6 Tub & Shower Tile Surround Options

January 17, 2022

by Melissa London Design Tips Flooring Plumbing

When you have your interior selections appointment at designQ, one of the products you will be selecting is the tile surround for your tub & showers. *

There are a few different options when it comes to what type of tub and/or shower you can have. Additionally, there are a few tile choices as well.

To learn about these options check out our video below. We show you exactly what the options will look like, and how we’ve installed the tile. There are also some inspiration galleries below to show you just a few of the endless options you can have in your home.

Play Video

Get Inspired

These showhomes showcase how you can add 6″ or 12″ tile above a fiberglass tub & shower surround. You can choose either a wall or floor tile.

These showhomes showcase how you can add tile to the ceiling above a fiberglass tub & shower surround. You can choose either a wall or floor tile.

These showhomes showcase how you can add remove the fiberglass surround from the tub, and fully tile the walls 6′ high or all the way to the ceiling. You can choose either a wall or floor tile.

These showhomes showcase an array of shower options – from a simple tile with fiberglass base, to a fully decked out shower with tiled floor, walls & ceiling. You can choose either wall or floor tile for the walls & ceiling. A tiled shower base requires specific tile suited for that purpose.

Tile Selections in 4, 3, 2, 1…

October 28, 2021

by Melissa London Flooring

Tile can play a huge factor in the look and feel of your home. It makes up over half of the real estate in your home from the floor, to the bathrooms to various backsplashes and even walls. Read below to find out everything there is to know about the tile we offer in designQ.

4 Most Popular Types of Tile

1 | Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is probably the most popular type of tile as it has the most versatility. Ceramic tile is affordable, durable and most importantly – easy to maintain! There are a ton of different style & color options, and it can be applied pretty much anywhere.

Glazed ceramic tile offers even more protection against damage, stains or spills that can occur.

2 | Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile is a step above a cermic tile. It is made of a higher ratio of silica and quartz compared to ceramic, and is baked at a higher temperature. This means that porcelain tiles will be more durable than a ceramic BUT it also means they will be more expensive.

Porcelain tiles also have more variety in the looks department. They can be glazed, etched & texturized and can resemble a hardwood plank, industrial brick or chic marble.

Most Porcelain tiles come in a glossy or matte finish. Be careful where you add the glossy finish, as when it gets wet it can be very slippery. So adding it to a shower floor may be a bit risky.

3 | Glass Tile

Glass tiles are a stunning option for a backsplash or shower tile. Not to be used on the floor, glass tiles can only be used on the wall.

Compared to ceramic or porcelain, glass tiles have the highest level of stain resistance which makes them a superb choice for a kitchen backsplash. Wine spills are no match for a glass tile! However, one downfall of glass tile is it is easier to chip and crack if an item is dropped on it.

4 | Marble Tile

Source: Olympia Tile

Real Marble Tile is not offered at designQ.

First off, as designers, we LOVE marble tile. It exudes a level of elegance and panache that really is hard (not impossible, just hard) to replicate with other materials.

Marble Tile offers deeply veined lines with natural minerals and beauty that can really set your floors apart from the rest. However, marble tiles can be difficult to maintain and if not maintained correctly, will absorb stains more easily due to it’s porous nature. Marble tiles are also very expensive.

So is a marble tile right for you? That really depends on your lifestyle and the level of care & attention you are willing to put into it! If you really want the look of a marble tile, but not the hassle, check out a porcelain tile, such as the Eterna Collection, that has a marble look to it. Chances are they will look very similar, but without the extra maintenance and cost.

3 Most Common Uses for Tile

Tile can be used just about anywhere! Below are a few places in your home to consider adding tile too. Some of obvious, but some maybe not so much!

1 | The Floor

Alright so this is pretty common. When you think about tile, you probably first think of a floor.

