Have Questions About Tile Flooring in Rochester Hills, MI?
Perfect Floors Addresses Your Ceramic Tile Flooring Concerns
In business for over two decades, Perfect Floors has
perfected the art of installing beautiful tile flooring
for Rochester Hills and South Lyon, MI homeowners. Whether you’re interested in
porcelain or ceramic tile flooring, we feature a large selection in our
showroom at affordable prices. We make it easy to shop by brand, color tone,
category, surface type, shade range, and material on our website or in person. Below,
we’ve assembled the answers to the questions we frequently receive from
residential and commercial customers. Please contact us today
with any additional concerns you may have about how to install or remove tile
flooring. Someone from our friendly staff will be in touch as soon as possible.
What’s the Difference Between Ceramic & Glazed Porcelain Tile?
Although you’ve likely heard the terms ceramic and glazed porcelain tile used interchangeably, there are several differences between the two flooring materials. One major difference between the two is the rate of water they absorb. Because porcelain is made of a denser clay, it’s less porous than ceramic and considered slightly more durable because it absorbs significantly less water. Ceramic tile is ideal for interior areas with low foot traffic, while you’re likely to find porcelain tile used in various interior and exterior commercial applications with heavy amounts of traffic. Because porcelain tile is nearly waterproof, it’s recommended in rooms featuring a lot of moisture, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Porcelain tiles will look uniform in color throughout the material, while ceramic tiles may have a different color underneath their surface. Porcelain is also typically smoother than ceramic.
What’s the Difference Between Floor Tile and Wall Tile?
Floor tiles are created harder and thicker than wall tiles to withstand foot traffic and heavy furniture. Often, floor tiles will also feature an added texture to make them more slip-resistant. Wall tiles are typically thinner, smoother, and lighter in weight than floor tiles. Different clays and glazes are used to produce floor and wall tiles. Wall tiles may have uneven surfaces due to the wider range of materials (glass, metal, and stacked stone) frequently used to create them.
Can Floor Tiles Be Used on Walls?
Yes, you can decorate your walls with floor tiles! Floor tiles come in many eye-catching patterns, textures, and colors, making them ideal for stylish, functional kitchens and bathrooms. Create a calm, relaxing feel with linear white tiles or a bold, ultra-chic feel with bright colors and accessories. Mosaics will make any room feel larger and more visually appealing. However, you should always consult a professional before attempting to tile a wall to ensure the weight of the tile with its adhesive and grout won’t exceed the maximum weight threshold of the surface you’re tiling. Check out our Tile 101 section for additional tips on selecting the best tile pattern for your space!
Porcelain and ceramic tiles may be polished or textured to mimic the appearance of natural stone if desired. Glossy finishes are often added to create variations in the coloring and the glaze thicknesses. Flat matte finishes won’t reflect any light for a modern look and feel. Homeowners seeking a unique 3D texture or a metallic finish should consider multi-fired tiles, which are fired through a kiln multiple times to give them more interesting variations. You may also add an anti-slip surface to your tiles. Perfect Floors would be happy to help you select the perfect tile flooring for your lifestyle and budget!
How Do I Determine How Many Tiles I Will Need?
As a general rule of thumb, you may multiply the tile length by its width to determine how many square inches one tile will cover. Then you can divide that number by 144 to convert it into a square footage. Once you have this figure, divide it by the area you wish to tile to determine how many tiles are needed.
Is Ceramic Tile a Durable Flooring Material?
Ceramic tile is durable, although porcelain tile is the more durable option out of the two flooring types. Ceramic tile may not be ideal for all flooring applications. Consult our professionals today to see if ceramic tile is right for your needs.
What Are the Advantages of Glazed Tiles?
Glazed tiles are easy to clean and come in a wide variety of patterns and colors. Due to their superior surface strength, glazed tiles are suitable as floor or wall tiles. However, polished tiles are more resistant to wear-and-tear and are less likely to crack when subjected to extreme temperature changes.
Is Tile Flooring Waterproof?
