Monthly Archives: March 2024

How is porcelain wood tile manufactured? 

Manufacturers make porcelain wood tile from refined clay that is dried and pressed to the desired shape under extremely high pressure and then baked at 2500 Fahrenheit. This process removes all moisture and makes the tile less porous.

Does porcelain wood tile scratch?

Porcelain is one of the hardest materials on the market. After going through the manufacturing process we described above, it becomes even harder—even harder than natural stones like granite. All of this makes porcelain wood tile a scratch-resistant flooring material, almost scratch-proof, making it a durable choice for many other options. 

Porcelain wood tile is also water-resistant, making it an excellent option for backsplashes and countertops. It isn’t just aesthetically pleasing for these areas, but easy to clean.

When installing porcelain wood tile, do you use grout?

Yes, minimal grout is necessary when installing a porcelain wood tile on the backsplash, countertops, or flooring. By having this done by a professional, they will know by experience and training what a ‘minimal’ amount is, but for examples, we offer the following: 

1. MOST WOOD LOOK FLOORING 

A narrow grout joint of 1/8 OR 3/16” is sufficient for the subflooring to adjust to the slightest movements without breaking the porcelain wood tiles. An important note: if you’re installing, every tile manufacturer has different recommendations based on your layout choice. 

2. RECTIFIED TILES 

Rectified porcelain wood tile has a very exact, smooth, and uniform edge, allowing you to create a minor joint, ranging between 1/8” or 3/16”, so even less grout.

3. TILES 15 INCHES AND LARGER

This applies to plank-style porcelain wood tiles that are prone to lippage. Lippage is a variation in the tile height where they are joined, meaning the corners pop up above the tile surface and around the edges, making a not-so-pretty appearance. This is one type of tile for which a professional floor expert should install the flooring. If you are determined to do your installation, only allow the individual tiles to be at most 33% after installing a brick-joint pattern. 

4. THE GROUT COLOR 

When choosing a grout color, ensure you have a sample of the tile you’re installing to get the best match. When installing porcelain wood tile, you don’t want to choose a grout that overpowers the tile, so selecting one that blends with the tile is recommended. 

How long does porcelain wood tile last?

While this is one of the most beautiful and elegant flooring, backsplash, or countertop materials you can choose, and it looks expensive, it isn’t the most costly choice. The average cost starts around $5/per square foot and can go upward of $20/per square foot. For a 300-square-foot, you can expect to pay up to $5,000 or more to install it professionally. to install porcelain wood tile in a 300-square-foot space.

Like with any other investment in your home, it is recommended that you get several price quotes. Make sure the quotes include installation and whether they offer any type of maintenance or service agreements. 

So, for that kind of money, if you plan on staying in your home instead of placing it on the market, how long will porcelain wood tile last you? Well, if you’re installing on the backsplash, it could last you 100 years if it is properly installed and maintained. If you’re installing this on countertops or flooring, you can expect to get 50 years or longer, again if properly installed and maintained. 

What are the disadvantages of porcelain tile?

So, we know porcelain wood tile provides beauty and durability; it is also scratch-resistant and water-resistant. But it does have some disadvantages, too. 

• Expensive
• Complex Installation
• Complex Repairs
• Heavy 

In Conclusion

An additional disadvantage of porcelain wood tile is that it does not provide comfort in the winter because it stays cool. A workaround to this is to have radiant heating installed, which adds to the expense. But if you love porcelain wood tile for flooring, that radiant heating may be worth the extra cost. If you aren’t sure yet whether this is the right choice in flooring for you, it is always a good idea to reach out to a flooring company that can help walk you through your options and help you decide whether this is the right choice in flooring for your needs. Call us at 817.861.3737 to speak to one of our experts, and we will talk to you about your options.

There’s More for Your Floor

Carpet tiles offer a practical and customizable flooring solution for both residential and commercial spaces. Available in various colors, patterns, and textures, carpet tiles allow for easy replacement of damaged or stained tiles, making maintenance a breeze. Bamboo flooring is another option. This sustainable alternative is often favored over traditional hardwood. Its rapid renewability, strength, and eco-friendly properties make it an attractive option for environmentally conscious consumers.

Cork flooring is valued for its natural warmth, sound absorption, and sustainability. Its unique texture and earthy tones lend a cozy and inviting feel to living spaces, making it a popular choice for bedrooms, playrooms, and home offices.

