Ceramic vs. Porcelain: Which One Should You Use at Home?

Many homeowners are unsure of the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles, and what their best option is. It can be confusing to know which one to use in your home. In order to help you make an informed decision, here are some points that will help you decide which type of tile is right for you!

How are they made?

Often difficult to tell apart, ceramic and porcelain tiles are made with very similar materials and processes, but there are slight differences between the two types. In general, porcelain tile is harder than ceramic and offers greater design flexibility. Although both are made from clay and other naturally occurring materials fired in a kiln, the clay used to make porcelain tile is more refined and purified. It’s fired at a higher temperature and greater pressure, resulting in an extremely dense and hard material. Source: BHG

Durability

Both ceramic and porcelain excel in high-traffic areas in comparison with other flooring types (such as hardwood, laminate and carpet). But porcelain is a denser tile, and as a result it offers better long-term resistance to scuffs and scratches. Through-body porcelain, where the color on top of the tile goes all the way throughout the tile’s body, is especially scratch resistant. Living rooms and hallways are two of the perfect places to install porcelain. Households with children and pets will appreciate porcelain’s durability.

As the heart of the home, kitchens experience a fair share of foot traffic too. If your cooking space is your home’s social hub and a common gathering place for your family and guests, porcelain is the best option. Source: Houzz

Cost

When it comes to ceramic vs. porcelain tile, porcelain is the pricier material. But that’s only part of the story. Because of its extreme hardness, porcelain is trickier to work with, making pro installation costs higher than ceramic. Source: HGTV

Installation

Both ceramic and porcelain tiles can be very delicate to handle during installation. Ceramic is not very thick, meaning it can be easy to cut in a DIY project, but may also easily (and noticeably) chip. Porcelain tile, meanwhile, is so hard that it may be brittle and prone to cracking when handled with unskilled hands.

If the tile you choose is soft and you’d like to avoid damage from grout sand, it is a recommended to use unsanded grout with small (less than 1/8 inch) spaces between tiles. Once installed, both tiles should function relatively well if the right class of tile has been used in the right place. Installation of either tile, however, will almost certainly require a professional. Source: Diffen

Give yourself some peace of mind by getting an expert’s opinion – call us today so we can help answer any of your questions regarding which flooring material will best suit your needs!

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Want to Use Marble Tiles at Home? Read This First!

Marble is a versatile and beautiful stone that can add elegant style to any room in your house. But is it perfect for your budget and needs? Get to know the answers below.

What is marble?

Marble is a very popular natural stone that is quarried and cut into slabs and tiles for a variety of residential and commercial building applications, including countertops, floors, and wall tiles. It is a metamorphic rock that forms when a sedimentary stone, such as limestone, is transformed under heat and pressure into a harder stone with beautiful color and veined patterns. Marble is sometimes confused with granite, however, granite is an igneous rock derived from volcanic magma, not layered sedimentary rock. Granite typically has a pebbly or spotted color pattern, while marble usually has a wavy veined pattern. Source: TheSpruce

Reasons to choose marble

One of marble’s best features is its durability. Builders have relied upon this natural stone for centuries to provide a strong material that will last for a long time. When purchasing and installing high-quality marble tiles, you can feel satisfied in knowing that they will stand the test of time and keep their appearance for years to come (if properly maintained).

Marble is also considered a hypoallergenic choice for floors. Because of its density, marble tile does not store or accumulate antigens and particles like dust and pollen that can cause allergic reactions. This makes it a more sanitary surface that promotes improved air qualities indoors. Source: BuildDirect

Costs

A good amount of labor goes into quarrying and finishing marble tiles, so even lower-end marble is a pricey flooring choice. The least expensive tiles start around $5 per square foot and higher-end tiles can run $10 to $40 per square foot, depending on density and veining patterns (fine veining is preferable to heavy veining). Also, the larger the tile, the more expensive the square foot cost. Ceramic and porcelain tiles, in comparison, run just $1 to $3 per square foot.

