When it comes to choosing a tile for home or even for businesses, the easiest options to go with will automatically be ceramic tiles and porcelain. Among other floor tile types, these two are best known to be the ones that are durable, commercially ubiquitous, easy on the purse yet still stylish. These two tiles fair decently against their other counterparts like wood and stone tiles, but how well do they match up against each other?

Today, we study the pros and cons of ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles.

Ceramic

Image source: linkedin.com/in/rajunakum (Ceramic Tiles)

Ceramic might be the most popular of all the floor tiles in that it is known to be the cheapest (price varies with the distributor). Ceramic tiles are typically cut to a thickness ranging from 1/4 to 3/4 inches, depending on intended use.

Ceramic is best known for being affordable and second-best known for its variety. It may be purchased in very many styles and colors (terracotta, quarry, clay brick, etc.), even in imitation of wood and stone (stone-looking ceramic tiles are more durable than actual stone tiles, too).

Its glazed variety is relatively water resistant, but the same cannot be said for its unglazed form. Unglazed ceramic tiles are great for adding a touch of warmth to an area’s aesthetic, but it is “soft” and easy to damage if placed where there is heavy foot traffic. However, it will last a very long time if only used for households.

Porcelain

Image source: alraheemtraders.pk

Porcelain is made of the same basic materials as ceramic but blasted in the kiln at hotter temperatures making them more durable, long lasting, and almost completely water resistant with a water absorption factor of less than 0.5. Almost all other tiles, including ceramic, have a factor of more than 0.5.

As a floor tile, porcelain is very well known for its hardness, even in its unglazed form. It is denser so it can be cut thinner while having the same hardness as a thicker glazed ceramic counterpart. The only catch is that it is a little more expensive than ceramic in general.

Porcelain, since it’s very durable, is a good material to invest in spite of cost if to be used for commercial spaces where heavy traffic is expected. It is scratch resistant, easy to maintain, and, in its unglazed variety, is also resistant to stains.

The Verdict

When it comes done to it, it is better to decide on whether to go for ceramic or porcelain using two factors: usage and budget. Ceramic is still the top choice when it comes to households because it gets the job done for less (around half) the cost. Ceramic is also the perfect choice if you’re prospecting to do DIY repairs—it’s easier to cut, modify, attached, and so on. Porcelain is a great investment for both home and business. It has a relatively higher PEI rating than ceramic counterparts of the same thickness, has all the floor tile benefits of ceramic and more, but at a greater cost.

Not all tiles are created equal. Some of them are perfect to be stepped on daily by a lot of people (like in malls, parks, and places of business), some can only take very little weight at a time like bathroom tiles while others can’t take weight at all.

Today, we’ll be discussing the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) Rating and what purpose it serves in determining what tiles to use for your specific purposes.

To start off, the PEI rating is an internationally used scale of hardness or toughness specifically for commercial tiles. PEI rating ranges from a value of 1 (least hard) to 5 (hardest).

PEI 1

You may not under any circumstance use tiles with a PEI of 1 as flooring. These tiles may only be used on walls or any other decorative purposes. These tiles are very prone to wear, tear, and breaking so never use them to be stepped on.

Image source: http://bit.ly/2BInwJv

PEI 2

Harder than PEI 1 but not completely hard, these are tiles that may be used in very low traffic areas like bathroom tiles, pantry flooring, or supply closet tiles.

PEI 3

Tiles that can take light to moderate traffic only are categorized under PEI 3. These include domestic kitchen floors, commercial kitchen & domestic countertops, and most residential flooring for about 3-8 inhabitants. Such tiles are available at FC Floor Center or FC Tile Depot.

Image source: http://bit.ly/2zAu2jE

PEI 4

This is a lot sturdier than PEI 3 in that it may be used between moderate to heavy foot traffic. This is good for any residential flooring, but if it will be used for commercial flooring, it is best used for heavy traffic where people do not stay for prolonged periods like clothing boutiques or service centers.

PEI 5

This is the hardest among all the tiles perfect for very heavy traffic like as public bathroom tiles, airport tiles, park & mall flooring, or restaurant, food court, and events area tiles.

