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3 Reasons to Choose Cement Tile
Home Carpet One stocks an expansive collection of cement and concrete-look tiles. Outside of their aesthetic, cement tiles have other natural benefits that we’ve listed below. Durability Are cement tiles durable? Cement is one of the most durable and long-lasting surfaces around. It is a great surface for homes, offices, and retail environments because it can resist wear and tear, heavy foot traffic, stains, and moisture exposure. Environmentally Friendly Cement tiles for flooring are completely handmade and never have to be fired in a kiln, which means that the amount of energy consumed is very low. Because no firing is required, no fossil fuel pollution is created in production of the tile. Uniqueness Cement tiles have slight handmade variations and imperfections adding to its natural appeal and do not compromise the performance of the tile. Because the tiles are handmade, a larger labor force is required which means that cement tiles help fuel local economies and create jobs. For more information on commercial or residential cement tiles or to get started on your new floor, please contact us.
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Radiant Heat under tile installations
Keeping your home warm and cozy during the winter can be challenging, especially if you live in Chicago where we have terms like “Snowmageddon” and “Chiberia”. What’s nice is that you can keep your home warm — and prevent that uncomfortable shock of stepping onto ice-cold tile — by installing radiant heat flooring systems beneath your tile! Let’s learn more about luxurious (but surprisingly affordable) radiant heat installations and how Home Carpet One can help you build the cozy, welcoming home of your dreams. What is radiant heat? Radiant heat flooring is a type of heating system that is installed directly under your flooring tiles. Unlike traditional heaters that rely on forced air or radiators, radiant heat flooring systems emit heat from beneath the floor’s surface that gently rises toward the top of the room. With this heating method, you can have even, gentle warmth throughout the entire room that sticks closer to the surface and lessens the chances for cold spots and drafts (and keeps your feet warm in the process!). Radiant heat systems come in different forms, including electric and hydronic options. As the names suggest, electric radiant heat systems use electric heating cables or mats that are installed directly beneath the flooring of your choice. Conversely, hydronic systems rely on heated water that circulates in tubes beneath your flooring. Benefits of radiant heated flooring Radiant heated flooring offers many benefits to your home. Not only is it extremely comfortable–even when the weather outside dips–but it may also be a significant energy and money saver! Energy-efficient If you’re tired of racking up the gas bill while trying to keep your home warm during the winter, a radiant heated floor install may help you in the long run. Radiant heat mats are a remarkably energy-efficient heating option, consuming only 12 watts per square foot. The heat is also concentrated at the ground level, which means less energy wasted compared to conventional heating systems that tend to lead to heat rising and lingering near the top of the room rather than where you need it most. This makes it a great option even for large and drafty rooms where you might have to run a traditional thermostat or heater for hours to distribute heat effectively. Tons of control On a similar note, installing radiant heat flooring gives you much more control over your room’s temperature than a traditional thermostat or heater might. Every radiant heat system requires a programmable thermostat, which allows you to control the exact temperature of your flooring and the hours that you would like the system to be operational. Simply set your system to your preferred heat and enjoy a warmer house whenever you need it. Plenty of options Another great benefit of radiant-heated floor installations is that they can be customized to your specific needs. Radiant heat can be installed under most floors including your bathroom and your kitchen, as well as other areas where you would appreciate the extra heat like your shower or even a sauna. You can even install carpet over your radiant heat with the right expertise. Work with our flooring specialists to create a custom-ordered heating option from wall to wall or just in the areas of high traffic where you’d appreciate the extra warmth the most. Affordability In addition to helping lower your utility bills over time, radiant heat flooring can also be a surprisingly cost-efficient installation. While the privilege of heated floors might seem like a luxury, it’s a luxury you can make work on your budget. One of the most affordable options involves a simple low-profile mat system and an appropriate thermostat. Ideal for any home Radiant heated flooring might feel like an option meant for modern homes and new construction projects, but its versatility makes it an option no matter what kind of home you’re heating. Radiant heating systems are available in both 110 and 220 volts so you can install them both while renovating older homes and building a brand-new dream home. Many radiant heat systems also come