I’ve been searching for the perfect eco-friendly flooring for my new condo. I’ve seen some cork flooring products on the market, but I’m not sure if it’s for me.  Can you tell me more?

-Joe in Atlanta

Dear Joe:

Cork is a flooring product that is as unique as it is beautiful.  Cork is available in a wide variety or styles and patterns that can suit a variety of interior design styles. The beauty of cork is “more than skin deep.”  Cork, which comes from the cork oak tree, is an environmentally friendly and sustainable flooring product.  This is because cork is harvested approximately every ten years without actually chopping down the tree that produces it.  Cork is the bark of the cork oak, and it is made up of air filled dead cells, cellulose and waxy substance called suberin.  When the cork is removed, the tree naturally produces more bark which can be harvested again and again.

If you think of a cork board when someone says cork flooring, the picture in your head couldn’t be further from the truth.  Cork varies from light colored and simple, like the creamy white APC Cork Cremes Apollo White Cork Flooring to multi-colored and playful like APC Cork Kids Collection Building Blocks Cork Flooring.  Cork flooring can be purchased in both glue down and click together tile styles.

Cork has some unique benefits as a flooring material.  Cork absorbs sound, which makes it the perfect choice for your condo installation.  It also provides some thermal insulation, and is impact absorbing while still being tough and durable.  This makes cork floors like the one shown to the left a unique choice playrooms.  In addition, cork is hypoallergenic, making it an excellent flooring choice for allergy sufferers.

Overall, cork is a flooring choice that is both unique, beautiful and environmentally friendly. Click here to buy cork flooring and save up to $100 using coupon code ZLS564201. -Rob

Next summer, I would like to totally redo my back yard, including patios, walkways and maybe an outdoor kitchen.  I’ve seen some tiles I’d love to use, but I’m not sure if they are good to use outside.  Can you give some pointers or ideas for using tile outdoors?

-Kyle in Utah

Dear Kyle:

Extending tile outside can add beauty and value to your home as well as a durable surface for the area you are tiling. Tile and stone are natural products that can add texture, pattern and color to an outside area.

Keep in mind that not all tiles can be used outside. Porcelain tiles and natural stone tiles are the best choices for exterior use. This is because of its water absorption rate. When shopping, look for tiles that are rated for exterior use. Commonly tiles in the impervious water absorption class of less than .5% water absorption are considered suitable for outdoor use. Tiles with a glossy finish are not recommended because when wet the surface may become slippery and accidents may occur.

Another characteristic to look for when shopping for exterior tile is the PEI rating. For areas with high traffic, you want to look for a tile with a rating of 4 or higher. The rating system is as follows:

• PEI Class 1 Rating (No foot traffic) – Recommended for wall use in residential and commercial applications only.
• PEI Class 2 Rating (Light traffic) – Recommended for both wall use and bathroom floor applications only.
• PEI Class 3 Rating (Light to moderate traffic) – Recommended for countertops,  walls and floors where normal foot traffic is expected.
• PEI Class 4 Rating (Moderate to heavy traffic) – Recommended for all residential applications as well as medium commercial and light institutional.
• PEI Class 5 Rating (Heavy to extra heavy traffic) – Recommended for all residential as well as heavy commercial and institutional applications.

Tile of course can be installed on patios, decks and other exterior floor surfaces, but it can also be used in much more creative ways.  Try using tile on exterior columns or stairs. Consider creating a water feature with tile or using tile to build planter boxes. Like inside, tile can be used for walls such as outdoor showers, decorative wall plaques or divider walls to separate outdoor areas.

A great place to use tile or stone is in an outdoor kitchen. Tile can be used for the countertop, the backsplash, the floor area or the area where the grill is built in. Bringing tile to outdoor kitchens adds style and elegance making the area feel like a room outside.

Tile can also be used as a path in a garden or in between areas outside. Rocks or other materials can be used in between the tiles for a different look. Tile is also an excellent choice for pathways where you want to define a walking area.

The same patterns that are used inside can also be used outside. Often, areas outside are larger than areas being tiled inside and can afford a larger more detailed pattern. Just like on the inside, decorative tile patterns add style and design to any area.

Be creative!! Tile can be used in many other ways. Go outside and evaluate areas that do not look complete or do not look as stylish as you want them to. Try imagining those areas with tile or better yet with a tile pattern!

