Repairing Damaged Tile

Accidents happen.  It’s a part of life.  So what do you do when your tile is damaged?  While the type of damage plays a role in determining what type of repair is needed, here are a few scenarios for tile repairs:

Loose tile
Whenever your tile is loose and wobbling, you need to consider removing the tile and replacing it.  However, if you are able to lift the tile out in one piece, you can just simply re-adhere it to the floor.

Cracked tile
A cracked tile can ruin the look of any living space.  To repair, remove the cracked tile (in pieces, if necessary), and then replace it.  Cracked tiles are due to poor installation or a flaw in the manufacturing of a tile.

Uneven, chipping tile
The main cause of uneven, chipping tile is an uneven layer of thin set that is applied during installation.  This uneven thin set then does not allow your tiles to lay flat across your floor, causing some edges to become raised, creating chipping.

To help fix your damaged tile, follow these steps:

1.  If the tile is already cracked, take advantage of the crack!  Chisel along the fissure line on the crack to help separate the tile until you are able to start getting under the tile to remove it.

2.  Once it is removed, you need to prepare the floor for a new tile by using a scraper to remove all of the old thin set.  You might need to use a hammer and chisel to chip away the thin set.

3.  Now that the area is cleaned, you can place a new layer of thin set on the floor (try using a trowel or spatula).  Place the tile on the floor, making sure to use a level!  Allow the thin set to dry approximately 24 hours.

4.  After the thin set is dry, you can now add your grout.  Make sure your grout color matches that of the existing grout.  After adding the grout, use a sealant on the new area.

Follow these simple steps on repairing your damaged tile and your flooring will look as good as new!

Flooring Options For Busy Families

There are a plethora of beautiful flooring options available today, and durability is almost always at the top of the list when it comes to weighing the options. Choosing flooring designed to withhold a lot of foot traffic is important when children and pets are in the home. Fortunately, beautiful flooring doesn’t have to be a sacrifice for busy families. There are plenty of options that can work marvelously. In addition to being beautiful, the following options are tough and durable.

From the STONEPEAK Active collection: Travertino White.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is available in a wide variety of patterns and colors and can be incredibly beautiful and durable. This flooring material is an exceptional option for high traffic kitchens as well as bathrooms. Remember that there is a difference between floor tile options and wall tile options: Tile is graded according to hardness. Floor tile is much thicker and harder for durability purposes. Grade 1 tiles are relatively soft and designed primarily for walls. When shopping for flooring tile look for Grade 3 or 4.

Bamboo Flooring

Incredibly hard and durable, bamboo flooring is a great choice for busy homes. Bamboo wears well and lasts a long time due to its high fiber rating. It’s also exceptionally beautiful; perfect for dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms. Bamboo is quite a sustainable plant because it is very fast growing and abundant. You can feel good about choosing bamboo flooring for your home since it’s good for the environment.

Stone Tile Floors

Looking for the ultimate solution in durability? Give stone tile floor a try. Granite is the hardest. It is also popular for countertops, but can also make for a great and durable flooring option if you want to avoid scratches, which can occur in softer stones like marble.

Carpeting and Rugs

Carpet is obviously not your top choice in terms of durability compared to some of the options discussed. However, some rooms just seem a lot more comfortable and more inviting with carpet. Make sure you shop for durability if you’re going to go the carpet route. The trick is to find carpet that is stain resistant. You also want to purchase padding that will also be durable. If you have pets, avoid carpets with a looped pile since their claws can cause snags. Short piles, compared to plush styles, will show fewer footprints. Also pay attention to the material your carpet is made of. Nylon can be a great choice for durability while polyester is great for stain resistance. For ultimate durability in carpeting, look for tightly packed fibers.

Featured Product – American Olean

American Olean Natural, Tumbled Stone

Bring the character of timeworn natural stone into your home with American Olean Natural Stone – Tumbled Stone. A tumbling process is used to soften the edges of these luxurious natural stone tiles, giving them an Old World flavor reminiscent of fine European homes from centuries past. Available in a broad range of sizes, including one-foot squares consisting of pre-mounted mosaic-sized pieces, Tumbled Stone can be used for everything from walls and floors to countertops and fireplace surrounds. Beautiful accent borders in multiple colors complement its natural warmth and inherent elegance.

Shown is Tumbled Stone Azteca 12 x 12 field tile on floor with Mocha 2 x 2 dots.

Walls feature Azteca 4 x 4 field tile, 1 x 1 Mosaic and coordinating Azteca 3/4 x 12 Pencil Rail and 2 x 12 Chair Rail with Azteca/Mocha 2 1/2 x 11 1/2 Diamond Accent.

Click here for more information on all of our Featured Products.  Click here for more information on American Olean products and design inspiration.

7 Unique Ideas for Bathroom Floors

Bathroom floors have come a long way since good ‘ol laminate and vinyl tile. There are so many options available today. Just be sure to pick a flooring material that’s non-slip, repels water, and is easy to clean and you’re good to go.