with generous warranties: while this can vary depending on your manufacturer, it isn’t uncommon to receive a 25-year warranty that will keep your home warm for years to come. More ways to keep your home warm this winter Install area rugs and carpets. In addition to your radiant heated floors, investing in carpeting and/or area rugs is another great way to make your room a little more cozy this winter. Thick, plush area rugs and carpeting can act as insulation and help retain heat during the colder months, plus they give your cold feet a warm area to rest even if you don’t have radiant heating installed. Make sure your floors are properly insulated. Homes lose a lot of heat through their floors, which means that a floor without proper insulation can feel even colder. This can be an issue, especially in basements or crawl spaces. Consider using foam insulation or spray foam on the underside of your flooring if possible to prevent the loss of warmth. If you have a slab foundation, install insulating thermal underlayments. Home Carpet One’s team of flooring experts can help you decide the best insulating options for your needs to keep your home warm during the winter. Seal any gaps and cracks. Any areas that allow cold air into your home can make it drafty and lead to the loss of crucial heat, especially around your floors. Take a moment to assess your home, sealing any existing gaps with caulk, foam insulation, or weatherstripping to block out the frigid Chicago air and keep your home toasty. Conclusion Heated flooring isn’t just a luxury, it’s a cost-saving measure that can keep your home warm and cozy no matter what kind of winter storm is raging outside. The comfort and luxury are hard to beat, especially when compared to other inefficient heating systems. The best part is you can install it into your home even if you’re on a budget or are working on an older fixer-upper! Still not sure if heated flooring is right for your home? Reach out to Home Carpet One and let’s discuss the many benefits of radiant heat. We’d love to assist you!
The Endless Benefits of Porcelain Tile Flooring
If you’re working on a home renovation project and trying to decide on the best way to upgrade and elevate your favorite rooms, you can’t go wrong with porcelain tile flooring. From entryways to kitchens, bathrooms, and even outdoor flooring, porcelain tile offers an endless variety and wide range of styles, colors, and textures to suit any type of interior design style. It also works great whether you’re aiming for classic or contemporary styles! Learn more about the amazing benefits of installing porcelain floors in your home and how Home Carpet One can help you make the vision for your dream home come to life. What is porcelain? Porcelain is a kind of ceramic that is created using refined clay fired at extremely high temperatures. This process makes ceramic exceptionally dense, durable, and non-porous, so it is a perfect option for flooring even in high-use areas of your home. And it’s also commonly used in wall tiles. Porcelain comes in a variety of finishes and colors, and it can be either glazed or unglazed depending on your preferences and durability needs. 4 Benefits of Porcelain Tile Flooring Porcelain is highly durable. No matter how much traffic your rooms get, porcelain tile flooring is an excellent option that will keep its value long after its initial installation. It’s denser than other popular flooring materials like ceramic, making it remarkably resistant to stains, chipping, scratching, odors, and dirt. It can even resist damage due to temperature changes! This exceptional durability makes porcelain a great choice for your most heavily trafficked rooms including hallways, sunrooms, and even exposed outdoor patio areas that get plenty of sun and temperature fluctuations. (We also love the classic elegance that porcelain flooring can lend to kitchens and baths!) Cleanup is a breeze. As a homeowner, you’ll love how easy porcelain tile flooring is to clean and maintain. Because it’s so dense and resistant to stains, porcelain can be easily cleaned to keep your home looking spotless. In fact, most messes can be cleaned up with nothing more than a damp mop! Long-lasting and easy to replace. Because porcelain is so durable, it will outlast and outperform virtually any other kind of flooring, minimizing your need for costly repairs and replacements. That being said, accidents can happen in any home. Luckily, if your porcelain floors do become unexpectedly damaged, you can easily replace the impacted tiles, saving tons of money in the long run versus other kinds of flooring that would require bigger, more expensive replacements. Porcelain is incredibly versatile. Finally, one of the best reasons to choose porcelain is its versatility! Porcelain comes in a huge array of colors and textures, making it one of the most versatile types of tile available. Choose from options that look like stone for a sleek bathroom or shop around among the various colors and textures like speckled and grained stone patterns to mimic marble, linen, or whatever best matches your aesthetic. It even comes available in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from tiny one-inch mosaics to larger tiles that measure 24 inches or more, so you can completely customize your flooring based on your vision. Whether you prefer