Four Fast Facts to Help You Hire the Right Ceramic Tile Installer
Start your project right. Use an installer who knows how to make your investment beautiful and last for years to come.
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Topics: Tile, Porcelain Tile, Porcelain, Floor tile, ceramic tile, tile installation, Choosing the right installer, tile installers, experienced labor
What You Need to Know Before Laying Tile on Concrete
Although putting tile directly over concrete is a common practice, there are a couple issues that need to be addressed to be sure your project stands the test of time, and won't cause issues down the road that could have been easily addressed up-front. The two most important factors are Moisture and Foundation Shifts. Generating a flat, dramatic tile floor doesn’t have to be hard if you plan ahead and take the necessary steps.
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Topics: Porcelain Tile, Porcelain, Sealing, subfloor, Floor tile, Helpful Tips on Tile Installation, tile installation, Lay Tile on Concrete
If the pandemic has changed how we clean (and how much), it has also changed how we use our home. When considering hygiene in your home, be careful to take all of your surfaces into account, from the floor to the walls, from the countertops to your outdoor patio.
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Topics: Porcelain Tile, Floor tile, ceramic tile, exterior kitchens, porcelain pavers, health & hygiene, Ceramic Tile Hygiene, Tile Hygiene
Tile –
Because of tile’s wide variety of materials, shapes, sizes, and colors, there are limitless design possibilities and a limitless number of places it can be used. There is no doubt that it can be confusing. In addition to pre-manufactured tiles, there are a handful of companies that can hand-make custom designed tiles with the pattern, size, and color of your choice.
One of the few companies in the US that can supply everything including custom hand-crafted tile is GENROSE Stone and Tile.
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Topics: Glass Tile, Tile, Porcelain Tile, Porcelain, Floor tile, mosaics, kitchen backsplash, mosaic, subway tile, Quemere Handmade Tiles, Wall Tile, ceramic tile, San Marino Tile
Rediscover Your Backyard
Enjoy the world of exterior living by adding a beautiful Outdoor Kitchen to your home. These outdoor retreats can display the same level of luxury that you demand in your home. With growing popularity, outdoor kitchens can significantly enhance the appeal, and value, of your home.
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Topics: Stone, outdoor kitchens, exterior kitchens, porcelain pavers, natural stone
GENROSE Stone and Tile Has Stylish Options for Pet Owners
When remodeling a room, the main things that a homeowner may be concerned with is the value-added and aesthetic of their decisions. An equally important factor all renovators should consider, especially those with pets, is the durability and longevity of their flooring selections. Dogs, cats, and other domesticated companions are notorious for leaving scuffs and scratch marks on the surfaces they explore. Choosing a foundation that's resistant to your furry friend’s paws or claws is essential for upholding the value of your renovations and the beauty of your home. GENROSE Stone and Tile has flooring options for pet owners, no matter what your style preference.
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Topics: Porcelain Tile, Floor tile, Wood-Look Tile, Scuff resistant tile, Stone-look Tile, brick-look tile
The Similarities and Differences Between Today's Two Most Popular Looks
The terms Modern Design and Contemporary Design are often looked at as virtually the same, but if you consult interior design professionals, they will tell you that these are two very different design styles. Although they have their similarities, there is a world of difference.
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Topics: Porcelain Tile, Porcelain, Floor tile, Wood-Look Tile, Large Format Tile, Stone-look Tile, Chevron Pattern tiles, Herringbone pattern tiles, concrete-look tiles, Hexagon tiles, Terazzo tiles, Contemporary Design, Modern Design
Working on your summer home? Rebuilding your dream bath? Yearning for a fun summer look that will give you the feel of a warm summer breeze no matter what time of year? Look no further - we've got your summer fix.
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Topics: Tile, Showers, Bathrooms, ceramic tile, San Marino Tile, Evoke Tile
Purchasing stone countertops is an important move which can add beauty and significant resale value to your home.
Without an accurate measurement of the size of your stone countertop project, you will not be able to get an accurate quote from a stone fabricator. The more detail and accuracy you put into the layout and measurements, the less surprises you will encounter down the road. GENROSE Stone and Tile will provide all the steps you need to properly measure for stone countertops.
