If you were taking the verbal section of the SAT, one of the questions might look similar to this:  A square is to a rectangle, as ___________ is to ceramic tile.

The answer of course would be porcelain tile.  Much like a square has stricter credentials, however still meets the qualifications of a rectangle, porcelain tile is just that.  While porcelain tile fits the description of ceramic tile, it takes it a step further in differentiating itself from its close relative.

So what’s the Difference?

What qualifies something as ceramic tile?  Ceramic tile is usually created by mixing a base of clay with different types of minerals and water.  A stoneware clay body will be fired at around 1,800-2,000°F and have water absorption between 0.5%-3.0%, with some even as high as 20%!

Porcelain on the other hand is made out of a mixture of clay, sand, and feldspar, which is a naturally occurring mineral in granite.  The sand strengthens the mixture, while the feldspar melts, fusing together all the materials making the tile denser than a standard ceramic tile, thus stronger (30% stronger than granite!) and more stain resistant.

Porcelain tile will fire at about 2,300°F.  The higher firing temperature will drive out more water, and with the feldspar melting to form a low-order glass, the tile will be far more water resistant.  Thus, the American standards for a porcelain product is that is must absorb less than or equal to 0.5% of water (Read more about our manufacturing process).

Why the Confusion?

The biggest debate over “what is porcelain tile?” is that there ceases to be one universally accepted definition.  This means that buying from overseas can be risky, as all they have to do is slap a Porcelain stamp on the side of the box before it ships and manufacturers can sell it as true porcelain.

To reiterate, the American tile industry traditionally has described porcelain tile as being a practically impervious form of ceramic tile, meaning that the tile will absorb equal to or less than 0.5% of water.

StonePeak takes our porcelain tile to another level as we fire each tile to absorb less than or equal to 0.1% of water, making a virtually non-permeable body.  This style is referred to as “technical porcelain” in the American tile industry.

What to Take From This Article?

1)      Porcelain tile should absorb ≤ 0.5% of moisture

2)      StonePeak manufactures technical porcelain, absorbing ≤ 0.1% of moisture

3)      Porcelain tile has exceptional durability, being 30% stronger than granite

4)      Because of their higher density, porcelain tile is more resistant to staining

5)      Be wary of foreign market products as there are no universal standards

Take a look at just how beautiful true porcelain ceramics can be!

—

For more information visit the StonePeak Ceramics blog.

The Margaux Valet, K-16257

Though it would seem that Kohler’s Margaux collection is not new, the first time I was introduced to the fabulous valet was at this year’s K|BIS show.   I thought that it was perhaps new to Canada, but it seems that valets simply aren’t popular enough to warrant being pointed out.

One of the things I love about the Margaux, aside from the absolute simplicity, is the functionality.  The hanger portion lifts off, making it moveable, while the base remains in place as an extra wall hook!  So one could install multiple valets in various areas, such as one (1) in the laundry room for steaming clothes, another in the bathroom, and as many as desired within the closet.

Margaux in action.

Though it is designed as a bathroom item, I know I certainly have clients who have wanted valets in their closets but didn’t have room for a complete system.  This eliminates that problem completely.

The styling is classic and the valet comes in five (5) standard finishes.

Weekly Plumbing Tip: Commercial Faucets and Fixtures

Do your commercial fixtures and faucets meet requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? To be ADA-compliant, commercial faucets must be operable with one hand using no more than five pounds of force. Some commercial fixtures may be governed by height requirements, allowing proper reach and use for people in wheelchairs or assisted-mobility devices. A quick inspection of your commercial faucets and fixtures with ADA in mind could reveal a lot about how accessible your operation truly is. If you need commercial plumbing help to bring your facility into ADA compliance, call a professional right away for an on-site visit and quote on the work.

Porro's Chameleon Cupboard, designed by Front

New from Italy’s Porro is the Chameleon Cupboard, a collaboration with the Sweden’s Front.  Like any chameleon, this cupboard is ever-changing.

As Front describes it:

“The new Chameleon unit is a magic volume, constantly opening on itself as the game of the Chinese boxes, changing appearance and revealing new finishes…  it consists of a central wood crate, covered by leather layers, which used as hinges, allows it to turn and be revolved, changing its colour and look according to the specific mood.”

Exterior views of the Chameleon.

The unit’s drawers and shelves are crafted from pear wood, perfect for stashing any of number of things around the house.

The Chameleon Cupboard is on display at Salone del Mobile 2012 in Milan.

The ever-changing interiors of the Chameleon.

A close-up of the StereoStik's control panel.

Lots of updates and ideas from K|BIS over the next few days,  some of which are new-to-market and some new-to-me.

