Whitesell Tile

04/29/2014

This is a recent kitchen backsplash I finished. The kitchen was done with all porcelain tiles.

03/20/2014

New project-- master bathroom with walk-in shower & garden tub.

03/18/2014

So its not just good for keeping your footsies toasty!!

Energy & Sustainability»EarthTalkEmailPrint Is Under-Floor Radiant Heating More Efficient Than Conventional Systems? Aug 29, 2012 Zoonar/ThinkstockDear EarthTalk: How energy efficient (and comfortable) is under-floor heating, sometimes known as radiant heating?—Marcy Dell, Boston Underfloor radiant…

03/13/2014

Tips to keep your tile and grout looking like new.

Cleaning your Tiles:

~If you have glazed tile floors- Sweep or vacuum regularly to
keep them from getting dull. (tiles may be resistant to dirt, but
sand and grit can dull glazed surfaces.)

~Steam cleaners can be an effective and environmentally-friendly
method of cleaning tile and grout—or for that matter, many
other surfaces around the house. Bissell, Oreck, Ladybug and
Hoover all make steam cleaners for residential uses.

~Clean tile with mild detergent and clean water, using a rag or
chamois-type mop rather than a sponge mop. (sponge mops
push dirty water into grout lines and makes them harder to
clean.)

~If your tile looks hazy, you might be dealing with soapy residue.
Remove the film with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. You
could also try a mild acid -- such as fresh lemon juice -- on
ceramic tiles (but never on marble). Rinse thoroughly with clean
water, and buff dry with a clean lint-free cloth. Be kind to your
knees and dry tiles the easy way: by using your foot to slide the
cloth over the floor.

Cleaning your Grout:

~Grout is porous and absorbs grease and other stains. Skip
commercial cleaners and instead make a paste of baking soda
and water. Rub it on the stain, let it sit overnight, then scrub the
stain in the morning with a stiff nylon brush (a metal brush will
damage the grout). Repeat as necessary. Apply a silicone-base
sealer to the grout to repel future stains.

~Chlorine bleach and commercial cleansers can be used sparingly
in extreme cases. A good go-to products when all else fails is
Clorox Clean-Up spray. Long-term use of caustic cleaners will
erode grout, so these products should be used on a limited basis.

~To keep your grout clean and stain-free, it’s a good idea to spray
it with vinegar and wipe it down once a week. You can also wipe
grout with alcohol to keep mold and mildew at bay. In any case,
just a few spritzes and wipes a week can save you a lot of time
and effort cleaning, preserving the attractive appearance of your
home in the process.

Resources: Better Homes and Gardens, Bob Villas blog, and 35 years of tile flooring experience.

For further information and other ticks, just message us on Facebook.

03/12/2014

If you want the look of a real wood surface, but you're afraid of the maintenance and wear of real wood...then Porcelain and ceramic tile that looks like real wood might be your answer. Tile that looks like wood flooring offers you a tough, moisture-resistant, wear-resistant surface that gives you peace of mind as well as easy maintenance.

03/11/2014

Before and after pictures of a laundry room revamping for a fresh new look. The backsplash tiles used are white ceramic subway tiles.

03/11/2014

Check this out! These tiles change color when exposed to heat! Not saying this is for everyone...but it is definitely unique!

03/10/2014

Porcelain tile vs. Ceramic tile
When choosing between porcelain and ceramic tiles, it may get a bit confusing. Here are a few things to consider when choosing.

--Porcelain clays are denser and thus less porous than ceramic clays. This makes porcelain tile harder and more impervious to moisture than ceramic tile.

--Not only is porcelain tile more dense than ceramic tile, but due to its through-body composition it is considered more durable and better suited for heavy usage than ceramic tile.

--Because Porcelain tiles are so strong, they can be used for commercial use and residential.

--PEI ratings for porcelain tile tend to be around 5 (heavy residential and commercial traffic). PEI ratings for ceramic tile can range anywhere from PEI 0 (no foot traffic) up to PEI 5, but with most ratings in the lower end of the scale.

--Porcelain tile is suitable for exterior floors and walls in freezing and non-freezing climates. Although, I would still recommend buying porcelain that is expressly designated for exterior use.

--The Chip Factor: Chip the ceramic tile and you find a different color underneath the top glaze (usually red or white). Chip the porcelain and the color keeps on going--the chip is nearly invisible.

--Pricing: Ceramic tile is cheaper than porcelain tile. Unless there is some anomaly in pricing, ceramic tile will always be cheaper than porcelain tile. But again, you need to consider other factors in your choice of tile, not solely pricing.

***Due to confusion from overzealous (or dishonest) tile companies and their marketing departments, The Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) was created to certify tile as being porcelain or not. Attached is the logo.

03/08/2014

Tile wrapped enclosed standup shower w/ corner shelf, tile wrapped knee wall, tile back splash around garden tub, and matching tile flooring.

03/08/2014

Kitchen back splash by Whitesell Tile.

Please call Robert at (757) 556-3357 to schedule your free estimate.