-Rob

I’ve read about a lot of different ways to use tile on your site, but not much about my latest project.  I’d like to use tile to give my old brick fireplace a new look.  Do you have any tips before I get started?

-Jeff in Ohio

Dear Jeff:

There are many different ways to use tile around your home, as well as many different types of tiles that can be used to finish fireplaces. Since you’re working with an existing fireplace, you are a little more limited as far as how much tile and what size tile you are able to use. If you are beginning from the design phase, you have many more options and ways to use tile.

The most common way to use tile on a fireplace is to install it on the fireplace surround. This is the area directly surrounding the fireplace box below the mantle. Most commonly, the tile is installed with 12 inches showing around the edges. The tiles typically used are 12×12 ceramic or porcelain tiles, 12×12 natural stone tiles such as marble, granite or slate, several rows of 4×4 tiles or mosaic tiles.

If the area requires more than 12″ to be covered, then the appropriate size tile should be chosen to fill in the space desired with the least amount of cut tiles. Other tile sizes that can be used are 13×13, 16×16, 18×18, 20×20 and 24×24.

If the fireplace has a hearth, the tile can be installed here as well. Some hearths are simply tile installed flush with the adjacent floor covering. This is done to protect the floor from sparks that can fly out of the fireplace when real wood is being burned. Some hearths are built like an elevated box that you can sit on. Tile can be installed on the face and seat portion of the hearth, or this part can be made from a different material. Often the part of the hearth that you can sit on will be installed as a slab of stone rather than individual tiles.

Tile can also be installed above the mantle. The choice is up to you how high the tile is installed. Sometimes, the tile is installed all the way to the ceiling making the area appear higher and taller.

Tile can also be used when you have a corner fireplace. Using a porcelain or glass tile is a good choice because the tiles are the same color throughout. This makes the corner and edge transitions look as natural as possible.

Tile patterns that are most commonly used around a fireplace are: straight, diagonal, staggered or brick joint. There is generally not enough room in the area around a fireplace to install a very detailed pattern.

If you are about to install tile on a fireplace, be sure to consider the amount of space you have to tile and how many full pieces you can get in that space. Doing this before hand will make it easier to shop for the right tile. There is nothing worse than falling in love with a piece of tile for the fireplace and then measuring the space only to find out that you will end up with one full piece and a small cut piece. It is acceptable to have cut pieces, but small cut pieces next to one full tile can look awkward, distracting and unplanned. It is much easier to know your options before you begin looking for the perfect tile.

We really need to replace the carpeting our new house, but we aren’t sure what to choose.  We like the durability of tile, but aren’t sure if it is really the right choice for our family.  We have young kids, and some time in the next few years, we expect my elderly grandmother to move in with us.  Can you help?

-Rita in Washington

Dear Rita:

Different lifestyles call for different flooring needs. Homes with children, the elderly and pets will benefit more with the right flooring choice. Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of hardwood, carpet and tile for your lifestyle.

Flooring advantages for homes with children include:

Hardwood:

• Durable against rough playing, most toys and heavy traffic
• Long lasting
• Hardwood does not have to be replaced like carpet after years of spills and stains
• Excellent choice for households with allergies
• Can be refinished in the event of excess wear and tear

Tile:

• Durable against rough playing, toys and heavy traffic
• Tile floors are water resistant against spills
• Tile floors are stain resistant against spills

Carpet:

• After the children are grown and have finished extreme wear on the product, it can be replaced
• Soft to play on
• Keeps the room quiet

Flooring disadvantages for homes with children:

Hardwood:

• Slips and falls can happen when children are in socks
• Extreme use of certain toys can permanently scratch wood floors
• Certain toys or misuse can dent soft woods like pine flooring
• Kids tend to not be as careful with hardwood’s enemy: water
• Falls can hurt a little more on hardwood than floors such as carpet

Tile:

• Slips and falls can hurt a little more on tile than floors such as carpet
• Tile is not as comfortable to lie on and play

Carpet:

• Carpet shows spills and stains more if not caught and cleaned up on time
• Carpet needs to be replaced before other flooring types such as tile or hardwood

Flooring advantages for homes with elderly persons:

Hardwood:

• Wheelchairs can roll easily without damaging floors

Tile:

• Wheelchairs can roll easily without damaging floors

Carpet:

• Falls are softer on carpet than other flooring surfaces such as hardwood or tile
• Carpet is softer on the joints than other flooring surfaces such as hardwood or tile

Flooring disadvantages for homes with elderly persons:

Hardwood:

• Slips and falls can hurt a little more on hardwood than floors such as carpet

Tile:

• Slips and falls can hurt a little more on tile floors than floors such as carpet
• Tile is harder on the joints than floors such as carpet when standing for long periods of time

Carpet:

• Wheelchairs and walkers do not roll as well on carpet
• Wheelchairs can leave wheel marks indented in carpet

Flooring advantages for homes with pets include:

Hardwood:

• Hair is easy to keep swept up
• Pet accidents are easy to clean up
• Spills caused by pets are easy to clean up

Tile:

• Hair is easy to keep swept up
• Pet accidents are easy to clean up
• Spills caused by pets are easy to clean up
• Nails do not damage the floors like with hardwood or carpet

Carpet:

• Carpet is soft and warm to lie on

Flooring disadvantages for homes with pets include:

Hardwood:

• Heavier dogs with sharp nails can scratch hardwood

Tile:

• Tile can be uncomfortable to lie on

Carpet:

• Accidents can be harder to clean up if not caught in time

General flooring advantages for homes:

Hardwood:

• Lasting beauty
• Hardwood adds resale value to homes
• Warm feel to the home
• Easy to maintain

Tile:

• Tile adds resale value to homes
• There is no need to refinish tile floors
• Easy to maintain

Carpet:

• Carpet is soft and warm

General flooring disadvantages for homes:

Hardwood:

• High heels can leave permanent dents in  the floor
• Dirt and dust can gather in the corners of the room if not cleaned frequently
• Homes with frequent water spills are not the best candidates for hardwood

Tile:

• Tile can be noisy
• Glassware and fragile items can break when dropped

Carpet:

• Has to be replaced before hard surface items such as hardwood or tile

I hope this breakdown helps you with your flooring decisions!

-Rob

I’ve read all about different ways to use tile and hardwood on your site, and I’m still stuck trying to decide whether tile or wood is best for me.  I know you’ve already written about the advantages of hardwood, so could you share some advantages of tile as well?

-Jen in New Mexico

Dear Jen:

There is no other flooring type that has the design flexibility of ceramic tile or natural stone. There are multiple shapes, sizes, installation patterns and colorways that give ceramic tile and natural stone endless design choices. This is just one of the many benefits of ceramic tile and natural stone.

In addition to tile’s design flexibility, ceramic tile is an extremely durable product. A good quality tile that is taken care of and installed properly can last a lifetime. Choosing a tile floor can be a decision that you don’t have to worry about ever again – unless of course, you decorating tastes change.

Ceramic tile and natural stone are both very easy to maintain. Walk off mats should be used at every entrance and the floors should be swept regularly. If you have a spill or stain, a manufacture approved cleaner can be used to remove the stain. That’s it for the tile itself! Areas around tile should be caulked on an annual basis.

Design Flexibility. Ceramic tile comes in sizes varying from 1″x1″ to 24″x24″ and many sizes in between including non square sizes and shapes such as octagons, rectangles and circles. These sizes can be used alone or can be mixed together for countless design choices. All you need is a little math to create custom installation patterns with the geometric size options of tile. These options in conjunction with all of the color choices available make tile the most versatile and designer friendly flooring product available!

Tile can be installed in nearly any application. Tile can be installed on floors, walls, in showers, tubs, backsplashes, ceilings, inside or outside. It can also be installed on countertops, table tops, fireplaces, hearths, columns and more. Unlike wood flooring, you don’t have to worry about installing tile in a wet environment.  It can be installed over most subfloors with the proper underlayment.

Cost effectiveness. Tile is still one of the most cost effective surfaces on the market. Once you absorb the initial cost of tile you don’t have to spend money on it again for the life of the product if it is installed properly. It doesn’t need refinishing, resurfacing, reglazing, or recoating.

Repairs are simple. Should there be a need for repair, the process is not as complicated as other flooring surfaces. In most cases it should be performed by a professional. A professional can usually repair a broken tile without damaging other tiles around it causing a larger problem.

