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TILE /STONE
Enter the new stone age.
Natural stone and tiles offer durability, easy maintenance, and style to your home. Designing with tile and stone adds complexity and depth to surfaces, allowing for artistic expression through texture, color, style, and finish. Decorative accents and trim pieces add that extra special touch. Eheart Interior Solutions offers a wide-variety of design options. We'll help you visualize the perfect tile and stone solution for your room.

Natural stone
Natural stone tiles are extremely durable, but proper maintenance is necessary to retain the original look. Water absorption varies from stone to stone, and they may require sealants from time to time. Some natural stone is harder than others. Hardness should be considered when you are selecting the stone for your room. Granite is the hardest stone available and limestone is the softest. Granite tiles are popular in kitchens on countertops and bars. Slate tiles resist fading are recommended for floor and wall use. Travertine works well in flooring, showers, wall coverings, and countertops, but should not be used in the kitchen, where it will come into contact with acidic solutions. Onyx is popular for its brilliant colors and translucent qualities. Natural stone is available in slab, tiles, mosaics, and thousands of decorative sizes. Use it alone or in combination with other materials.

Ceramic tile
A great choice for use on floors, walls, countertops, and backsplashes, ceramic tiles are fairly inexpensive and extremely durable. The tiles are practically stain proof and require minimal maintenance. With hundreds of sizes, colors, styles, and finishes available, this solution offers timeless beauty to interior surfaces.

Porcelain tile
Similar in composition to porcelain china, porcelain tiles wear well and require minimal maintenance. These tiles are common for use in flooring, walls, and backsplashes. Floor tiles may be used on walls, but wall tiles are usually not suitable for floors. Through glazing techniques, porcelain tiles are available in thousands of beautiful colors and textures, plus metal, sand, and natural stone finishes.

Glass tiles
Glass tiles come in a variety of sizes, colors, finishes, opacity, and textures. Certain finishes show scratches more than others. Tile colors range from monochromatic to radiant, and offer finishes that are exotic or more consistent. With the wide-variety, glass tiles offer endless possibilities.  

 

>> Download a printable Tile/Stone buying guide

 Arrow 2 Color
Tiles and stones are available in a large spectrum of colors. However, color may differ slightly from piece to piece, especially in natural stone. Expect imperfections in natural stone; these add to the aesthetic appeal and will not devalue your floor. A special ratings system identifies the color variation.
 Arrow 2Size
Tiles and stones come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Keep in mind that larger rooms need larger tiles, and size combinations can add visual interest. Ask your Eheart designer to review the options best suited for your room size and design and the technical aspects of combining sizes.
 Arrow 2Finish
Tiles and stones can be polished, honed, or flamed. Each presents a distinctly different appearance. Polished surfaces are glossy, reflect light, and emphasize the color and markings of the tile. A honed finish is satin-smooth with little light reflection. This is ideal for floors, as it will be less slippery and heavy traffic will not wear off the polish. A flamed finish is rough-textured and used most on granite floor tiles.
 Arrow 2Usage
Some tiles and stones are better suited for particular uses than others. Porous stones and glossy tiles should not be used in areas with high water contact. Tiles and stones must be installed on level sub-floors. Floor tiles need to be more durable than wall tiles. Tiles used on countertops should be scratch resistant. Your Eheart designer will help you identify the tiles perfect for your situation.
 Arrow 2Grout
The finishing touch for your new tile, stone floor, or wall is the grout. You'll want to choose a grout that is the right color and grit for your tile and stone. Lighter grout requires work to maintain the original color, and darker grout should not be used in shower areas where it can turn white from mineral deposits and soap scum. Be sure to seal your grout to reduce stains and water penetration. Epoxy grouts do not require sealers and are easier to clean and maintain.
 Arrow 2Maintenance
Tile and stone should be swept, dusted, or vacuumed frequently to remove loose soil and dust that could scratch and dull the surface. Do not use acidic, alkaline, or general purpose cleaners. Wipe up spills promptly. Oils and acids can damage your tiles and stones. Treat grouted joints with a protective sealer. To help you keep your countertops and floors looking their best, Eheart Interior Solutions carries a full line of stone care products.