We are pleased to announce the grand re-0pening of our Burnsville Showroom! Please see the invitation below for more details!
Old-World craftsmanship is revitalized with the vivid hues of Origins Glass™ tile from Crossville®. Now color consistency is achievable in tile that looks hand-made. Taking its cue from nature, the line is separated into 5 distinct groupings: Earth, Universe, Fire, Water and Air. Surface textures and swirls compliment the bold, clear color and may include iridized techniques.
As gorgeous as Origins Glass is, these tiles also serve a purpose beyond beauty. Made of recycled glass, Origins Glass tiles require fewer raw materials to be used in production. Origins Glass contains 30% post consumer content in 1″ x 1″, 1″ x 2″ and 2″ x 2″ sizes. As part of Crossville’s glass tile program, with every purchase of Origins Glass mosaics, Crossville contributes to Common Thread for the Cure. This program offers care and support to families affected by breast cancer.
Recommended Use
Origins Glass tile can be used for interior walls and covered exterior wall applications. Origins Glass is not recommended for exterior horizontal surfaces or exterior paving.
Note:Due to the nature of glass tile, there will be a certain amount of variation in color, shade, tone, texture, and size. Frequently you may notice bubbles, wrinkles and folds in the glass. These are consistent with a cast glass product. Please open and inspect each box of glass tile upon delivery. Buyer is responsible for both inspection and acceptance of the material prior to installation.
Visit Crossville for complete information, including installation tips and techniques.
This is part of an ongoing series to help educate both consumers and trade professionals with real answers to every day challenges in the tile industry.
Q: I noticed my grout is blotchy and uneven in color. What is wrong with it?
A: Blotchy grout is a relatively common issue. There are a number of reasons for it, but the primary cause for differences in the shading of colored grout joints throughout an installation is usually uneven curing. If grout cures slower in one part of a job than another part, darker colored joints (in comparison) will develop. The exact opposite also holds true. The faster curing grout joints will be lighter in color than grout that cures more slowly. Job conditions are the leading cause of discolored grout joints. Strict attention to the factors that cause uneven curing can bring about uniform grout installations. So, what causes uneven curing? Here is a list of reasons grout can become discolored:
1. Improper mixing of the grout. Don’t use too much water when mixing the grout. Follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully. Also, don’t use previously opened bags that may have gained moisture or partial bags of grout on large projects. If you run out and mix a second batch, you might not have the same consistency or even the same dye lot with your grout. Finally, never add more water after initial mixing to rehydrate.
2. Excess water used in cleanup. Using too much water during cleanup will cause the grout to absorb more water in some places than others. Be sure you use clean water and clean your sponges during the cleanup.
3. Plastic spacers. Never leave the plastic spacers in the grout joint.
4. Time of day. Grout placed during the cooler part of the day will cure darker (slower) than grout set in the earlier part of the day when it is warmer.
5. Sunlight. Exposure to sunlight in one area will cause the grout to cure faster and lighter than in the shaded area.
6. Temperature. If one area is exposed to either direct heat or air conditioning blowing on it, the draft will cause uneven curing and variations. This is similar to what happens when in-floor heating is left on during the curing of a newly tiled floor…and can create a host of other problems.
7. Grout joint depth. If some grout joints are deeper than others, the grout will cure unevenly with resulting differences in color. Making sure that your grout joints are satisfactory depth will help prevent this problem. The practice of sweeping in the joints before grouting can cause uneven curing. This practice also causes the grout to be less thick in depth in other areas and increases the potential for failure. The grout joint should be cleaned out before grouting and the proper amount of time wait allowed for the setting bed to be completely set.
8. Uneven glazed edge tile. Ceramic tile that has glaze running over on the sides can cause the grout to cure unevenly, especially in instances where glaze is running over the side of one tile and is placed against a tile where there is no glaze.
9. Foot traffic. Walking over the joints before they are fully cured can also cause discoloration.
As you can see, a carefully controlled environment is essential, but not impossible, to ensure that your grout installation is perfect.
This is part of an ongoing series to help educate both consumers and trade professionals with real answers to every day challenges in the tile industry.
Q: I had tile installed in my master bathroom ten years ago. We bought the tile from you back then. I have a couple of tiles that cracked that I would like to replace. Can I still get them?