Porcelain tile is considered waterproof, while ceramic tile is considered water-resistant. While ceramic tile isn’t easily damaged by water, it does absorb more water than porcelain. We would recommend either porcelain or ceramic tile inside your kitchen or bathroom, but only porcelain tiles should be installed outdoors.
How Do You Grout Tile Flooring?
Grouting tile flooring helps keep dirt and other debris from getting stuck in-between and underneath your beautiful new tile flooring. Grout may be made of a powdered mix of cement, sand, epoxy, and color pigments to create a contrasting look. You should apply grout in small sections using a trowel or rubber grout float and rubber gloves. Your goal is to get the grout into all the joints between the tiles at a 45-degree angle. Be sure to wipe away any excess grout as you work. You’ll need to clean as you go but try not to use too much water.
How Do You Install Tile Flooring?
First, you’ll want to level the surface by cleaning away all dust and debris. Next, you’ll want to find the center of the floor. Many homeowners find it helpful to lay out the tiles and spacers before beginning the application to determine where to start and the best width for their grout lines. Once the mortar has been mixed, you’ll install the tiles one at a time, working in small sections to keep the mortar from drying before the tiles have been placed. Placing the spacers between the tiles ensures a more uniform look. You’ll have to wait until the tiles are completely dry before applying the grout. You could also rely on Perfect Floors for a perfect tile flooring installation in Rochester Hills, South Lyon, and surrounding areas of Michigan. We’d even be happy to show you how to combine tile and wood flooring.
How Do You Remove Tile Flooring?
Tile flooring may be removed using a hammer and a chisel to break up the tile and pry it out. Once you’ve removed the tile, you must remove the underlayment. Once the underlayment is gone, you’ll need to remove any adhesive and clean the subfloor thoroughly using a broom or shop vac. You want your subfloor to be as smooth as possible before installing a new floor.
How Do You Clean Ceramic and Porcelain Tile?
Ceramic tile floors are easy to keep clean using a mop, warm water, and mild dish soap for stubborn stains. Porcelain tile floors may require a soft bristle brush, warm water, and white vinegar to achieve the best results. However, you should use the vinegar sparingly because of its acidic nature. You’ll want to avoid any cleaners with harsh chemicals to avoid damaging your flooring.
How Much Does Tile Flooring Cost on Average?
The cost of tile flooring will vary by supplier. The installation labor costs will depend on the amount of prep work involved. Contact Perfect Floors to request an estimate from our flooring professionals in Michigan. We can help you find the perfect flooring for your budget!
What’s the Difference Between Ceramic & Glazed Porcelain Tile?
Although you’ve likely heard the terms ceramic and glazed porcelain tile used interchangeably, there are several differences between the two flooring materials. One major difference between the two is the rate of water they absorb. Because porcelain is made of a denser clay, it’s less porous than ceramic and considered slightly more durable because it absorbs significantly less water. Ceramic tile is ideal for interior areas with low foot traffic, while you’re likely to find porcelain tile used in various interior and exterior commercial applications with heavy amounts of traffic. Because porcelain tile is nearly waterproof, it’s recommended in rooms featuring a lot of moisture, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Porcelain tiles will look uniform in color throughout the material, while ceramic tiles may have a different color underneath their surface. Porcelain is also typically smoother than ceramic.
What’s the Difference Between Floor Tile and Wall Tile?
Floor tiles are created harder and thicker than wall tiles to withstand foot traffic and heavy furniture. Often, floor tiles will also feature an added texture to make them more slip-resistant. Wall tiles are typically thinner, smoother, and lighter in weight than floor tiles. Different clays and glazes are used to produce floor and wall tiles. Wall tiles may have uneven surfaces due to the wider range of materials (glass, metal, and stacked stone) frequently used to create them.
Can Floor Tiles Be Used on Walls?
Yes, you can decorate your walls with floor tiles! Floor tiles come in many eye-catching patterns, textures, and colors, making them ideal for stylish, functional kitchens and bathrooms. Create a calm, relaxing feel with linear white tiles or a bold, ultra-chic feel with bright colors and accessories. Mosaics will make any room feel larger and more visually appealing. However, you should always consult a professional before attempting to tile a wall to ensure the weight of the tile with its adhesive and grout won’t exceed the maximum weight threshold of the surface you’re tiling. Check out our Tile 101 section for additional tips on selecting the best tile pattern for your space!
