Porcelain Tile versus Ceramic Tile - What are the Differences

All ceramic tiles are made up of clay and quartz ferrous sand materials, along with water. Once the tiles are formed they are fired to high temperatures and in some cases their surfaces are glazed. The only difference between Porcelain tile and regular ceramic tile is that the clay used in porcelain tile is more highly refined and purified. Consequently, porcelain tiles are denser than a standard ceramic tile. As a result, porcelain tiles are more rugged making them ideal for harsher applications such as flooring. Also, because of their higher density, porcelain tiles are less likely to absorb moisture (0.5%) which makes them more durable and more resistant to staining. Porcelain tiles are frequently found in floor applications, outdoor areas, and in cold weather climates where freezing can occur. With their low absorption capability they are less likely to crack in cold weather climates.

Porcelain tile costs a little more than the traditional, more porous, standard clay tile; however prices in general have been coming down in recent years for ceramic tile.

Ceramic tile comes in either glazed or unglazed surfaces. The glazed surfaces are like glass and are best used on walls as they are too slippery for floor applications. Glazed ceramic tiles are also a little more susceptible to cracking.

Porcelain tile is constructed using red, brown or white clay. Most porcelain tile, however, is constructed using white clay.

When selecting any ceramic tile it is important to look at the PEI factor. This is the scratch resistance factor. A PEI of 1 is ideal for walls. A PEI of 2 is best for bathrooms and kitchens. A PEI of 3 is appropriate for all residential applications, and PEIs of 4 and 5 are applicable for commercial and heavy commercial applications, respectively.

The MoH hardness factor is another factor to consider when selecting tile. The scale goes from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest hardness level (e.g. diamond). Most sand/dirt brought into a home has a hardness factor between 3 and 7. Consequently it is best to select a ceramic floor tile that has at least a MoH factor of 7.

A few manufactures of porcelain and ceramic tile include: American Olean, A&P Trading, Eliane and the Porcelanso group.

For more information on ceramic tile and installing a shower pan membrane liner, see the Shower Pan Membrane Liner Installation EBook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Shower Pan Membrane Liner EBook will quickly teach you the step-by-step process for installing the shower pan membrane liner correctly. It includes instructions on framing the shower stall, pouring the pre-slope and shower base mortar, and installing the shower pan membrane liner.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Right Hand Door versus a Left Hand Door

So your looking to purchase a new door for your home and you've been asked, "Is it a right hand door or a left hand door?". You know idea how to respond to the question.

Well the answer is simple. Stand in front of the door opening and reach out and pretend to pull the door open by pulling it towards you. Which hand reached out to open the door with the invisible handle? If it was your left hand, it is a left hand door you want to purchase. If it was your right hand it is a right hand door you want to purchase.

NOTE: The instructions were to pretend your PULLING the door open NOT PUSHING it open.

This simple tip can save a second trip to the home improvement store.

Good luck.

Mark Donovan - Editor and Publisher of HomeAdditionPlus.com, a website for the do it yourself homeowner.

If you are in need of hiring a general contractor for your next home remodeling project visit HomeAdditionPlus' Home Addition Bid Sheets. Home Addition Bid Sheets include the tools you need to ensure you hire the right general contractor for you home remodeling project including a comprehensive checklist of questions to ask the prospective contractor, and cost and timeframe estimates. Home Addition Bid Sheets help ensure that your home remodeling idea and project will be accomplished on time and on budget.

How to Hire the Right Building Contractor for Your Home Remodeling Project

Finding and hiring the right home remodeling contractor for your home remodeling project can be daunting and confusing. You can easily search the web or look in the yellow pages and find many home remodeling contractors listed in your area but the question remains - which one do you hire for your home remodeling project. Which one will perform quality work, charge a fair price and get the job done on time.

To reduce the risk of hiring the wrong home remodeling contractor you should first do a little preparation yourself for the home remodeling project. Sketch out and write down what you want remodeled. Provide a copy of this information to each prospective home remodeling contractor as this will help to minimize misunderstandings of requirements.

If you are adding a home addition, use stakes and string or even spray paint and mark the area on the existing lawn/ground.

Next talk to your local building inspector to understand what permits and building requirements are necessary for your home remodeling project.

Visit home improvement centers such as Lowes and Home Depot, and look at materials expected to be used on your project (e.g. lumber, doors, windows, appliances, countertops, roofing material, etc.). Make note of their costs so you will be able to compare material costs proposed by prospective contractors. While visiting home improvement centers also talk with some of the employees about costs and lead times for particular products of interest. For example, there are many types of doors and windows and frequently there can be significant lead times for deliveries.