In most cases, you will find tile flooring in any wet area’s such as bathrooms, laundry room and the mudroom. But have you considered adding tile flooring to your kitchen? If you want to add a bit of contrast and texture to your main floor, try opting for tile flooring. Tile is durable, water resistant and versatile so it makes sense to be in your kitchen. You can add different textures, colors and patterns or keep it nice and simple.

2 | Kitchen Backsplash

Again, another area that is very common to install tile is the kitchen backsplash. The great thing about a kitchen backsplash is you can really have some fun with the style and color of the tile. Because it’s a relatively small area, it’s easier to get away with something unique (and easier to change out later on!).

Wall tile is typically smaller than a floor tile is, so you can also do some cool install patterns here such as a herringbone or chevron. Click here to view the different install patterns available.

3 | Shower & Bathtub Tile

There aren’t many options to use for a shower or bathroom tub surround, due to the fact that it must be waterproof. You can really only use tile or fiberglass. So, it’s good that there are a multitude of different tile colors, patterns, textures, materials and install patterns to really make your shower or tub stand out.

The sky is the limit when it comes to picking a tile for your bathroom – so have fun with it! After all, it will only be seen by you!

1 | Fireplace Tile

Tile is just one of many options when it comes to selecting a feature surround for your fireplace. The benefits of adding tile is that it is fire rated, and safe to add if you have a gas fireplace. Whereas some materials such as shiplap or wallpaper are not recommended to install around the fireplace unit itself.

Additionally, you can match the fireplace tile to your kitchen or bathroom backsplash if you wish to help create a coordinating design style. Or go crazy with it!

2 | Feature Wall Tile

When you think of a feature wall, you probably think of barn wood or maybe wallpaper or ship lap. But you can also make a bold statement to any wall using tile!

This is typically where a more unique and bold tile could be used. Our designers have put tile on a wall in the half bathroom, in a master bedroom as a focal wall, and even

1 Way to Spruce Up Basic Subway Tile

Sometimes the classic is best. Subway tile has been around for ages, and is used in some many different applications and settings. It got it’s start (and name) by being used in old New York Subway stations.

You may be thinking – ok ok, yes it’s a classic but is it too boring? The short answer, is no. It’s not. But if you really want to add a little oompf to your subway tile try this super secret designer trick…

Contrasting Grout.

And Voila! Your subway tile is no longer basic, but instead a show stopping focal point to any room.

To view all of the tile selections has to offer, select your Builder below.

Pacesetter Homes | Sterling Homes | StreetSide Developments

Vinyl Plank Flooring – The Facts

June 15, 2021

by Melissa London Flooring Products

Vinyl Plank Flooring has been around for a few years now and we don’t see it leaving anytime soon. A versatile and attractive flooring option, vinyl plank is a far superior product then it’s ancestor – sheet vinyl.

So what makes vinyl plank so good? Read on to discover the differences between vinyl products, what specifications mean what, and why you should choose this product for your home.

Types of Vinyl Floors

Before we get into the specifics on vinyl planks, it’s important that you understand the different types of vinyl flooring overall, and how they differ from each other.

Luxury Vinyl Plank

LVP is a luxury vinyl flooring that mimics the look of real wood planks in everything from color to wood species. The plank sizes can also vary in width and length, and can in some cases be installed in different patterns giving you a real wood floor look at half the price (and problems!)

Luxury Vinyl Tile

LVT refers to luxury vinyl products that look like stone or ceramic tile. They can mimic the look, color and different size variations of ceramic tile but are typically warmer underfoot than a tile would be.

Sheet Vinyl

When most people think about sheet vinyl flooring, they think 1970’s beige “tile” flooring. But sheet vinyl flooring has really come a long way in looks since then. Sheet Vinyl is glued directly to the subfloor, and, unlike LVP, there is typically no texture or dimension added to it.

Vinyl Floor Materials

Vinyl Flooring is essentially made up of layers, much like the earth. If you cut a piece of vinyl in half you would see the different materials used to create it. Below we will explain what the purpose of each layer is, and the good & bad materials that are used.

