Tile and Stone

Tile is beautiful and practical. Easy to care for and available in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures.

CERAMIC

CERAMIC

Ceramic Tiles come from clay that is fired in a kiln. Left as is, it is called un-glazed and is limited to the natural colors of the clay. The tile can be glazed and fired a second time to create a matte, semi- gloss, or high gloss finish with a large range of color options. Glazed Tile has better stain and moisture resistance than un-glazed tile. Be aware that high gloss tiles are more slippery and prone to showing scratches than textured or matte finishes. Un-glazed Ceramics are highly slip resistant, but must be sealed to reduce staining.

GRANITE

GRANITE

Granite is the hardest stone floor available. Being formed from magma, it is nearly as hard and durable as a diamond. Choose from thousands of colors in a multitude of shades. Due to its moisture and scratch resistance, it is a great choice for kitchens but can be used on any floor, on walls, and counters.

GLASS

GLASS

The way glass tiles shimmer and change in the light gives off a sleek and radiant finish to the room. They are often used in bathrooms, kitchens, and pools, but not limited to those areas. Loved by designers, glass feels ultra-modern and high end. Glass tiles resist stain, moisture, chemicals, mold and mildew. It is non-porous and will not fade. Special glass flooring tiles are made strong, slip-resistant and withstand wear. They come in different sizes ranging from 1” to 18” and an unending variety of shapes, colors, and finishes.

PORCELAIN

PORCELAIN

Porcelain is a form of ceramic, but made of a sand-like material and fired at higher temperatures. The coloring is seen throughout the tile and creates a durable, non-porous, scratch resistant product that can withstand extreme temperatures. This makes them an excellent choice for indoors and outdoors. The term porcelain and ceramic are often used interchangeably.

MARBLE

MARBLE

Marble flooring is classic and elegant. It is naturally created inside the earth when heat and high pressure crystallize limestone. Marble adds sophistication to any space but because it is more porous than granite, it is more susceptible to scratching and moisture. A below surface sealant and a surface finishing treatments are important steps to minimize scratching and prevent potential moisture damage. To keep it looking lavish, regular care and maintenance is required.

MOSAICS

MOSAICS

Mosaics are tiles sized 2×2 or smaller and can be used as borders, countertops, walls and even flooring. They come in many shapes including squares, circles, ovals, tear drops and an endless array of patterns and colors. Mosaic tile can include including stone, metal, glass, ceramic, porcelain and a combination of any of these Decorative mosaics typically have a higher gloss. Mosaic tile is the cherry on your sundae; the finishing touch of your flooring or design project.

WHERE TO START

Not only is tile gorgeous but it’s also very practical. Tile is
basically an inert surface of fired (baked) clay, metal or stone. It’s easy to keep clean and tends to retard the growth of fungus, mold, and mildew. Your options are virtually endless with all the colors, textures, shapes, and sizes available today.

Selecting tile requires careful consideration because of the initial cost and the complexity of changing it. Consider the following:

LOCATION

Not all tile is rated for everyday use. Your Abbey Expert can
help guide you in your choice. Most manufacturers identify a tile’s durability. The higher the number, the higher the wear rating.

PRICE POINT

Natural stone and glass tile tend to be more expensive than
their ceramic and porcelain counterparts. Manufacturers now create tiles that mimic the look of natural stone in the more resilient and cost effective ceramic and porcelain alternatives.

RESILIENCE

Resilience When properly installed, tile is extremely durable. Granite is virtually indestructible and can go anywhere. Marble may scratch easier, but can be prevented by regular flooring treatments. Treated glass tile and ceramic are very resilient but may chip or break if heavy sharp objects are dropped on them.

DESIRED LOOK, FEEL AND LIFESTYLE

Natural Stone such as granite and marble tend to exude
luxury and formality. Glass has spa like feel, while ceramic and porcelain can be more casual. The gloss of ceramic can also impact feel.

UNIFORMITY

Tile is rated on color and texture consistency. Your Abbey
Expert can help you pick tiles that are more uniform or tiles that have extreme variation, depending on your design preference.

MAINTENANCE AND CARE

Some tile requires more care and treatment before and after
installation than others.

SIZE OF THE ROOM

Often people think small rooms require small tile, but that
isn’t the always the case. Large tile in a small room make it feel more spacious. Smaller tile with more grout lines make the room look busier. Scale plays in important part in creating a balanced look.

EXCLUSIVE

ENTRYWAYS

Invest in some good quality protective mats or rugs at your entryways. They will help protect your tile from premature wear and trap dirt and other substances that could be tracked onto your floor.

If you really want to keep the dirt off your new floor, leave your shoes at the door! Also be sure to wear slippers or socks on your tile floors. Your feet have oil on them that will transfer onto the tile.

SEAL YOUR TILE

To keep your tile looking like new, apply a good quality sealer.
Sealers are easy to apply and relatively affordable.

✔ First, follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for cure time after your tile is installed.

✔ Next, give your tile a thorough cleaning. This may include removing any stains from your grout.

✔ Apply the sealer to the floor surface evenly, mop backwards towards the opening of the room, and allow the sealer to dry.

These protection tips along with regular sweeping and mopping will sustain the beauty of your tile and add lasting brilliance to your home décor.

GROUT CLEANING

To avoid stubborn grout stains, try to clean up spills as quickly as possible. However, no matter what lengths we try to go to keep our tile clean and looking like new, stains may still find their way into our grout. To tackle stubborn grout stains, follow a few simple steps:

Start off with a gentle (least acidic) household tile and grout cleaner first. If this doesn’t do the job, move up to a harsher chemical cleaner. Try to avoid using bleach since it can alter the color of your grout and cause damage with repeated use.

Spray cleaner onto a small length of grout and scrub with a stiff brush.

Scrub in a circular motion rather than straight up and down. This will remove more debris.

Rinse well with warm water and mop up and remaining moisture.

HELPFUL TIPS

If you really want to keep the dirt off your new floor, leave
your shoes at the door! Also be sure to wear slippers or socks on your tile floors. Your feet have oil on them that will transfer onto the tile.

Steam cleaners can also work well on grout stains. The pressure of a steam cleaner can loosen stains that cleaners can’t dissolve…and without harmful chemicals!

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finest in floor covering products backed by powerful guarantees and warranties.