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First, will the ceramic tile be glazed or unglazed? Will the stone tile be polished or unpolished? These questions can be answered by the design requirements, personal taste, and the desired function of the finished surface. Generally, glazed or polished surfaces are easier to clean than unglazed, unpolished surfaces.

INTERIOR FLOORS-RESIDENTIAL
Slip resistance and abrasion resistance is always a factor in floor tile. These factors are somewhat flexible in residential applications. However, the use of a "wall tile" on a floor is not recommended. A tile with good breaking-flexural strength should be used.
It is very interesting that some polished stone tile have incredibly high slip resistance when dry. When wet, polished stone can be very slick.
Also with stone or ceramic, deep fissures, crevices, or voids in the tiles surface can mean more time spent in keeping the floor clean.
If the floor will be exposed to food acids or other acidic chemicals, then stone or ceramic tile vulnerable to such attack should be avoided. An example would be polished marble on a kitchen floor.

INTERIOR FLOORS-COMMERCIAL
Slip resistance and abrasion resistance is critical in these installations. Many other recommendations can be made such as high impact resistance, breaking-flexural strength, and generally a tile with the durable requirements for the intended installation.
Generally, commercial floors are beefed up residential floors. This is true of the tiles chosen as well as the substrate below the tile. Other considerations are the type of ceramic or stone tile quality chosen. For example, only stone tiles in the group A or B classification might be considered for a commercial floor project.
Certainly the same basic requirements exist for the commercial floor as compared to the residential variety related to chemical resistance and the like.

EXTERIOR FLOORS/DECKS
These areas are considered wet areas and should be tiled with tile in the vitreous or impervious class for best results. Slip resistance is important since uncovered exterior floors most likely will become wet. The wet condition will change the slip resistance. Also, the same tile used on ramps will have a different slip resistance. Abrasion resistance is important especially in higher traffic areas such as exterior commercial installations. Additionally, tile susceptible to water damage or freeze/thaw damage must be considered.
Most stone tile is suitable for this application with the exception of polished stone due to its poor slip resistance when wet.

INTERIOR WALLS-RESIDENTIAL
A great deal of latitude can be allowed here with many different options especially in a dry area. Special or decorative tile can be used here.
Stone or ceramic tiles with fissures, crevices, or voids can easily be used here depending on the project requirements and design.

INTERIOR WALLS-COMMERCIAL
Many tiles are suitable and the latitude enjoyed in the residential application is similar. However, the tile selected should be somewhat tougher and be able to resist more frequent cleaning and possibly harsher chemicals used to remove graffiti and the like.

EXTERIOR WALLS
These areas are considered "wet" areas and should be treated with the type of tile recommended. Classic wall tile should not be used on exteriors due to its high water absorption rate. In addition, tile that is freeze/thaw resistant should be considered in many areas.

COUNTER TOPS
Since kitchen counter tops are the most common factor, these installations should be treated as wet due to the normal way they are used. The exception is that a tile should have good abrasion resistance and impact resistance. In addition, chemical resistance is important due to the many acids common to cooking. Certain consideration should be given to stain resistance both to food materials and metal utensils.

SHOWERS/TUBS
Since these are generally considered wet areas, a tile in the vitreous or impervious class should be used. Remember that the glaze on wall tiles typically renders that surface impervious to water. Therefore they too can be used in wet areas. However, slip resistance should certainly be considered on shower floors.

Ceramic
Clean straight lines with all the right parts and pieces. Handcrafted jewel tones with beautiful decorative trims. Create a simple laundry room or a luxurious master bath. Forget that you thought a room would be hard to design. Forget that you think you hate green. From cerulean to moss, from hemp to heather. It is the perfect green. Just add a deco or a liner. You'll see. It simply designed itself.

Porcelain
Tough stuff. Use inside or out. A myriad of colors and sizes. Go from pool casual to fireplace dramatic. Some have deep, rich glazes. Some look like limestone. Mix and match with the real thing for a beautiful look with a practical application. Only you and your contractor will know if it's the real McCoy or McNot.

Glass
Sparkle. Shiny. Tumbled. Used in Hearst Castle. Can be used in his/hers castle. Accent a floor, a walkway, a bar. Create a beachy look or an elegant rotunda. Lots of sizes. Lots of colors. Bright and bold, sassy and subtle. Clearly eye-catching.

