When selecting a specific tile for your application, there are several factors that must be taken into consideration. Where is the space you plan on tiling? Is it a bathroom or kitchen, where water is likely to be introduced? Does the space incur a high level of traffic or excessive wear from family or pets? Is this an area where furniture will be slid or moved on a regular basis? All these factors are key when selecting the finish or type of tile you can appropriately install for your application. A well laid tile floor can last for centuries, so your selection should be made carefully, as this investment in your home can last as long lasting as the home itself.

A trip to your local tile house or home improvement center can answer most of your questions, and offer ideas for colors, textures, materials and patterns for your specific application. Cost is a consideration for almost any project, and tile can run the gamut from affordability to outlandish expense, but the more common tiles we will speak about here typically lean more towards the affordable. It’s important to shop around and call various suppliers, as cost can vary from store to store, and brand to brand.

Another consideration when sourcing materials is delivery. The logistics in moving and delivering tile is something to take into effect, should your personal vehicle not be able to handle the tremendous weight associated with ceramic floor tiles. Most home improvement suppliers offer truck rentals on an hourly basis, which is an affordable way to get your floor home if delivery is not an option.

Some options for ceramic tile:

Natural Tile. Ancient Romans realized the artistic and stylistic benefits of a durable, adaptable tile floor. Many of the styles originated by the ancients can still be found today across the spectrum of tile options. Typically, the tiles were bisque or natural in tone, made of earthenware clay, fired and glazed to the desired colors.

If you are looking for a natural aged look - perhaps in a southwestern or Tuscan style kitchen - then a tile style of this nature might be exactly what you are looking for. The finish on these types of tiles may not be totally uniform, which adds to its beauty and variety. Additionally, this style typically does not support a totally glass-smooth surface area; slight undulations and waves in the finish also add to the aged look. The glaze used in some of the natural tile options also provide for a certain amount of wear that when viewed over time, give the tile a fine aged patina, and truly adds to that natural element many are seeking.

Patterned Tile. For a more modern look, or a mix of old and new, an imprinted or patterned tile may be what you are looking for. Combining elements of both the natural texture of ceramic tile and the technology available today, manufactures have begun stamping and glazing tile in such a way that a uniform size, shape and finish are created in a controlled environment. When installed, the overall effect is a clean, sharp style with the stylistic impact of a stone or natural tile. These tiles are widely available and offered in a range of tones, textures and hues.

The ease of installation as well as consistency in the tile patterning afford you the ability to seamlessly repair any damaged or cracked tile without the need to adapt, as is the case with earthenware or natural tile option. The application of these types of tiles is wide open, perfect for a kitchen, bath, foyer, living or dining room. One difficulty some have found is matching a bull nose – the rounded corner piece used on stairs – so be sure to verify that a bull nose is available for your selected style.

Glazed Tile. A departure from the stone textures is the heavy glazed ceramic style tile, most typically associated with bathroom floors. These floors are easy to install, highly adaptable, and offered in a wide array of colors and patterns. Depending on your personal styles, you can tailor your floor to almost any pattern and design that you can imagine.

One amazing feature of ceramic glazed tiles is the growing trend of painted, patterned tiles, offered in a wide variety of styles, from Italian frescos to mosaic patterns. Another aspect many like is the availability of smaller joints than other tile floors. Typically on the larger tiles, joint spacing might be 3/8” heavy sanded grout. With these smaller ceramic tiles, you can get away with unsanded, light smooth grout. Most manufacturers of the smaller ceramic floor tiles incorporate spacers molded into the sides of the tiles, making them perfect for first time installers.

Mosaic Tile. Another option for flooring tiles is the mosaic, or scaled tile, offered in a sheet section, typically 2’ x 4’. These large sheets can be installed easily, and offer the amateur an easy installation as compared to smaller unconnected sections. These mosaic tiles are offered in a wide variety of materials and finishes, from glass to ceramic. One nice feature is the range of options offered by scattered or mixed batch tiles, which have a multi-color pattern and bright, vibrant colors, all while remaining relatively affordable. These tiles are highly adaptable in their colors and textures, and scaled in such a size – 2”x 2” tiles - that you can install them in virtually any space. The combination of colorful grouts and mosaic tiles can truly add sparkle and diversity to the most mundane of spaces.

3.  LAMINATE FLOORS:
Laminate flooring is a great flooring option because you can have the beautiful look of a hardwood floor without all the maintenance.   See some of the samples of our Laminate Flooring.

4.  HARDWOOD FLOORS:
Hardwood flooring remains the most popular flooring option. With a wide variety of available woods and the lavish and beautiful look they bring to a room, hardwood floors are at the top of people’s list.

When you get down to it, your floor needs to be tough enough to withstand your busy lifestyle, yet still maintain an attractive appearance.

Fortunately, wood flooring can be made from a material that's durable, versatile and attractive.

Southern Pine Hardwood:

Select Your Style

High-grade Southern Pine flooring appeals to architects, custom builders and interior designers who want formal decor for dining and living rooms.

