Grout Medic Denver Blog

Hardwood Vs Faux Wood Tile

By Grout Medic Denver | 2-27-2020

Hardwood flooring is timeless. It has been used for generations and is still a favorite among many homeowners today. On the other hand, tile flooring is tough as nails and is budget friendly compared to hardwood flooring. And when modern day tile options include beautiful imitation wood finishes, is it even worth it to splurge for the real deal? Well, the Grout Medic wants to help you make an informed decision. That is why we have put together a list of pros and cons for each material.

Hardwood

As was mentioned, hardwood flooring has been a classic staple in many homes for generations. It adds warmth to a room and brings in a natural element that many people crave. In addition, hardwood flooring compliments virtually every style.

On the downside, hardwood flooring does require a fair bit of maintenance. It can also be easily scratched if you have a resident doggo. Not to mention the fact that hardwood flooring is not ideal for moisture rich areas of the home, such as the bathroom or laundry room.

The average hardwood floor will cost you anywhere from $5 to $10 per square foot and the installation can run you $4-8 per square foot on top of that.

Faux Wood Tile

Probably the biggest selling point for faux wood tile is the price tag. You can get the wood look with this tile for around $2-8 per square foot with installation running you around $5 per square foot.

Besides the alluring price, faux wood tile is also extremely durable. Not to mention basically waterproof. So, if you live in a humid climate or you want that wood look in an area like your bathroom, this tile is calling your name. Plus, you won’t have to worry about damage from your furniture or pets because this tile can handle it and still look beautiful.

Where faux wood tile may fall short for you may be in regard to how it feels. As with most tile, walking barefoot on it can prove to be chilly. And if you feel that having grout lines disturbs the aesthetic you are going for; you may want to skip tile. It is also worth noting that tile floors will not necessarily boost your resale value like hardwood flooring will. They will not bring the value down, but they may not lend to it either.

At the end of the day, both hardwood and faux wood tile flooring are excellent choices that will last you for years to come. If you already have some sort of tile flooring and it looks like it may need a little TLC, do not be shy about giving us a call. We would love to give you a free quote.

Update Old Tile with a Glaze

By Grout Medic Denver | 2-3-2020

Tiled bathrooms have been popular for many generations. For this very reason, it is not uncommon for modern day homeowners to be cursed by the trendy powder blues or peachy hues of days past. If retro is not your style but you lament the potential cost of a traditional bathroom renovation, do we have a solution for you.

The Grout Medic of Denver is committed to bringing you affordable tile and grout options and today we want to shed light on one, glazing.

Reglazing your tile is an option that not many first think of when contemplating how to transform their bathroom. But it should be. A standard bathroom renovation is likely to cost you at least $10,000. Reglazing your tile, on the other hand, is likely to run you just a fraction of that at around $1,000. Interested yet?

On top of being at an appealing price point, reglazing tile can take place in a matter of hours and only needs 24 hours to cure. This means that even if it is your only bathroom, the time it is out of commission is brief.

When a professional comes out to do the job, they will first begin by deep cleaning the area. If the tiles in question are still glossy, the technicians will then acid-etch the finish completely away. This is to ensure that the color choice will adhere permanently to the tiles. If you paint over your tiles without removing the glossy finish first, the color will peel away in no time. Not the desired effect! They will then apply several spray coats of glossy enamel.

Spraying the enamel on will guarantee that the result is an even and smooth texture, but there are a few things worth noting. Because it will be sprayed on, this means that the grout will also be coated. This is not likely to a be a problem for most but if you want contrasting grout and tile colors, this may not be the solution for you. And if matte finishes are dear to your heart, it should be stated that matte does not work well in this scenario. Matte finishes allow tile to cling to all sorts of dirt and grime and then you will have dingy tiles in a matter of months.

Truly, you will be amazed at the transforming power a color change and a couple hours can have on your bathroom. Bye-bye Grandma’s house! If you would like to change the color of your grout before your reglazing appointment, Grout Medic can help you do just that. Or if you are interested in what other tile and grout options are available to you, give us a call today! We would be happy to help you find the solution that suits you best.