Shop for Tile and Stone
Shopping for tile and stone has historically been the biggest challenge for anyone interested in using these products. When people decide they want tile or stone in their building project, they are at a disadvantage if they do not know exactly what they want and where to get it. The average consumer has an idea that they want to use a tile or stone product. They then take a journey that leads them to tile stores, model homes, magazines, and the houses of friends to find ideas and answers to their questions. Sometimes this is an adequate approach. Sometimes it can be disastrous. An educated user of these products is exactly what this section is all about.
To prepare for that education, we must start at the top. What are you building and what characteristics will it need to possess? There is a tremendous difference in tiling a residential bathroom floor when compared to a restaurant kitchen floor. You get the picture.
Now is a good time to add the legal disclaimers we are all familiar with. Remember that it is the builder's responsibility to comply with local, state, or federal law when undertaking a building project. The builder can be a do it yourselfer or contractor. There may or may not be a need for building permits. In the case of public construction jobs, the builder may need to comply with certain federal guidelines. Nevertheless, these laws are in place to protect people from construction practices that will prove to be unsafe in the future.
That being said probably the best course is to develop a plan:
First decide what you want to accomplish
and start a list.
Consult the design section for ideas.
Remember that the tile or stone you choose is the finished surface of
your installation.
What will those materials be placed on?
Are we talking about floors or walls?
Wet or dry?
Are there chemical or thermal problems that need to be addressed?
Is your installation interior or exterior?
While we would love to see a beautiful array of colors, textures, shapes, and layout of tile and stone, we need to ensure that the characteristics of our chosen products will give years of the desired appearance and function.