When the tile is safely installed and the work is completed, your tile showroom contractor is required to give you a written invoice. This must include:

• The name and physical address of the tile showroom
• An itemized list of all merchandise purchased or included
• The total tile cost, including the amount charged for labor, if any
• A list of all work performed, including the warranty

Most good tile showrooms will offer some type of warranty on the tile work. Before the tile contractor leaves, confirm any warranties offered by the tile showroom contractor in Contra Costa County, including the larger cities of San Ramon, Danville, Brentwood, Martinez and Pleasant Hill. All details of the warranty should be provided to you in writing. The written warranty document must detail the following:

• The tile showroom’s name and physical address
• How long the warranty is valid, and whether it expires on a specific day or if it is prorated.
• If the tile warranty coverage is transferrable to the new owner in the event that you sell the home or building in which the new tile has been installed.
• What the warranty covers. This should include whether the tile showroom will replace or repair faulty tile work or give you a refund. Any exclusions must be explicitly stated.
• Your responsibility in the case of a tile problem and what you need to do in order to redeem the warranty.

Tile Floor Installation

Tile floor installation is a science and an art form. The work is difficult and labor intensive. You want a craftsman that will install correctly and give you a beautiful tile floor.

Outdoor Tile

Outdoor tile is a great choice for your outdoor room, porch, deck or pool area. Outdoor tiles is highly functional and requires little maintenance.

Bathroom Tile Installation

Bathroom tile installation will replace your old flooring and give it new life. Bathroom tile installation will give you a functional and durable floor that looks beautiful.

Tile Design

A gifted quality tile designer will design your tile project. You can choose unique designs and traditional designs. Your tile design can be previewed and changed to your specifications.

Kitchen Tile

Kitchen tile can be for the floor or countertop. By deciding exactly where the tile is going to go, you will be able to narrow down what kitchen tiles work best in this space.

Granite Tile

Granite tile is incredibly durable for flooring. The look brings an elegance to your home. If you need a hard surface that requires little maintenance and is highly durable, granite tile is the perfect choice.

Tile Backsplash Installation

Tile backsplash installation can make a huge difference in your kitchen. Tiling your backsplash will add style and it will also protect your sink area.

Shower Tile Installation

Shower tile installation is the perfect answer to your old shower. Shower tile is beautiful and decorative.

Tile Repair

Tile repair will replace your cracked and broken tiles making your tiled area look like new.

Tile Countertop

Tile countertops will give you a beautiful look at an affordable price. You can get as many designs with shapes and colors or a simple design.

Another factor to consider with flooring is how slippery it might be – particularly in areas with lots of moisture. In general, it is best to choose a matte tile over glossy for flooring in bathrooms, kitchen and entryways. However, ultra-smooth tiles such as marble are often chosen for flooring despite the danger of slipping. Your Contra Costa County tile contractor can assist you with such decisions if you like.

Shower Tile Installation in Contra Costa County
A tiled shower enclosure is the way to go. Tile is durable and water proof, but in addition allows you to choose a distinguished look for this important space. Tile in the bathroom can include floors, countertops, room dividers, walls, shower walls or any other surface. Local tile contractors who care about customer satisfaction will help you choose shower floor tiles with an appropriate amount of grip to prevent falls. Good tile contractors can also build in custom shelves, grips, soap dishes, etc. to suit your needs.

Tile Kitchen
Installing tile in your kitchen is an obvious choice. What better surface to beautify your home while protecting surfaces from the wear and tear of a moist environment with fluctuating temperatures? Quality tile will repel moisture, keeping spills easy to clean, as well as protecting from steam condensation. Classic tile installations for Contra Costa County kitchens includes tile floors, tile counters, tile backsplash, and tiled kitchen islands. Tile is the perfect solution, easily personalized for any kitchen environment.

Install Outdoor Tile
Tile is also a great medium for outdoor landscaping projects. Beautiful Contra Costa County has many gorgeous examples of using tile to beautify an outdoor space, and increase its utility. Tile walkways, stepping stones, trails, bench blocks, fountains, pools, and patios are all excellent examples of how tile can create something wonderful outside.

