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Tile 101

Tile & Stone Floor Care

Regular cleaning is essential for maintaining the beauty, durability, and value of your ceramic tile and stone floors.

  • Damp Mop Weekly: Clean your ceramic tile floors with a damp mop and approved cleaner at least once a week, or more frequently in high-traffic areas.
  • Protective Mats: Use entry mats and furniture pads to prevent dirt and scratches.
  • Recommended Sealers and Cleaners: Only use products specifically designed for ceramic tile and grout.
  • Grout Sealer: Allow grout to cure before applying a sealer (usually 28 days).
  • Quarry Tile Sealer: Use a penetrating sealer on quarry tiles to protect against stains.

Tackling Stains and Spills

When dealing with spills and stains on your ceramic tile or stone floors, it's crucial to act promptly and use the appropriate cleaning methods. Always consult your manufacturer's guide for specific recommendations, as different tile materials and finishes may have unique cleaning requirements.

  • Blot, Don't Rub: Gently blot up excess liquid with a clean, absorbent cloth. Avoid rubbing, as this can push the stain deeper into the tile or grout.
  • Test Cleaning Solutions: Before applying any cleaning solution, test it in an inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn't cause discoloration or damage.
  • Professional Cleaning: If you're unable to remove a stain on your own, it's best to consult a professional cleaning service.

Ceramic Tile – Before You Buy

Buying ceramic tile can be challenging, read below to lessen the challenge.

The good news is that ceramic flooring offers you a multitude of styles, textures, patterns and price points. However, all that variety, and decisions, can be real challenging for the unknowing shopper. In this section we’ll introduce you to information on topics such as ceramic tile trim, color and shading, moisture absorption and grout. All in our effort to make you a smarter shopper long before you open your checkbook or get out the charge card. That way your final decision not only creates a warm, beautiful living environment but also delivers what ceramic floors are noted for: excellent durability and easy maintenance. So we invite you to read on. Come learn the ins and outs, the tips and hints, the delights and discoveries of this unique product called ceramic tile. For those who love to customize, ceramic rules. The beauty of ceramic tile is the flexibility you have with design options, especially through the use of the accent pieces: trim work and decorative tiles. However, if you’re interested in applying trim work and decorative tiles, you should know that there is a definite step-by-step procedure. The correct order of this process is to first identify the room and its application, select the type of tile, then its color and shade, and then its texture and size. Finally, a layout pattern is designed, the trim and decorative patterns are determined, and the grout color and type are chosen. Adhering to this process will ensure a smooth installation without any missing elements. To help you insure a smooth understanding of floor tile trim terminology, allow us to cover a few definitions.

Floor Tile Trims

  • Bullnose: It has one rounded finished edge on the tile to give a nice finishing touch. Sometimes it is also used as a substitute for cove base.
  • Corner Bullnose: It has two rounded finished edges on the tile to be used to complete a corner.
  • Sanitary Cove Base: It has a rounded finished top like a bullnose to cover up the body of the tile and is used on the wall in lieu of wood baseboards.

Important tips on variation, texture, shading and color.

Many of today’s popular styles of ceramic tile are designed to look and feel like natural stone, emulating their rugged surface and color variations. It’s important that you understand these variations when designing with ceramic tile. These tiles are intended to show color and texture variations, just like natural stone. Since the composition of the tile’s glaze also varies, different tile styles will also exhibit different gloss levels. You should also be aware that solid color tiles provide a consistent look, however shade variation is inherent in all fired ceramic products and certain tiles will show greater variation within their dye lots. Shade variation is usually listed on the back label of each sample with a low, moderate, high or random rating. Here, to help you, are the definitions:

  • Low: Consistent shade and texture
  • Moderate: Moderate shade and texture variation
  • High: High shade and texture variation
  • Random: Very high shade and texture variation

The color of the body of the tile is determined by the color of the clay used by the manufacturer that is available in their geographic region. Look at the body of the tile to see if the color is red or white. The quality of the tile is more related to the quality of the manufacturer, not the color of the body. Color variations will also be present between manufacturers’ samples of the same color and throughout installed countertops, wall tile, or ceramic floors. Color consistency is something you should understand and carefully consider when selecting ceramic tile. Our sales associates will be happy to review with you what to expect from different ceramic tiles.