a sleek and contemporary minimalist design, an ornate vintage feel, or anywhere in between, you’re almost guaranteed to find a tile option that speaks to you. Best uses for porcelain tile flooring Because of its unmatched durability and versatility, porcelain tile floors are an ideal choice in many different rooms in your house. Consider installing porcelain tile in your: Bathrooms. An easy choice, thanks in large part to its unmatched water resistance. Porcelain holds up very well in moist, humid bathrooms, resisting staining, molding, and mildew that could otherwise build up on your floors. Even better, some porcelain tiles come in anti-slip finishes, keeping you and your family safe from slips and falls on a wet surface. Kitchens. A natural option. Not only does porcelain look great and allow you to customize this room to your preferences, but it also holds up very well to the inevitable spills, stains, and traffic. Entryways and hallways. An easy option for adding elegance and charm to these heavily-trafficked areas due to its durability. Easily clean off the natural grime, dirt, and moisture that accumulates in these rooms from the heavy foot traffic with regular sweeping and mopping. Outdoor patios and sunrooms. You need a special kind of flooring for areas that are exposed to the elements and the sunshine, and porcelain definitely fits the mark. Porcelain can withstand temperature fluctuations, moisture, and even the harsh UV rays of the sun, keeping your outdoor areas beautiful for decades. Caring for your porcelain floors Porcelain floors are extremely easy to maintain, making them a favorite among homeowners everywhere. A little care can go a long way in making these beautiful tiles last a lifetime, so it’s important to establish a regular cleaning routine. Routine cleaning To maintain your porcelain floors, you’ll want to clean them regularly to prevent dirt and debris from scratching the surface. Use a broom or a vacuum with a hard floor attachment to brush up any particles that make their way onto your floor. In addition to regular routine maintenance to take care of daily wear and tear, it’s also a good idea to deep clean your porcelain tiles periodically. To clean, use a damp mop with warm water and a mild detergent that is suitable for tile and porcelain. Cleaning stains and spills Even though your new porcelain floors are stain-resistant, you should still clean up any accidents as quickly as possible to prevent potential discoloration. For most spills, a damp cloth or mop will be sufficient. However, you may need a specialized porcelain cleaner and some elbow grease for tougher stains like grease or ink. Ready for your new porcelain flooring? Home Carpet One would love to hear from you! At Home Carpet One, we have hundreds of porcelain tile options in stock, plus thousands available for special order in stone looks, concrete looks, and vibrant patterns. Our knowledgeable team can also help you decide on the best flooring for your home’s needs. Visit us or reach out and get ready to build your dream home!
Deteriorating Grout and Its Causes
Living in an older home with tile in need of repair can prove to be quite challenging. One of the most common problems with an existing tile installation is cracked or missing grout. There are a variety of reasons that can cause this including an inferior sub-floor, improper grout installation, and inadequate grout spacing. The first step is to determine what caused the grout failure. A popular underlayment for tile installations is Durock. It is a water durable, mold resistant panel used in both interior and exterior applications. One misconception installers often have is to simply install the Durock without applying a thin-set bed first. This crucial step is extremely important when installing floor tile and omitting it will inevitably contribute to the overall poor performance of your installation. Also, one should note that when installing tile on a floor, the overall thickness of the sub floor should be an inch and a quarter. This helps increase the stability of the floor and decreases any flex that ultimately can cause the grout to fail. Another culprit regarding poor grout performance is using the wrong type of grout for the application or simply utilizing the wrong consistency. In most cases, one would use sanded grout on floor applications or any grout joint over an eighth of an inch. However, when installing stone or other delicate surfaces that are subject to scratching, unsanded grout is used. In both cases, the proper consistency is crucial to the longevity of the grout performance. Also, there are additives available to help minimize grout shrinkage and aid in keeping the grout looking new. Stain resistant grout additives offer superior stain protection and actually seal the grout. Being that it is used in place of water while mixing the grout, there is no need to come back and seal. Finally, it is important to ensure the proper grout joint is used. Bigger grout joints can crack easier, thus utilizing smaller joints typically offer better performance. There are understood guidelines regarding joint width, yet the installer should always refer to the instructions on the grout label. Sanded grout does not crack or shrink as easily as unsanded, and therefore is the preferred grout choice when either grout can be used.