Increase your home’s value. Ceramic tile and natural stone can increase the value of your home helping you recoup the initial cost invested in the product.

Good for allergy and asthma sufferers. Unlike carpet, which can harbor dust, mites, dander and other allergens, tile and other hard surface flooring are easier to keep clean and allergen free.

When considering purchasing new flooring, ceramic tile is a good choice if your budget permits and you are looking for a product that is easy to maintain and will not have to be replaced quickly. It can give you long lasting beauty and a focal point for your decorating scheme in your home.

-Rob

The rooms in my home are small, so I’d like to choose a flooring that will help them feel bigger. Any tips?

-Rita in Texas

Dear Rita:

Floor coverings are an important part of your home. Its main purpose is obviously functional, but there are decorative aspects that can help determine the way a room feels. Depending on the type of flooring you choose, a room can feel intimate, spacious, cold, warm, inviting, large or small.

For example, darker or warm color schemes will make a room feel more intimate. Lighter and cooler colors will make a room feel less intimate.

People often think that dark floors will make a room feel smaller, but this is not necessarily true. Dark floors will only make a room feel smaller if there is insufficient lighting either from windows or overhead lighting sources or the walls are painted a darker color in combination with the dark floors. The opposite is also false. Light floors will not make your room feel larger if the walls are painted a darker color and there is insufficient lighting.

The size of the flooring you use can help determine how large or small a room feels. You might not think that a wide width hardwood or large format tile (12×12 or larger) belongs in a powder room, but they actually can help visually increase the size of the room. The fewer lines there are for your eyes to intercept, the larger the space will feel. As long as the tile or piece of hardwood can be repeated more than twice, the larger format will look great!

A larger tile in a larger area also helps maintain the spaciousness of a room. Using a small tile (smaller than 12×12) in a larger room will break up the room with so many lines that in can, in fact feel smaller.

Flooring patterns can also have an effect on the way a room feels. More complicated patterns are better suited for larger rooms where more restful patterns are better suited for smaller rooms. As an example, if you have a large room a modular pattern with large format tiles (18×18 or 20×20) can increase the size of the room more than if a 12×12 tile was laid straight. Generally speaking, turning the tile on the diagonal or laying the tile at a 45 degree angle will make a room appear larger.

To determine how a flooring pattern will make a room feel, you can start with a simple drawing on graph paper. Lay your room out to scale and draw the pattern in. Seeing a pattern laid out on paper can help you visualize the pattern and determine if it will be too busy or too simple for the space. You may find that you can save money by eliminating pieces, or you may find that adding a pattern will help the overall look of the room.

If you are not sure about a selection you have made or you are not a person that can visualize, the easiest thing to do is to pick up some home decorating magazines and look at the pictures. All of these examples will become clear! Look at wall color combinations, flooring patterns and tile or hardwood sizes in relation to the size of the room.

-Rob

I’m in the planning stages of a complete home remodel, and I’m feeling hopelessly overwhelmed.  I need to pick flooring finishes, paint colors, tile . . . everything.  As I move from store to store, and back to my home, I’m having a terrible time matching materials and deciding how they will “go together” from a design standpoint.  Please help!

-Janet in Kentucky

Dear Janet:

Flooring samples can help make the selection process for flooring much easier. Since flooring is such a major purchase in the home most products are available where you can take the samples with you in order to look at them with other selections. It is important to look at the samples in the light where they will be installed as well as with other selections such as paint, cabinetry and furniture.

However, the samples are just that – samples. They are not the exact final product that you will receive. They are made at a different time under different conditions and may not be exactly the same color as what you saw in the retail store.  You can expect them to be very close, but not exact.

When looking at samples in your home, ask for the largest size sample you can get. When shopping for hardwood and tile, ask for samples with multiple pieces or multiple loose pieces. This will give you an idea if you can expect the product to have a range of color. This will also help you imagine what more of the product will look like.

Once you get the samples and bring them home, set them on the floor in the area they will be installed. Place the samples in different parts of the room and look at them at different times of the day (to view them in different light). When looking at the samples, back away from them a few feet and look at the samples standing up. People often have a tendency to examine samples for color several inches from the sample. This is not how you look at the floor everyday!