Tile Countertops
Tile provides an affordable, durable hard surface for kitchen, bathroom or workroom countertops. It is also easily molded into the perfect shape for irregular islands or specialty additions. Use a diamond certified tile contractor to help you create a totally unique look that works perfectly.

Tile Backsplash Installation
A backsplash is an area of tile about a sink or countertop that lines the wall to protect that vulnerable area from splashing liquids or other matter. Apart from adding a very practical benefit, a quality tile backsplash can provide an amazing transformation to the look and feel of your room. The huge variety of tile patterns and textures is nearly unlimited. Mosiac tiles and specialty designs are often used in backsplash designs. In particular the spaces above a kitchen stove, sink or bathtub are wonderful areas to feature an artful tile design. Ask your Contra Costa County tile installers for suggestions to add a special touch to your room.

Glass Tile Installation
Glass tiles can be large or small, tinted, opaque, iridescent, smooth or rough. Some glass tiles available from Contra Costa County tile setters are even formed from recycled glass. Glass tile provides an unmistakeable and unique look with depth. Glass tile can add something special to your design, be it a tile walkway, a special border accent, a backsplash, an entire room, or a tiled swimming pool.

Tile Mosiacs/Tile Designs
Good tile contractors in Concord, Antioch, Livermore, Richmond, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg or your area can provide a professional opinion, a variety of inspirational examples, and the quality expertise you can count on to create an exceptional tile design in your home or work environment. Tile designs incorporate the ambience you choose for your area by utilizing the perfect combination of color, texture, placement and artistry. A tile mosaic may be premade and placed by an expert tile craftsman, or could be something formed specifically for you by a talented tile artist.

Subway Tile
There are very basic, creative ways to use simple subway tiles to complete your signature effect. Subway tiles are the traditional white, glazed ceramic tiles found on the walls of New York City subway stations in the early 1900s. Most are three inches by six inches, and laid in an offsetting pattern. However, almost any rectangular tile can be referred to as Subway Tile.

Granite Tile
Beautiful granite tile is always a high class option for your home or office. The distinct look and classy polished feel of granite set your space a step above the rest. Many opt for granite in high-impact areas like entryways, showcase rooms, and open kitchens. You’ll definitely want a qualified contractor to complete your granite work, and give this luxury-worthy substance the quality setting and careful design that it deserves.

adhesive

Adhesive is the glue that bonds a tile to the surface it is being placed on.

Also known as: glue, adhesion

battiscopa

Battiscopa is a trim piece that is shaped with a bull nose or curve.

Also known as: bull nose

border

Border is tiling that has a design or contrasts in some way to make a design or border.

Also known as: borders, trim

brushed finish

Brushed finish is when a stone surface is brushed with coarse wire to change the finish.

Also known as: brushed finishes

buttering

Buttering is taking ceramic tile and putting the bonding coat on right before the tile is laid.

Also known as: butter

caulk

Caulk is used to seal joints as it is water resistant.

Also known as: caulking

cove

Cove, a trim tile, is used to make a junction.

cure

Cure is the time tile must set undisturbed so that it cannot be moved and the adhesive has reached its full strength.

decorative tile

Decorative tile is tile that is used for decoration.

Also known as: decorative tiles, designer tiles

dry set mortar

Dry set mortar is a cement based mortar used for tile installation.

Also known as: dry set mud

epoxy adhesive

Epoxy adhesive is made of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener. These two parts are used to bond tile.

Also known as: epoxy mortar

estimate

Estimate is the estimated cost of materials and labor for a project.

Also known as: estimates

field tile

Field tile is used to cover a wall or floor and it is the primary tile used. This field tile may be bordered by a trim.

Also known as: field tiles

grout

Grout is a mix of sand, cement and chemicals which is used for filling between tiles. Grout comes in many colors.

honed

Honed is a smooth surface that is satiny with very little gloss, if any.

impervious tile

Impervious tile is tile that has little water absorption. The water absorption rate is .5 percent or less.

