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Caulking and Grouting Tiles in your Milwaukee Home

April 15, 2019 by My Affordable Flooring

Choosing caulk or grout for tile floors can be a tough decision for homeowners. Both materials have their own benefits, but depending on the project, one may work better than the other. Here’s what you need to know about choosing caulk or grout for your Milwaukee home.

What is Caulk?

Caulk is made from either silicone, latex or polyurethane. It’s used to seal gaps between tiles and prevent water absorption. Some brands, such as Lifetime, reinforce sealants with anti-microbial properties for easy cleaning.

What is Grout?

Grout is a paste made up of water and sediments, such as cement and sand, that fills the gaps in between tiles. Like caulk, grout acts as a sealant for space in between tiles. Grout is a tough material that helps hold tile together and is easy to clean. Hardware stores sell an assortment of brands that come pre-mixed and unmixed.

What are the Benefits and Downsides of Caulk?

Caulk is a great material for working with tile. It’s super durable making the room for error is smaller. The sealant factor makes it resistant to water and pests, meaning you can reduce the occurrence of mold and inhabiting pests. According to a post from The Tile Doctor, caulk is especially helpful for sealing tiles surrounding bathtubs.

A post from Sanford and Hawley, Inc. urges consumers to choose wisely when it comes to caulk. While it is highly durable and resistant to water, not all products are one and the same. For example, latex based caulk may not work well in areas exposed to high temperatures. Homeowners should keep in mind the type of room and the conditions when buying products.

While caulk is a great sealant, it works best for sealing tile on a short term basis. Grouting between tiles provides long-lasting strength.

What are the Benefits and Downsides of Grout?

The sedimentary material in grout mixes gives it a lot of strength. Grout does a fantastic job holding tiles together in the long run. If you haven’t had any luck with caulking tiles, grout could be the best solution in the long run. Homeowners should be aware of grouts limitations before they hit the store.

Grout products come both sealed and unsealed. Unsealed grout is porous and can absorb water, leading to mold buildup. Poorly sealed grout also invites pests to inhabit in between tiles. Homeowners should pick up some sealant when they’re purchasing grout.

Caulk or Grout: Which One Do I Pick for My Tile Floors?

Caulk and grout carry their own benefits and drawbacks. Homeowners who are new to tile work should consult a professional before they attempt to install tiles. If you want to leave it to a professional, call on My Affordable Flooring, providing for homeowners from Milwaukee down to Chicago.

 

Filed Under: Tile, Tile Flooring, Uncategorized

All About Tile: Types of Tile Floors

February 23, 2017 by My Affordable Flooring

All About Tile

When you’re looking for a luxurious floor with lasting durability and beauty, look no further than tile for your flooring material, and look to My Affordable Flooring for your tile floor installation. The choice doesn’t end there though, as there are a multitude of great tile materials on the market that each have their own qualities and benefits, and may be more suitable for some rooms than others. Here’s an in-depth look at a few popular types of tile.

Perhaps the two most popular types of tile are porcelain and ceramic. Both types are used in many installations, in nearly every room of the home. Ceramic tile is made of a mixture of clays and other natural materials, and typically has a glaze applied to the top using a gloss or matte finish. This glaze creates a less porous layer on the top of the tile that prevents moisture from penetrating the floor surface, creating a highly durable surface. While porcelain tile is technically a type of ceramic tile, it is often left unglazed, and has a homogenous coloration throughout. This gives porcelain tile a look similar to stone, and a depth to the color that is highly desirable to many homeowners. Porcelain tile is much less porous than traditional ceramic, which is why it doesn’t require glazing (although unglazed porcelain tile requires more maintenance than glazed tile.)

Like all floor types, porcelain and ceramic tile is wear-rated. Some types of both tile materials may be valued for their unique appearance, but may not be appropriate for high-traffic areas such as a kitchen or bathroom floor. Be sure to contact an expert to make sure you’re using the right tile in the right room.

Of all tile materials, perhaps marble is the type most associated with luxury and grandeur. Marble tile creates a one-of-a-kind look, with unique patterning and a magnificent depth unmatched by other types of tile. Marble tile is very versatile, and can be installed in many rooms of the home, and will retain its beauty for generations with proper care. As an added benefit, marble is exceptionally resistant to bacterial growth, and with proper cleaning a marble tile installation creates a healthier environment for your family. With all these benefits, it’s important to take into consideration that marble is also heavier than other types of tile, and requires frequent cleaning and maintenance. Marble can absorb spills and permanent discoloration can occur if not cleaned in a timely manner.

Call Today for a Free Estimate!

My Affordable Flooring offers superior tile floor installation to the Milwaukee and surrounding areas. We install porcelain, ceramic, and marble tile as well as many other materials, such as sandstone, slate, Mexican tile, Travertine, and more.

Are you planning a tile project, or just interested to learn more about the types of tile that are available to you? Call us today at 262-653-1120 for a free, no-obligation estimate, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, in-home visit.

Filed Under: Milwaukee Area Flooring Projects, Tile

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When it comes to beautiful and ornate hardwood floors in Wisconsin, there is only one answer — My Affordable Flooring. For more than 20 years now founder of My Affordable Flooring has been personally installing and refinishing some of the Milwaukee areas most beautiful wood floors. Providing wood floor refinishing services that are some of the best quality in the nation.

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