stone tile Archives

Stone Tile: The Pros and Cons

Natural stone tile is one of the most beautiful tile materials around. They give warmth and beauty to a home and go with virtually any type of decor. Natural stones tiles are also eco-friendly, which makes them perfect for those who are concerned about the environment.

There are many types of natural stone, including marble, slate, granite, travertine, limestone and sandstone.

Each stone has its own unique properties, so make sure to research the specific material you choose to make the best decision.

Natural stone is very sturdy and durable, are well insulated and can be a great option for homeowners with kids or pets.

However, there are several things you need to consider before deciding on stone tile for your home. Just because you love the beauty and eco-friendly properties, doesn’t always make it the best fit for you or your family.

With any remodeling choice, it’s important to weigh the pros, cons, installation and maintenance requirements before you can make an informed choice that will make you happy long term.

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Cons of Stone Tile

There are several cons of stone tile, which many people are unaware of. The high cost of purchase is one of them. .

Some of the other issues with stone tile is the material itself. Some of them can be easily scratched or chipped, can flake off or can be brittle.

If or when damage does occur, it can often be difficult to fix.

Stone tile is also a porous material, which means that it can easily be stained if not regularly sealed. This means that it’s more high maintenance than other tile materials.

Stone Tile Installation

Installation of stone tile can also be tricky. It’s one of the heaviest stones, meaning that if your subfloor is not completely level, you can find that you tile may snap or break.

There are some other installation issues to consider when deciding on stone tile. Be aware that there’s a big difference between installing stone tile and ceramic tile specifically over wood framing.

Unfortunately, most people think stone tile products can be installed over a wood-framed floor in the same way as is ceramic and porcelain tile. This is completely untrue and will many times lead to a very costly replacement.

This is because tiles made from natural stone don’t have the same strength as ceramic tiles and they require a floor system that’s twice as stiff as what is required for ceramic floor tile.

The 2015 TCNA Handbook has only one approved method for the installation of natural stone tile over wood framing with backer board. Make sure you look into the requirements before you get started on stone tile installation.

Stone tile floor structures must be twice as stiff as ceramic tile.

Factors to Consider in Stone Tile Purchases

Here are a few of the factors you should consider in the purchase of an individual style of stone tile.

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Stone Tile Grade:

Some retailers use a grading system to rate the quality of materials. This can refer to the size, shape, and thickness of the tile, as well as it’s surface condition. Here are the three grade levels and what they mean:

Grade 1 – high quality, uniform materials.
Grade 2 – materials with minor defects, such as chips, scratches, or irregular surfaces.
Grade 3 – major flaws in size, shape, surface, or chipping, making them appropriate only as accent pieces, or in certain rustic decorative applications.

Absorption Rating:

This refers to how porous a material is. The more absorbent it is, the more easily it can be stained or cracked under freezing temperatures. Sandstone being the most porous and granite being the least, which is basically waterproof as long as it’s sealed. Here are the absorption ratings:

Non-vitreous: highest absorption level. Not great for damp environments.
Semi-vitreous: Less absorbent, but the more liquid they’re exposed to, the more maintenance they need.
Vitreous: Standard absorption level. Appropriate for low to mid traffic indoor and outdoor areas.
Impervious: Resistant to the absorption and easy to maintain. Great for high traffic areas.
Polished materials also absorb less water than honed or matte surfaces.

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Coefficient of Friction

This measures how slippery various materials are. The higher the coefficient, the more traction a tile will have. This is really important in potentially wet areas like kitchens or bathrooms.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Rating

Some stone tile options are better for outdoor areas than others.

Non-vitreous materials can be stained through dirt and acid rain, or cracked if they freeze and expand. Chose something with a higher coefficient to avoid slipping in weather conditions.

Oxidation

Natural stone materials are formed beneath the earth. Sometimes iron is present in these materials, which can show up as bright red and amber specs in the surface of the stone. The problem in an outdoor environment is that those traces of iron can oxidize, or rust.

Now that you know everything to consider before purchasing stone tile for your home, I hope you feel confident enough to make the best decision for you and your home!

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August 28, 2018

10 Ways To Create a Spa Bathroom Design

Life is busy and at times stressful, which is why creating a spa bathroom design can be so crucial. Nothing is more important than your mental wellbeing, which can mean spending time to take care of yourself. How do you create the perfect spa bathroom design you might ask? Easy! Just read on below!

1. Stretch Out in a Soaker Tub

Soaker tubs are amazing for many reasons. One of them is the beautiful aesthetic they bring to your bathroom design. The other is the fact that you can truly stretch out! No one likes to be cramped in the tub, and soaker tubs prevent this from happening (to most people). They allow you to fully enjoy your soak and rest your back and neck on a much more comfortable surface.

2. Continuous Tile For a Spa Bathroom Design

Running one tile choice on the floors, on the walls, and over the tub surround is a great way to create the spa bathroom design. Not only does it create the illusion of extra space, it keeps your eye running from one surface to the next, giving the space a continuous flow that is much more relaxing than a space that is broken up with many different elements.

3. Captivating Candles

Candles are the ultimate in relaxation. Lighting a few candles, and keeping several for when those run out, will be the perfect way to add ambiance to your bathroom. It will help you ease in or out of the day, add a soothing aroma, and give a dim light that is not harsh on the eyes.

4. Neutral or Calming Color Choices

This is an obvious choice, but your color choices will greatly impact your mood. A spa bathroom design does not feature bright red, orange, or yellow walls. If blues or greens are used, they are subdued shades, typically on the lighter spectrum. You can’t go wrong with a crisp white, a calming grey, or a subdued tan.

