 Made from materials like linoleum, vinyl, cork and rubber, resilient tile is a great option if you want a surface that's easy on the feet and needs minimal maintenance. Keep these tips in mind when cleaning your resilient tile floor:
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I’m sure you have seen the natural looking texture tiles like stacked stone, marble, brick, etc. What is new though is textured wall tiles that appear manmade, geometrical, and/or with cool new stylish patterns that make you feel like they are straight out of a magazine.
So should you consider adding some textured wall tiles? Here are some pros and cons:
Textured Tile Pros
Textured Tile Cons
When beginning the process of redoing your floors, many homeowners face the difficult decision of choosing between vinyl or ceramic tile flooring. We decided to break these two down for you to help you decide which option is best for you. Vinyl:
Tile:
Both are available in a wide range of colors, sizes and styles. It is also worth mentioning that vinyl flooring contains many toxic chemicals. While these are stable in vinyl's manufactured form, these chemicals do not safely break down in landfills, and there is the potential for releasing toxic gases if the materials are burned. Environmentally conscious homeowners are rightly concerned about the use of vinyl flooring. Ceramic tile is a wholly natural product that has nothing toxic in its components. Old ceramic tile creates no contamination when it finds its way into landfills.
Tile is a popular choice for application in bathrooms, kitchens, and throughout homes and businesses. Once the tile itself is installed, finishing the edges of the tile creates a professional and polished look. Not using any tile trim can make any project seem unfinished or amateur. Here’s a little help on choosing the right tile edge trim for you  1. Natural Stone Tile Edge Trim Natural stone, such as marble, granite, and travertine, can be polished so that the edges look finished. In some cases, the edges may not even need polishing. Natural stone liners, moldings, and trims make suitable edge materials for many detailing projects, including backsplashes, countertops, showers, fireplaces, and wainscoting.  3. Metal Profile Edges When you’re looking for a sleek and modern look, a metal edge makes a great choice. This minimalist approach is typically used for transition strips, but it also offers a simple way to finish the edges of a tile installation. Typically, the most popular style is the “L” style that leaves a flat edge. These tend to be the least expensive, are widely available, and are great for achieving the minimalist styling. But more and more common are the squarish, rounded (bullnose), and textured options.  4. Bullnose Tile
Bullnose is the most diverse option when it comes to finishing pieces. One edge curves around a perpendicular corner to seamlessly fit into the side of your tile. Bullnose can be a variety of sizes and can be used in a multitude of situations including corners of walls, shower niches, windowsills, and countertops. A custom bullnose allows your tile edges to be similar in color & material with the rest of your tiles Be careful when you're working with natural stone like slate, granite or marble. Chemicals in traditional cleaners can damage the surface of these materials. Instead, clean your stone tiles with cleaners made specifically for natural stone.
So you just got your new tile installed. Now what? It’s important to know how to properly maintain your floors to keep them looking like new. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are incredibly durable, and a few easy cleaning tips can keep these types of floors looking sparkling. Follow this simple process to clean ceramic and porcelain tile:
1. Clean up loose debris: Sweep or vacuum your tile floors regularly to keep them from getting dull. Ceramic tiles may be resistant to dirt, but sand and grit can dull the glazed surfaces. 2. Choose the right floor mop: Clean tile with mild detergent and clean water using a rag or chamois-type mop rather than a sponge mop. These mops are best for cleaning tile because sponge mops tend to push dirty water into the grout lines, making them harder to clean. Be sure to change the water frequently while mopping; dirty water equals a cloudy floor. 3. Be on the look for tile stains: If you find a discoloration, first try to determine what type of substance made the stain. Use the appropriate cleaner for the stain for the most effective clean. 4. Watch for soap residue: If your tiles look hazy even after cleaning, you might be dealing with soapy residue. Remove the film with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. You could also try a homemade cleaner with mild acid (such as fresh lemon juice) on ceramic or porcelain tiles (but never on stone tiles). 5. Dry the tiles: Don't let your glazed tile floors air-dry as the sitting water will form water spots. Take care of that by drying the floor with a clean, lint-free cloth immediately after washing. Learn more here.  A backsplash can inject style and personality into your kitchen, whether you're starting from scratch or remodeling your current space. To help you decide which material will work best for you, we explain the pros and cons of the most popular backsplash materials. Porcelain & Ceramic Tiles: Tiled backsplashes are a popular choice, as they offer versatility, practicality and style. Thanks to advances in printing technology, ceramic and porcelain tiles can be produced to resemble natural stone and wood, but with none of the associated performance challenges. With such a range of shapes, sizes, colors and patterns now available, tiles give you the freedom to put your own creative stamp on your room without compromising on practicality. Quartz (Engineered Stone): Also known as a quartz composite, engineered stone is made of crushed quartz mixed with resin. High-performing engineered stones are heat and scratch resistant as well as extremely tough. It’s easily cleaned with warm, soapy water and comes in a wide range of different colors to suit all tastes. It’s supplied in large panels, resulting in fewer or no seams. It is important to not that installation of an engineered stone backsplash must be done by a specialist. It is certainly not a DIY job.  Granite: Granite is still a favorite for backsplashes, working equally well in traditional and contemporary settings. What’s more, no two slabs of natural stone will ever look exactly the same, so you are guaranteed a unique look. If you choose honed granite, test some samples with water and oil, as certain variations of the stone can show wet marks longer.  Marble: Nothing beats the natural beauty of a marble backsplash, which never fails to bring a luxurious look to a kitchen. It’s important to be aware, however, that marble is porous, so it needs sealing and periodic resealing to prevent staining. It also gets scratched more easily than other materials. Cost can be an issue, depending on the marble you want. What’s more, marble can get stained easily. You have to accept marble for what it is, it’s beautiful, but not maintenance free. However, lots of marbles have wonderful streaks and patterns that tend to help hide any areas of staining. Glass Tile: Offers a custom look Available in an endless array of attention-grabbing colors and transparencies, glass tiles are a perfect option for making a bold design statement in an otherwise utilitarian space. The look is truly customizable and it also expands the space Glass has the special ability to shimmer and sparkle, which bounces light around a room to visually expand the space. If your kitchen is small or dark, glass tile will reflect light to make the room appear larger and brighter. Glass tiles can be costly, it is often considerably more expensive than ceramic or stone tile.
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