5. The Underlay

The first layer is the underlay. Most vinyl plank and tiles on the market today have some sort of underlayment attached to each plank, or tile. The type and features of underlay can differ by manufacturer, but the overall purpose of an underlay is to add comfort underfoot and noise reduction.

Some manufacturers will also add a layer of antibacterial protection to the underlay. Torlys flooring, for example, adds Microban technology as explained below:

“Microban® technology is built-in antimicrobial protection that gives products an added level of protection against the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew on household products, keeping your home cleaner and reducing odors.”

4. The Core

When you research what vinyl plank is made of, you have undoubtedly come across 2 words – WPC and SPC. Those are the 2 materials that make up the core of vinyl flooring. But what do they mean?

WPC Core

Wood Plastic Composite is a composition of wood and plastic materials pressed together to make a solid core. It is very durable, water resistant and typically it is softer than SPC.

WPC is less dense than SPC therefore it will retain more warmth and it is slightly more expensive than a floor with an SPC core in it.

SPC Core

Stone Plastic Composite is a composition of stone and plastic materials pressed together to make a solid core. It is very durable, water resistant and is more dense and rigid, meaning it will get colder than a WPC core would.

It is also typically less expensive than WPC.

3. The Print

Above the core rest the luxury print, or in essence the high definition “picture” of the flooring. As mentioned above, luxury vinyl flooring can be produced in almost any color, species and style. So getting a flooring that looks like real wood is no problem. In fact, most vinyl plank floorings these days are so realistic it’s almost impossible to tell them apart from hardwood.

2. The Wear Layer

The top, and usually the last, layer is the wear layer. It is usually a clear, urethane based coating to protect the other layers, and prevents against wear of the flooring.

The wear layer can come in varying thicknesses, typically between 6 – 22 mils thick. The thicker the wear layer, the tougher the flooring will be. Most 20 mil thicken wear layers are commercially rated, meaning they can stand up to high traffic areas, such as foyers or mud rooms.

1. Bonus! Top Coat

Some manufacturers will add a top coat on top of the wear layer for even more added protection and durability. SHAW flooring, for example, adds their patented ArmourBead high performance finish to their Floorte Pro Series of products. ArmourBead is a quartz enhanced urethane finish for enhanced wear resistance and uncompromising durability.

Why Choose Vinyl Flooring?

There are numerous benefits to selecting a vinyl plank or tile flooring for your home. Each manufacturer will have some different additions to their flooring, good or bad, but generally speaking a vinyl flooring product is an all around good choice. Here are the top 5 reasons we think a vinyl plank is a good option.

You can install vinyl flooring in pretty much any room in your home. Because vinyl flooring is water resistant, you can have that wood look in rooms you wouldn’t be able to with an actual wood floor such as bathrooms or laundry rooms.
Don’t just think floors either. Vinyl products can be installed on a wall or ceiling for a statement feature in any room. Our designers like to add vinyl planks to fireplace boxouts and walls too.
It is durable. If you have pets and/or children, then vinyl plank is the way to go. Because of the material used to make vinyl flooring, it is significantly harder to dent or chip. And when you spill a glass of wine on it, you only have to cry over the wasted wine and not the ruined floor too. Just wipe clean, and carry on!
If you do happen to wreck a piece of vinyl flooring, simply pop it out and replace it with another piece. It’s very easy to fix, and won’t cost you a fortune either. In most cases you can do it yourself!
It can be installed over any surface, without requiring a sub floor. If you are re doing your basement for example, you don’t need to add anything between the concrete floor and the vinyl. Simply click the pieces together, and presto! Man cave done.

We hope this blog has helped you learn a little bit more about vinyl plank and tile flooring.

For even more information about vinyl plank flooring I encourage you to check out SHAW floorings YouTube channel. It has a ton of useful information and demonstrations for all flooring types.

To search the vinyl plank products that we offer at designQ click here!

Design Q Edmonton – Qualico Design Centre

Posts in category: Flooring