Mixing different flooring materials within the same space, such as combining hardwood with tile or carpet with concrete, creates visual interest and defines separate areas within an open floor plan. This trend allows for creative expression and customization in interior design.

Whether you prefer the timeless elegance of hardwood, the modern sophistication of concrete, or the practicality of luxury vinyl, there’s a flooring style to suit every taste and lifestyle in 2024. If you need floor installation in Pantego, TX, give us a call at 817.861.3737. We can help you decide on the best option for your stylistic needs and budget.

Beveled edge laminate flooring planks and tiles have a V-shaped groove between them. This V-shape gives a visual separation, lending to their authentic, natural appearance. But are there other beneficial features of beveled edge laminate flooring? In addition to an authentic, natural appearance, it still has a seamless, smooth appearance and makes cleaning easier. 

Are the different types of beveled edge laminate flooring? 

Yes, within this flooring option, there are different types of beveled edge laminate flooring.  These different varieties are different-sized planks or tiles that give a different appearance with that V-groove. Those different varieties include: 

Micro-Beveled Edge

• This is a very fine groove that is visible on each side of the plant or tile, giving each one a slight distinction. There is a micron-beveled edge laminate flooring option as well,  which is smaller.

• Normal Beveled Edge

Normal beveled edge laminate flooring is more noticeable than the other varieties, even with the same or a different finish, choose to match your décor. A smooth texture in the beveled edge laminate flooring can be made to look like it was cut, not manufactured flooring.

• Enhanced Beveled Edge

A deep beveled edge laminate flooring has an emphasized groove, adding to the natural, more defined appearance. This variety of beveled edges keeps dirt from collecting between the planks or tiles. 

• Pressed Beveled Edge

Pressed beveled edge laminate flooring is created by the top layer being pressed down, giving it a subtle finish that blends with the remaining flooring.

• Rolled Beveled Edge

A rolled beveled edge laminate flooring has a slight, soft slope that blends into the surface, resulting in a realistic, smooth design.

Is beveled edge flooring better?

When it comes to installing beveled edge laminate flooring, damage is less likely to occur, whereas square edge flooring is more likely to show damage, one of the key differences between the two types of flooring.  

What is the difference between square-edge and beveled-edge laminate flooring?

When considering new flooring, the material is just one choice to make. With some features of flooring, like square-edge and beveled-edge laminate flooring, it can be confusing to know the difference, but it is important to know and understand these differences. 

• With square-edged flooring, each board, plank, or tile of square edge flooring is flawless to create a smooth appearance feel, with exacting precision for a perfectly perpendicular edge. Meaning, there isn’t any visible groove or indentation after the installation is completed. This makes for a low-maintenance, easy-to-clean flooring. 
• With a beveled edge laminate flooring, there is a distinctive depth and texture, meaning there isn’t a seamless surface, but the appearance is more authentic. With a diagonal cut edge, you have the characteristic ‘V’ shape between each board. Because the joints are more emphasized the flooring is more desirable for many homeowners.

 Is beveled-edged laminate flooring hard to clean?

When it comes to cleaning beveled-edge, laminate flooring, you’ll find it is easy and painless! Use your vacuum with the hardwood flooring setting to clean between the grooves. Using a microfiber mop with a hardwood spray is excellent for picking up dirt and dust with minimal effort.

How beveled edge laminate flooring be repaired without replacing it?

If there are small chips, cracks, or scratches, yes, you can do repairs with a suitable color-matching repair kit. These are available at home improvement stores or online in a wide selection of colors. Make sure the floor is clean and dry then follow the directions on the package. 

Water damage to beveled edge laminate flooring is not repairable. But you won’t have to completely replace the entire floor. You simply replace the damaged plank or tile. If you’re not able to locate an exact match for the new to match to old, contact a local flooring store for assistance. Separated planks or tiles of beveled edge laminate flooring are typically due to high humidity. This is an easy fix by filling the gaps with wood glue. 

Is beveled edge laminate flooring expensive? 

It is one of the most affordable flooring materials. While there are less expensive choices in flooring, it is one step above and worthwhile. With quality installation, proper care, and maintenance, and depending on the thickness of the planks or tiles, it has a typical lifespan of 25 years. 

Getting Down To Business

If you’re upgrading your home with new flooring, a beveled edge laminate flooring is an excellent choice. It will be durable for the time you live in your home and if you’re considering selling shortly, it is an upgrade that will be appealing to any potential home buyer. You can reach us at 817.861.3737 for more information about beveled edge laminate flooring in Pantego and Arlington, TX. Call us now at 817.861.3737!