It is also a good idea to designate a bag for samples if you are working on a project with multiple finishes. That way, you will always have all of the elements of the room together when you are shopping for more pieces of the project. Your mind can never quite remember the exact shade of something and you don’t want to make a mistake buying something that you cannot use or worse, something you cannot return.

Another tool that can help you envision what your floor will look like once installed is the Virtual Room Designer, which lets you choose different types of flooring and view it in different room applications.  You can click here to take a look.

Remember if you check out a sample from a retail store to return the sample when you have finished. There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to see or check out a sample and not being able to because someone hasn’t returned it when they were finished. Some retailers will order samples for you to keep. When you finish with carpet samples, you can reuse them or return them to the store. Some uses for old carpet samples are mats for the trunk of your car, great seats for little ones in school or comfortable places for pets to rest.

-Rob

I just moved into a new house, and I’m really not happy with the grout used in the kitchen and bathrooms.  I’m not really confident that I can pick something better though.  Can you give me some pointers?

-Jeff in Utah

Dear Jeff:

This may not seem like an important decision worthy of spending any time on, but the color of your grout can change the look of the whole floor or wall. The whole process of choosing tile can be overwhelming. When it gets to the last little detail of choosing a grout color, it is tempting to just say – whatever. Hang in there and use this advice to get you through.

When you look at the grout chart, don’t worry that there are so many choices. Gather one or a few samples of your tile and place them on a neutral background. Then, choose 3-5 grout samples and space them around or in between the tiles. The goal is to choose the color that best matches or blends with the tile. Don’t worry if it doesn’t match exactly, the goal is for the color to coordinate and blend.

Next, step away from the samples and look at the pieces from several feet away. Let’s face it; rarely will your face be 6″-12″ from the floor. You will spend your time looking at the floor as a whole while standing up!

Look for the grout sample that disappears the most. You paid for the tile, not the grout. The tile is what you want to see when the floor is complete. Choosing a grout color that is contrasting will draw your eye to that difference and you will see the lines that separate each tile rather than one complete finished floor.

It is tempting to try to make grout more of a design element than it is. If you have a neutral tile and have second thoughts about it being too boring while convincing yourself that the grout color can pull everything in your design scheme together – WAIT! It rarely makes sense to use a colored grout on a neutral tile. Often, it is hard enough using a colored grout on a colored tile! Unless you are going for a checkerboard look or the lines around the tile to be a focal point, let the grout be grout and choose a neutral color.

If there is an edge color around the tile that is different from the center of the tile you have a choice to make. If you choose a grout color that best coordinates with the edge color, then the edging will be more pronounced. If you choose a grout color that coordinates with the color on the center of the tile, that edging will be minimized. There is no right or wrong answer here, just personal preference.

If you have a tile with multiple or mixed colors, follow the same steps. Place a few samples around and in between several tiles and step back to view them. Again, you are looking for the most neutral color that disappears. Start eliminating choices and your decision will become clear.

One exception worth mentioning is Saltillo tile or Mexican tile. This orangy terracotta tile typically does not follow the rules. Most installations of Saltillo tile have a neutral gray grout or black in some commercial applications.

Another consideration is maintenance. When choosing a neutral grout color there are often a few shades that will work well. In this case, keep maintenance in mind. Darker grout colors will hide dirt better than white or light colors. If maintenance is a concern, you can always seal the grout for added protection.

If you make a decision that you are unhappy with or buy a home where someone else made a poor decision, you have the option to stain the grout rather than removing the grout and starting over. Removing the grout runs the risk of chipping the tile.

Ask your retailer or designer for help if you are unsure what to choose. They have made these decisions many times and can take the stress out of the decision for you.

-Rob

I’m in the process of redesigning my kitchen, and I’m struggling a little bit with picking tile.  I really want my kitchen to be special and unique, but I’m drawing a blank as far as what to do with all the fun sizes and types of tile I’ve seen at the store.

Can you help me out with some layout ideas?

-Kim in Texas

Dear Kim:

One of the greatest things about tile is the ability to install it in so many different layouts, creating an almost endless number of possible looks. You can really let your creativity explode with all of the different sizes and styles of tile and accessories on the market today.  Below are some popular tile layouts. Remember that tile setting professionals in different areas may have different names for these layouts.