What smart shoppers should know about moisture absorption and tile density. As the composition of glaze varies, different styles of tile will exhibit different gloss levels and surface textures. This is important to note when choosing your ceramic tile flooring. For example, in areas that are used while wet, such as your shower or bathroom floor, they should have low moisture absorption and good slip resistance. Moisture Absorption means that, as the density of the tile increases, the amount of moisture that tile can absorb becomes less.

Professional Tile Installation in Michigan

Get Ready for a Flawless Tile Installation
You've chosen the perfect ceramic tile, and now it's time to prepare for a smooth installation. Being informed and prepared helps ensure a stress-free experience for you and a beautiful finished product. This guide outlines everything you need to know to get ready for your tile installation day.

Leave it to the Experts

While ceramic tile adds timeless beauty to your home, its installation requires expertise and precision. Our experienced tile installers ensure a seamless and efficient process, so you can relax and enjoy the transformation of your space. Understanding some installation basics can further enhance your confidence in our team's skills.

The substrate is where it all begins.

Over the years, new methods and materials have been introduced, but tile setting remains the same hand-operated, labor-intensive process that it has been since ancient times. That process begins with the preparation of the tile foundation, or what’s called the substrate. Common materials used as tile substrates in home installations include concrete, plywood, and drywall. Each substrate has its own unique set of issues, yours included, and is prepared according to industry and manufacturer guidelines. So you can rest assured it’s done to recognized standards.

The first step in your ceramic tile installation involves the cleaning of the substrate. Dirt, moisture, and oil can interfere with the adhesion of the tile, so care is taken to remove all foreign debris prior to beginning. Next, the installers will level the surface of the substrate. Why is this step necessary? It’s to provide a strong support base for the tile, and to ensure that the individual tiles will appear flat when installed. Flat, obviously, is the goal. If the substrate is not level or flat, the result could be tiles not being set correctly that can cause chipping or cracking when weight is applied. Once the substrate has been leveled, it may have a waterproofing layer applied to it. This is important in installations where the tile is frequently exposed to moisture, like kitchens, bathrooms, and exteriors.

Through thick and thin, tile setting has progressed.

In the past, ceramic tile was installed using what is called the thickset or mud set method. In this method, a thick layer of mortar was applied to a waterproofed and steel reinforced substrate. This provided a strong, flat base onto which the tile was installed. The thickset method is effective, but it’s an involved and labor-intensive process. An alternative method was searched for – and found.

Today, many tile installers have opted for the industry accepted and more efficient thin set method, where the tile is adhered directly onto a backer board that is nailed to a plywood or concrete substrate using a much thinner layer of mortar. This backer board is called a CBU, or cement backer unit, which provides a supportive and water-resistant layer between the porous substrate and the mortar and tile applied on top of it.

The best-laid ceramic floors are planned.

Once the substrate has been prepared, the next step is to create a layout plan. This plan shows the dimensions of each room, and will help determine the amount of ceramic tile and other materials needed for the installation. The installer will use this plan to estimate the amount of product needed, and to anticipate any installation issues that may be caused by architectural features like stairs, transitions, and cabinets. The installers will also use the layout plan to determine the pattern and orientation of the installed tile.

Chalk keeps things straight.

A chalk line is commonly used to lay down a guide for the installer to work from. This leaves a temporary line that can be used as a straight guide. Forget point “A”, installers start at point “T”. Next, a single row or column of tile is laid directly on the substrate without adhesive. This step gives the installers a better sense of how the tile will fit into the room. Another row or column is then added perpendicular to the first, forming the shape of a ‘T’, giving the installer a starting point for their tile setting. Once the installer has determined the correct layout, the next step is to apply the adhesive mortar to the substrate.

