Tile Types & Materials

I remember staring at that backsplash, a beautiful, expensive porcelain that was supposed to be the crown jewel of my kitchen. But the edges… they were just sharp. Like, ‘nick your forearm just reaching for the spice rack’ sharp. I’d seen these fancy beveled edges on high-end tile, and I thought, ‘There’s gotta be a … Read more

I remember standing in the tile store, overwhelmed. The salesperson was rattling off terms like ‘through-body porcelain’ and ‘glazed ceramic’ like they were common household words. I just wanted a floor that wouldn’t chip after my dog, Buster, went through his muddy phase. He’s a big guy, and his nails have seen some action. I … Read more

I remember staring at that enormous stack of boxes, each one promising a clean, classic backsplash. My first foray into tiling with a block of subway tile felt like a rite of passage. I’d seen them everywhere – Pinterest boards overflowing, kitchen showrooms gleaming. It looked so simple, so foolproof. Turns out, the glossy magazine … Read more

I remember the first time I tried to seal my new bathroom tile. I’d watched a dozen YouTube videos, all promising a foolproof method to make my grout and tile invincible. Fast forward a few weeks, and I’m scrubbing mildew that somehow found its way under the supposed sealant. It taught me a harsh lesson: … Read more

I remember the first time someone mentioned Litecrete to me. It sounded like a miracle material – lightweight, insulating, and some folks even touted it as a DIY dream. Then came the inevitable question: can ceramic tile be applied to Litecrete? Like most things in the world of building and renovation, the answer isn’t a … Read more

I still remember the first time my old tomcat, Chester, decided my pristine white ceramic tile bathroom floor was his personal litter box. It wasn’t just a dribble; it was a full-on, ambitious declaration of territory. The smell hit me like a freight train, and I spent an entire weekend scrubbing, convinced the odor was … Read more

I remember staring at that tub of ‘Acrylic Pro’ tile adhesive, convinced it was the magic bullet for my kitchen backsplash. The packaging boasted it could handle anything. Anything, it seemed, except for the modest warmth radiating from behind the stove. That’s when I started wondering, can acrylic pro ceramic tile adhesive stand high temperature? … Read more

I remember the first time I saw those fancy tiled bathrooms in magazines. Gleaming, spotless, like they’d never seen a drop of actual life. Then reality hit my own place. Grout lines, soap scum, general grime – it’s a battlefield. I’d always reach for the bleach, thinking it was the ultimate weapon. I mean, it … Read more

You’ve probably seen those articles touting bleach as the ultimate tile cleaner. The kind that make you think a little splash of that chemical magic will restore your grout to its original, blinding white glory. I’ve been there. Years ago, after a disastrous spill involving red wine and a pristine white rug – don’t ask … Read more

I remember the day Buster, my then-new 5-pound terror of a Yorkie-poo, discovered the sheer joy of digging. Not in the backyard, oh no. He decided the brand new, pristine ceramic tile floor in my kitchen was the perfect canvas for his tiny, but determined, claws. I’d spent a small fortune on that tile, imagining … Read more

I stood there, staring at the cracked ceramic tile in my kitchen, a monument to a bad DIY decision and a spilled cast iron skillet. Replacing it meant chipping out grout, dealing with thin-set nightmares, and the general chaos of a torn-up floor. My first thought? Could I just slap something else on top and … Read more

You’ve just finished a marathon cleaning session. The grout is gleaming, the baseboards are dust-free, and now you’re staring at your ceramic tile floors. They’re clean, sure, but they lack that certain something. You remember seeing Armstrong Shinekeeper advertised – promising that showroom shine. But then the nagging question pops into your head: can Armstrong … Read more

I remember staring at my brand-new, sparkling pool, dreaming of lazy summer days. Then came the reality check: the waterline. That’s the part that’s constantly wet, constantly exposed to chemicals, and constantly showing every single speck of dirt. The big question on everyone’s mind, and frankly, mine too when I first got into this, is: … Read more

I remember the first time I saw those impossibly perfect marble countertops in a magazine. Gleaming, flawless, a testament to pure luxury. Then I looked at my own scratched Formica and thought, ‘Someday.’ Fast forward a few years, a DIY disaster involving a rogue grout bag, and a very expensive mistake, and I’m here to … Read more

I’ve stared at enough faded, cracked tiles on patios and porches to develop a healthy skepticism for anything that claims to be universally tough. That’s why when people ask if Avenzo Silver Travertine mosaic tile can handle the elements, my first thought isn’t about fancy marketing. It’s about practical experience. Can it? The short answer … Read more

I remember staring at my shower floor, a beautiful expanse of travertine that was supposed to scream ‘luxury.’ Instead, it was screaming ‘moldy disaster.’ Little green splotches were creeping in, taunting me. I’d tried every fancy stone cleaner under the sun, shelling out a small fortune for bottles that promised miracles and delivered disappointment. So, … Read more

I remember staring at a pile of sample tiles, dreaming of that perfect patio. Everyone said, ‘Just pick porcelain, it’s foolproof.’ Foolproof, my foot. I learned the hard way that not all porcelain is created equal, especially when you’re talking about sticking it outside where the weather really has a go at it. So, can … Read more

I remember the first time I ripped up old tile in a house I bought. Thought it was a straightforward DIY job, you know? Get the pry bar, pop it off, slap down some new stuff. Easy money. Then I hit a layer that felt… weird. Almost plasticky, but brittle. Suddenly, the fun stopped and … Read more

I remember the first time someone showed me a porcelain tile slab countertop. It looked like magic – smooth, sleek, and frankly, a bit intimidating. I’d spent years wrestling with granite that chipped if you looked at it wrong and laminate that scarred if a rogue crumb landed on it. So, when porcelain slab started … Read more

I remember staring at the pile of leftover tiles from that kitchen backsplash job. They looked so good inside, I thought, ‘Why not put a few on the patio steps?’ Big mistake. Within a year, they were chipped, cracked, and looked like they’d been through a war. It made me wonder, can any ceramic tile … Read more