Month: February 2018

Porcelain and ceramic are similar, in that they are both made from clay and kiln fired, making them very different from other categories of tiles, such as glass or natural stone. Although the words porcelain and ceramic are often used interchangeably, differences between the two types of tile can make a difference in the cost, appearance, and longevity of your installation.

What’s the difference between porcelain and ceramic?

Ultimately, a ceramic tile is categorized as porcelain if its moisture absorption rate is .5% or lower. Ceramic tile is cheaper, easier to install, and offers more color selections than porcelain. The ingredients of porcelain tiles are more refined, and it is fired at a greater pressure and higher temperature than ceramic, making it much harder and denser, and consequently, more expensive and more difficult to install than ceramic. But cost is only one consideration among many.

About Glazed and Through-Body Porcelain

A glazed porcelain tile has a coating that fills in any microscopic holes on the surface of the clay, making it easier to keep clean than unglazed tiles. However, unglazed tiles are better for slip resistance and less likely to show signs of wear, since the color on the surface is the same color that runs through the entire tile.

Tile Care and Maintenance

Tile floors should be swept and damp mopped regularly and professionally cleaned as needed. Porous grout lines can be sealed to inhibit staining and to make regular cleaning more productive. When grout color sealer is applied to grout lines, they become impervious to stains. With all the benefits of clear sealer, grout color sealer offers numerous additional benefits, including constant-acting mildewcides and fungicides. Unglazed porcelain tile, although less porous than natural stone, can be subject to discolorations and staining with traffic and use. These surfaces should be professionally sealed once per year or more. Glazed ceramic or porcelain tiles do not require sealing, but may need slip resistance treatments, depending on the way the space is used.

Consider all the factors, and not just price, when you make your purchase decision for new floors and surfaces. For existing floors, proper care and maintenance can make a world of difference. Don’t replace your tile without consulting with an experienced tile restoration contractor, who may be able to achieve dramatic results that postpone or eliminate the need for replacement.

This is one of a series of articles written and published  on behalf of Surface Care PRO Partners.

There are so many flooring options these days, but carpet remains a popular one and for many good reasons, especially for certain people.

Often times home and business owners consider whether they may want to get away from carpet and install hardwood or tile flooring. Carpet brings a lot of value when it is properly cared for and professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Although its warmth, coziness, comfort, and beauty may benefit everyone, a case can be made that certain people could benefit from carpeting even more than others, which is something to consider before you invest in new flooring. So who are the people that benefit?

People Prone to Fall Accidents

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.8 million older people and 2.8 million children are treated in emergency rooms for fall injuries every year. Carpeting not only helps prevent fall accidents by providing superior traction, but it helps prevent or lessen the severity of injury when falls happen by cushioning the impact.

People With Foot Problems or Injuries

A study cited in the peer-reviewed journal, Foot & Ankle International, found that subjects experienced higher peak pressures when walking barefoot on concrete than on carpet. For people with plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, tendinitis, arthritis, and other painful foot conditions, as well as people with overused or injured feet, carpeting, especially with thick padding underneath, can absorb the impact of footsteps and provide comfort.

Penny Pinchers

Carpeting offers thermal resistance, conserving energy and reducing heating and cooling costs. Plus, carpet is less expensive than other flooring and with proper care, it lasts a long time.

People With Asthma and Allergies

Reducing exposure to dust, pollen, and other particles that trigger asthma and allergies can help prevent flare-ups, especially for very young people who are likely to spend more time in close proximity to the floor doing handstands and somersaults. Studies show that carpet, contrary to what you may have heard, actually acts as a passive air filter, improving air quality. It is important to note, however, that regular, professional cleaning plays an important role in asthma and allergy control. Just as air conditioning filters must be changed regularly, even so, allergens and contaminants must be removed from carpet to maintain its air-filtering properties.

Remember, regular professional cleanings will maximize the value and benefits of carpeting and help prolong the life of your carpets, and your trusted, experienced carpet cleaning professional is your best source for answers to any questions or concerns you may have about carpet care.

Resources

“Important Facts About Falls.” CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/ (accessed February 6, 2018).

Mohamed, O. C. (2005). The effect of terrain on foot pressures during walking. Foot & Ankle International, 26 (10), 859-869.

“People With Asthma and Allergies Can Enjoy Carpeting, Too.” MohawkFlooing.com. https://www.mohawkflooring.com/carpet/allergies-asthma (accessed February 6, 2018).

This is one of a series of articles written and published  on behalf of Surface Care PRO Partners.