Image source: http://bit.ly/2BJlj0m

Aside from the PEI rating, there are other factors that affect the contextual usability of tiles like coefficient of friction, to name one. Make sure to learn more about your tiles before you decide to buy them.

You should not ask, “Where to buy floor tiles?” rather it should be, “How to choose the right floor tiles?”

Why?

It is not that hard to find floor tile shops here in the Philippines. Some are even giving away discounts for those who buy in bulk. However, don’t be blindsided by ads like “50% off” or “less 30%.” More than ever, you should be wary if you’re getting value for your money.

So the question again, “how to choose the right floor tiles?” Here are the factors you should look for once you decided where to buy floor tiles:

Types of floor tiles

The Balance lists six different types of home flooring:

Ceramic tile

Pros: waterproof, can be used indoor or outdoor, and even on countertops
Cons: prone to scratches and grout

Hardwood flooring

Pros: durable, an insulator, easy to maintain
Cons: non-waterproof, prone to noise, expensive

Laminate flooring

Pros: can withstand high traffic areas
Cons: non-scratch resistant, cannot be refinished

Marble flooring

Pros: an insulator, can enhance the look of a floor space
Cons: expensive, needs high maintenance

Cork flooring

Pros: cheap, easy to install
Cons: not good in the kitchen, prone to damage

Bamboo flooring

Pros: durable, easy to clean
Cons: non-resistant to water, vulnerable to scratches

Location

After buying the floor tile of your choice, where would you install it? This is important because as you’ve noticed above there are certain type of floor tiles that are not water resistant such as wood and bamboo flooring. It would be safe if you categorized it into two: the area of the house susceptible to water and those which are not.

Another thing you should consider is the foot traffic in each room. Foot traffic is one of the reasons floor tiles suffer from wear and tear.

Color & Style

You should possess an “eye” for this because no matter how classy or unique a floor tile is, if it is not a good match, well, it isn’t. Is the color and style you chose compliments the entire room or it becomes an eyesore? Moreover, as explained by BuildDirect, “color influences the overall attitude of your room.”

Size & Pattern

According to Tileflair, “there are certain floor tiles that have a variety of sizes and will have a modular pattern to follow for each square meter.” It boils down on the layout of the room. Is the layout of the room plain square or rectangle? Or does it have uneven corners or angles? This is also where you consider going DIY or hiring a professional to install it.

You can determine how many boxes of floor tiles you’re going to buy as well. But can you estimate it on your own?

Budget

Of course, this must be always on top of your mind when shopping for floor tiles. It is way more important than answering the question of where to buy floor tiles? Very importantly, ask how much is it?

It is true that it increases the resale value of your house, stated by Forbes. However, you should not go beyond your budget even with the seduction of posh-looking porcelain flooring. Stick. To.Your.Budget.

With too many tiles out in the market today, it gets a bit hard to choose one that best suits your home’s flooring. But don’t you worry because we listed down the different types of tile floorings you’d find from your tile supplier in the Philippines. Get to know each type and decide which tile your home needs.

Ceramic

Image source: bit.ly/2oxOoZ2

Ceramic tiles are made from quarried clay materials that are either hardened, pressed or molded at a high temperature in a kiln. This type of tiles can either be glazed or unglazed. Glazed tiles are coated with matte, semi-gloss or high gloss finish in a modern manufacturing process called monocottura. Compared to unglazed tile, the glazed finish increases the tile’s scratch and stain resistance, as well as its traction while decreasing its water absorption.

Ceramic tiles are further classified into two:

• Non-porcelain – considered as the traditional ceramic and is known as one of the most economic tiles. It comes in natural tones made of minerals as well as brown, red and/or white clay materials. This type of ceramic tile has noticeable chips because the inside color differs from the outside. The variations in color make it a perfect fit for your kitchen or bathroom flooring.
• Porcelain – manufactured the same way as non-porcelain, but with contains 50% of a crystal called Feldspar. The said crystal acts as a flux that bond all the molded ingredients together during the manufacturing process, creating a glass-like structure that strengthens the tile mixture.

Porcelain ceramic tiles are more expensive than non-porcelain, but they possess through-bodied color, lesser water absorption, higher stain resistance and greater durability. These tiles can withstand higher foot traffic, perfect for busy commercial areas. Since this type of tiles is easier to color, it has lesser visible chips than non-porcelain.

