Spring is around the corner and it's almost time to start cleaning those areas of our house that may have taken a beating over the winter. 

Keeping up with regular maintenance; sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming on a weekly basis will keep debris and dirt off the floor and avoid it settling into cracks and penetrating too deep.   Also, make sure you are wiping spills immediately.   Things you should avoid....steam mops, the high temperatures can cause damage over time.   Also, less is more with water, make sure you are using only damp mops when cleaning the floor and try to dry surfaces with microfiber cloth.  Cleaners that use soap can make your laminate, hardwoods and tile look dull, so try finding cleaners that are soap-free.  The best thing to do is follow the manufacturers recommendations or use cleaners that are specfic to the flooring material.   There are many cleaners out there so we've narrow down the list for you.

Top Rated Cleaners for Hardwood:  

1. Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner

2. Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner

3. Black Diamond Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner

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Top Rated Cleaners for Tile:   

1. Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate

2. Black Diamond Marble & Stone

3. AquaMix Concentrated Stone & Tile Cleaner

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Top Rated Cleaners for Laminate: 

1. Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate

2. Black Daimond Wood & Laminate

3. Zep Wood & Laminate

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Honorable Mention for Restoring & Shine

* Rejuvenate All Floors Restorer

* Hollaway House Quick Shine

We want your floors to last a long time so we make sure to give you the best advice available today and carry some of the best products on this list in our showrooom and warehouse.   Stop in today at 3A Business Way in Hopedale, MA to check out all of our flooring options, preventative products and cleaning solutions. 

White Subway with marble mosaic accent and pencil trim

Are you looking to acheive a high end look without the hole in your pocket?  Well, you are in luck because we're going to show you how to get that upscale appearance at an affordable cost.  A common misconception from consumers is that you'll end up paying more at a specialty tile shop than what you would from your local big box store (tune in for an upcoming blog post of a price comparison- you may be surprised!)

Buying tile at a big box store may save you a little money upfront, but you'll end up with a generic, lower quality product that is often times factory seconds or sometimes even thirds!  It's not a secret that  updating or remodeling your home can sometimes be expensive, dusty and dirty, if you're going to go through this process and make the investmen, wouldn't you want your house to stand out? Specialty tile stores will not only have better quality material directly from the manufacturer, but they're typically going to have a much wider selection of material to choose from.  We offer over 1,100 styles in our showroom and over 9,000 products online with prices starting at $1.49 online and $1.99 in-house. With so many options available at different price points you'll be able to get a quality custom look that is tailored to your taste and budget.   

You can easily acheive a high end look by saving money on the field tile as there are so many options today that mimic the look of natural stone without the hassle of having to worry about sealing or staining. This will allow you to splurge a little more on the accent tile such as a marble mosaic. See the comparison below, if you are on a budget, the porcelain is a great alternative.  

          Porcelain Carrara Look around $4.25/sf                          Calacatta Gold around $30/sf  

Subway tile is another great option that is affordable and looks fantastic with higher end glass or mosaic accents.  As in the bathroom above, the wall is tiled with a basic white subway and the homeowner has chosen a beautiful marble mosaic band to break up the subway and add a bit of class and character.  The porcelain field tile on the floor just adds to the high end look of this bathroom.

And for a little variation, here we've paired this more expensive glass mosaic with a ceramic subway (various color options & glazes). This would be a beautiful combination for a bathroom or backsplash without breaking the bank. 

At Milford Ceramic Tile, our tile experts are always available to help you out with your project needs while keeping your budget in mind.  Visit us today in our showroom at 3A Business Way in Hopedale, MA to start designing your next project. 

According to statistics making minor updates will pay you back and allow you to live in a house you love in the meantime. Instead of giving buyers the option to start subtracting money at the negotiating table why not make the best first impression possible.   Truth is, most buyers are looking for homes that are move-in condition and those who are looking for a fixer-upper most of the time are only looking to do minor cosmetic changes.  We suggest when making these updates you choose materials that will appeal to the masses,  choosing neutral tones and classic styles will attract more buyers. 

Minor Kitchen and bath remodels are investments that will pay you back often times 100 percent and in a hot market you're likely to recoup even more of your  investment.  Bathrooms are generally smaller sized rooms so money spent here can go a long way.   Studies have shown minor kitchen remodels ($15K or less) will pay back 93% or more, investing in a room we spend most of our time in is advised as buyers may be willing to overlook a messy disorganized garage, but outdated Kitchen and Baths stand out like a sore thumb.   