The Steps to a Successful Steam Shower Installation
There is nothiang better than the luxury of having your own personal steam shower. Many newer custom homes are equipped with steam showers. One can enjoy that same luxury in an existing home so long as you adhere to the proper installation guaidelines. There are three main steps in building a leak proof, beautiful steam shower that will last for years to come. How to install a steam shower at home Step 1. The first step is to select a tile that is relatively non-porous. This helps in keeping the moisture produced by the steam from penetrating the tile, thereby preventing moisture damage. There are thousands of tiles to choose from at Home Carpet One that fall into this category. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are great options, as well as certain natural stone options. Being that the porosity of stone tiles such as slate or travertine are higher, various coats of stone sealer must be applied to the tile after it is installed. Step 2. The second step is to address all preventative measures regarding moisture control. It is imperative to have a vapor barrier on top of your stud network before the appropriate wall board is installed. Installing durock in shower This vapor barrier can be as simple as using a 4 mil plastic. Next, the wallboard must be Durock. This is a cement board panel used for tile installations that is an excellent bonding agent. When attaching this cement board, the correct screws must be used to avoid any potential corrosion. Also, all the joints and inside corners must be covered with an adhesive mesh tape and cement-like thinset. When attaching the actual tile, do not use tile adhesive; thinset must be the bonding agent. There are various thinsets available; we recommend using the Mapei Ultraflex line. Step 3 Finally, after all the Durock has been installed, make sure to roll on a water proof membrane that seals the entire closure. This is the final step that prevents any moisture from getting behind the wall board that can wreak havoc on the structure and insulation of your home. Finally, there are a few other odds and ends to ensure a successful steam shower install. The shower ceiling should be slightly pitched to avoid water condensing and falling onto the user while inside the steam shower. A typical slope would be 1/8 to ¼ per lineal foot and would slope to the back wall of the shower unit. Also, the glass enclosure around a steam shower must be watertight leaving no gaps anywhere for the steam to escape. These glass enclosures can be slightly more expensive than a typical shower enclosure so make sure to budget accordingly. The steam units themselves come in a variety of sizes, styles, and output and can be purchased at the appropriate dealer. Steam shower installers The plumbing and electric obligations associated with steam units should be handled by a licensed tradesman rather than a tile installer.
5 Inspiring Kitchen Tile Ideas & Designs
Tile is easily adaptable and can fit into any style kitchen - from contemporary to traditional. Not sure where to start when it comes to choosing tile for your kitchen? Here are 5 creative tile design ideas to think about when visualizing what your future dream kitchen will look like. 1. Subway Tiles Horizontal subway style tiles are a classic, timeless look in the kitchen. They're traditionally 3” x 6” ceramic tiles with a gloss finish that brighten the whole kitchen and are easy to clean with simple water. Ceramic subway tiles also come in a multitude of colors, finishes, and sizes so you're not restricted to only white. You can keep the look monochromatic, but also add depth to the design by mixing in herringbone tiles as a backsplash behind the oven and/or sink. You can also run the tiles vertically for a completely different look. 2. Stone Mosaics The use of stone mosaics is a growing trend among today's kitchen tile ideas, especially because mosaic tiles immediately draw the eye and enhance the entire design of your kitchen. You can have them installed over every wall of the kitchen or in a few specific areas like over the stove or around the sink. 3. Rectangular Floor Tiles Perhaps the strongest trend in floor tile design today is the use of larger rectangular porcelain and natural stone tiles on the floor. We see designs incorporating porcelain tiles ranging from 6” x 24” to 6” x 36” to 12” x 24” to 18” x 36”. The tile styles themselves vary from natural stone looks to concrete looks to wood looks. 4. Pops of Colors and Texture If you’re worried that having too much color in your kitchen is overwhelming, then consider only adding color to one or two key areas. Choosing brightly colored tiles and mixing them among painted walls and cabinetry can add a new hue to a neutral space and texture among otherwise flat surfaces. Placing the tiles as a backdrop to the oven, frame around the window or accent in a custom nook, brings color in without drowning out the calm of the kitchen. 5. Tile Artwork Think beyond traditional mosaic tiles with a custom piece of artwork or gorgeous patterns created from tiles. Handmade stone tile with art deco inlays and touches is an option that many find unique or appealing. Incorporating your unique taste is vital in any of the kitchen tile ideas you choose for the space. Whatever material you choose for tile, from glass to natural stone, it needs to stand up to the amount of traffic and use your kitchen receives. Today's kitchen tile ideas and designs combine form and function into a flowing and comfortable space for family and friends to socialize in. Tile has the potential to create a modern, yet timeless design in the sanctuary of your home.