Tile and Stone Trends in Home Improvement
Plus, what we need to tell customers to help them with their projects
Provided courtesy of Arizona Tile
When it comes to the idea of home design, individuality plays an integral part on the outcome of home design projects. The demographics of your customer, the region in which they live, and many other factors play a role in the trends and habits of users of natural stone and tile.
With fashion trends ever-changing, individuality has a big influence on the way people represent themselves through any kind of design-whether that's clothing or home design. People are confident in their design tastes and not afraid to express them. People enjoy different colors, textures, patterns, and sizes-they want variety.
Those in the industry have continued to see a trend where people are comfortable with hard, natural surfaces, such as granite. Consumers are more exposed to the natural tile and stone industry than ever before. Understanding the options of ceramic, stone, glass, and travertine, for example, helps form opinions of which products homeowners prefer. Such products give the impression of reliability, dependability, and durability, which makes for a satisfying product to consumers.
Note that men are more involved in the purchase decision for home design products than ever before. This is true for two reasons.
- In general, men are becoming more educated on design than they've traditionally been, and they aren't afraid to have their own opinions (or share them). They know what they like, and they want to make sure their homes reflect their tastes, in addition to their spouses'.
- Often the purchase decision involves higher priced items, which typically requires the involvement of both spouses.
Master baths are designed as custom features in a home, more than in the past. Personalities tend to shine more in secondary baths, as well. This all could be due to the way everyone in the household uses the bath areas in the home, which are secondary to the kitchen area. Kitchens continue to be a main gathering area in the home and therefore a design focus.
In outdoor spaces, people are using more stone and in a greater variety of colors. Again, they understand the high level of durability of natural products, particularly in an outdoor setting. In addition, they're no longer satisfied with colorless backyards. They want a retreat. They want color and often feel more comfortable in their liberal use of it in an outdoor setting.
For home improvement, exposure is important to the homeowner. Homes are extremely important to people, so design decisions are of great value to a homeowner, who take the time to make it a haven. Because of this, consumers are spending more time learning about the products they're putting into their houses and the details involved with their home improvement projects. In an effort to provide customers with the information they want, the following items have been identified as the top points to communicate in order to provide the consumer with enough information to help them make informed decisions, without overwhelming them.
Measuring
When measuring for tile, calculate the square footage of the area to be tiled by multiplying the length by the width of the area and then adding 5 to 10 percent.
Durability
Keep in mind that the durability of a particular type of tile is not always reflected in its price. Ceramic/porcelain tile is the most durable flooring and facing material available. It's color-permanent, abrasion-resistant, and cannot be cut, torn, gouged, or punctured.
Variation
Remember that stone is a product of nature, so its color varies from piece to piece, as well as between lots. Thus, stone should be viewed and approved prior to installation.
Cleaning
There's no need to wax, polish, or buff glazed tile. Simply wiping it with a damp sponge or mop is all that's necessary to maintain its luster. Routine cleaning with a soapless detergent will keep tile looking new.
Maintenance
Natural stone, especially polished stone, is sensitive to harsh chemicals. Don't use vinegar or any cleaners containing acids or strong alkaline agents. Wipe or mop stone surfaces with warm water or a pH-balanced neutral cleanser followed by dry wiping.
Safety
Don't place hot items, such as pots and pans, on any surface other than granite. Use coasters on countertops. If oils, acid juices, or alcohol spills onto stone, wipe it off immediately. Acid-based foods, such as citrus fruits or tomatoes, can etch into the polish of more delicate stones, like marble and onyx.
Terminology
There are a variety of terms to describe finishes and cuts of stone and tile, such as Cross-cut, Flamed, Gauged, Ungauged, Honed, Polished, Patinato, Sandblasted, Tumbled, and Vein-cut. Helping your customers understand these terms will assist in the building of your relationship with them.
Your knowledge of current trends, along with your efforts to educate your customers, is sure to lead to successful projects.
About Arizona Tile
Arizona Tile offers a vast selection of porcelain, glass, ceramic, and natural stone that will elevate any design. Through the company's exclusive relationships with select quarries and suppliers, you'll discover stunning surfaces you won't find anywhere else. For showroom locations and to view Arizona Tile's complete collection, visit www.arizonatile.com.