For those who love music and want to hear it all the time, Kohler introduced a couple of great ideas for the those without whole house speakers: StereoStik™ (K-2958) and the Fountainhead® VibrAcoustic™ 72″ drop-in bath (K-1152).

It bears immediate mention that the StereoStik (SS) was designed to be used with the CL series of medicine cabinets as a way to “bring audio entertainment to the bathroom in one sleek unit.”  The SS features a built-in AM/FM radio and an easy to read digital clock, eliminating countertop clutter and/or the hanging shower stereo of old.  But it also has an auxiliary jack for playing MP3s and personalized playlists.

The SS can be powered with four (4) AA batteries or an A/C power supply, neither of which are included in the purchase price.

The Vertebrae by Design Odyssey Co.

Design Odyssey Co., a UK-based manufacturer, has introduced the Vertebrae®, a stacked, vertical bathroom which features seven (7) rotating components for a compact and fully functional bath.

Inspired by the human spine, (and shown above) the design features two (2) showers and two (2) storage compartments, a cistern with a mirror (mirror not shown here), a sink, and a toilet, all of which rotate around a central spine.  Each of the modules features a removable access panel for service and/or repair.

The Vertebrae, shown in its most compact form and with multiple components ready for use.

Water and services are fed through from the top down and waste pipes for the basin and toilet can either be directed through a hidden hole in the floor or out the rear of the WC (toilet) module.

Available in 175 colours in either matte or gloss finish, the Vertebrae is designed to be installed in a sealed wet room with adequate drainage.

See the full brochure here.

The U.S. and Canada Green City Index, part of a research project conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, recently released its annual ranking of North American cities based on environmental performance.

Twenty-seven (27) cities were scored on thirty-one (31) indicators, including things like water and energy consumption and conservation, public use of land, public transportation quality and efficiency, and city “walkability.”

According to the ranking, the top five (5) greenest cities are:

1. San Francisco
2. Vancouver
3. New York City
4. Seattle
5. Denver

New York may shock many.  However, it garnered many points for its new walkable “pedestrian zones” and its public transportation system.  It has also developed an efficient land-use program and is economically stronger than many other North American cities.

Of the least green cities , many are (or were) major manufacturing centres and have suffered from prolonged decline:

1. Detroit
2. St. Louis
3. Cleveland
4. Phoenix
5. Pittsburg, PA

“It is interesting to note that while the United States does not have a federal climate policy and no federal carbon standards, most of the greenest cities in the index have established carbon reduction targets,” adds Stephen Ashkin, CEO of Sustainable Dashboard Tools, LLC.

Overall Rankings, Greenest to Least Green:

1. San Francisco
2. Vancouver
3. New York
4. Seattle
5. Denver
6. Boston
7. Los Angeles
8. Washington, DC
9. Toronto
10. Minneapolis
11. Chicago
12. Ottawa
13. Philadelphia
14. Calgary
15. Sacramento
16. Houston
17. Dallas
18. Orlando
19. Montreal
20. Charlotte
21. Atlanta
22. Miami
23. Pittsburg, PA
24. Phoenix
25. Cleveland
26. St. Louis
27. Detroit

What do you think?  How many of these cities would you classify as “green” by your own standard?

WEEKLY TIP: Clogged Shower Drains

Nothing stops a command performance of singing in the shower faster than a clogged drain. But the following tips from Mr. Rooter Plumbing could be music to your ears when it comes to tackling the problem. Most shower clogs can be corrected easily with a minimum of hassle and mess. All you need are a few simple tools and a little common sense. Hair is usually the culprit when a shower fails to drain properly. In fact, checking the strainer cover that fits over the drain in your shower enclosure may be all it takes to solve the problem. If the perforations are stopped up, clean them out and test the flow of water. If the perforations in the strainer cover are not blocked, don’t panic. All you have to do is follow a few simple steps to remove the clog.

First, determine how the strainer cover is attached. Some covers simply snap into place and can be removed from the drain by lifting them with a screwdriver. Other covers are held in place by a couple of screws, which can be easily removed. Once the strainer cover is removed, shine a flashlight into the drain and visually check for a clog. You should see water a few inches below in the drain, but if you spot an obstruction, use a piece of stiff wire – a metal coat hanger crimped to make a hook on the end works fine – to clear the pipe. Gently snag the clog with the wire, being careful not to push the obstruction deeper into the drain. If you do not see a hair clog blocking the pipe, try using a plunger to clear the drain. Commonly known as the “plumber’s friend,” a plunger works best when there is a firm seal around the drain opening. It might help to coat the rim of the rubber force cup with petroleum jelly.