Also known as: impervious tiles

latex grout

Latex grout is a special grout that has added latex causing a grout that is less rigid than regular cement grout.

mastic

Mastic is a tile adhesive that is organic.

open time

Open time is the time when you can still bond the tile to the substrate.

permeability

Permeability is the ability of something to allow liquid or gas to pass through.

Also known as:

rubbing stone

Rubbing stone is used to smooth tile.

Also known as: rubbing stones

scratch

Scratch is the mixing of sand, water and cement.

sealer

Sealer is a covering or film over tile that is used to seal to prevent liquid or other materials to permeate the tile.

Also known as: sealers, seal, sealing

self-spacing tile

Self-spacing tile is tile that has spacer on the side so that the tile is automatically spaced and makes the grout lines even.

Also known as: self-spacing tiles

substrate

Substrate is the underlayment for the installation of tile.

terra-cotta tile

Terra-tile is tile that is reddish in color and is a baked clay.

Also known as: terra cotta tiles

tile cutter

Tile cutter is a tool that is used cut tiles for placement.

Also known as: tile cutters

underlayment

Underlayment is applying a thin layer of mortar to level out a surface for tile application.

wall tile

Wall tile is a tile that is used in the interior but it is not to be used for a traffic area. Wall tile is also glazed.

Also known as: wall tiles

Q: Why choose a Diamond Certified tile showroom?

A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a tile showroom with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only tile showrooms rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified tile showroom.

Q: Is there a difference in ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles?

A: Almost all tile is made from clay and other mixtures with clay and then fired. These are called ceramic tiles. However, ceramic tiles can then be separated into porcelain and non-porcelain. Often people use non-porcelain and ceramic interchangeably. Porcelain is made by a different method, dust pressing.

Q: Should I put a sealer on my ceramic tile?

A: There is no reason to put a sealer on your tile if it is glazed as it is stain proof. You may want to put a sealer on the grout. Unglazed tile does need a sealer.

Q: Is it a good idea to use ceramic tile out of doors?

A: Ceramic tile can be used out of doors but it needs to be unglazed if it is going to have foot traffic. It also needs to be frost proof.

Q: What are some things I should consider when choosing tile?

A: First, you need to consider where you are going to be putting the tile. Some tile works well on walls or backsplashes but is not intended for flooring. Another consideration is whether your tile is going to be indoors or outdoors. Will the tiled area have moisture? Then consider price, style, color and design.

Q: How do I prepare for my tile showroom visit?

A: Although, it may not be necessary, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment so the tile sales staff has set aside plenty of time to help you. Take photos of the area that you are going to tile along with photos of your home that show the style. Bring any color samples you have such as paint samples, fabric swatches, or even broken tiles. Have your budget planned so you know how much you are going to spend on the tile project. Clip magazine pictures that are similar to what you want your tiled area to look like. All of this will help your tile showroom representative help you get started on your tile project.

Q: Will a tile showroom help me with tile design?

A: Yes, tile showrooms have helpful and knowledgeable staff that will help you coordinate your tile project. There are many decisions to be made such as trim, decorative inserts, and patterns. The staff will lead you step by step through every decision. They will work with the current style of your home and the concepts that you want for your tile project. Tile showroom staff will also help you figure out how much tile you need for your area.

Q: How do I clean granite tile?

A: Granite is simple to clean with a soap solution. Tile showrooms carry special soft soap to make cleaning your granite tile easy. Don’t ever use regular cleaning chemicals like Comet or Windex as these can scratch your granite tile.

Q: Will my tile inevitably crack?

A: No, your tile shouldn’t crack is it has been installed correctly. However, if your home has a structural weakness or does excessive settling, cracks may appear.

Q: Is tile appropriate for my pets?

A: Absolutely. By choosing the right tile, your pet’s paws will not scratch it. You can feed and water your pet on tile. And your pet can’t chew tile!

Q: Can I have tile installed over a wood floor?

A: This is not recommended. However, if it is absolutely necessary this can be done with specialized materials.

Q: Do you recommend glass tiles?

A: Yes. Glass tiles are very easy to maintain. They are also easy to clean. For cleaning, all you need to use is household glass cleaner and a soft cloth.