Let’s look at 7 materials that can add a distinctive look to your bathroom floor:

1. Ceramic – one of the best materials to choose if you’re watching your budget. As far as colors and styles go, your options are never-ending.
2. Marble – this material is quite strong and adds a luxurious style to any bathroom. However, it’s porous and can stain so proper sealing and treatment is required.
3. Concrete – a nice alternative if you’re looking to create a smooth, consistent look.
4. Cork – soft on the feet and resistant to moisture and humidity. It’s also a good choice if you’re looking for a “green” alternative.
5. Bamboo – like cork, bamboo is an environmental-friendly option that provides a look similar to a hardwood floor, but with more durability.
6. Slate – if you’re considering a stone tile, slate will provide a rougher, textured surface that will help prevent slipping.
7. Recycled Rubber – another “green” option that’s slip resistant and sound absorbent. It’s also comfy on the feet and easy to install.

If you plan to use one of these materials for your bathroom flooring, remember that each material has its own set of rules when it comes to installation, prepping/sealing, cleaning, and maintenance. Make sure your flooring specialist is knowledgeable in these areas (we are!)

Stop by the Heritage showroom to see samples and to get some great ideas for your bathroom. We’re open Mon through Thurs from 8am to 5pm; Fri from 8am to 8pm; Sat 8am to 1pm.

Tile with Style: Part III

Welcome to our third and final post about tile and style. Previously we talked about specific tile styles (Mexican and Italian) and the unique design characteristics and uses for each. We’ll shift gears a bit and talk about glazing which is a finish that can be applied to ceramic tile.

What is a glazed tile?

Glazed ceramic tile has been finished with a protective topcoat which gives the tile a matte, semi-gloss or high-gloss finish. This finish prevents the tile surface from scratching, staining, and fading.

Here are the top reasons why glazed ceramic tile can be a smart choice for your home:

• Slip resistant – even though it has a glossy look, it’s safe
• Easy to clean – glazed tile seals out stains, making any type of clean-up simple and fast
• Water resistant – its ability to repel water makes it perfect for kitchens and bathrooms
• Long lasting – because of the durable glaze topcoat, the tile lasts a very long time and resists scratches and stains. It also holds its shine and won’t fade over time.

Choosing the right surface glaze is an important step when selecting tile. There are also other factors to consider, and you can get the details on our website by checking out the ceramics tile products page.

Tile with Style: Part II

Time for our second of three posts about tile and style!
Today’s stop – Italian tile.

According to the Ceramics of Italy association, which represents over 150 manufacturers of Italian tiles, Italy is the world’s leading manufacturer of ceramic tile, producing 43% of the tile in international commerce. Use of Italian tile began in the Middle Ages when it became a popular medium for walls and floors in religious and other public buildings.

Italian tile has evolved greatly since its beginnings. A style which once focused on large, decorative historical and Biblical scenes shifted to the use of repetitive, geometric patterns. This style is still very prevalent in today’s Italian tile.

Characteristics of modern-day Italian tile include:

• Elegant, polished looks that convey a level of sophistication and “high-style”
• Available in variety of materials like porcelain, ceramic, marble, and glass
• Popular in both commercial and residential spaces
• Very versatile – use indoor and outdoor on floors and walls. Italian tile is also popular in the creation of wall murals.

Earlier this year, the Ceramics of Italy association unveiled the latest trends in Italian tile at Coverings 2012, the industry’s largest expo for ceramic tile and natural stone:

Monolithic tiles – these are perfectly squared tiles that are frost and skid-resistant and easy to clean. They can also be easily dry laid over dirt, pebbles, grass, or gravel and without the need of specialized installers.

Mixed materials – many companies are mixing materials to create brilliant tiles that incorporate alabaster, marble, metal, and wood. Advancements in the technology used by tile manufacturers make it possible.

Concrete, resin & terracotta – Italian tile companies are incorporating other new materials into their designs, like smooth resins and industrial-style cements. Terracotta, a popular tile material from Italy’s past, is making a comeback and being reintroduced in modern sizes, colors, and finishes.

If you’re looking to add a modern, sleek, sophisticated look to your home then Italian tile may be the style for you. Give the Heritage Floors team a call at 717-687-7906 and we’ll get you started!

Wood floors in this dining area give warmth to the space while tile in the kitchen area adds to the aesthetics and is also utilitarian.

 

Armstrong Alterna Reserve Tile creates an inviting atmosphere in this kitchen and pulls together the colors from the cabinets and countertops. The nature-inspired colors and patterns reproduce the looks found in actual stone quarried from the earth.

MARAZZI USA – Our Featured Product

MARAZZI SILK Glazed Porcelain

Digital print technology reproduces the striations and mineral deposits found in natural travertine in this multi-sized intricately colored line that is complemented with mosaic and decorative trim options.  Luxurious SILK reveals the true beauty of ancient, vein-cut travertine in a modern-day glazed porcelain that addresses the needs of residential and commercial installations.

For more colors, styles and samples, click here.  And for more beautiful flooring options visit our website www.heritage-floors.net.

Just Because “Floors” is in Our Name…

Doesn’t mean we don’t do backsplashes, shower tiles, and other accent wall features. For example, one of our projects was this Honed Onyx Backsplash…Check it out!  Visit www.heritage-floors.net for endless tile options.