Why is hardwood flooring installation so popular today?

A hardwood flooring installation gives a home a rich, warm, solid, and timeless appearance. However, there is an essential challenge to hardwood flooring and that is water. Solid, tongue-and-groove wood flooring planks are not moisture resistant, therefore, hardwood flooring installation is not recommended for any room that has water exposure. This includes bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. 

Fortunately, there have been improvements in the hardwood flooring industry with the introduction of two different solutions: 

• Engineered Hardwood Flooring: This flooring is manufactured with between 2 to 5 thin sheets of wood that form one plank when laminated. This cross-ply method of construction prevents the hardwood flooring installation planks from contracting and expanding in humid areas or exposed to water. 
• Long Strip Hardwood Flooring: This type is similar to the above-described engineered wood flooring in the way using several wood plies and gluing them together. The center core of this type of hardwood flooring is a softer wood and is typically used in manufacturing tongue-n-groove flooring. On the top of that core, a hardwood finish layer is adhered, with results planks measuring approximately 86″ long and 7 1/2″ wide. 

What is the installation method to lay solid hardwood flooring?

There are 3/4-inch solid and 5/16-inch solid options in hardwood flooring, which influences which of the 4 different hardwood flooring installation types: 

• Nail-down hardwood Flooring Installation Method: The most common choice because it is a cost-effective method. The nails are driven into the hardwood boards leaving them almost invisible. This type of hardwood flooring installation requires wood subflooring.

• Interlocking Hardwood Flooring Installation Method: This is often referred to as click-lock installation and is common for DIY homeowner projects. The hardwood boards simply click into place.

• Glue-Down Hardwood Flooring Installation Method: This method is ideal when the hardwood flooring installation is on a concrete floor using glue. 

• Staple-Down Hardwood Flooring Installation Method: Comparable to the nail-down hardwood flooring installation method, but with staples instead of nails to secure the hardwood boards to the subfloor. This method provides a strong initial hold because of the two prongs, but any movement of the flooring happens, staples aren’t as forgiving as nails. 

Which is better for bedrooms, carpeting, or hardwood flooring installation? 

While hardwood flooring installation brings a rich, warm, and comfortable appearance to a home, carpeting has its attractions too. It comes down to personal choices, but most homeowners choose to keep carpeting in the bedroom for the sound-dampening feature. During the winters, when the floors are cold, that initial wake-up moment of having carpet underfoot is a big consideration for many.

How much does hardwood flooring installation cost? 

The total cost will vary based on some crucial factors that include: 

• The square footage
• The type of hardwood flooring
• Additional services are needed to complete the installation.

On average, hardwood flooring installation can range between $5 and $20 per square foot for the material and between $5 and $10 per square foot for the labor. 

Is hardwood flooring installation a DIY project?

Whether it is to save money or you like a challenge, hardwood flooring installation can be a DIY project. Multiple online videos can walk you through the task, with many who have “been there, done that” sharing their tips learned the hard way.  

But a professional installation is always going to be recommended.  The pros have not only the equipment and experience, but their work is also guaranteed and the warranty on the flooring material stays intact. 

What is the best way to maintain hardwood flooring? 

Installation is complete, now how to maintain that flooring is your focus. The following tips will help you keep your hardwood flooring installation investment in top condition: 

• Daily dry mop dust, or sweep. Debris and dust can dull and scratch the surface of your hardwood flooring. Daily sweeping and vacuuming is the best way to protect your flooring. You can use a broom or a microfiber dust mop and dusting agent. Weekly vacuuming is recommended using the hard floor setting.
• Monthly mopping is recommended for heavy-traffic areas using a damp mop, twice a month for higher-traffic areas. Wring as much water as possible out and rinse as needed during the mopping. Never leave standing water! 
• Revitalizing the hardwood flooring installation will remove the dullness and cover the scratches. This can be done while the floor is dry, using a liquid scratch concealer will form a permanent seal. Wood floor polishes are excellent for restoring the shine and protecting against daily wear and tear. 

 Years of Beauty and Enjoyment! 

Once your hardwood flooring installation is complete and you’ve reviewed the recommended maintenance and upkeep procedures with the installer, it is time to sit back and enjoy your investment, for many years.