Top Tile Trends

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Tile is having a huge moment, not just for its durability and versatility, but now for its beauty as well. There are endless colors, textures, designs, and options for laying the tile. It can truly match every style and be used in every room of your house to achieve a different feel. Here are the top trends were seeing and loving right now:

Herringbone

While classic, herringbone designs make a bold statement and can be done in many materials. To add a bit more drama, try with different colors!

Different Widths

Mix tiles of differing lengths and widths to have a more unique, handcrafted look. Uniformity is no longer necessary because character is king.

Statement Tile

Whether your are doing patterned tile, bold colors, or textured tile, tile is making a huge statement and can be the center of style for rooms by trying these trends.

Is your flooring waterproof?

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Though your flooring product may be waterproof, it doesn’t mean that your subfloor is, too. Water can still seep into cracks along the exterior and in-between floorboards, meanwhile damaging the subfloor. Even with waterproof flooring, if there is a major flooding event or stagnant water for long periods of time, there will be some level of damage.

In bathrooms with showers or bathtubs, your flooring will need to stand up to steam and puddles on a regular basis, especially if you have children. Waterproof flooring is especially good for any area where there may be frequent spills and mudrooms. For these areas, waterproof vinyls or tiles are necessary.

With the use in mind, there are additional waterproofing steps that can help save your subfloor, even if you selected waterproof flooring. Waterproof grouting and placing a waterproof membrane beneath the floor are essential for truly waterproof spaces, but remember, they are not necessary for the rest of your home.

Stop by and discuss your best flooring options with our team.

Cool v. Warm Toned Floors

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Do you favor cool tones or warm hues in your home? Your flooring should match the general aesthetic of the home, and this question is your first step. With the options available today, your floors do not have to be a neutral part of the house, but can instead stand out. Go bold, just make sure they flow with the rest of your home.

Cool Tones

If you would prefer cool tones on your walls and décor, then muted wood floors, black or grey tiles like slate, or a variety of cool tone carpets can mirror your home’s aesthetic and ensure your walls and floors don’t clash. The popular concrete tiles are also a great option for a bit more of a statement and on-trend option.

Warm Hues

If you prefer warm hues, terracotta tiles, warm farmhouse wood boards, or an array of tan carpets will immediately bring warmth to the space.
built in carpet runners or tile as accents

 

When considering the design of your home, don’t forget the floors and think of them as an afterthought. If it is not in the budget initially, simply changing grout color can have a huge impact on a space.

2020 Flooring Trends

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A new year is here with new design styles, new possibilities, and new materials to keep an eye on. This year, the trends gravitate towards easy to clean, affordable, and a little bit retro. Which style are you most excited to try in your space?

1. Wood-appearing porcelain tile

With recent innovation, wood porcelain tiles could be mistaken for real wood, without the risk of scratching or water.

2. Marble-appearing porcelain tiles

It will be difficult to tell the difference between faux marble tiles and real marble tiles, but getting the same beautiful look at a fraction of the cost is a no brainer.

3. Waterproof vinyl plank flooring

Similarly to laminate, vinyl can have a wood appearance and is at an affordable price point to laminate, but it’s more durable. Since it’s water-resistant, it can be installed in kitchens and bathrooms!

4. Large-format tiles

Large format tiles have a beautiful design aesthetic, plus the format minimizes the number of grout lines for easy cleaning. What’s not to love?

5. Black-and-white patterned tile

A classic combo, black and white tile gives a great bold look and can be paired with almost anything.

Timeless Flooring Options

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Your floors are not the easiest element of a room to change with new design trends, colors, and seasonal decor, which is why it is important first and foremost to make sure you love them, and secondly, that they are flexible enough for your evolving design desires.

  1. Hardwood is always timeless and comes in so many variety of stains, woods, plank size and design. There is an option for any home style or preference.
  2. Vintage white and black tiles will always have a retro feel that will never go out of style!
  3. Neutral, low pile carpet is neutral and classic in terms of carpet. Woven, heavier knits are also classic in cozier places.
  4. Marble tiles will always exude class and make a stunning option to any entryway or bathroom.
  5. Travertine tile is warm, neutral, and durable, which is why it continues to be used in homes across the country!

Which flooring options do you think have a timeless character?

Grout Cleaning Tips

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Your tile may be stunning and clean with a gentle mopping, but the true secret to clean, sparkling floor is clean grout. This can be especially apparent if you have a light colored grout with a matching light colored tile. Grout is unfortunately porous meaning it can absorb spills and stains. Here’s how to keep your grout looking like new:

  1. Commercial cleaners are great, but you can also making a simple cleaning/whitening paste out of a combination of baking soda and water.
  2. Rub your cleaner in the grout and wait (overnight if possible) and the scrub scrub scrub with a stiffer, but not metal brush in the morning. Metal brushes can damage your grout, so make sure it is gentle enough to not tear apart your grout. Repeat until your tile is clean!
  3. Apply a sealer to the grout to repel future stains. If you spill anything that could stain, i.e. red wine, make sure to clean it up ASAP so the stain doesn’t have time to set.

