Archway Contracting

 Tile is a naturally beautiful material that has been used in homes for centuries.  Typically, tile has a high resistance to wear and tear, and when installed properly can last as long as the homeowner does.  Below are descriptions of the varieties of tile.

The picture above shows a combination of a larger travertine tile with smaller natural stone tiles in Roseville, MN.  There are 2 corner shelves inserted as well. 

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Ceramic Tile

     Ceramic tile is made by the firing process in a kiln and glazed to produce a clean finish.  Ceramic is resistant to water and staining, making it easy to clean and maintain. The most popular choice of ceramic is the classic subway tile which has stood the test of time and continues to be installed all over the world.

Porcelain Tile

     Porcelain tile is made exactly like ceramic tile but is fired at higher temperatures.  This creates a harder material and one that resists water penetration.  Porcelain tile can be made to resemble natural stone more than a ceramic can and is more economical than natural stone.  For this reason, porcelain has become the most popular choice of tile flooring in recent years.

Granite Tile

     Granite tile is a very hard stone that is resistant to water and staining.  Granite exhibits uniform color variation and when polished it shines like no other material.  Granite tile is a popular coice for counter-tops and showers due to the resistance of water and the ease of cleaning.

tile installation . corner showers 

grout joints . silicon and caulking

tile countertops . tile shower pans

Natural Stone - Marble, Travertine, and Limestone

     These natural stones all have similar characteristics and qualities.  They are soft, porous, and vary in color and style from tile to tile.  Also, calcium grains streak the surface on most of the tiles. These qualities make natural stone tile common to bathroom floors and walls, shower wall, kitchen floors and back-splashes.  The soft feel makes for a warm touch and creates a homely feeling to a room.

Natural Stone - Slate

     Slate is perhaps the most colorful and unique natural stone.  Slate tile exhibits the most natural look by having large variation in color and roughness on the surface.  Slate is very soft and consists of multiple thin layers.  The rough surface is great for traction, making slate tile installed mostly in entries, foyers and mudrooms.

Natural Stone - Quartzite

     Quartzite is a natural stone that is a cross between granite and slate.  Maintaining the hardness and durability of granite, it also portrays the wide color variation and roughness of slate.  Quartzite tile is a relatively new product and is become more popular and used in the same applications as slate tile.

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tile estimate . laminate . bathrooms

hardwood . painting