answersLogoWhite

0

🌼

Flooring

Floors can be a challenge to install, maintain and change. Questions regarding the installation, maintenance and repair of carpets, tile, wood and other materials go here.

6,242 Questions

What is the best topcoat for a cement floor?

Porch and Patio Floor paint, specially for concrete floors. Less than $20 in Home Depot. -Make sure you prime it first, the paint goes a lot further .

What causes hairline cracks in ceramic tile?

1st was the tile installed with tiny cracks and you didn't know?

2nd did you have the installers put down the paper( it's a special paper that goes down to hold the tile in case your foundation shifted, by the way it cost some extra cash for that to be installed, it doesnot come with the tile it is always a extra charge)

3rd did you drop something on it?

4th your was not installed properly

5th was it cheap tile? you get what you pay for

6th your foundation is shifting

What type of Berber carpet is best?

There are lots of good carpet cleaners on the market, and they will all say pat or scrub lightly. What they don't tell you is to never pour the cleanser directly onto the carpet. That wets the carpet backing and the dyes on that will wick up through the carpet fiber. And you'll never get rid of that stain!

Why are finishes applied to wood?

To preserve a nice natural wood look and prevent it drying out.

How do you install tiles on a roof?

Clay tiles are installed on a roof by spreading a thin layer of concrete on the roof and setting the concave face of the tile into the concrete.

Can 20 mule team borax be used in ceramic glazes?

It won't hurt the glaze, might degrade the grout a bit, but be sure to rinse well.

Whats the difference between Italian porcelain and Chinese porcelain tile?

I have just spent two weeks shopping for tile and have discovered Chinese porcelain tile. Many salespersons and tile installers told me there was no difference in Italian and Chinese tile. The fact is that many Italian companies have relocated to China or have subsidiaries there. One salesperson who visited a Chinese tile factory saw his Itlalian tile company representative obviously arranging to have Italian tile made in China. I decided to use Chinese porcelain tile and it will be installed in January. If I have any problems, I will post the results. Both tile installers from whom I got bids had no problem with the tile and in fact thought it was a good quality and an excellent reproduction of marble.

It is cheaper than Italian tile of the same grade, but isn't everything made in China.

It was the Chinese who introduced porcelain to the West many years ago and we still call fine dinnerware China, so after centuries of making porcelain dishes, what could be wrong with floor tile.

-----

I have discussed the differences between the Italian, Spanish, Turkish and Chinese tiles with a number of salespeople. I am told that the Italians founded the porcelain tile and they are the most expensive. The Italian marble tiles are super expensive and ceramic tiles are not recommended for high traffic areas so the porcelain tile is an excellent choice. There are polished, glazed and matte. be sure to find out the difference and to choose what's best for you. The quality of the Spanish porcelain tiles are supposed to be of similar quality. The Turks got smart and instead of working for the Italians they began producing their own tiles and they are among the world's largest tile makers. The advanatage of tiles from these countries is that they adhere to a strict code of standards . The Turkish porcelain tiles are pof excellent quality and are less expensive that the Italian and Spanish tiles. The Italians also produce tiles in China in order to bring the cost down. These tiles also follow the same codes. The Chinese tiles can be as much as 1/2 the price of even the Turkish tiles but as they are not required to follow a code of standards, you must be careful, as they may not be as good quality.

----------------

I just had some porcelain tile installed in my shower and bathroom floor. I noticed when it chipped it was a different color underneath. Not like my porcelain tile in the kitchen and main bathroom. So when I checked a box of left over tile, it was made in China. After, comparing the 2 tiles, the more expensive ones I bought, to the ones made in China, the color does not go all the way through as does the more expensive porcelain. One of the reasons I liked porcelain tile was the color goes all the way through and if chipped, no one is the wiser. So I hope the cheap China tile holds up well and doesn't chip easily, as it will be quite noticeable. As always, you get what you pay for.

NEW USER:

I just used different tiles for 2 bathrooms in my house.

After shopping for 3 months for tiles and designs and qualities I have learned the following information.

I was looking for spanish porcelain tiles. I fell in love with Porcelanosa (one of the nicest, most unique and well known) They have the thickest and heaviest tile in the market. Their prices vary and if you find the right distributor you will get a great price. Porcelanosa is rather expensive, but their styles are 1 of a kind and their colors and textures cannot be matched or found anywhere else even remotely similar.

Italian porcelain is nothing special. It is nice, and might have some beautiful designs but the spanish tiles are far better and much alike in prices.

I then found an array of Chinese Porcelain. The display looked of spanish quality and honestly after learning so much about all the different kinds I can honestly say the Chinese was way too impressive to pass up on for $1.50 per sq less than Spanish tiles.

The difference:

Spanish tiles: Very thick, and very high quality colors and textures, it looks as if the designs are natural. The cornes and edges of the tile are fine cut and very straight and sharp. Their are no rough edges or chips on a spanish tile. Underneath a spanish reads MADE IN SPAIN.

Chinese tiles: Also thick in depth and pretty designs, but they like creativity in the tile. Unlike the spanish tile you can only create a color and design, not a theme. Spanish tiles look very European and mdoern designed. The Chinese tiles are great for a bathroom with modern furniture but cannot create a theme. They mock a European look but for the few extra $$ you will get European taste and theme with the spanish tiles. The Chinese tiles are a little bit easier to cut and a few percent more delicate and can chip away if not cut professionaly.