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Topics: Countertops, Granite Countertop, stone countertop, kitchen design trends, kitchen backsplash, ceramic tile, countertop measurement
Make Your Natural Stone Last | Skip These Common Errors
Natural stone surfaces are a wonderful investment that deserve and require proper care. If you make a mistake or overlook maintenance, you could risk damaging your beautiful material.
While it’s true that natural stone is extremely durable and made to last, it is not indestructible. “There is a chemistry to natural stone, and making mistakes can harm it,” notes Tim Lesnar, owner of Classic Marble Restoration in Blaine, Minnesota.
Natural stone thrives under proper maintenance, says Brian Kornet, owner of Fabra-Cleen Stone & Tile Care in Plainview, New York. “You have to take precautions,” he says. “If you avoid cleaning mistakes, you’ll need our [restoration] services less often.”
Here are five common practices to skip to maintain and protect your natural stone surfaces.
1. Cleaning With Vinegar
Only use cleaners that are suited for natural stone. If you use an outside cleaning service, make sure they do, too, says Lesnar.
“A lot of people aren’t familiar with the chemistry of cleaners and the chemistry of stone, and they’ll use wrong cleaner,” he says. “You have to have a cleaner that has the right pH level, which is seven (neutral). Some stones such as marble, travertine, or limestone react adversely with vinegar because it is acidic.”
“Vinegar and bleach are harsh,” adds Gregg Laviolette, owner of Stone Restoration Services in Troy, Michigan. “They will etch or burn the surface of your stone.”
While some chemicals may not noticeably damage durable stones such as granite, they can break down any sealers that have been applied to the stone. “That means you would need to have your stone resealed more frequently,” says Kornet.
2. Choosing an Abrasive Tool
Some homeowners think they can remove etches or stains with a scrubbing pad. Realistically, this often only makes the problem worse. Lesnar notes that scrubbing pads “act like abrasives on stone, especially when you put elbow grease into it.”
For daily cleaning, use a soft cloth and don’t attempt to “buff out” stains or scratches. Instead, call a professional. “The only way to fix a stone that has been etched is to have it honed and restored,” says Kornet.
Bardiglio, natural stone marble from Italy, has a mix of light and dark grey tones. It is installed on a bathroom, bedroom floor. Arizona Tile carries Bardiglio in natural stone marble slabs and tiles.
3. Skipping the Dust Mop
Minor dust particles and sand that you might not be able to see will act like an abrasive under your feet and cause wear patterns over time, says Laviolette. “Use a dry dust mop and go over your floors daily or at least every other day,” he recommends.
Grit will scratch floors and give them an appearance of being dull, says Kornet. “A polished surface is a smooth surface, and light will reflect off of it,” he says. “Scratches refract light. Your floors might be clean, but it gives the appearance of being dull or scuffed.”
Remove dust and debris with a dust mop or vacuum, and wash your floor with a neutral cleaner each week.
4. Leaving High-Traffic Areas Unprotected
Rugs can help protect the areas of your stone floors that will get worn down due to high traffic, says Laviolette.
“Walk off matting helps keep dust and debris that can scratch your floors to a minimum,” he says. Place a mat inside and outside of doors, and use runners and rugs in areas that get a lot of use, such as mudrooms, hallways, and kitchens.
5. Not Sealing Your Stone Regularly
For many stones, sealing is part of a recommended general maintenance plan. While it is possible for homeowners to seal their own stone, experts agree that a professional will deliver the best results.
“I tell customers to expect to see me once every three to five years,” says Lesnar. “Sometimes if it’s a high profile area with a lot of windows, you’ll want to call me every year.”
If you do seal your stone yourself, make sure you use a solvent-based impregnating sealer, says Laviolette. “It’s preventative maintenance, but it’s not a be-all, end-all cure,” he says. “It’s like applying stain and water repellant to your carpet; it can help prevent your stone from etching but you still need to perform regular cleaning.”
With proper care and maintenance, natural stone surfaces will stay beautiful for years to come. Every stone is unique—and for many homeowners, little imperfections and etches in the stone’s surface become part of the stone’s story. Learn more about choosing natural stone surfaces here and here.
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