One preferred way to evaluate flooring is through color selection, comfort, durability and the required maintenance.  Below is an overview.

TILE:

• There is a virtually unlimited assortment of tile colors and textures.
• Tile can be uncomfortable to stand on for long periods of time.  Accent rugs can help.
• Tile is extremely durable and longlasting.
• Tile grout will require periodic sealing.
  
  
  

STONE:

• Stone is a naturally beautiful material with a wide variety of selection.
• Stone can be uncomfortable to stand on for long periods of time.  Accent rugs can help.
• Stone is extremely durable and longlasting.
• Entire stone surface and grout joints will require periodic sealing.
• Polished stone as opposed to honed stone can leave floors slippery when wet.
  
  
  

WOOD:

• Warm wood colors in a wide variety with exposed grain offers natural beauty.
• Wood is easier on your feet than most surfaces.
• Wood floors made of oak are quite durable.  Pine and other soft woods dent more easily.
• Wood floors can be refinished numerous times.  Engineered wood can be refinished only a limited number of times.
  
  
  

BAMBOO:

• Warm bamboo colors in a wide variety of dye based stains give natural beauty.
• Bamboo is easier on your feet than many surfaces.
• Bamboo is very durable and is harder than oak.
• Bamboo can be refinished numerous times.
  
  
  

CONCRETE:

• Concrete can be imprinted with different patterns and textures in a variety of colors.
• Concrete can be uncomfortable to stand on for long periods of time.  Accent rugs can help.
• Concrete is very durable but must be sealed against staining.
  
  
  

CORK :

• Cork is purchased in plank or tile form for quietness and other reasons rather than appearance, although it does have natural beauty.
• Cork is very comfortable underfoot.
• Cork can fade or dent.
  
  
  

LAMINATE:

• There is a wide array of laminate color and pattern options.
• Laminate is relatively comfortable to stand on.
• Laminate is very durable.  Laminate will resist scratches, dents, and water damage. 
• Laminate is easy to maintain.

A latex bonding agent is applied between the existing concrete floor and the mud bed installed over it which in turn is installed to create a level surface to allow tile to be laid properly.  The application of latex will prevent separation between the concrete floor and the mud bed which is one cause of the hollow sound one hears when one walks across a tile floor.

BOTH the floor surface AND each tile piece is COMPLETELY covered with adhesive before laying, the absence of which is one cause of the hollow sound one hears when one walks across a tile floor.

We remove all baseboards prior to laying tile to allow tile to be laid to the edge of the WALL so that when the baseboard is later installed it will be installed OVER the grout edge between the tile piece and the outside wall.  This eliminates the ever present crack between dissimilar materials at the perimeter of the room or the necessity of installing a quarter round to cover it which may make the room look smaller.

The direction the tile is to be laid in a room, whether diagonal or square is of course your decision.  We show the effect of both looks on the floor prior to any tile being laid. We also advise you of the final look resulting from different starting points in laying the tile. The final layout is of course your choice.

We provide you with a large number of ACTUAL samples of grout material to be installed with your tile selection in order to allow you REAL options to choose from rather than simply ink on paper or plastic samples.

We order a sufficient quantity of tile so as to avoid an interruption in the job schedule even if some tile is flawed or breakage occurs.

Please call for a free kitchen floor evaluation so that you might choose the best option for your home!