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My floor isn't completely flat or level. Will this be a problem?
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There are many different products on the market that can be placed on the floor to smooth it out or to make it more level. Depending on the tile you are interested in some floor preparation may be required.
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I would like to heat my front foyer but I was told that I can't have a carpet by the door if I do so. Is this true?
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It is true that you should refrain from placing a carpet or mat over top of a heated floor however this doesn't mean a heated floor is impossible. Heating a floor can be accomplished by using a heating cable, which can be installed in odd shapes. So, if you have your heart set on heated floors yet need to have a carpet over a small area then the cable can be laid to bypass that area.
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| Q: |
I found a stone tile that I like and I want to have it installed in my shower. Can I place it on the walls and the floor?
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Yes. Stone tile can be placed on walls and floors however keep in mind that a shower floor must be sloped in order for water to the drain and not pool. If the stone is too large to accommodate the shower slope then it would be necessary to cut the stone into a smaller size.
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I like the look of mosaics but I think it would be too much to do my entire backsplash in them. Can I use a mosaic as a border or accent piece?
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It is s possible to mix different tiles however their thickness may be a challenge that needs to be overcome. If your main tile is thicker than the mosaic you've selected then sections of the wall will need to be built out to ensure the finished backsplash is flush (smooth). Your specific backsplash and tiles would need to be taken into consideration before an installation could begin.
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| Q: |
What is the difference between ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles?
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"Ceramic tiles" can be split into two groups, porcelain tiles and non-porcelain tiles. These non-porcelain tiles are frequently referred to as ceramic tiles by themselves, separate from porcelain tiles.
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| Q: |
Can ceramic tile be used outdoors?
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The tile must be frost proof and unglazed for use outdoors.
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| Q: |
Should a sealer be used on ceramic tile?
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glazed tile is already stain proof, so there is no purpose to putting on a sealer. You may put a penetrating sealer on your unglazed tile or your grout joints. The penetrating sealer is an invisible, stain resistant shield that is absorbed into the surface.
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| Q: |
What colors does travertine come in?
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Travertine comes in many different colors including ivory, beige, walnut, and gold. The color of travertine is the result of iron compounds or other organic impurities.
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What does the finished surface of travertine look like?
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Travertine can have four major finishes, polished (shiny), honed (matte), brushed and tumbled (textured surfaces). The type of finish given to the travertine will determine how shiny the surface will be. The polished and honed surfaces are flat and smooth, while the brushed and tumbled surfaces are flat and textured. The polished surface is the shiniest, while the tumbled surface reflects the least amount of light. The most common finish for travertine is honed.
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Where would I use travertine?
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Travertine is used for flooring, cladding on buildings, showers, wall coverings and counter tops.
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What should I consider in using travertine?
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Travertine is a natural stone product. Because the minerals that make up travertine are highly reactive with acidic solutions (e.g. orange juice, vinegar), a major consideration is where the travertine will be installed and what it will be exposed to. Sealers will provide some protection to the stone no matter what the environment, but knowing what it will be exposed to will help you decide whether travertine is a good fit for your project.
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| Q: |
My tile's/grout's cracking! What's happening? Can I just replace it?
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Any time tile or grout cracks, it's a symptom, not a problem, and just repairing the tile or the grout will not take care of it. Until the real problem is found and rectified, the same tile or area of grout will continue to crack, no matter how many times you replace it. Most of the time, it can be attributed to seasonal movement in the structure, either under, or surrounding the tile in question, and the tile needs to be isolated from that movement. Sometimes it can be as simple a fix other times, it may be necessary to beef up the existing joisting to minimize the floors movement. What the fix is depends on the individual problem, but in all cases, again, the problem has to be identified and resolved before the cracking will stop.
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| Q: |
Can I put 12" X 12" or larger tiles on the wall?
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Yes, you can use floor tile on the wall, but you can't use wall tile on the floor.
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| Q: |
What is "subway tile"?
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"Subway tile" is a commonly used term for a traditional 2"x6" wall tile, laid in a common brick pattern. It was the most common tile pattern throughout the first half of the century. Subway tile is still manufactured and commonly used today, although the dimensions have shifted to 3"x6" and the tile edges have become more rounded.
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