Athens Flooring, Travetine washbasin set over 4” X 4” travetine...

Travetine washbasin set over 4” X 4” travetine stone counter top.

Travetine washbasin set over 4” X 4” travetine stone counter top.

athensflooring posted this

Flooring ideas (tile, stone, wood, and carpet) and guidance for your new house or remodeling project. Ideas for cabinets, counter tops, and various surrounds.

Brought to you by: Athens Flooring and Remodeling, (504) 309-5416. Send email to athensflooring@att.net.

We have closed our store front and now work through the internet and one on one design flooring applications for your needs. We have several showrooms around the New Orleans where we can meet and show you the various products we provide.

About Us Products Pricing Design Ideas

My Blog All of Tumblr

Athens Flooring Stone Products

Links

Unforgettable Beach Weddings - Wedding, honeymoon, or anniversary? Check out the ideas, how to's, and venues that will make your affair totally unforgettable.

Koffe Klatch - Things coffee. Great coffee recipes. Create your own on-line coffee shop. Become a coffee affiliate. Etc.

Touro Institute - On-Line Bachelor and Master degree programs

Body Reshaping - body reshaping and beauty/health products

Six Sigma Certification - information regarding certification requirements, training, etc.

Body Reshaping - body reshaping blog

Unlimited Golf Vacations - Information on golf venues and improving your game. Book a golf vacation at Jack Nicolas Golf courses in year round locations (some with unlimited golf - how may rounds of golf can you play when there is no green fee)

Six Sigma - program information regarding employment, tools, etc.

Tile FAQ

How can I drill a hole through porcelain tile?
The only thing hard enough to drill through porcelain is a diamond drill bit.

How can you tell if the grout joints need to be resealed?
If you put a few drops of water on the grout and they bead up, the sealer is OK. If the water absorbs into the grout, it is time to reseal.

If I drop something on my kitchen floor, is it going to crack the tile?
It depends, ceramic tile is very durable, if you drop a glass or dish, the glass or dish will most likely break, depending on the angle and force of the contact, the tile may be susceptible to cracking.

Is it difficult to replace a broken tile?
Something like this should be left to a professional. The grout around the broken tile is removed first, then the broken tile is carefully removed using a hammer and chisel. (Don’t forget to wear goggles). Scrape up all the hard mortar or adhesive. Then replace the tile and re-grout.

What do all these test results on-line mean? What’s best?
Test results provide purchasers information on product performance. Products are designed to provide customers the broadest array of colors, textures, sizes and styles. However, each individual is unique and each design style should allow the flexibility to conform to the preferences of the designer. As a result, extensive product information is provided to allow each designer to customize their look without having to sacrifice the practical needs of the application. Product information is available for each test and the industry recommendations for performance given your unique application needs.
Coefficient of Friction Coefficient of Friction (“COF) is the relative slip resistance of tile. The COF test disclosed by Dal-Tile is a laboratory or field test established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to provide its customers comparable slip resistance values for each of its floor tiles. The measurements disclosed are designed to be one important factor to consider in evaluating slip resistance. Other factors can affect slip resistance, such as the degree of wear on the shoe and flooring material; presence of foreign material, such as water, oil and dirt; the length of the human stride at the time of slip; type of floor finish; and the physical and mental condition of humans. The higher the COF, the more slip resistant the tile. OSHA requires a 0.50 COF for walkways and the A.D.A. recommends a 0.60 for accessible routes and 0.80 for ramps.
Scratch hardness of a tile refers to the exterior surface of the tile and how easily it will mar. It is therefore not a big issue for wall tile but is for floors and countertops. The higher the number the better. A value of 7 or greater is normally recommended for commercial applications. Abrasion Resistance measures the hardness of the glaze and measures the overall durability of the tile. There are 4 categories (or classes) of differentiation. The classes range from Class 0 (not recommended for floors) to Class 4 (heavy commercial floor).
Water Absorption measures the susceptibility of the body of the tile to absorb water. Tiles range from impervious (less than 0.5%) to Non-Vitreous (more than 7.0%). Exterior applications will require an impervious tile. The water absorption may impact the installation method, as well. Although this test is used primarily to evaluate glazed and unglazed product, it is sometimes used as a good indicator to predict the stain resistance of unglazed tiles. Generally, for unpolished, unglazed tile, the lower the water absorption the greater the stain resistance.
Breaking Strength measures the expected load bearing capacity of various installations. The higher the breaking strength, the stronger and more durable the tile. Chemical Resistance measures the resistance of the tile to various chemicals. An application where there is exposure to staining chemicals and substances should select only tiles identified to be resistant.