Glass

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Glass tiles are commonly used in mosaics. Although it is often used as wall tiles, glass tiles can also be an option for floors and backsplashes albeit unpopular due to its grout lines. These lines give a busy look and make cleaning a hard task to pull off.

If you are going to buy these from your tile supplier in the Philippines, install the glass tiles by setting them into stone or like a traditional tile using grout.

Metal

Image source: bit.ly/2oo0hPc

Metal tiles are a great choice if you are aiming for a high visual impact. Although this type of tile flooring is not a usual option, it can really make your flooring shine. Just keep in mind that metal tiles are prone to wearing over time.

This type of tiles can either be made of pure metal or with non-metal materials such as ceramic tiles. Metal tiles made of non-metal materials have metal plating.

Natural Stone

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Tiles made from natural materials are known as natural stone tiles. These materials are quarried, cut into a rough slab and sliced to tile size by a stone fabricator. Since these type of tiles are made from natural stones, characteristics may vary depending on the material used.

Common types used in tile flooring include the following:

• Granite – an igneous rock that has specks of different minerals throughout its surface. Once polished, granite can be scratch resistant, making it an excellent choice for areas with high foot traffic.
• Limestone – a sedimentary rock that has soft and permeable structure. This stone can be easily stained and is scratch-prone, which is not the most ideal characteristics for high-traffic areas.
• Marble – a metamorphic rock that offers a variety of colors. The veins of different minerals run throughout its surface, creating its different colors. However, it is more porous than granite, giving it a high vulnerability to scratches.
• Slate – a metamorphic rock with darker earthy hues. It is extremely durable and dense, and it often has chips, bumps and uneven surfaces.
• Travertine – a limestone with porous texture, making it an easy target for scratches and stains. However, it has an earthy tone with an uncommon crystallized appearance.

Natural stone tiles can also have the following finishes: natural, honed or polished. Natural finish has an earthy and dull appearance while the honed finish has a matte and smooth look which prevents slipping and wear. Polished finish has the mirror-like appearance but has more slippery surface.

Have you decided on the tile flooring your home needs based on the list? Then, it is time to visit your tile supplier in the Philippines and get the floor tile installation started today.


Sources:
http://flooring-professionals.com/flooring-resources/types-of-tile-flooring/
http://buildipedia.com/at-home/floors/tile-flooring-101-types-of-tile-flooring
http://www.beaumont-tiles.com.au/Tile-DIY-Info/Types-of-Tiles
https://www.thespruce.com/tile-types-for-floor-and-wall-1822635
https://eurtton.com/monocottura-tile/
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/skills-and-know-how/masonry-and-tiling/installing-a-glass-tile-backsplash-in-a-kitchen

Droughts and typhoons are some of the weather phenomena that is common in Cagayan de Oro. Just this January 2017, the whole area was submerged in flood. Back in May 2015, 15 barangays around the area were badly hit by drought. We can say that Cagayan de Oro’s location near the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is a factor that highly affects the season in the area.

Cagayan de Oro does not receive an even amount of rainfall throughout the year. As the area is considered to have a tropical climate, it has its cycle of dry and rainy months. The driest months are March and April while August and September are the wettest months. The rainy or wet season lasts from June until November with the relatively drier seasons lasting from December until May. Cagayan de Oro also has an annual average temperature of 28 degree Celsius and the hottest recorded temperature in the area was back in 1998 when the heat hits 39 degree Celsius. And now that summer is fast approaching who knows if Cagayan de Oro will be hitting that all-time high mark again. And if ever you have just purchased a house for sale in the area, you might want to consider making it summer-friendly.