When you start calling prospective contracts ask for references and previous work that you can visit.

Finally, make sure you get multiple quotes and make sure that they are in writing. Also ask how long the quotation is valid.

For further help in hiring a home remodeling contractor for your next home remodeling project visit HomeAdditionPlus' Home Addition Bid Sheets. Home Addition Bid Sheets include the tools and information you need to ensure you hire the right home remodeling contractor for you home remodeling project. Each bid sheet contains a comprehensive checklist of questions to ask prospective contractors, as well as cost and timeframe estimates. Home Addition Bid Sheets help ensure that your home remodeling project will be accomplished on time and on budget.

A Comparison of Traditional Clay Paver Bricks versus Concrete Brick Pavers for Walkway and Patio Construction

Traditional clay paver bricks or concrete brick pavers are ideal for home walkways and patio construction. Traditional clay paver bricks when configured in a Herringbone, Basket Weave or Running Bond pattern can provide a classic walkway look. However the new and various shapes, styles and colors of concrete brick pavers that keep being introduced by companies such as Bolduc, provide for some very interesting patterns and looks for patios and walkways.

Traditional clay bricks typically have dimensions of 4”x8”, where as concrete brick pavers can come in all shapes and sizes. Paving clay bricks are especially designed for ground cover and traffic and can withstand severe temperatures and weather conditions. Traditional clay paver bricks can be purchased with beveled edges, chamfered edges (to help with water run off) or standard edges and come in many different colors and finishes.

Concrete pavers manufactured by companies such as Bolduc come in many different shapes, sizes and colors and can support traditional and new patterns. Typical colors included Browns, Grays, Reds and Beiges. Concrete brick pavers can support Herringbone, Basket Weave, Running Bond, and Module patterns as well as Circles and other patterns. Concrete brick pavers can also come in various finishes including Classic, Antique and Grenart. Concrete paver manufactures frequently warranty their products for up to 25 years and include protection for abnormal deterioration due to the use of deicing salt.

Normally bricks and pavers are sold at the piece level, but frequently they are priced on a per square foot basis. With traditional 4 inch by 8 inch bricks, 4.5 bricks are required to make one square foot.

Prices for clay paver bricks and concrete pavers vary but in general a homeowner can expect to pay 50-75% more for concrete pavers than traditional clay bricks. Clay brick pavers typically cost between $2.5 and $3.0 per square foot, where as concrete brick pavers typically cost between $4.5 to $5.0 per square foot.

Key to any successful walkway or patio construction is properly preparing the area for supporting the bricks. It is recommended to have a base layer of 4 inches of compacted gravel and 2 inches of compacted sand for setting the clay brick or concrete pavers on.

Whether you choose clay paver bricks or concrete paver bricks for your next walkway or patio project, either one will dramatically enhance your home’s appearance and provide a high return on investment.

Planning to have a Brick or Paver Walkway installed by a Landscaping Contractor but not sure what questions to ask to ensure you hire the right one? See HomeAdditionPlus.com's Brick and Paver Walkway Bid Sheet. The Brick and Paver Walkway Bid Sheet will help ensure that your walkway project goes smoothly and you get the finished walkway you are looking for.

About the Author: By Mark Donovan. Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com/ and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com/

Should Tile be Installed on a Bathroom Floor before the Toilet and Vanity are Installed?

From an installation standpoint and from a homeowner standpoint it is better to install the tile before installing the toilet and sink/vanity. You will get a much cleaner look and the installation job will be much easier (not having to cut around the toilet and vanity areas).

Also, later on if you need or want to change the toilet or vanity you don't need to find replacements with the same footprint or have to redo your tile area to fit the new footprint(s).

Planning a custom ceramic tile shower and don't know where to begin? Not sure how to install a Shower Pan Membrane Liner. See [Shower Pan Membrane Liner Installation EBook]

If you are in need of hiring a general contractor for your next home remodeling project visit HomeAdditionPlus' Home Addition Bid Sheets. Home Addition Bid Sheets include the tools you need to ensure you hire the right general contractor for you home remodeling project including a comprehensive checklist of questions to ask the prospective contractor, and cost and timeframe estimates. Home Addition Bid Sheets help ensure that your home remodeling idea and project will be accomplished on time and on budget.