Feature Focus
Recommending the correct product

The following is a list of qualifying questions that will help you determine what kind of tile your customer needs.
F What is the intended use of the flooring Product? Get the details on the entire job. Ask them how they envision the outcome of their tile job. Visualize it and let them know you do. .
F Determine their color schemes. Color is generally the first factor considered when choosing ceramic tile and perhaps the most important to the consumer. Find out the colors of things already established such as cabinets, fixtures, other surfaces (like carpet, wood…) around the installation. .
F In what part of the house will it be installed? (kitchen, entryway, bathroom, bedroom…) Will it receive foot traffic? (light, medium or heavy) The PEI wear rating will help determine the appropriate tile. .
F Will the surface be subject to: falling utensils or other objects that could scratch the surface? The MOHs rating will help you recommend the right tile. Make sure the surface is harder than the objects that it will encounter. .
F Will the surface be subject to staining by: grease, foods/beverages, abrasive shoe residue…? In most cases a glazed tile is preferred. An unglazed tile must have the micro pores closed. The texture of the tile will be a factor in the cleaning. Is it easy to clean or is it so rough that the dirt will be difficult to get out? Generally tiles with higher coefficient of friction will be harder to clean. .
F Will it be installed in a freeze/thaw exterior condition? The frost resistance or frost proof characteristic is most important here and is measured by the water absorption. A porcelain is the preferred tile in freeze/thaw conditions and exterior applications.
F Will it be subject to water? (showers, around pools, countertops…). The coefficient of friction will inform you if the tile will be slippery when wet. A rating of .60 or higher is recommended. .
F Are there elderly, handicapped or others with fear of falling? Again, the coefficient of friction will be informative, the higher the value (.60 or above) the more the slip resistance. The texture of the tile is a key element in its slip resistance. Always seek to balance the texture with ease of maintenance .
F Size is an issue when recommending tile because it can change the impression of the size of the room itself. Larger sizes are becoming more popular in many parts of the country. The practical advantage is fewer grout lines. The most common resistance to larger sizes is the installer because larger sizes require level floors and are more difficult to install. Make sure the choice of size is not limited to the ability of the installer to set the tiles correctly! .
F Modular designs, use of decors and setting on the diagonal are all relatively easy ways to customize an installation. Use pictures to ignite the imagination of your client to what is possible. Everyone wants to feel they have a unique house, ceramic is especially adapted to provide this inexpensively.