Professional installation can add an additional $3 to $7 per square foot, depending on the going rate for labor in your area and whether additional work is needed. Source: BobVila

If you want to get new tiles of any material installed at home, let us know! We’ll help you save time and money on your renovation. 

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How to Fix Carpet Fraying

Have you noticed the edges of your carpet starting to thin out and fray? If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to solve this problem, this blog post is for you. 

What causes carpet fraying

The main reasons for carpet fraying include poor installation and friction from dirt and debris working their way into the material. Over time, the fibers wear out and can also unravel. If left in this state, the appearance and structural integrity of your carpet will continue to deteriorate. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate

How to prepare carpet 

Pull away any fibers completely loose from the carpet backing. Clean the carpet and allow it to thoroughly dry before applying the glue. This is especially important if the fraying was caused by pet actions which may also carry moisture and dirt into the carpet. Apply the hot glue and press the fibers into position and allow the glue to dry. This may only take a few minutes depending on the hot glue used. 

How to repair carpet seams

Most carpet fraying problems occur along the seam between two segments of carpet. This can require applying the hot glue to both segments of the carpet and then gluing the two segments together. This can salvage a situation that might require replacing the entire room of carpet at a fraction of the cost. Continue to monitor the repaired area and apply additional glue if any further fraying is noted. Source: Hunker

Which type of carpet is less likely to fray?

To prevent excess fraying and other types of wear, choose a carpet that is durable and more resistant to wear. For this, nylon carpet is your best bet. Nylon is the strongest carpet material, performs better than others in high traffic areas, and is resistant to mold and mildew. Source: UpgradedHome

Carpet fraying is a common issue in most households. The good news is that it’s easy to repair. If you want to save time and effort, let us take on this job for you. Contact us today to set an appointment.

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What is Carpet Pile Reversal?

Have you noticed when you look at your carpet that some areas look darker than others? Find out what causes this problem by reading below:

How does pile reversal look?

Traffic Lanes Gray: The carpet appears to be soiled, but is actually clean.  This is often due to a combination of factors, such as scratches or fiber distortions due to wear, which will cause light to reflect at different angles instead of uniformly. 

Shading, Pooling, or Nap Reversal:  Normal traffic causes the pile of carpet to flatten slightly, resulting in a shaded effect, especially in plush carpet.  Vacuuming the pile in the same direction can temporarily correct this situation.  Source: Cleanlink

Why does it happen?

Most commonly, pile reversal is the result of poor installation. If two pieces of carpet need to be seamed together in a room, the installer must ensure that the direction of the pile is consistent in both pieces. Otherwise, when the two pieces are joined they can actually look like two different carpets.

Less commonly, the pile can actually change direction on a single piece of carpet. This is somewhat of a mystery in the industry. Sometimes, it is evident that the pile direction shifts in the direction of foot traffic. Other times, though, it has no apparent cause.

In rare instances, the carpet comes straight from the manufacturer with the pile reversed on part of the roll. Unfortunately, reverse pile is not considered by carpet manufacturers to be a defect and therefore is not covered by warranty. Source: TheSpruce

Which carpet type is the least prone to

Examine loop-pile carpets such as Berber, which does not show any footprints or marks at all. It makes an ideal choice for dressing all those common areas of your home, and rooms where you may socialize frequently. A loop pile carpet, Berber’s yarns are sewn through the back of the carpet. Multilevel loop rugs offer a dimensional appearance unlike cut carpet, which has as a straight, tufted appearance. When choosing carpet for the high-traffic areas of your home, couple your design perspective with a touch of realism. For example, a multi-level or patterned Berber rug stylishly conceals the appearance of footprints when compared to fancy, thick-pile carpeting. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate

Don’t risk headaches down the line. Make sure only professionals with a proven track record install your carpet. If you need help solving any carpet problem, don’t hesitate to call us!

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