In the Philippines, instead of the cold and warm season, we have wet and dry seasons which is mostly attributed to the amount of rainfall a location gets. So technically when we people say summer, we are referring to the dry months. And let’s admit it, the summer (or dry season) in the Philippines, at times, can be really unforgiving not just for our health but also for our houses. The following are just some tips on how you can summer-proof your home:

1. Add proper insulation to your ceilings and walls. While this can get a bit pricey, insulating your home will provide you with the best results and will make sure that your home stays cool in the summer. 
2. Minimize the heat produced inside your home by monitoring your appliance usage. Turning off the TV and the lights when they are not needed or in use may seem like a small thing but this can actually help you lower down the heat generated inside your home.
3. Get air circulating inside your home by installing fans. Opening windows for cross-ventilation is effective as well, but try to avoid doing so during the peak of a hot day.
4. Make sure your air-conditioning unit is in shape. Running the air-conditioning unit on a very warm day may be energy-consuming. But if you are going to run it, it’s best that you are maximizing its effects by making sure that it is in the right condition. 

There are some houses for sale in Cagayan de Oro that are already designed to withstand warm weather. But if you are looking for a favorable stay in Cagayan de Oro, you might want to spend that extra cash to get the convenience that you deserve.

House and Lot Laguna Moving Tips

Image source: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/

I want to share with you today my recently researched house moving tips. These tips are really good, effective and proven. I personally applied these tips last month as I moved into this awesome house and lot in Laguna. These helped me to make moving home stress-free!

For these tips, we’re going to use a range of items that we really used every day such as:
You can also fill the drawers as much as you can to transport as many items as possible.

When done, you can protect them from knocks and scrapes with cling film.
If you got electrical items like television, personal computers, that has a lots of wires, it will be best to have a record of how they all put together by taking a picture using your mobile phone. This will help you re-connect the wires when the electrical items hit your new home.
If you are dismantling pieces of furniture you can use food bags to keep all the loose screws together. Label the bag what furniture these screws, blots etch, belong to.
Use linen cloth to wrap up fragile objects like plates and figurines to secure them from breaking.

I was at my uncle’s house in Suntrust Laguna last week and I have a really cool experience.

It was 2 in the afternoon when Uncle Kim’s phone rang. He answered it while yawning and suddenly, his face becomes serious. “Mom will be here in a couple of minutes!” he told me, referring to my grandmother.

Grandma is a disciplinarian and she wants things organized, clean and tidy. At that moment, Uncle K’s place is not. It’s all messy and the things are over the place (because we have a lot of fun earlier).

“What are we going to do?” he said. Then a bulb suddenly light up in his head and we did the “TOP SECRET WAYS TO CLEAN THE HOUSE in a FLASH! Here it goes.


The first step is DO NOT PANIC. He said this while taking a deep breath. The focus should be on the living room. We grab laundry baskets and put in there all the things that are not in their proper places like toys, pillows, blankets, shirts, basketball etc. All things that are not supposed to be in the living room throw it on the basket and hide it in a place that is not supposed to be checked, like a storage room.

Turn on the lights and spray cool scent.


The second step is to tackle the bathroom. Wash your hands in the sink. Use a nice and fragrant soap (beauty soap haha). Give the sink, the handles, faucets, and the basin a nice scrub-down with your hands. Get a rag and wipe it off. Use the same rag to wipe the mirror.

For the toilet, take a wipe and wipe it down of the handle, the top, and the bottom. Sprinkle a little of powdered soap or detergent in the toilet and scrub it, this time not with your hands but with a scrubber and don’t flush it. Leave it there. And lastly, spray some deodorizer and fragrant.


Last but not the least (definitely not!), attack the kitchen. Again we grab some laundry boxes, this time, I have a box and start stuffing. Same as what we did in the living room. For the dirty dishes, we put them in a basin and hide them under the sink. Uncle told me we’ll handle that later. Wipe down the table, the sink, the stove, and other things that might be in there. Lastly, sweep the floors. This is the last thing to do and only do this after all things have finished. This is the last priority. Again, spray that sweet scent.


These take us only 15 minutes I guess. Surprisingly, I didn’t imagine we can clean the house this fast. I asked Uncle K where he got the idea. He said from her girlfriend living in a lovely condo unit in Manila. She always does that when her parents are on a visit. Cool!
Minutes passed and Grandma arrives. She is so amazed how the house looks and how organized and clean it is. I am too was amazed. While Grandma is seated on the couch and drinks her coffee, Uncle K hands me his laptop and a video is playing. Here it is.




I believe this is the source of his top secrets on cleaning his house fast! Really cool!