Basic

• Straight lay – any size laid square
• Diagonal – any size laid on a 45 degree angle
• Running bond – any size laid with the joints staggered in a brick pattern
• Checkerboard – any size tile with alternating colors

Intermediate

• Diagonal with dots – larger size tiles with smaller tiles placed in the joint intersections
• Area rug border or picture frame – in the center of an area, border tiles are used to outline the area to look like the border of an area rug or picture frame with a different tile in the center
• Diagonal running bond – any size laid with the joints staggered in a brick pattern and laid on the diagonal
• Modular – different size tiles are laid in a modular pattern such as using 4×4, 12×12 and 4×12

Complex

• Area rug border with inset – in the center of an area, border tiles are used to outline the area to look like the border of an area rug. The border tiles are laid straight while the center of the area is a pattern such as turned on the diagonal, diagonal with dots, or diagonal running bond.
• Herringbone – elongated shaped tiles installed in a herringbone pattern (example 3×6 or 6×12)
• Basket weave – elongated shaped tiles installed in a basketweave pattern (example 3×6 or 6×12)
• Pinwheel – tiles in corresponding sizes such as 12×12 and 4×4 where the smaller tile is laid straight in each of the 4 corners of the larger tile

Designs with Mosaics

• Used alone with no other size tiles on a wall or floor
• The center of an area with a border
• Used as the smaller tile in a basketweave pattern
• Used as the smaller tile in a pinwheel pattern
• Used as the dot in a diagonal with dots pattern
• Used as the smaller tile in a modular pattern
• Used as a feature strip in a tub or shower (one row installed about eye level)
• Used as the border in an area rug or picture frame installation
• Part of a border tile or listello

Important Notes

The more complicated the layout or pattern is, the more expensive a professional installation will be. This is due to the time it takes to layout a complicated pattern.  More cuts are usually involved and the whole job is more labor intensive.

Be sure to consult with your designer or tile installation professional about a pattern before purchasing the tile. Not all patterns will work in all spaces. Some spaces are too small or too irregularly shaped for some patterns.

Also, remember that not all tiles come in every size.  Be sure to check with your retailer about the available sizes before getting your heart set on a particular pattern. If you know you want a pattern before you begin shopping for tile, be sure and let your sales consultant know before you begin the selection process.

-Rob

Is it acceptable to mix flooring types in the same home?

-Brenda in New Hampshire

Dear Brenda:

In short, absolutely!

Below are some guidelines to help you plan your flooring project. Keep in mind that these are guidelines and not set rules because each house and personal taste varies so much.

Mixing Hardwood

As a general rule, it is best to keep the hardwood on one floor of your home the same species and color. However, certain circumstances make it acceptable to change the species and color if the room is completely separated by a door.  It is also best to keep the hardwood in a home running the same direction unless a different room is completely separated by a door.

Keep in mind that if you use multiple woods on multiple levels or multiple woods on the same level you may lose some flow and continuity as well as any bulk purchasing discounts offered from the retailer.

Mixing Tile

Tile is the easiest product to mix in a home. You can have a common area tile that is the same while changing the tile in each bathroom. You can use the same tile in a common area and change sizes, styles or colors within that common area. You can also use one common tile throughout the areas with tile in the home mixing in different accents within those areas to define each room. With floor plans being more open and hard surfaces being used more throughout the home, more opportunities are available to mix tiles. All you need is a transition point or door to change tiles (style, direction or color).

Using different tiles in each area can give each room its own personality. If the tiles are intended to be more restful or a serve as a background than a focal point that is perfectly acceptable as well! A circumstance where you may want to consider using all of the same tile is if you have rooms with patterned wallpaper.

Mixing Carpet

Let’s say you have hardwood or tile in the common areas of your home. A great place to break up and change the flooring is by using carpet in the bedrooms. Because each bedroom has a door, you can choose different styles and colors for each bedroom to suit the décor of that room.

Another reason to mix carpet in a home is if the main carpet color chosen does not coordinate well with all of the other wall colors in the home.

Tile, carpet and hardwood all mix well with each other as well. From room to room each of these products can transition well to each other.

An idea to help you determine if you are mixing the right amount of floor coverings is to go back to kindergarten – and color. Create a drawing or make a copy of your floor plan and use different colors to outline each type of flooring. When coloring rooms with hardwood, draw lines indicating the direction the hardwood will be installed. When drawing tile, draw squares indicating the direction the tile will be installed. Also, use different colors for each different tile used. For carpet, color the rooms solid. This will help you determine the degree that your floors are either being used for a background or if they are going to be more of a focal point.