For a rustic or casual look, decorators turn to No. 2 grade Southern Pine flooring, which is more economical and quite suitable for dens, bedrooms or an entire home.

Facts on Finish

Once the floor is selected and properly installed, correctly finishing and maintaining it are critical to ensure its long life.

The finish selected will affect how often the floor needs cleaning. A lighter-colored finish will hide dust better; it will also make the room appear brighter and larger. Darker colored floors, on the other hand, tend to conceal furniture scratches and heel marks.

Cleaning Tips

For cleaning the floor, avoid using just water, which can cause the wood to expand. For general cleaning, a solution of 1/4 cup vinegar to four cups warm water can be used to dampen a clean cloth or mop. Use a second cloth or a dry mop to wipe the floor dry. Wipe up spills promptly with a dry cloth. Never use a beater-bar vacuum on any wood floor. A mat may be useful at entry doors, but not one with a rubber back. Regular dusting can reduce the risk of dirt and grit scratching the floor or its finish.

Southern Pine flooring can add beauty and value to any room in the house.

Parquet Hardwood Floors:

Parquet floors, or floors of wood tiles, seem to have enjoyed an aristocratic past. Sumptuous dining rooms, the dens of mansions - parquet was an expensive symbol of elegance. Today, however, the expense has greatly diminished (more so for do-it-yourselfers) and anyone may enjoy the beauty and durability of a parquet floor.

Parquet is most often chosen for its decorative appeal. Coming in many styles and patterns, parquet could easily be chosen for its durable nature - installed properly, a parquet floor should last you quite a long time. If anything, homeowners may require new finish for the floor, but the flooring itself is immensely strong. Furthermore, that decorative appeal is adaptable to numerous décor styles from colonial Williamsburg to modern minimalist to Tuscan charm. The warmth of wood is unmistakable and surpasses most other materials in terms of beauty and durability.

Installing a parquet floor yourself will most likely cut your floor’s price tag in half. The installation is not fraught with frills and special skills. It tends to be a streamlined process that requires laying parquet tiles along an adhesive and employing a mallet to fix them into place. Preparing the surface, gathering the necessary tools and learning a few simple techniques means you’re halfway to a beautiful parquet floor.

Naturally, you will need to choose your parquet tiles. Manufacturers make a wide variety of patterns. Typically, when you visit your home improvement or tile store, you’ll find commonly sold patterns such as Monticello, Fontainebleau, Canterbury, Haddon Hall, Bordeaux and Herringbone. Pattern choice is different from wood choice - you must also consider a variety of woods. The tiles come in prefinished and unfinished squares, as well as solid or laminated wood. Some popular wood choices are maple, ash, white oak, red oak, walnut, pecan and even teak. While parquet is popular for its smooth finish, some homeowners prefer a textured variety of parquet that is also available.

The cost of the wood, the finish and the intricacy of the pattern are all factors that will affect the price tag. Solid wood is also considerably more expensive than laminated pieces. However, a quality laminate piece will be comprised of three or more layers of hardwood veneer. Purchasing prefinished tiles means that the manufacturer has baked a sealer into the wood and coated with a wax or urethane finish for worry-free maintenance. If you can afford the added cost, this is a hassle free option. You simply install the tiles and voila! your floor is finished.

Unfinished parquet tiles are less expensive, and of course, they allow the installer to finish precisely according to taste, which can be the upside of the project. The project will entail considerable mess, though. Once the floor has been installed, the finish requires sanding the floor, staining it, and laying down a couple of coats of protective finish. The process will take several days as each separate coat must thoroughly dry before moving on to the next.

When you come to purchasing your floor materials, know your floor’s area - the dealer should help you determine the amount of parquet tiles and adhesive you’ll need. Choose a water-based mastic adhesive especially if you are doing the job yourself - no toxic fumes that are contained in solvent-based mastic. Some homeowners rely on self-stick parquet tiles, but the surface as to be absolutely smooth and perfectly clean to make for a lasting floor.

Keep in mind that a parquet floor will not do particularly well in areas where moisture is a problem in the home. Moisture will cause the wood to swell and eventually break loose. Wood and water are never very good friends after all. If you are installing a floor below ground level, a laminate parquet floor is actually the best choice because of the moisture issue of such conditions. In any case, a clean, smooth and dry surface makes for the most ideal conditions for parquet.

Some tools you may likely need if you’re doing the installation yourself: a notched trowel for spreading adhesive, an edger to sand the floor’s perimeter, a sand belter for sanding, a drum sander for the sub floor, coping saw for cutting the tiles, a floor roller to firmly push the tiles into the adhesive, and a mallet to give the tiles their initial push. Avoid a floor roller for prefinished tiles - allow the mallet to do the job in that case.

Parquet floors are elegant features for any home when left bare or accented with decorative rugs or mats. Their appeal is timeless and will adapt to any décor style for nearly any room in the house.