For the price difference I would recommend the Chinese tiles without thinking twice.

If you want to spend the extra money then you will appreciate the spanish tiles more. Use Porcelanosa spanish tiles and you will not go wrong.

In my opinion The Chinese tiles are not bad. The Italian tiles are too thin and are just as delicate as Chinese tiles. No difference and the Chinese are less in price.

If you would like to see photos, contact me.

Thanks

R

How long do you have to wait for latex primer to dry?

Latex Primer dries fairly quickly. It will depend on the humidity levels in the home and the surface its applied to. On new drywall which the surface is more porous and will absorb more primer vs previously painted. Usually you can apply a top coat in 2 - 4 hours. Rick The Renovator

Is it expensive to have ceramic tile removed?

Yes it is. Just as it is expensive to have them place into you house, Once the tiles are fixed on to the floor removing them becomes hard and complicated without damaging or breaking them, however if someone chooses to have them removed then it will cost almost the same price or even more for removing them because looking at the methods used to fix them onto the floor in most cases they are meant to be permanent or at least take along time while strong and no space for looseness is left, this means removing them will need more time and delicate work methods that is if you would like them not damaged, but if all you care about is having them removed then it might be cheaper as less care will be put into action while removing them and therefor less time needed and with reduced or say minimal instructions or restrictions the work might be charged at a lower price.

How do you get polyurethane off linoleum?

You can use a paint thinner and a scraper if the paint is only on the tiles and not on the grout it should be easy to remove it . If it's on the tile, just use a razor blade and scrape it off.

What is the most durable wood?

Durability of wood depends on a number of things such as species, treatment, protection, where it is used, moisture, insect attack, desirability of maintenance of finish, etc. Different woods have different characteristics in relation to all of these factors some being more durable in relation to some of these factors and less durable in relation to others. Therefore, if the application is important or costly it is best to seek expert advice from a lumber merchant.

For instance redwood is durable in contact with soil and hard maple is good for flooring.

Can ceramic tile floors be painted?

No, ceramic is glazed and there for has no pores for the paint to bond to. You can though clean the grout really well and buy grout paint from a home improvement store. That will really help make your floor look better.

Can garage floor epoxy be repaired?

Yes you can if the existing coating is not peeling and adhered well to the concrete. You will need to sand the entire floor with 220 grit sandpaper and remove the dust before recoating. Make sure any oil or grease spots are removed as well.

How do remove paint overspray from a laminate floor?

I got flat, white spray paint overspray on the windshield of my car. Mind you, this was a simple, faint mist of overspray. You coulnd't see it, but when I used the wipers, I could tell it was there. I simply used the corner of a soft, worn t-shirt saturated in fingernail polish remover. (I don't know what that might do the paint on your car body, so take care not to slop it around.) I applied a little pressure and wiped over the entire windshield twice, then used the windshield washer fluid and the wipers to finish the job. Done! Took me about 4 minutes.

Can you install granite tiles over ceramic tile flooring?

Yes, it is possible to install granite tiles over existing ceramic tile flooring, but it requires proper preparation and consideration. The ceramic tile surface should be thoroughly cleaned, and any loose or damaged tiles should be repaired or replaced. The surface should be level and free from any residue or debris. Applying a bonding agent or primer can improve adhesion. It's important to note that adding granite tiles will increase the height of the floor, so door clearances and transitions may need adjustment. Consulting with a professional installer or contractor can ensure proper installation and address any specific requirements or challenges.

What is the BS concrete design mix for class 20?

40 20 concrete design mix is the water to cementitious materials ratio. This is what determines the class of the design mix.

What is IPS flooring?

IPS - Indian Patent Stone flooring is called IPS flooring which ordinary screeding concrete with vacuum dewatered finishing for industrial floorings. This is used for doing epoxy flooring purposes.

What is difference between vitrified ceramic tiles and ceramic tiles?

Ceramic Tiles: Ceramic tiles are crafted from a mixture of clay, minerals, and water. The manufacturing process involves molding the clay mixture and then subjecting it to high-temperature kiln firing. This firing process hardens the tiles and creates the desired shapes and sizes. Ceramic tiles come in a wide range of finishes, including glossy, matte, and textured surfaces, allowing for diverse design possibilities to suit various interior styles. They are renowned for their ability to add a touch of elegance and charm to any space, making them a popular choice for kitchens, living rooms, and decorative wall applications. However, due to their higher porosity, ceramic tiles are not recommended for areas exposed to excessive moisture, as they may absorb water and become vulnerable to damage.

Vitrified Tiles: Vitrified tiles, on the other hand, are engineered using a different manufacturing process that involves a combination of clay, silica, and other minerals. The mixture undergoes vitrification, a process where it is heated at extremely high temperatures until it transforms into a glass-like substance. This vitrification process results in tiles with significantly lower porosity, making them highly resistant to water absorption and stains. Vitrified tiles are well-known for their strength and durability, making them ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways, commercial spaces, and outdoor applications. With a glossy finish and an extensive range of designs and colors available, vitrified tiles can effortlessly emulate the appearance of natural stone or wood, providing a luxurious and sophisticated aesthetic to any setting.

Which is stronger ceramic or porcelain granite floor tiles?

Ceramic tiles are supposed to be more easily damaged, but both can break if hit hard enough. You'll probably be happiest choosing whichever you like best. Make sure to buy some extras to replace broken tiles.