A: Thanks for your past business, we truly appreciate it! Unfortunately, it is unlikely that we have your tile any longer. There are a couple of reasons for that.
While tile is a man made product, it is derived from natural sources, which can lead to variations in color, texture and pattern. The tiles are then fired in kilns that are hundreds of degrees. Even when controlling the environment as much as possible, nature will always preside. So, even if we still have the tile, it may not be a perfect match.
The tile industry is not dissimilar from other home improvement industries in that trends and style preferences change, so tile follows suit. Generally speaking, we see about a three year turn in product. Finishes may change from matte to lustrous, warm beige may turn a cold shoulder and become greige, tile sizes that once seemed modern become outdated and they become larger, smaller or even different shapes.
Stone tile is not different. Marble, granite, slate, limestone, travertine – tiles that are cut from the earth are likely to change over time with their pattern, color range and availability. When the vein in the earth changes, so does the tile. It is possible for a specific type of stone to become completely obsolete depending how on how much it was quarried and how much of the original vein there was to begin.
If you anticipate adding-on in the future, be sure to purchase extra tile when you install to accommodate future needs. If you are adding on and run out, work with your professional tile installer to find a complimentary (not necessarily matching) tile that you can work into a pattern with your existing tile to transition the new space.
Tile is a beautiful choice for your home or office. We are glad to help you find the perfect tile to suit your needs. Drop by one of our showrooms today to talk to one of our friendly and knowledgeable design consultants about your project.
This is part of an ongoing series to help educate both consumers and trade professionals with real answers to every day challenges in the tile industry.
Q: I bought this beautiful clear glass tile from a local dealer. My tile installer installed the material, but I can see lines behind it! I think it is the adhesive holding it to the wall? Why does it look like this?
A: Glass tile has been a hot trend in tile for some time now, but it does require different installation than a standard tile. Ceramic tile is opaque, so when the tile setter is spreading the thinset with a trowel, you will not see those lines. Because some glass tile is clear or translucent, there are some critical procedures to ensure a beautiful install.
Most important is the setting material color and that you are getting full product coverage. White is most commonly recommended. Make sure that you are using setting materials from the same production batches and check for bag-to-bag color consistency if you are installing in a large area. To achieve uniform coverage, your tile installer may have to use a technique called back buttering, where they spread thinset to the back of the actual tile before installing it. Also, it is necessary to flatten the trowel ridges.
If you are installing glass tile, it is wise to understand the installation process. The Tile Council of North America sets the industry standard for installation practices and has very comprehensive directions for installing glass tile. Please consult their web site for more information or call your Kate-Lo Tile & Stone oncall sales rep to discuss your project.
We are pleased to announce our first Tile Education Series for 2012. We will be holding it at our headquarters in Plymouth, MN on March 22. Reps from Laticrete, Nuheat & Schluter will be on hand. Kate-Lo Tile & Stone reps will also be presenting products from FILA and Flextile. Join us, it will be a great evening of learning and fun. See the attached flyer for more information.
This is part of an ongoing series to help educate both consumers and trade professionals with real answers to every day challenges in the tile industry.
Q: My tile installer recently installed a brand new tile floor with in-floor heating. Now I notice my grout is blotchy and some tiles seem loose! HELP!
A: Sorry to hear that you are having these problems. There is a good chance that when your tile was installed your in-floor heating was turned on, either during or shortly after the installation process. Even in winter, it is not recommended to have your in-floor heating system turned on for at least two weeks after your tile is installed. However, you must maintain the room temperature at 50 degrees or above. The heat from the system will prematurely dry the setting materials so that it is not able to bond properly. That same heat will also cause the grout to dry unnaturally quick, causing blotchiness.
While it is possible to use grout sealers to essentially paint and seal a new grout color, there is no way to cosmetically repair tile that is loose. If it is only one or two tiles, you may be able to repair those, but there is a great chance that others will loosen over time due to the unsound bond. It is possible you may have to replace the entire floor.
If you are installing in-floor heating systems, it is wise to understand the installation process. We recommend using high quality heating systems like Nuheat. Not only do they offer the longest warranty in the industry, but they also have great documentation and tech support. Additionally, the Tile Council of North America sets the industry standard for installation practices. Each year, they release a comprehensive handbook detailing installation procedures. Please consult their web site for more information or call your Kate-Lo Tile & Stone oncall sales rep to discuss your project.