Realtors and home stagers will also recommend sellers spend time freshening up with new paint in neutral tones, organize and declutter, and impress with curb appeal, making these changes cost very little but make a huge impact in your sale.   

If you're in the market to sell and feel you need to upgrade prior to putting your house on the market, we have some very affordable options that are high on style and easy on the pockets...a win-win solution.   Stop in and visit us today at 3A Business Way Hopedale, MA or shop us online at www.milfordceramictile.com

1. Handcrafted Tile

We're calling it handcrafted... whether it has the look of a handpainted field tile or handglazed subway....we're loving the natural, organic feel of some of these trending tiles often featured in the "new" farmhouse style of today. 

2. Herringbone 

Herringbone is definately taking floors, walls and backsplashes by storm.   It is a classic style that originated in Roman roadways for it's durability, but today we are finding it is one the biggest trends in interior design, especially tile.   It gives a whole new dimension and interest to flooring and virtually fits into any style. 

3. Concrete-Look

Even it's name, Concrete, sounds strong.  It's durable, neutral in color, has great texture and can be warm while still remaining sleek and modern.  We're especially loving it in the hexagon shape that's so popular today. 

4.  Earth Tones

Bringing a little of the outdoors in can definately be accomplished with the earthtones we are seeing in today's tile designs. Pebbles on the shower floor, slate and encaustic tiles are a great place to find these beautiful earthy tones. 

5. Muted Pastels

They're not the pastel kitchens and baths of the 60's, but maybe somewhat reminiscent with a much softer feel.  These muted tones are definately showing up in more styles and will likely fit into any space where you might be looking for a hint of subtle color.  

6. Specialty Shapes

You can get tile in virtually any shape you can think of today, its a great way to add a pop of interest to an area or bring attention to a room's focal point.  Pickets, fishscale, lanterns, and hexagon are amongst some popular shapes available today. Looking to bring a little interest to behind the stove, shower, or a fireplace?  Looking at some of these specialty shapes might just be the answer, they also pair well with subway and field tiles. 

7. Wood-Effect 

It's been around for a while now, but this trend is going strong and we are seeing more and more options as many homeowners are turning to this durable solution for their home.  More colors, more depth and variation, weathered or distressed....whatever the look you're trying to accomplish you're likely to find in wood-effect tile.  

8.  Black & White

Timeless and classic, black and white has always been around, but it's getting a new face with different tile shapes, patterns and the popular contrasting grout trend. 

If you're looking to bring a fresh modern look into your home but also want to remain classic, what's trending today seems to be the best of both.  Want to see what's new in tile.....come visit our showroom at 3A Businesss Way in Hopedale, MA...we're always getting new styles in!!  

If you recently had new tile installed and you are noticing a filmy, cloudy finish on your tile, there's a good chance this is leftover residue caused by your grout.   Grout is made up of minerals and cement, during its application process it is mixed with water and applied to the tile with a rubber float.  Almost all of the tile surface at some point will come in contact with the grout mixture.  If the tile is not properly cleaned after installation, you may be left with grout haze,  minerals left over on the tile once the grout and water has dried.   

So how do you get rid of this ?  There are several steps to ensure that you remove your grout haze properly. 

1.  Wait for the grout to properly cure on new installations, typically 48-72 hours

2.  Start clean up within 10 days for best results

3.  Use a Professional Haze remove and follow the manufacturers recommendations.

For all your cleanup and supply needs, visit us in our showroom at 3A Business Way in Hopedale, MA. 

Subway originated in the underground subway systems in New York in the early 1900's, today it graces our kitchens, baths, and laundry areas.  Do a search for Subway tile and you'll find a plethora of information on colors, sizes, and pattern layouts.   Subway has come a long way from the standard 4 x 4 and 3 x 6 size in crayon box colors.  We are now seeing much larger versions, hand glazed, dimensional, all glass and mirror of so many different colors and shades.   

The use of subway is so appealing because it's a timeless classic with so much versatility in pattern layout alone. 

Manufacturers today are constantly bringing new life and re-inventing the wheel in some very exciting ways so it's not likely to go away anytime soon.  We're seeing it grace the covers of magazines and trending with some famous designers who use it religiously in their "Farmhouse" style projects. 

Subway can also be very popular choice for it's price point, compared to natural stone, marble or glass mosaics your likely to save on cost.  However, as demonstrated below, it can create a beautiful base or background for some more expensive tiles and help that gorgeous mosaic or tile you love stand out even more. 