What does “COF” mean?
Coefficient of Friction (“COF) is the relative slip resistance of tile. The COF test disclosed by Daltile is a laboratory or field test established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to provide its customers comparable slip resistance values for each of its floor tiles. The measurements disclosed are designed to be one important factor to consider in evaluating slip resistance. Other factors can affect slip resistance, such as the degree of wear on the shoe and flooring material; presence of foreign material, such as water, oil and dirt; the length of the human stride at the time of slip; type of floor finish; and the physical and mental condition of humans.

Can wall tile be used on the floor?
Sometimes. Please refer to the Daltile catalog for application recommendations. The catalog clearly identifies the application for which Daltile recommends each of its manufactured products. If the catalog does not recommend the use of a specific wall tile on the floor, do not allow the product to be installed on the floor.

Can floor tile be used on the wall?
Yes, when proper installation methods are followed. Refer to the Daltile product catalog for application recommendations. Exterior applications require special precautions and installation methods. Do not install floor tile on exterior walls unless the Daltile product catalog specifically recommends this application.

Can ceramic tile be used outdoors?
To be used outdoors, the tile must be frost proof and unglazed for floor use. Make sure the absorption rate is 0.5% or less

What type of tile can be used around a fireplace?
Any tile can be used on the face of a fireplace. I would not recommend putting the tile directly In the firebox.

Can I use a high gloss tile on my kitchen countertops?
It is not recommended. Structurally it will be OK, but the gloss glaze will eventually show scratching.

Why can some of the semi-gloss colors be used on counter tops, when others cannot?
Countertop applications are more susceptible to scratching because of their daily use, and scratching may be more noticeable on darker colors.

What can I use to clean tile?
Wipe glazed wall tiles periodically using a cloth or sponge dampened with a non oil-based household cleaner. Vacuum glazed floor tiles regularly to remove dirt and other gritty particles, then damp mop or sponge with an all-purpose, non oil-based cleaner. Remember not to use ammonia, as it will discolor grout. Clean unglazed wall and floor tiles in a similar manner using a solution of water and soapless detergent instead of an all-purpose cleaner.

What can I use to clean grout?
For periodic deep cleaning of grout, a concentrated tile and grout cleaner should be used. Concentrated tile and grout cleaner is mixed with water, much like any common household cleaner. The floor should then be mopped and rinsed. Tile and grout cleaners are also available in a spray and wipe version. It is important to use a product specifically designed for grout and tile cleaning as other chemicals can bleach or stain grout.

What is used to remove grout haze from tile?
Most grouts today are polymer modified, which means they have a latex in them. Use a latex grout film remover to clean the grout haze from the tile. Do not use muriatic acid.

Should I use a sealer on my floor tile?
Ceramic tile in either glazed or unglazed form do not need to be sealed. These products are impervious to moisture and topical sealers will not properly adhere to them. Also, you can not change or alter the appearance or the sheen of a ceramic tile by adding a sealer. Therefore, a sealer in not recommended for glazed and unglazed surfaces.

However, temporary pre-grout sealers are often used on ceramic tile to keep fine color pigments from embedding into the microscopic pours of the tile during the grouting process. The sealer is removed after grouting. Sealers are designed to protect porous products and to provide wearable surfaces to porous products. All natural stone products and cementitious grouts are porous products and should be sealed with a penetrating / impregnating sealer. Some stone products are also sealed with enhancing sealers to deepen and darken the stones natural colors.

Follow on Tumblr

Following

© 2010–2013 Powered by Tumblr