Just found out my job is secure. I've been holding off on a kitchen project but now it's go time. Complete remodel. I was looking at tile and hoping someone might be able to educate me on what I should be looking for in terms of quality. I'm staying away form Home Depot/Lowes based on the suggestion of others but is that really good advice? Also, it looks like tile is rated on a 1 to 5 scale for durability. What is the minimum that would be recommended for a high traffic residential kitchen. I have found something I really liked for 3.19 a sq. ft. that was rated a 3.

Thanks in advance. Probably more questions to come.

-Tile Googan

good for you Mike. Wife had several friends get laid off today.

on the tile front send NIB a pm. I did my kitchen and bath and it was fairly easy. My only real recommendation is too lay it all out dry and to rent a wet saw, well worth it. Have fun.

Check out Tile World on route 18 in Weymouth. They have a good selection of tiles from low to high end.
A floor is easy once you figure out the layout. Put the first piece down right and it's smooth sailing from there. As Professor said, rent (or borrow) a wet saw. Another piece of advice is to buy the premix mortar and grout. It costs more, but it's definitely worth it if you're doing the work yourself.

Luds,
If you are looking for a tile guy...pm BigFish his next door neighbor is a pro....good guy too...

I'm with Slingah. I have an MK-101 tile saw, and I still sub out the tile work on kitchen nd bathroom jobs. My guy did Shocker's basement floor.

I did my kitchen and bath and it was fairly easy. My only real recommendation is too lay it all out dry and to rent a wet saw, well worth it. Have fun.


I second this,,,, I have done a few tile projects... The wet saw was worth it all the way,,,,,,, also for me the key is laying it out dry,,,, Checking for any issue that may arise,,,,,

Just make sure you seal it before you start walking on it,,,,,

mike, i would seriously consider using ross' tile guy. he's good. my uncle did my brothers basement the other weekend and you can really appreciate a professional's straight lines when you see someone's work who doesn't lay tile down on the reg.

depends on how much money you want to spend on tile. i thought tony's tile in stoneham had a good selection with a wide range of prices. ask for closeout's.

Some good quality tile stores will sometimes do your cuts for you at NC.
Others may charge upto a dollar a cut. Worth asking.

Luds you are 20 miles away from the tile capital of the world...Watertown.

Tile America is your best bet if they're still there they used to be on route 60 between waltham and belmont.

I was going to do my bathroom myself....but my neighbor is one of the best around so I thought I would have a pro do it......especially after the tile cost almost $2,000.00!!!! I did not want to screw up the job....too much involved!

I would stay away from cheap tile like the stuff at Home depot
there are plenty of decent places around, Boston Tile in Dedham is OK.

http://www.artoftileandstone.com/ Take your wife here and ask for Joe Dimare the manager, he knows tile. I just got my tile from there, (spent half what bigfish spent) He is on vacation next week but the showroom would blow you away. They have regular stuff too. If Joe isn't there , tell Debbie I sent you in.

Luds you are 20 miles away from the tile capital of the world...Watertown.

Tile America is your best bet if they're still there they used to be on route 60 between waltham and belmont.

I've heard that from alot of people.

Luds, check out Bellew Tile in Rockland, 15 minutes from Quincy.

I would go to a few different tiles places and learn what you can and find out who you are comfortable with before making a choice on tile purchase, and for an install go with someone who someone you know (and trust) has used. You have Matt throwing out Larry's guy, and Shocker threw one out - good place to start. I built a house a few years back and got great deals on small lots of tile, leftovers from big orders.

I would stay away from cheap tile like the stuff at Home depot
there are plenty of decent places around, Boston Tile in Dedham is OK.

http://www.artoftileandstone.com/ Take your wife here and ask for Joe Dimare the manager, he knows tile. I just got my tile from there, (spent half what bigfish spent) He is on vacation next week but the showroom would blow you away. They have regular stuff too. If Joe isn't there , tell Debbie I sent you in.

Price is relative to what you bought Slip. Whaja buy?? Tile in the bathroom is progressing......it looks AMAZING!!!! I will post pics when done!:uhuh:

I know Larry, you may have bought twice as much tile as me. Some people spend a fortune on tile, it's an overwhelming process choosing tile.

I got 13x13 floor tile from Italy
and a good wall tile for the tub surround to the ceiling - white subway tile 3 ft. high or so then a strip of glass tile that goes with the floor then above that is white 6x6 on a diagonal to the ceiling. hopefully plastering next week, then the tile will begin.


I bet it does look great Larry.

Luds if you need any help on the kitchen cabinetry, let me know.