Author: citytile

Granite is one of the world’s most recognizable and widely used stones, desirable as a home improvement material for several reasons. Often synonymous with countertops, it can be used in your bathroom, kitchen, lobby, or bar as walls, flooring, countertops, and backsplashes.  Granite is a versatile material that can transform a space to fit a wide...

You don’t have to be an interior designer in order to find new tiles for your home and create a beautiful living space. Even if you think you are the least creative person in the world, there are some simple tips and tricks which can make the process easy. If you can dress yourself in the morning, you can definitely pair up some tiles which look...

Travertine, a variety of limestone known for distinctive swirls and textures, is a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms. All stone, whether you know it or not, is riddled with small, naturally-formed pores that are prone to collecting soap scum. But with routine cleaning and maintenance (and definitely some regular sealing), keeping your travertine...

  For many families, the kitchen is often the most important room in your entire home. It is the one space where at some point everyone ends up either to eat, or just to gather around the table for a good time. But over time your kitchen can begin to look a little dull due to all the wear and tear. Updating your kitchen doesn’t have to cost...

You may not think it intuitively when looking at it, but marble and granite can be more delicate than you might think. In fact, in many ways, it’s more delicate than synthetic countertops and every now and again will require some attention in the form of a repair, seal or missing that a stain removal. If you’ve ever been interested in learning how...

Installing tile in your home is a huge job. Many try to save money by doing it themselves, but one thing that many people often overlook is just how many tools are required. And depending on whether you’re tiling a wall or a floor, will also call for a few different tools. Here’s just a few of the items required for tiling and what their used for....

If you’re looking to convert some unused roof space into valuable patio real estate, or perhaps you have some broken sidewalks or uneven concrete areas, then the Rise-It paver pedestal system may be your answer to converting these areas into well-drained level surfaces suitable for any purpose. The Rise-It system is also ideal for rooftops, terraces...

When it comes to keeping tile floors looking great, the secret is in the grout. Yes, dirt can sit on the surface but generally cleaning amounts to just that…cleaning.  Grout is a more involved story.  When grout is kept clean, tile floors look beautiful and can last for years. However, cleaning tile and grout isn’t always as simple as you think....

Tiles serve more than just their function as a protective surface for areas of your home. They play an important role in the interior design of your home by creating an atmosphere which adds to the look and feel of the living space. Because of this importance, it can sometimes be difficult to choose from the myriad of styles, colours, textures, shapes,...

Bathroom trends are a little more sensitive towards fashion and design trends. A lot needs to be carefully considered because investing in bathroom renovations can be quite a bit more than some other spaces in the home. Ultimately, the size of your bathroom space will play a big part in the design inspiration you decide to embrace. Statement Walls Nothing...

For most people, the kitchen is the heart of the home, it’s often the one room in the house where the entire family gets together. For thousands of years food has always been what brings people together, and having a kitchen which can combine functionality with comfort and design to your kitchen goals, is sure to make your 2019 memorable. We scoured...

When it comes to renovating your shower, few options are more popular than natural stone. For one, it can last a lifetime and for two, it instantly transforms any bathroom into an elegant yet completely unique space (not to mention it’s incredibly easy to clean!), and of course it immediately adds value to your home. Caring for natural stone in your...

Marble is one of the world’s most beautiful natural stones with various colors and styles to choose from, marble fits seamlessly into any room or project. However, some people worry about owning and caring for marble. They worry about damaging it or may (mistakenly) think that marble is a high maintenance stone. The good news is that MARBLELIFE is...

Properly preparing your subfloor prior to laying tile is like studying successfully before an exam. If you don’t do it, chances are, some type of failure will result. No one wants an expensive tile job fiasco. Since ceramic and porcelain tile are the most rigid flooring materials, they require a subfloor that does not allow for instability or movement. Why...

Ledgestone is sometimes referred to as “stacked stone” because the rectangular stripes of natural stone are most often used in a stacking profile, most commonly used to create focal points around fireplaces. The edges are often flat and smooth for easy installation, while the face of the stone maintains its rough textures surface. As with any stone,...

Natural stone is a dynamic material exhibiting tremendous variation. From the palette of colors to the diversity of textures. We’ve talked a lot in these newsletters about how to care for and protect these elegant surfaces. However, we haven’t discussed what these surfaces actually are. As with anything a little understanding can provide insight...

If you follow our newsletter closely, you should know by now that travertine, marble, and limestone are all very similar in physical and chemical composition. That means cleaning and care procedures are essentially the same for all three stones. There are other things which can affect your stone’s resistance to stains. For example, a honed or tumbled...

Ruminating about how expensive a bathroom renovation will be can cause anyone to break into a cold, panicked sweat. But before you talk yourself out of beginning, remember that bathroom renovations don’t have to break the bank! There are various ways to save, on tiles to toilets, all leading to a brighter, newer bath and a beneficial investment in...

When initiating a bathroom build, how do you decide which tile backer board is best for the job? That depends not only on the building budget, but how long you want the bathroom floors and walls to last. When choosing the appropriate backing for bathroom renovations, it’s important to prevent moisture issues posed by wet rooms. Indeed, any builder...

Marble is an attractive surface for many reasons. It’s durable, natural, and elegant in a number of business and household settings. From iconic colonnades to floor tiles, showers and vanities, marble is a stone that has been a building favorite for thousands of years. However, thousands of years ago, marble didn’t have to deal with a number of the...

Modern life is hectic and busy and time is precious. Often, the shower is the only refuge you have from stress during the day, away from the demands of work and family. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to make it the best customized shower possible. It’s also important to ensure your shower is waterproof so you and your family can enjoy it,...

Travertine is one of those stones that is a great building materials with functionality and character.   Nature knew what she was doing with this beautiful material.   In fact, many contractors and home renovators turn to travertine to modernize outdoor spaces like patios, swimming pools and walkways as well as indoor spaces like kitchens and bathrooms....

Engineered stone has only been around since the late 1960s, however, its popularity as a countertops material has skyrocketed in recent years, as its value and ease of maintenance benefits are more widely recognized amongst leading builders, interior decorators and successful home owners.  There are pages and pages of discussion threads on some of...

Any professional granite installer will advise you your granite needs to be sealed to avoid staining.  Unless you know your granite has been  resonated (a process by which a polyester resin is vacuumed sucked through the granite at the quarry prior to shipping to enhance transportability without breakage but also serves to seal the stone) you need...