Next, pour enough water into the shower enclosure to cover the lip of the rubber cup on the plunger, and make sure the cup is securely fitted over the drain opening. Then, move the handle of the plunger up and down rapidly. If the plunger fails to force the clog free, the next step is to try a hand snake. This device features a flexible coil of spring steel with a crank at one end for rotating it. Carefully feed the metal cable into the drain pipe until you hit the obstruction. When you feel the cable stop, crank the handle clockwise. The tip of the metal cable will snag the clog as it turns. Keep up the cranking motion as you slowly pull the cable out of the drain line and the clog should pull free.

If all of these steps fail to clear the drain, call a professional plumber, like Mr. Rooter. Drain cleaners can be poured into drains to remove clogs, but these cleaners contain caustic chemicals and should be used only as directed by the manufacturer. Drains should always be flushed thoroughly after a chemical application. Never use a plunger immediately after pouring a chemical into the drain. And remember, if you choose to use a chemical drain cleaner and then summon a plumber, tell him immediately so he can take the proper precautions.

For some crazy reason, thoughts of selling homes and moving elsewhere tend to go hand-in-hand with the warmer summer months. If you are contemplating selling your home, here are some things to evaluate around your home and consider doing to improve the overall appearance so as to maximize your sell price. The changes are quick and simple and will not break the bank.

Paint!

A fresh coat of paint always does wonders for a space! It hides wear marks and scuffs and instantly freshens rooms. It is also one of the fastest, easiest ways to change the visual appearance of a space. For resale, you’re best to keep it more neutral and move-in ready if you want to appeal to the masses.

De-clutter

What seems cozy or eclectic to you may scare others away; the more “stuff” cluttering your space, the smaller it looks and feels. So be selective and increase the visual impact and “wow!” factor by creating a focal point. If you love and cherish your things, pare down and start packing the excess to minimize what is on display. This applies not only to collectibles, but clothes, shoes, toys, books, old furnishings… anything that accumulates and takes up space. Don’t forget about countertops and kitchen and bathroom cabinets during this process.

Freshen up your Bathrooms

Everyone loves a nice bathroom. But this doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul. Scour the tiles and fixtures so they look like new, re-paint the walls, and update the lighting. If the bathroom features an enclosed tub, hang a neutral shower curtain and ensure your towels are clean and neatly folded or hung. Clear the clutter from the top of the vanity and within the tub/shower area and organize the contents of the vanity to show off the great storage potential of the space.

Improve the Lighting

Dated fixtures – ones which just look old and worn which are neither vintage nor antique – should be replaced with new. Local box stores have some great affordable options! If you have ceiling fixtures or sconces, remove the covers and wash them to remove any layers of dust. This will help make your spaces look brighter and cleaner!

Add Mirrors

Mirrors are a great décor trick – they give the illusion of brightening and enlarging spaces. There are well-priced options for all budgets and styles and all you need to do is hang them.

Window Treatments

If your window treatments are dated, it is better to take them down and leave your windows bare than to keep them up. Simply freshen up the exposed trim with a fresh coat of paint so it looks brand new. Or buy simple, classic draperies from your favourite box store or retailer to replace the old. Remember to open the window treatments for viewings to maximize the natural light.

Curb Appeal

Don’t neglect the exterior of your home – it’s the first thing a potential buyer will see. Update the door hardware and appearance if it is looking dated or worn. This includes the doorbell, mailbox, and house numbers. Upgrade the lighting to coordinate with the new hardware and ensure the space is well-lit. Tidy up the yard – both front and back – removing dead plants and trees, clearing walkways, creating a focal point with planters and seasonal arrangements, etc. Make people feel at home before they even reach the front door.

Is your space less than the stylish haven you want it to be?  Does your budget prevent you from transforming it into your ideal space?  Consider any or all of these simple, inexpensive décor tricks to instantly transform the look and feel of your room or home.

1. Organize.  Organize.  Organize.  Clearing the clutter from your home will make a world of difference
2. Rearrange what you already have.  Move existing furniture and accessories to new places within a room or elsewhere in the house to create a whole new look and feel.
3. Use fresh eyes.  Step back and take a look at your space as if you were looking at someone else’s home.  Or have a friend come in to be critical for you.
4. Re-purpose existing pieces.  A fresh coat of paint or stain can change the look and feel of an item in an instant.
5. Add a great wallpaper or mirror to the inside back section of book shelves or open cabinets.
6. Update cabinets, dressers, or storage units by changing the hardware – add new knobs or pulls.
7. Never buy just to fill up space or because the price of something fits within your budget.  Buy what you love and need.
8. Repaint and the entire space will be instantly updated and refreshed.
9. Create an accent or feature wall to bring new perspective to a space.
10. Bring the outdoors in.  Take advantage of the season and fill your space with fresh flowers for an instant hit of happy.