My love affair with orange began many years ago. Being an Aries, I gravitate towards warm colors – red being, hands down, my favorite. But, orange spoke to me in a way that red did not. Evoking the same intensity as red, but infusing it with a jolt of energy, orange has become an old friend and standby for me – in a way, comforting.
When Pantone announced its color of the year for 2012, this designer rejoiced! So long Honeysuckle, hello Tangerine Tango! Vibrant and warm, while orange can be a daunting color in interiors, used judiciously; it can bring a depth and energy to an otherwise lifeless room.
Unless you are very brave (or love orange, like I do) tile is unlikely to be your first choice to incorporate orange. However, an orange accent paired with other neutrals is quite stunning and can give you some fantastic eye appeal. Why not paint a feature wall (or a room!) in orange? How about some tangerine pillows on the couch? What about a succulent persimmon for window treatments? If tangerine is still too much for your faint heart, why not look towards shades of amber or subdued bronze, burnt orange or pumpkin to help incorporate the energy of orange, without all the glare. You have a rainbow of options to choose from to incorporate this fantastic color into your designs.
There are many great choices of tile to choose from to coordinate with your splashy accents. From the contemporary washed concrete look of the Clay series to the classic limestone look of Marmoris, the cool sophistication of Reflection or the rustic tones of Serengeti, Tangerine Tango is certain to spice up your living space.
This is part of an ongoing series to help educate both consumers and trade professionals with real answers to every day challenges in the tile industry.
Q: Several years ago I had a porcelain tile floor installed. About a year later, I noticed the tiles in the middle of the room starting to buckle. What is wrong with this tile?
A: To answer this question properly we must address a couple of issues. Porcelain tiles are made within a set of industry standards. They must meet specifications on water absorption, modulus of rupture and their resistance to thermal shock, scratching, crazing, chemicals and frost. They are also rated to help you determine how slippery they are both wet and dry. Porcelain tile is a very dense product that has very little movement.
Since porcelain tile is rigid, it must be installed on a properly prepared sub-floor. The floor itself must be very level, with no deflection. To prepare the floor properly you may have to install layers of plywood, cement backer board, crack isolation membranes or some form of Portland/sand mortar or self-leveling cement mix. Also critical to a successful install is using a latex-modified thinset as the bonding agent. Simply put, if your sub-floor moves and the tile does not, the weakest point in this case, the adhesive or bonding agent will release, causing a buckling or rippling effect.
Additionally, if the floor is being installed over a large expanse, you may need to install expansion joints and be aware how tightly the tiles are being installed up to the edge of the wall. If the tile butts too tightly against the walls, the natural movement of structures can create pressure that lifts the tiles.
These are the two most likely scenarios, but there could be other factors in your tile installation failure. The Tile Council of North America sets the industry standard for installation practices. Each year, they release a comprehensive handbook detailing installation procedures. Please consult their web site for more information or call your Kate-Lo Tile & Stone oncall sales rep to discuss your project.
Plymouth, MN, January 18, 2012: Olympia Tile & Stone USA, Inc. is proud to announce their expansion in the Wisconsin market with the asset acquisition of Lexco Tile & Supply, L.L.C., a tile distributor located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Lexco Tile & Supply has been serving the tile industry needs since 1970 as both a stocking distributor and importer of leading edge materials for both commercial and residential specifications. Long recognized for their high standards in customer service and quality products, Lexco Tile & Supply is a natural fit for the Olympia Tile network.
“We are excited to welcome Lexco Tile & Supply into our family of associated tile distributors in the United States,“ says Ray Marron, Senior Vice President of Kate-Lo Tile & Stone, a division of Olympia Tile USA, Inc. “Lexco Tile & Stone is an established distributor with exceptional standards and is highly-regarded in Wisconsin. Their exciting synergy will enhance our distribution model.”
This acquisition extends Olympia Tile’s reach into Wisconsin, providing a key distribution point for servicing the Upper Midwest market. Lexco will continue to operate with their current staff and manager Sam Lemieux. For any comments, questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Lemieux at: 1-800-242-2249.
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For additional information about Kate-Lo Tile & Stone, please visit http://www.katelotile.com or for more information about Olympia Tile & Stone International please visit: http://www.olympitile.com.