Metal Jewelry for your tile and stone. From liners to medallions. From little to large. From accents to statements. Pewter, Bronze, Copper, Stainless. Choose your finish. Choose your accent. Choose a most intriguing option.

Stone Accents and Moldings
Liners, listelles, torellos. What the heck does that mean? Tile talk for beautiful, decorative trims that enhance a backsplash, an entry, molding around a room, or an outdoor fireplace. Fill in all the blank spots. Your puzzle is done.

Stone Mosaics
You've seen them in Barcelona. You've seen them on HGTV. Maybe you've seen them in Santa Barbara. Mosaics are making a comeback, with even more colors and styles. Put them around a backsplash or even frame a mirror. Say, "Make mine mosaic." But in a Stone Design Gallery, naturally.

Travertine
There's lots of names for this stuff. People ask us for "Traverteen" and even "Traverstine." Whatever you call it, it's called a lot. Affordable and neutral, it picks up a beautiful patina as it wears. In Europe it's used everywhere. Here. There. Every wear.

Shell Stone
Shells. Fossils. Funny looking squiggly things. Beige, stoney, bathroomy, fireplacey. Created by striations of fossilly, oceany, watery looking creatures. Every day you'll see something new. And want to squiggle.

Quartzite
This stone does shimmer and shine. It looks like slate, but comes in colors lighter than slate. Creamy whites, golden yellows, and grey greens. Relax and watch the sunset from your newly quartzited patio. Just add a glass of something red and an aged Cheddar. Then it will always be Friday night.

Slate
Outdoor and rustic. Inside and not. The most beautiful floor to be seen was covered with slate and oriental carpets. Each piece is unique. A work of art. Warm golds, cool greens, and eventide grays. Perfect. Wouldn't it be hard to resist saying, "Slated for success."

Granite
This stuff is tough. And durable. It used to be shiny, but now it comes honed and even antiqued. The names are exotic - Juperana Fantastico, Ubatuba and Blue Bahia. Come look at granite just to see Blue Bahia, it's rare. Rarely passed by. The perfect cooking encounter.

Marble
Marble is synonymous with elegance. If you have traveled out of the country, you will notice marble in so many places. From Michelangelo statues to cathedral staircases, trod by millions of footsteps. Marble has glorious veining, enhanced when it's polished, softened with tumbling. It flows. It swirls. It is romance in a stone.

Medallions
Fancy, stoney, intricate, colorful, exotic, patterny, glorious designs for a home, bank or outdoor garden. Ooohs and Ahhhs are the most common response. Put one in a hallway and be transported to the land of Ahhhs.

Slabs
Hand selected crates of first-quality slabs sit in a building adjacent to the Gallery. You won't find the usual array here as our Manager and his second favorite sidekick travel to pick slabs from around the world. Granite. Marble. Limestone. The best. The clearest. The most unusual.

4. TILE & STONE CARE

Maintenance

Proper maintenance is the key to a trouble-free tile & stone floor.

Use protective mats
Good quality entry and exit mats will help protect your ceramic tile from premature wear. They trap the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that would otherwise be tracked onto your floor. Mats are also suggested at heavy pivot locations, such as in front of your kitchen sink or stove.

Add protective pads to furniture
Protect your tile by affixing felt or similar pads to the legs of any metal, iron, wood, or plastic furniture that will be placed on it. Exterior metal furniture, which rests on tile floors or patios, may rust and cause staining.

Check cure time before adding grout sealer
Unless noted otherwise on its packaging, grout should cure for at least 28 days before applying a sealer.

Use a penetrating sealer on quarry tiles
Interior Design quarry tiles are the only Interior Design Flooring tiles that need a penetrating sealer. These sealers are absorbed into the tile, forming a stain resistant shield just below the surface. Most sealers will darken or change the appearance of the tile, and resealing is usually required every 12 to 18 months. None of Interior Design Flooring other tiles will need a sealer, as they are not porous enough to absorb it.

5. BRANDS
All product brands are not available at all locations.

Arley Wholesale
American Olean
Ferrazzano
Florida Tile
American Marazzi Tile
Mirage Tile
Porcelanosa
Royalty
Shaw Ceramics
Solistone
Surface Art
TAU
Daltile
Mosaic Tile
Dural Ceramic
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