There is no doubt that porcelain floor tiles are the best choice,when it comes to flooring solutions. Porcelain tiles also triumph in all categories over ceramic tiles as well including almost all other flooring solutions. In general, porcelain tiles have denser and thicker bodies than ceramic tiles and are significantly less porous. However like all things, not all porcelain tiles are made equal. When choosing flooring or wall solution using porcelain tiles you have a range of options, one of which is between unglazed porcelain and glazed porcelain. There are important differences between glazed and unglazed porcelain and we have listed a few below to assist in your choice.Porcelain Tile Manufacturing ProcessGlazed and unglazed porcelain tile is manufactured by compressing and tightly firing clay, silica and other naturally sourced materials at extremely high temperatures inside a specially made kiln. The extreme density and heat causes vitrification and this is why porcelain is very resistant to water and other contaminants.Glazed tiles undergo an additional process to the above manufacturing of porcelain tile. Glazed tiles have an additional layer of liquid glass that is between 5-7 microns thick added to the surface of the porcelain tile.DurabilityGlazed tile tend to be thinner and less dense than unglazed porcelain tile. A glazed porcelain tile’s durability if affected by the quality of its glaze. A lighter glaze is fired at higher temperatures which causes it to be denser than a darker glaze.The additional layer of glass on glazed tiles makes glazed porcelain tile one of the most moisture resistant products. Generally glazed porcelain tile will have a porosity of less than 0.5%.Unglazed porcelain tile tends to have an unfinished surface. The raw surface assist unglazed porcelain tile to be more slip resistant. Unglazed porcelain tiles, also known as fully vitrified tiles have the colour of the tile running through the entire body. This means that chips in the tile will remain hardly noticeable due to the same colour biscuit or body as the surface of the tile.You cannot seal a glazed porcelain tile. The low porosity and resistance to moisture causes most sealants to wear off over time or not stick at all. Only few high quality sealants can work on unglazed porcelain due to its already high moisture resistant characteristics. You can choose to seal an unglazed porcelain tile but it is not necessary as it already has very similar properties to glazed porcelain.Should you choose glazed porcelain tile or unglazed porcelain tile?First of all, unglazed porcelain tile is very rare and tends to be more expensive than glazed porcelain due to the higher density and colouring utilized in the manufacturing process. However unglazed porcelain will be more durable.The choice between glazed and unglazed will depend on the application. Most commercial applications with high or heavy foot traffic may opt for unglazed porcelain. However both types are suitable for all applications and because of glazed porcelain tile’s availability, range of patterns and cheaper price range, it is more often the more popular choice.No matter which tiles you choose, we have.Guangdong Overland Ceramics Co., Ltd. was founded in 1999, located in Foshan, is a large ceramic tile manufacturer in china integrating design, research and development, manufacturing and marketing. It is committed to providing consumers with simple, fashionable and high-grade "plain modern bricks"."Plain modern brick" -- the international trend of modern ceramic tiles. Abandoning complexity, luxury and fancy, it is different from other colorful ceramic tiles. It is mainly black, white and grey in color, emphasizes the integration of natural and fashionable elements in texture, and is characterized by large specifications. Its application space is more concise and lively, relaxed and comfortable, and intellectually elegant. It has become the mainstream trend of ceramic tile consumption.With the rise of modern simple home style in China, Irvine domestic sales have developed rapidly in recent years, and gradually become the industry benchmark of "plain modern brick". 

