, to client feedback creates the Tile and Stone Source experience.

Visit:

Tile & Stone Source in Calgary

Tile & Stone Source in Edmonton