Next, grout comes into play.

Once the tiled floor has been set into place and left to fully cure, usually 12 to 24 hours, the grout is applied. Grout is available in a wide range of colors, and in sanded and unsanded forms. Sanded grout is commonly used for grout joints that are wider than 1/8th of an inch. This type of grout joint is typically used with floor tile because it helps strengthen the tile joint, and it will not sag after it is cured. Unsanded grout is used with narrow grout joints typically found with wall tile and many natural stone installations.

So, you may be wondering, how long before I can walk on my new floor? The mortar and grout need 24 hours to cure before walking on the tile. This ensures that the tiles won’t shift or become loose before the adhesive thin-set mortar and grout have a chance to set. In some installations the tile may be mopped daily for several days to prevent the grout from cracking, pulling moisture from the underlying mortar, or curing unevenly. And that is how your new ceramic floor would be professionally installed.

What to know and do during installation day


Furniture is first on your to-do list. 

Remove all furniture and other objects and materials from the areas where the installation will take place. Some installers will move your furniture, but there may be an additional charge for doing so. Before moving, you’ll also need to empty the contents of china cabinets, closets, etc. Be aware that the area of installation must be climate controlled (heated or air-conditioned). Indoor humidity should be maintained between 45-65%.

Make a decision on your old floor covering. 

Please consider how your old floor covering will be taken up and disposed of. We recommend that you check with us about the cost and the method of disposal. If you prefer to remove your present floor covering yourself, do it at least one day prior to installation to allow for cleanup and floor preparation. If removing old carpet, please leave tack strips in place and pull the staples out of the floor from the original pad.

Now turn your attention to the trim. 

In many cases, moldings and baseboards need to be removed for installation. Your installer may do this but at an additional charge and they will probably not be responsible for damage or breakage due to dry or brittle wood. Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching after the installation is complete. If necessary, this is your responsibility.

Next on the list is the subflooring. 

Your existing subfloor may need to be prepared to receive the ceramic, or a new subfloor may be required. We suggest you discuss this with us and, if subfloor work is necessary, that it be done by qualified professionals. It is important that the subfloor be as clean and level as possible.

Know this about your doors. 

When your new floor is installed, there’s always the possibility that the doors, especially closet, basement and bedroom doors, may not clear the new floor and swing free. Some installers will remove doors in order to install the new floor and re-hang them if possible. They probably won’t shave or cut down doors to insure clearance. You should check with us as to their policy and the cost. You may need to arrange for a qualified carpenter to provide this service after the installation of your new floor.

Check up on the clean-up. 

Installing new ceramic will produce waste. Usually these materials are collected by your installer and left at your trash collection site. Check with us before the day of installation, so you’re clear about the cleanup, if there are added costs to do so, and ask about the plan for remnants.

What to know and do before installation day


Plan on being home.

Be prepared to be at home the day of installation and be available in case the installation crew has questions. Your presence will ensure that the correct ceramic is installed in the right areas. Because it is difficult to estimate the length and circumstances of each job, some installers may not be able to give you an exact time of arrival. We suggest you be flexible and keep in touch with us.

We insist on wall-to-wall safety.

Your installers will use a variety of tools and techniques that can make the work area hazardous. Please make sure that your children and pets are kept out of the work area on installation day.

Walk through, don’t run.

We recommend that, prior to the completion of the installation, you walk through the job with the chief installer. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and be clear on any final details.

What to know and do after installation day


If you are sensitive to dust and odors, good ventilation should be established for 48 to 72 hours after installation. When it comes to preparing for your ceramic tile installation, we want you to know all about the steps to take and the issues to consider. That way, installation day is a positive experience and the first of many days of enjoying your beautiful ceramic tile.

Contact us to get started!

No obligations — let’s discuss your project and see how we can help!

Okemos

Mon 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Tue 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Wed 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Thu 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Fri 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Sat 10:00AM - 3:00PM
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Fax: (517) 349-4666

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