If you have hardwood flooring in your home, how does it look? Is it time to refinish, and what's the cost?Your oak hardwood flooring take a beating every day while tasked with the monumental responsibility of setting the design and tone for your entire home. Chances are eventually they are going to get old and tired looking. Your hardwood flooring does not need to be replaced, you just need to have it refinished so your floors look brand new again.GUIDE TO REFINISHING HARDWOOD FLOORS The first step is to assess the state of your floors. Five Need-to-Refinish Signs to Look For in Your Floors1. Lots of ScratchesA few minor scratches are nothing to worry about. However if you have lots of scratches throughout your house either from heavy wear or a large dog, it's probably time to refinish.2. Water DamageWater damage is tough on hardwood floors. It could result from a number of factors including a leaky dishwasher or refrigerator, a planter that has leaked for years, pet accidents or excessive moisture.Some water damage such as cupping can be repaired by refinishing.Excessive water damage causing rotted wood or mold issues would require board replacements before refinishing.3. Faded and Discolored FloorsHave you noticed fading and discoloration throughout your wooden style tiles? Over time, hardwood floors can fade or discolor from direct sunlight or when removing an area rug that may have been in place for years.Depending upon the amount of fading you may need to add a medium stain color to your floor during the refinishing process to totally remove or hide the discoloration.4. Black Floor BoardsPerhaps some of your floor boards have turned black. This is usually an indicator of some type of topical spillage that has stained the floor over the years.5. Wood Floors With Worn Off PolyurethaneWhen nothing you do seems to rejuvenate your hardwood floors, chances are that the polyurethane has worn off over the years.Hardwood without polyurethane will absorb water and spills which quickly can ruin your flooring.You will want to refinish your floors as soon as possible to avoid total replacement which is much more costly.Hardwood Flooring Refinishing OptionsNext, select the finish you prefer. You have three options for refinishing hardwood floors.1. Water Based PolyurethaneIf you are are going for a grey-stained, white-stained or white-washed hardwood floor, you will need to use a water based polyurethane finish since it remains clear over time, compared to oil based finishes - as mentioned above - that amber which looks great with natural or red and brown tones but will yellow when applied to grays and whites.Water based polyurethane dries more quickly than oil based, therefore allowing in some cases two coats in one day reducing the overall job time.Water based polyurethane is also more environmentally friendly and emits less odor - something homeowners prefer if they are living in the home at the time of refinishing.2. Oil Based PolyurethaneOil based polyurethane is the most common finish we use at Floor Decor Design Center.It's affordable and gives the hardwood floor a richness in color as it ambers over time. Furthermore, it's very durable and, when done professionally, the finish will last for years with proper care.Oil based polyurethane requires 3 coats and 12 hours drying time between coats.3. Rubio Monocoat FinishRubio Monocoat is a unique plant-based hard-wax oil produced in Belgium. It protects and colors wood in a single coat. Rubio Monocoat oil wood look tile flooring finishes are completely VOC-free, natural and non-toxic. You may notice a mild vegetable oil smell initially that is not bothersome at all. This finish comes in over 40 colors.

If you're planning a kitchen remodel, you will also most probably replace your counters. Which Are the Best Counter Tops for Your Money?When it comes to the remodeling of your kitchen, nothing is more visually important than your kitchen countertops. In our opinion, when replacing your existing countertops, the two most asked-for options are granite and quartz. Similar to having hardwood floors, realtors will tell you having either granite or gray quartz countertops will help increase the value of your home.What is the Difference Between Quartz and Granite?Both quartz and granite are highly sought-after materials. In reality, you can't go wrong with either one. It's really a matter of preference. Granite is 100% natural and is mined from quarries throughout the world.Quartz, on the other hand, is 93% quartz and 7% resin.Granite vs. Quartz AppearanceAppearance-wise, some granite will have little or no pattern while other granite will have bold patterns. Since Mother Nature doesn't specialize in consistent, repeatable patterns, we recommend that you view granite slabs in person as each one can have very different visuals.Quartz will usually replicate the look of marble with its veining and whites and gray colorations. Initially, when kitchen quartz worktop first came on the market, it replicated the look of granite. Once manufacturers changed the look to marble, quartz exploded as a countertop choice.Countertop Durability & MaintenanceBoth materials are very durable. The benefit of quartz is low maintenance since it never needs to be sealed because it is non-porous. Granite will need to be sealed usually every 12 to 18 months to prevent staining.Granite because it is 100% natural stone can have hot pots