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With today's technology, ceramic tile has become easier to maintain and much more affordable. If you have never considered ceramic tile before you will be amazed at the variety of colors, patterns, sizes, shapes and textures available for you to choose from. Let our expert sales people help you find the right tile floor for your home. We also offer expert installation and free in-home estimates.
Glazed Tile
Most of the common ceramic floor tiles have either a glazed or unglazed surface. The glazed tiles have a special ceramic coating that is applied to the body of the tile and then fired under tremendous heat. The glazing becomes hard and non-porous, resulting in a flooring that is:
- Stain Resistant
- Scratch Resistant
- Fire Resistant
- Doesn’t Fade from Sun Light
- Slip Resistant
- Easy to Clean
Unglazed Floor Tile or Natural Stone
There is no glazing or any other coating applied to these tiles. Because these tiles are porous, it is recommendeded that a special penetrating sealant be used to maintain this type of floor and to help prevent stains from seeping into the pores of the tiles. Their color is the same on the face of the tile as it is on the back, resulting in very durable tiles that do not show the effects of heavy traffic.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic made of a very fine mixture of clays and minerals similar to those found in fine dinnerware. These special clays allow porcelain tile to be fired at temperatures even higher than ceramic tile, typically exceeding 2,400 degrees (F). The higher temperature results in a very dense tile. And the denser the tile, the better it resists moisture.
Marble
Marble is a natural product and is not made in a factory. For this reason, no two pieces of marble look the same and the veining is a natural characteristic in all marble. There are special marble sealants to help protect from staining of the face. Extra care should be used when cleaning, and no abrasives or acidic cleaners should ever be used. Even colas, some juices and possibly ammonia may destroy the marble finish.
Granite
This is another natural stone and is not manufacturered in a factory. Granite can be used indoors or outdoors and is less porous than marble. It is still recommended that you use a sealant to protect the finish from staining.
Grout
Grout is a mixture of cement and a color additive. For tile floors with wider spaces between each tile, sand is added to the grout. Also, a liquid latex additive can be added to the grout to give better resiliency to the grouted areas. For ease of maintenance, a penetrating sealant should be used on the grout. It should be noted you may see a change in color of your grout over time. If you purchased an epoxy grout, sealing is not needed - however, epoxy grout must cure for 12 days before getting wet.
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| Malkin's Flooring | N95 W17055 Richfield Way | Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 | Telephone: (262) 255-1400 |
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