Porcelain and ceramic tiles may be polished or textured to mimic the appearance of natural stone if desired. Glossy finishes are often added to create variations in the coloring and the glaze thicknesses. Flat matte finishes won’t reflect any light for a modern look and feel. Homeowners seeking a unique 3D texture or a metallic finish should consider multi-fired tiles, which are fired through a kiln multiple times to give them more interesting variations. You may also add an anti-slip surface to your tiles. Perfect Floors would be happy to help you select the perfect tile flooring for your lifestyle and budget!
How Do I Determine How Many Tiles I Will Need?
As a general rule of thumb, you may multiply the tile length by its width to determine how many square inches one tile will cover. Then you can divide that number by 144 to convert it into a square footage. Once you have this figure, divide it by the area you wish to tile to determine how many tiles are needed.
Is Ceramic Tile a Durable Flooring Material?
Ceramic tile is durable, although porcelain tile is the more durable option out of the two flooring types. Ceramic tile may not be ideal for all flooring applications. Consult our professionals today to see if ceramic tile is right for your needs.
What Are the Advantages of Glazed Tiles?
Glazed tiles are easy to clean and come in a wide variety of patterns and colors. Due to their superior surface strength, glazed tiles are suitable as floor or wall tiles. However, polished tiles are more resistant to wear-and-tear and are less likely to crack when subjected to extreme temperature changes.
Is Tile Flooring Waterproof?
Porcelain tile is considered waterproof, while ceramic tile is considered water-resistant. While ceramic tile isn’t easily damaged by water, it does absorb more water than porcelain. We would recommend either porcelain or ceramic tile inside your kitchen or bathroom, but only porcelain tiles should be installed outdoors.
How Do You Grout Tile Flooring?
Grouting tile flooring helps keep dirt and other debris from getting stuck in-between and underneath your beautiful new tile flooring. Grout may be made of a powdered mix of cement, sand, epoxy, and color pigments to create a contrasting look. You should apply grout in small sections using a trowel or rubber grout float and rubber gloves. Your goal is to get the grout into all the joints between the tiles at a 45-degree angle. Be sure to wipe away any excess grout as you work. You’ll need to clean as you go but try not to use too much water.
How Do You Install Tile Flooring?
First, you’ll want to level the surface by cleaning away all dust and debris. Next, you’ll want to find the center of the floor. Many homeowners find it helpful to lay out the tiles and spacers before beginning the application to determine where to start and the best width for their grout lines. Once the mortar has been mixed, you’ll install the tiles one at a time, working in small sections to keep the mortar from drying before the tiles have been placed. Placing the spacers between the tiles ensures a more uniform look. You’ll have to wait until the tiles are completely dry before applying the grout. You could also rely on Perfect Floors for a perfect tile flooring installation in Rochester Hills, South Lyon, and surrounding areas of Michigan. We’d even be happy to show you how to combine tile and wood flooring.
How Do You Remove Tile Flooring?
Tile flooring may be removed using a hammer and a chisel to break up the tile and pry it out. Once you’ve removed the tile, you must remove the underlayment. Once the underlayment is gone, you’ll need to remove any adhesive and clean the subfloor thoroughly using a broom or shop vac. You want your subfloor to be as smooth as possible before installing a new floor.
How Do You Clean Ceramic and Porcelain Tile?
Ceramic tile floors are easy to keep clean using a mop, warm water, and mild dish soap for stubborn stains. Porcelain tile floors may require a soft bristle brush, warm water, and white vinegar to achieve the best results. However, you should use the vinegar sparingly because of its acidic nature. You’ll want to avoid any cleaners with harsh chemicals to avoid damaging your flooring.
How Much Does Tile Flooring Cost on Average?
The cost of tile flooring will vary by supplier. The installation labor costs will depend on the amount of prep work involved. Contact Perfect Floors to request an estimate from our flooring professionals in Michigan. We can help you find the perfect flooring for your budget!
