FACTS AND QUESTIONS by united tile

• How do I pick out tile?
  
  Picking out tile can be a fun and easy task.  We often recommend that you come into one of our showrooms to see and touch the tile.  Most people tend to make a couple of trips in and take home tile samples to see what the tile looks like in your home.  Seeing the tile in person and in your lighting helps gives you a better understanding of the tile colors and texture.  If you are doing a large project it is best to write down what rooms you are working on and where you are going to need tile.  For example, if you are working on a master bath you may need tile for your shower walls, tub surround, floor, backsplash, and countertop.  If you are working on a kitchen.  
  
  
• What is the difference between a ceramic and a porcelain tile?
  
  Ceramic tile is made by firing clay at a moderately high temperature. May be glazed or unglazed. Unglazed ceramic is frost-proof, and is suitable for all uses, however, it is not as durable as porcelain and when it is applied in certain areas it is more susceptible to chipping. When a ceramic has a crackle glaze, it should be sealed in most surface areas. 
  
  Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile made using very fine, high quality materials with high silica/porcelain content. Most porcelain have an impervious body helping to prevent stains and the normal wear and tear that time might cause.  It can be used on plenty of surfaces applications especially in commercial buildings and households looking for a low maintenance   material. The porcelain can be glazed or unglazed, it can also be smooth or textured and even mechanically polished like natural stone.
  
  
• What is porcelain made of?
  
  Porcelain tile is made up of approximately 50% feldspar.  The remaining 50% is made of various high quality light firing ball clays. This makes the fired body white and the manufacturer can achieve clear and more brilliant colored tiles, with through-body color.
  
  
• What is through body color?
  
  Through body color is when the color of the tile goes all the way through the tile.  In the past most porcelain tiles were made with a white body and a screen print on top, some tiles manufacturers still use this technique.  Through body color is helpful when you want to use porcelain on your counter top and want to have an under mount sink or when your tile cracks or chips you have the same color all the way through your tile.
  
  
• What is natural stone tile?
  
  Natural Stone tile is a product of earth.  Coming from multiple quarries around the world, stone is a one of a kind product that can vary in color, density, and porosity. Natural stone should almost always be sealed because the porous nature of the various types of stone could stain over time.  Why get natural stone? The beauty of natural stone is the movement and "one-of-a-kind" look it displays.
  
  
• Can tile be used outside?
  
  It is best to pick out a tile that is frost proof and with an absorbtion rate of 0.5% or less.  Of course it is!  Tile is a great outdoor product and can make a deck, outdoor entry, or barbeque really pop.  Natural stone is classic choice as it makes a great impression on people and makes an application have an inviting feeling.  Check out the Quartzite Slate or the Aegean Stone.  Porcelain is also a great product for outdoor use.  This man made product is suited well for the Northwest because porcelain tile rated for outdoor use accounts for the rain freezing and defrosting throughout the winter.  Porcelain tile also does a fantastic job of looking like a natural stone.  Just check out the Century Discovery series or the Porcellana Di Rocca Timeless Stone series each of them are a porcelain with the look of natural stone. Glass tile can also be used in pools, be sure to ask if the glass is rated for outdoor use before using it in your application.  Lunada Bay's Sumi-E glass is great for outdoor applications.
  
  
• How do I pick out grout?
  
  Grout is one of the last things that you need to pick out with your tile.  You can blend your grout with your tile is disappears into the installation.  Or you can use a contrasting grout to pop out the shape of the tile in your installation this is a popular when using Subway tile or 3"x6" tile.  Apoxy grout is a stain and mold resistant grout that is great for bathroom installations.  Here at United Tile we use Laticrete Grout - http://www.laticrete.com/
  
  
• What is sealer?
  
  Sealer is basically a liquid protectant that is used on natural stone to protect it from staining, shalling, and absorbing excess liquids that may be on its surface.  Here at United Tile we use Miracle Sealants - http://www.miraclesealants.com/ . Some polshed tiles too need to be sealed.
  
  
• What type of accent tile can I use?
  
  Many of our clients are using all sorts of items for their accent tiles.  Metals and glass being the two most popular items.  An accent tile is something that you pair with your field tile, the main body of your installation.  The Accent is a nice way to add some sparkle, glitter, and a point on interest to your installation.  Check out United Tile's Metals and Glass sections to see what is offered.   One can also pair ceramic options with their items or natural stone depending on your desired look and feel.
  
  
• Where are you located?
  
  Click HERE to see showrooms and locations
  
  
• What are the purchasing and returns policy on United Tile's products?
  
  

  UNITED TILE RETURN GUIDELINES

  • We CANNOT accept returns on SPECIAL ORDER PRODUCTS or SETTING MATERIALS.
  1. We are unable to return special order products to our suppliers and typically have no way of reselling them.
  2. Once setting materials leave our control, they can be exposed to conditions that compromise their performance and usability. This is a safeguard to other customers.
  • Returns are accepted for NORMAL STOCK, but are subject to the following conditions:

  1. All refunds will be issued by a check or credit memo:  this is consistent with industry practices.
  2. Returns will be charged 30% Restocking Charge: this covers the cost of issuing credits, re-handling materials, etc...
  3. Minimum Credit of $50.00 after restock.
  4. No return after 30 days:  This helps control issues of shade lot differences that are inherent in ceramic tile and stone.
  5. Return Authorization, Invoice and/or Pick Ticket must accompany any/all returns: This is consistent with normal purchase industry verification practices.
  6. Returns of field tile are accepted only on un-opened, full cartons in "resalable" conditions.

  • RETURNS THAT ARE APPROVED have 2 weeks to be returned: after 2 weeks time they will be cancelled and no future authorizations will be given for those goods.
  
  
• What does it mean to be a tile wholesaler?
  
  
  

  United Tile is a WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR, meaning, we DO NOT sell to the public. HOWEVER, there are a couple easy ways to purchase our products:

  1.  Your contractor/builder can purchase our product if they have an account with us or if they have a CCB license they can set up an account to purchase.

  2.  We have multiple RETAILERS who sell our products to the public.

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The Northwest's best source for your tile design selections. See what's new in stone, ceramic, porcelain, metal, and leather at our Washington and Oregon showroom locations in Portland, Bend, South Seattle (Renton), and North Seattle (Everett).