5. Plenty of Storage

One thing really gets my nerves going, and that’s clutter. The surest way to make sure you can’t relax is to see products spread out everywhere, with no place to go. Make sure you factor in shelves, closet or vanity space in your bathroom to create the spa bathroom you’re dreaming of.

6. Sounds of Serenity

Sound can easily change my mood. Consider getting an iHome or some sort of device to plug your phone or mp3 player into. Create a calming playlist for times that you want to wind down. Or, consider getting a sound machine with sounds of the ocean, rain, or forest.

7. Trey Fun

Setting up a trey with your favorite book, drink or essential oils is a great way to upgrade your bathroom experience. I always keep a clean wash cloth or hand towel to make sure I don’t dampen my pages!

8. Scrubs & Salts

Having your favorite soaps, scrubs, bath bombs or salts is a great way to add another layer of aroma therapy and relaxation to your bathroom experience. Many of these have qualities that will sooth aching muscles or exfoliate your skin, making you feel super clean and your skin luxurious.

9. A Beautiful Vessel

Vessel sinks are the ultimate in spa like luxury. They are functional and beautiful, and the sight on one of these bathroom favorites is sure to transport you to the spa mentality in a flash!

10. Stepping Stones (Or add to walls)

Natural elements like stones in the bottom of your shower, or on your walls, is a great way to upgrade your spa bathroom design. Not only will they feel great on your feet, but they look great, and very zen.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these tips and will use them to create a space that you truly want to spend time in! After all, we should enjoy the spaces in our homes and they should add to the beauty and happiness in our lives.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of bathroom remodeling and spa bathroom design materials in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

December 19, 2016

DIY Stone Tile Fireplace Makeover

The halls are decked with boughs of holly and the stockings have been hung by the chimney with care – but maybe the room doesn’t look quite as comfy-cozy as can be. An easy and simple way to improve your space could be to update your outdated fireplace.
Wall tile is easily becoming one of the biggest and most popular trends on the market. With it you can give any space a rustic, old-world feel that is both natural feeling and inviting! Not to mention that it’s super versatile! A fun home improvement and interior design project that you can find everywhere one the web is a DIY Stone Tile Fireplace Makeover that will turn any fireplace into the centerpiece for the room!

What is Stone Tile?

Wall tile, sometimes also called ledger stone, is an easy alternative to laying stone or brick piece by piece. It’s an easy to install large-format, mesh-back or individual lay tile and is generally interlocking to give you a more natural look, instead of an even grid. Wall tile can mimic wood, stone, and even brick. Alternatively wall tile can also be used as a backsplash instead of an entire wall covering – which is good for doing small portions instead of covering your entire fireplace or other space.
There are tons of looks to choose from when selecting wall tile and ledger stone – and the same can be said for price ranges. So, the decision making will have to come on your part based on your budget and the style that you’re going for.
Here at Builders Surplus we carry 8 different in-stock ledger stone colors and can order 28 more for you as a custom order that generally arrives in less than 2 weeks!

Keep in Mind…

If you’re going to create a stone tile fireplace with any kind of wall tile keep in mind that you are putting this around, well, fire. While no tile is going to be completely fire proof or flame retardant you should still do your research. Also, do not cover the inside of your fireplace – that portion must be constructed from a fire-safe material.

Creating a Stone Tile Fireplace

There are many ways that you can install your own wall tile and that will mostly depend on the kind of tile that you get and the kind of job that you’re doing.
With most wall tile, it’s going to be heavy, and you’ll need to do some pre-work before you can install it, like taking off the existing tile and even the drywall to install a product called backer-board. Backer-board is a stiff product that keeps the tile and the base of the tile structurally sound. There are several different types of backer-board and each brand also carries it’s own specifications. Some are lighter than others and some are waterproof (in case you might be interested in doing the same with your bathtub).
Once all that is done and your backer board is secured you can start laying down your tile of choice. A stone tile fireplace makeover is really trendy right now because stone is so versatile and the decorating ideas so imaginative! Some styles will look extremely modern, and others will look more natural and old-world.

Stone Tile Fireplace Style

There’s really no limit to how you can style your new stone tile fireplace! You can use a mix of individual lay tiles to jumble up the colors and make your own patterns and textures, or you can go for a very solid look. As well there is the option to cover every inch of the space like a stone accent wall or to just tile a small portion of the fireplace itself and have a smaller focal point that adds interest to the space. We even did a blog on how to use wall tile elsewhere in your home!
Installing your ledger stone tile can be a little tedious, but the looks is well worth the work in the end!

Stone tile and faux stone give that beautiful stone tile fireplace look without the hassle or the price! Let your imagination run wild with the home design ideas you get, then when all the work is done cozy up next to your new stone tile fireplace with a hot mug of hot coco!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Kat Flaherty

December 18, 2015

Birch White 6-in x 24-in Glazed Porcelain Wood Look Floor and Wall Tile

9″ x 60″ Runsmill Isle Luxury Vinyl Flooring Cyrus XL 5MM – 12MIL

7″ x 48″ Akadia Cyrus Luxury Vinyl Flooring 5MM – 12MIL

720 Cherry Java

750 Cherry Java

Kerdi Shower Tray 48″ x 48″ Center Drain

Kerdi Shower Tray 38″ x 60″ Center Drain

Handmade 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Farmhouse Kitchen Sink 33” x 21” with Micro Radius Corners | PL-HA128 R15

Handmade 16 Gauge Stainless Steel Farmhouse Kitchen Sink 32 7/8” x 20 3/4” | PL-HA122 R15

White Porcelain Farmhouse Kitchen Sink 33” x 19 1/2” PL-4060