 If you're in love with the look of subway, we say go for it- it's here to stay!  Our showroom currently carries many options, feel free to visit us today at 3A Business Way in Hopedale, MA or shop online in our store www.milfordceramictile.com

https://www.pinterest.com/milfordceramic/kitchen-s...

If the tile you choose does not have a coordinating bullnose,  it might be possilbe to have them custom made. Stone and porcelain can be ground down and finished on the edge as they have the same material running all the way through, so you may want to ask if this is a possibility. 

Metal  & Plastic Edging

However, bullnose is not the only option you have, if you prefer a cleaner and more modern looking finish, you may want to consider using a metal or plastic edging.  These are available in several different metal finishes, such as bronze, brushed steel, aluminum, etc. And, if you are looking for a more cohesive look, they also come in several color options, as well, so you can coordinate with the colors in your chosen tile. 

Chair Rails & Pencil Moldings

Another great option that adds a little more detail and interest is the chair rail or pencil molding. These come in a variety of styles and colors, so even if the the tile doesn't offer a molding option you may be able to find a coordinating material amongst other tile lines. 

      Here's an example of both options being used along with a mosaic decorative. 

Caulking 

Caulking the edge is probably the easisest and most affordable of all options.  With tiles that are polished, beveled or more finished like glass on the edge, applying a thin bead of caulk is definately a applicable solution. Tiles that have a tumbled edge or are thicker with raw edges will probably look far more finished with one of the solutions above. 

Whatever solution you decide to go with make sure you are planning for it at the same time your making your tile selection, it will most likely make a difference in your measurements and square footage.  We can assure you having this smooth transtion from tile to wall will make your space look complete and finished!  Have a project in mind?  Visit us today at 3A Business Way in Hopedale, MA or at our online store!  

Using thinset under cement board is a commonly skipped step amongst many contractors.  We've heard of some contractors who have been installing for years and have never used a mortar under the backerboard arguing that if you use the correct screws and enough of them there is no need for it.     However, many manufacturers including, both Durock and Hardiebacker not only recommend that you use thinset under their backerboard, but they specify it and will void the warranty on their product if it's not used.  Proper installation would be to follow the manufacturers installation instructions for applying cement board to a subfloor.  Thinset is going to create a solid surface under tile and prevent flexing that could lead to cracking.  Using thinset between the backerboard and subfloor will create additional strength, fill in any potential gaps that exist and lessen the possibility of movement.   For less than $10/sheet, we highly recommend taking this extra step to insuring your floor will last and stay in warranty.   At Milford Ceramic Tile, we often run specials on backerboard and thinset, sign up for our mailing list to make sure you're taking advantage of these great deals!!

We liked this installation video and thought it would be helpful

We get a lot of questions from customers coming into our store, but a common one we get asked is why their grout is cracking or coming up.   Unfortunately, there's usually a bigger problem that lies beneath this issue.

Most of the time, it's improper installation and sometimes hard to pinpoint because there are several different reasons why this is happening to your grout.  Usually,  it is movement in the tile.  

If you're tile job is fairly new within the last 30 days, your grout is probably still curing and therefore it's not cracking or coming up but rather shrinking.  This issue is most likely that your grout lines are too big (more than 1/8") and not enough grout was used or the the grout was incorrectly mixed.   Mixing up some more grout and throwing it on top of what's there might seem like a viable solution, but it's not.   New grout will not stick to old grout and you are only providing a temporary fix or bandaid to the issue, it will not make what's causing the problem in the first place go away and you'll most likely encounter the problem again down the road.  So we recommend fixing in properly to begin with. 

What if your tile is several years old and the grout is starting to crack, there are several reasons for this.....the thinset could not have been properly installed.  After a while, the tile starts to move and the grout begins to crack.  In this case, you may need to remove the tile and properly re-install.  

Or there could be an even bigger issue, the subfloor is moving.   If thinset was not used under the backerboard on the subfloor, your tile will continue to move and cause addtional cracking.   We've talked about the importance of proper installation and using thinset on the subfloor before.   Thinset is used to fill in any voids between the backerboard and subfloor and therefore keep the tile from moving.  Unfortunately, you may be picking out new tile if this is the case.  

There are several other reasons why this could happen, settling of foundations, not enough expansion space at the wall, but the most important advice we can give to try to figure out what the root of the issue is and get an experienced contractor in to fix it properly.