Tile Care

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Tile is a durable flooring option, but they still need to be taken care of properly, especially certain types. This means regular cleaning, more than just sweeping, for both the tile and grout.

Ceramic and porcelain floor tiles require very little special care, while tiles such as slate, marble, granite, and limestone do require special care and cleaning products. Below we detail the best way to clean both tile types:

Ceramic and Porcelain Cleaning Tips: 

  1. Clean up dirt and debris: Sweep or vacuum your tile floors regularly as grit can dull the glazed surfaces.
  2. Mop: Clean tile with mild detergent and clean water using a chamois-type mop rather than a sponge mop. Sponge mops can push dirty water into the grout lines. Also, change the water frequently to ensure the floors are truly clean.
  3. Clean stains with the proper cleaner: If you find a stain, make sure to clean it with specified cleaner so the stain is removed fully.
  • Watch for soap residue: If your tiles look hazy, you could be dealing with soapy residue. You can remove this residue with nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner.
  • Dry tiles thoroughly: To avoid water spots, dry your glazed tile floors with a clean, lint-free cloth.

 

Sensitive Tile Types:

  • Slate Tile: Use a mild detergent that doesn’t contain acidic properties, such as lemon or vinegar, and dry after cleaning.
  • Marble Tile: Though stunning, marble is high-maintenance. Cleaners with lemon or vinegar and brushes with tough bristles or scouring powders can damage marble, which is a softer stone. Mild detergent or marble specified cleaner work best.
  • Granite Tile: Like the stones above, granite should be cleaned with a with a mild, pH-neutral detergent that is pH-neutral. Polished granite can be buffed to keep it shiny.

 

Carpet Care

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Carpet care is pretty simple: all you need is a good vacuum with a carpet setting and a few cleaning products!

Follow these simple tips to keep your carpet looking its best:

  • Always treat a spill immediately. The longer the spill sets, the harder it’ll be to remove it completely.
  • Blot stains and remove solid material from spills. Do not rub on them as you could make the stain worse.
  • If you need a spot removal solvent, use a product approved by The Carpet and Rug Institute of America. If the stain persists, contact a professional cleaner to see if they can remove the stain.
  • For pet stains, use a product specifically designated and designed for pet stains since there could be a residual odor if not treated properly.
  • Vacuum your carpet regularly to prevent buildup.
  • Depending on use and lifestyle, you may want to consider professional cleaning every 12 to 18 months.
  • Use scissors to clip snags and DO NOT pull on them—you could damage your carpet.

Hardwood Floor Care

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Taking care of hardwood or laminate that looks like hardwood can be difficult, especially with the everyday movements of family and pets. Considering hardwoods can be an investment, it’s necessary to take care of them by cleaning them properly and routinely.

Cleaning solid wood, engineered wood, or wood-like laminate floors is very similar, as long as you know the finish. If your floors have been treated to resist standing water, leaving cleaner or water on the floors won’t matter, but if they haven’t you’ll want to make sure that after spraying the floors with cleaner, you dry the IMMEDIATELY.

When searching for the best wood cleaner or if making your own, make sure not to use vinegar! Vinegar is highly acidic and can soften the finish, making your floors sticky and dully.

Before cleaning the floors, make sure they have been swept or vacuumed first so nothing scrapes the floor while you’re cleaning it. To protect the floors, you also need to use a microfiber cloth or soft sponge. Following these simple steps will make your investment last a lifetime!

 

Commercial Flooring

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Commercial flooring calls for durable materials since all areas experience higher traffic. In these situations, it still depends, to an extent, on the vibe of the workplace.
  • Tile comes in a variety of colors and is easy to clean, especially if your workplace has a kitchen or lunch room. If your office is more formal, this might be the way to go, but it doesnt eliminate it as an option for more casual work as well.
  • Carpet can be easy, but with continuous wear, would need to be replaced more frequently than tile. The office, generally, is also not the place for the plush, longer fiber carpet. Here, the preferred styles would be made of durable fibers with a low pile and an arrangement of colors to mask spills and general wear and tear.
  • Wood floors can be the most costly, and are generally unnecessary in an office unless you want the space to feel more regal and timeless. Like carpet, though, the tear will result in needing additional care and occasionally, board replacement.

Stop by and let us determine the best option for your commercial flooring options.