Designers and contractors are more than familiar with the benefits of ceramic and porcelain tile. Both materials are incredibly durable, highly functional, typically economical and always in style. But with numerous manufacturers offering a plethora of collections, it’s basically a full-time job just to keep up with each season’s new releases. Luckily, that’s what we do here at To The Trade. In order to make the selection process a little simpler, here are a few new collections that are guaranteed to offer stunning tile design:

Crossville Tile’s Buenos Aires Mood is a fabulous collection with numerous colors and sizes. Shades range from the neutral beiges of Polo to the fiery interplay of Tango. The Buenos Aires Mood collection is an excellent choice for designers who envision contrasting color layouts with tiles of alternating size.

Daltile Fabrique is another stunning style. This premium porcelain tile resembles the look of pressed fabric, as if a massive stack of linens were fused into a single solid block. Fabrique tile is highly fashionable because the subtly striped surfaces create an undeniably modern look. Daltile’s Fabrique collection is available in a full range of shades from off-white Blanc Linen to deep grey Noir Linen.

Of course, nothing is more stunning than natural slate stone, and Florida Tile’s Legends collection offers stone style like none other. Florida Tile’s revolutionary High Definition Porcelain technology utilizes the latest advancements in digital printing to create intense and realistic coloration and texturing that is nearly indistinguishable from natural stone. Each tile is unique, so that the finished floor is alive with beautiful variation.

Of course, these are just a few of our favorite collections. There are many more options available for designers and builders in search of stunning tile style. If you’d like to discuss options for a particular project, please give us a call at 586-344-5100.

Modern technology certainly has its benefits – especially when it comes to luxury vinyl flooring. True, there was a time when vinyls got a bad rap, but thanks to recent advancements in high-definition digital printing technologies, material developments and new manufacturing techniques, today’s vinyl flooring comes to life in a whole new way. In fact, the lifelike look of many modern vinyl floors can make them tough to distinguish from the real thing.

Hardwood is still the primary material that vinyl flooring is designed to resemble. But instead of being bland brown boards, today’s wood-look vinyl captures the nuances of the grain patterns found in oak, hickory, maple and walnut hardwoods. Often, subtle surface textures correspond to the grain colors, adding tangible tactility to the intricate coloration. Since vinyl floors are synthetic, man-made materials, they do not contract and expand with temperature changes like natural hardwoods. Plus, they are essentially impervious to liquid damage. Many wood-look vinyl floors are cut into interlocking planks, just like hardwood, which adds yet another realistic element.

Of course, hardwoods aren’t the only lifelike looks in the vinyl catalogue. The look of natural slate stone, travertine tile, and even bamboo are each accurately captured in various vinyl flooring collections. These reproductions are all possible thanks to the same advancements in printing and manufacturing. With this variety of options, vinyl flooring can be a fantastic choice for use throughout the home.

To The Trade Flooring carries vinyl collections from industry innovators such as MetroFlor, Mannington, Centiva, Armstrong, Amitco and many more. If you’d like more info about vinyl options for your project, please call us at 586-344-5100.