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Tile is a common term used in the context
of many home improvement and remodeling projects.
A tiling project can add significant beauty
and value to your remodeling project.
GSP Restoration has a lot of experience with
helping our customers with the selection and
installation of a large variety of tile products.
Floor tile is commonly made of ceramic or stone,
although recent technological advances have
resulted in glass tiles for floors as well.
Ceramic tiles may be painted and glazed. Small
mosaic tiles may be laid in various patterns.
Floor tiles are typically set into mortar consisting
of sand, cement and often a latex additive for
extra adhesion. The spaces between the tiles
are normally filled with sanded or un-sanded
floor grout, but traditional mortar is sometimes
used.
Natural stone tiles can be especially beautiful.
However, as a natural product they are a little
less uniform in color and pattern and require
more planning for use and installation. Since
stone tiles are mass-produced, they have very
uniform width and length dimensions. Stone tiles
such as those of granite or marble are sawn
on both sides and then polished or finished
on the facing up side, so that they have a uniform
thickness.
Other natural stone tiles such as slate are
typically "riven" (split) on the facing up side
so that the thickness of the tile varies slightly
from one spot on the tile to another and from
one tile to another. Variations in tile thickness
can be handled by adjusting the amount of mortar
under each part of the tile, by using wide grout
lines that "ramp" between different thicknesses,
or by using a cold chisel to knock off high
spots.
The hardness of natural stone tiles varies such
that some of the softer stone (i.e. limestone)
tiles are not suitable for very heavy traffic
floor areas. On the other hand, ceramic tiles
typically have a glazed upper surface and when
they become scratched or pitted the floor looks
worn, whereas the same amount of wear on natural
stone tiles won't show or will be less noticeable.
Natural stone tiles can be stained by spilled
liquids; they must be sealed and periodically
resealed with a sealant in contrast to ceramic
tiles which only need their grout lines sealed.
Tiles must be sealed every couple of years in
order to prevent staining. However, because
of the complex, non repeating patterns in natural
stone, small amounts of dirt on many natural
stone floor tiles do not show.
As skilled licensed general contractors we have
many solutions available for adding any type
of tile to your home. Or if this tiling project
is for a rental property we have many solutions
available for a strict budget.. GSP Restoration
can help in many ways with the overall reduction
of costs on your tiling project. If you would
like more information, or if you would like
to schedule a free estimate in regards to tile
or any other project you may have. You can click
on the following link to find out the various
ways to contact
us.
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