placed on it without causing any damage. Quartz, on the other hand, because it consists of 7% resin filler, may be damaged by heat. For that reason, you will want to be careful not to place hot pots on the surface. It's not recommended.Is Natural Marble Good for Counter Tops?Another question that comes up with countertops is whether natural marble is a good choice.Marble is a beautiful stone; however we do not recommend it for a heavy use kitchen counter top. The reason is that marble is softer than both quartz and granite worktops and is more susceptible to staining. In other words, it's a high-maintenance option for your kitchen.Cost Guide for Template, Fabrication and Installation.First, let's talk about the bait-and-switch price often advertised of $59 s/f installed for counters. Sure you can pay $59 s/f if your counter is a perfect rectangle with no cut outs or finished edges.Chances are, if you're shopping for granite and quartz counter tops, your kitchen is probably a little more complex than that. That significantly affects cost.Creating a Template for Your CountersOnce you've selected your countertop material, your dealer will carefully measure and template your existing counters. A template is usually made of ⅛-inch-thick strips of plywood that are hot-glued together. It's similar to a dress pattern in that it allows the fabricator to cut out a shape that will fit perfectly over your existing sink, with room for faucets, soap dispensers, etc.Countertop Fabrication & InstallationPricing can vary from fabricator to fabricator based on their quality of work. Everybody buys the slab for a similar price, larger fabricators do get a price reduction. The countertop finish happens during the fabrication process. You have three options:1 - POLISHEDA polished finish happens by honing and buffing the granite or quartz surface with fine abrasives until it develops a natural high-gloss shine of its own. 2 - HONEDA Honed Finish means that the stone's surface has been ground down slightly to achieve a consistent, smooth texture and flat, matte finish.3 - LEATHEREDA leathered surface usually has a soft sheen to it but is much less shiny than the glossy look of a polished slab.

If you're planning a kitchen remodel, have you considered quartz countertops? As a material, quartz is versatile, available in a wide range of beautiful styles, and easy to care for.Whereas it was once reserved for high-end homes, grey kitchen worktops are finding their way into more kitchens and bathrooms, replacing granite.  As brands proliferate, quartz becomes more accessible and prices more affordable.What constitutes a quartz countertop?Quartz countertops consist of 93-95% ground quartz minerals, combined with resin binders and pigments for color under intense heat and pressure to form a solid slab. The resulting product is not only low-maintenance, non-porous, uniform, hard and stain and scratch-resistant, but also available in a wide range of natural-looking patterns and colors.You may also find quartz referred to as engineered stone. A favored premium countertop material of kitchen and bathroom designers and architects, quartz is often confused with natural stone and solid surface countertop materials (e.g., Corian).  Performance/maintenance benefits of quartzUnlike natural stone (or even wood), quartz will never need to be sealed. Neither will it need to be polished. Quartz counters are harder and more durable than natural slab granite.Quartz has a water absorption rate comparable to that of porcelain at 0.5%. That makes it non-porous and very easy to maintain (just wipe with soapy water once a day).Furthermore, stain, odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew won't affect your counters - an ideal situation for a kitchen. Quartz' design benefits"Designs" is the industry shorthand for several qualities of the slab's visual appearance:  overall color, size and shape of minerals, streaks, and striations.  The range of designs is the single biggest difference between quartz brands.  Surface finishes range from matte to high gloss.Furthermore, unlike natural stone, seams are often invisible. Resins make quartz more flexible and the cuts cleaner. How to care for your quartz countertop?Caring for and maintaining your grey quartz countertops is wonderfully simple! Simply remove surface stains a gentle cleansing scrub.Avoid scouring pads as they can dull the surface, and harsh chemicals that could break down the bonds between the quartz and resins. READY TO EXPLORE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS?Guangdong Overland Ceramics Co., Ltd. was founded in 1999, located in Foshan, is a large tile manufacturers in china integrating design, research and development, manufacturing and marketing. It is committed to providing consumers with simple, fashionable and high-grade "plain modern bricks"."Plain modern brick" -- the international trend of modern ceramic tiles. Abandoning complexity, luxury and fancy, it is different from other colorful ceramic tiles. It is mainly black, white and grey in color, emphasizes the integration of natural and fashionable elements in texture, and is characterized by large specifications. Its application space is more concise and lively, relaxed and comfortable, and intellectually elegant. It has become the mainstream trend of ceramic tile consumption.Or, contact us with your questions.We look forward to helping you.