-Rob

My wife and recently ordered some tile to use when we remodel our bathroom, but we can’t seem to agree on what color grout to use. We are concerned about the grout getting dirty, but we’d also like to choose something that will look nice with our tile. Do you have any pointers for choosing grout color?

Tim from Texas

Dear Tim:

Choosing a grout color can be tough, because you have so many choices these days. To keep it basic though, you can either choose a color that is the same as the tile, one that contrasts with the tile, or you can choose a neutral color.

• Matching – By matching your grout color as closely as possible to your tile color, you make the grout lines less obvious. This accentuates the tiles them selves, and not the pattern of the layout. This choice is generally best when you choose a beautiful tile in a simple layout.
• Contrasting – Choosing a contrasting grout color draws attention to the layout of the tile. This is often desirable if you choose a mosaic tile in an interesting geometric design or if you use a more complicated or decorative tile layout.
• Neutral – When all else fails a neutral color like tan, beige or light gray can work in most applications. Keep in mind the white grout often yellows over time, so it probably won’t be a low maintenance choice.

Darker grouts are less apt to stain, so if you are tiling a counter top or a high traffic floor, keep that in mind. On the other hand, lighter grouts are less likely to fade with sunlight or strong cleaners. You can always re-stain your grout if it becomes faded or discolored, or if you are just ready for a change.

Hope this helps you make your decision.

-Rob

We recently moved into a new home, and we’d like to try and salvage the carpet, but it has some pet stains and odors. Is there anything we can do to clean it up so we can discourage our own dogs from relieving themselves on the carpet?

-Evan R. from Indiana

Dear Evan:

Old pet stains and odors in carpet can be a stubborn problem. If the pet urine was allowed soak into the carpet pad or even through to the subfloor, you may not be able to totally remove the odors, but here are a few tips for you to try.

• First off, remember to test any cleaning products you use on a small hidden area of carpet to make sure the cleaner doesn’t damage your particular carpet.
• Next, turn off your lights and use a black-light to look for pet urine stains.  This will allow you to focus your cleaning on problem areas.
• If there are a lot of effected areas, or the carpets are very heavily soiled, consider renting an extractor carpet cleaning machine from your local hardware store.  Use plain water in the machine, and follow the instructions that come with it.
• If the stain is still visible after using the extractor, try an enzymatic cleaner.
• Once you’re done cleaning the visible stain, use a pet odor neutralizer.  You can usually get a high-quality product at a pet supply store.

If the pet odor remains, and the area is near a corner, you might be able to pull up the carpet and replace the section of pad underneath.  While the carpet is up, clean both sides with carpet shampoo and rinse thoroughly.  Then, once the pad is replaced and the underside of the carpet is dry, stretch it back onto the tack strips.

-Rob

I want to install ceramic tile in my kitchen, how hard would it be for me to do it myself?

-Patti (With An I)

Dear Patti (With An I):

That is a great question. The answer depends on a few things: How handy are you? Do you own tools? Are you comfortable with power tools? Are you under a tight deadline to complete your project? What is your budget?

While installing tile in an empty, square room is relatively simple, installing tile can become much more complicated if your room is unusually shaped, or you have plumbing, cabinets, columns or other items you need to work around. Proper tile installation involves several steps, including prepping the sub floor, marking the layout, laying down a mortar bed, installing underlayment (Backerboard), taping and filling the seams, cutting and laying tile, grouting, cleaning, caulking (for transitions) and sealing.

While tile is a project many homeowners tackle with good success, if you are in a real big hurry or are not that confident with using power tools, I would recommend hiring a reputable professional. Most anybody can do tile work if they are patient, willing to a take a lot of time learning how to do the job right, and use the right tools. For reference, the following is a list of tools that you will probably need to buy, rent or borrow to do your job:

1. Electric Tile Saw
2. Bucket
3. Mortar Mixer (looks like an oversized egg beater)
4. Drill with underlayment bits
5. Spiral Saw (to cut holes for plumbing)
6. Chalk Line
7. Trowels
8. Spacers
9. Level
10. T-Square

-Rob