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(361) 853-5600
6062 Holly Road, Ste #B13
Corpus Christi, TX 78412 Map
(Formerly Abbey Flooring Center 3515 SPID)
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  1. WE’RE BACK

    Our trip to Coverings in Orlando went well and we are back home.

    We are excited to say we will be receiving new tiles in our show room soon!
    There were lots of great new tiles to be seen this year and we’re bringing the best back with us.
    More tile means better selection on the best values in town and a bigger reason to come in today and find your future floors.

    Stick around and check in weekly to see our new releases as we bring them in!!


  2. 5 Ways You Can Use Tile to Spruce Up Your Bathroom Design

    bosse-gray-bathroomIf you have a bathroom that needs remodeling, there are several ways that tile can add character to that old design. And it may not be about the type of tile. Adding the right colors in the right areas can make a difference between cute and hideous. Tile can be a great addition to any bathroom design, but the challenge might be in deciding how and where to install it.
    Here are five ways that you can use tile to spruce up your bathroom design.

    #1: Add a Tile Tub

    Adding tile to the outside of your tub (especially if it’s next to the master bedroom) can make it stand out, and you don’t have to use a solid color. You might have some throw pillows that you can coordinate with an existing tile pattern, or you can match it with a wall or lamp design. Make sure that the pattern you choose will flow with the rest of the design.

    #2: Use a Hexagonal Tile Pattern on the Floor

    If you want an art deco design for your bathroom, using a hexagonal pattern on your floor can make it stand out. A black-and-white pattern in a hexagonal shape can give your bathroom that old-school feel, and it can go well with chandeliers and brass fixtures. Add with some crown molding and wall tile, and you can have a bathroom that will speak volumes.

    #3: Use Bright Blue Shower Tile

    If you want to make your bathroom have a more tropical feel, you can try adding bright blue tile to your shower because it can make you feel you’re starting your day on the beach. Blue tile that matches the color of the ocean can enhance a Mediterranean design, because it has the warm character that can go well with a bungalow feel. Whether you’re thinking about doing some extreme water sport or want to sip a cocktail on the beach, a blue tile design can make you feel like you’re right on the water.

    #4: Use Navy-Colored Tile Walls

    If you want a more modern feel, adding navy-colored tile can work well. With an all-glass shower and solid white cabinets, navy blue tile can look great on your walls. The blend of white and blue can give your bathroom a bright, airy feel. And with a simple tile pattern on the floor that matches the rest of the room, you won’t feel like you’re doing your business in a dungeon.

    #5: Add a Honeycomb Tile Pattern to Your Shower

    Adding a honeycomb tile pattern to your bath or shower can add character to a Mid-Century design, and it can go well with cleanly-shaped chrome fixtures and an all-glass shower. If you combine it with white that’s accented by some light gray, you can have a modern-looking bathroom with a bright and airy feel. This pattern can go well with marble tile. But whatever you choose, you should make sure that it flows with the rest of the room.
    Your Choice for a Corpus Christi Tile Company

    If you want to find the best tile company in Corpus Christi, AFC Tile has many years of experience. So, we can help you find the right tile for whatever project you’re taking on. Whether you want to spruce up your bathroom or do a complete makeover of your entire home, we can help you find what you need.

    If you want more information about what we offer, be sure to get in touch with us. We would be happy to serve you!


  3. Merry Christmas from AFC Tile & Flooring


  4. Understanding the Different Types of Tile Grout

    Grout is meant to keep out moisture, and it give the area a more finished look. However, people don’t pay much attention to grout until something goes wrong. It can stain, crack, and even fall out. But grout plays an important role. Not only does it fill in the gaps between each tile, but it also serves as a bond that can make your wall or floor stronger.

    Cement-Based Grout

    There are two main types of cement-based grout:

    • Sanded Grout – Has a very fine sand, which is better for wider spaces and larger tile.
    • Unsanded Grout – Has a series of polymers instead of sand, which makes it better for thinner grout lines. It’s also better for vertical surfaces like bathroom walls and kitchen backsplashes.

    Sanded grout will be your choice for most applications. Not only is it cheaper and more widely available, but it can also come in a variety of colors. However, unsanded grout might be a better choice for tile that can be easily scratched.

    Epoxy Grout

    There are some situations where tile is exposed to harsher substances like acids and grease. And in this case, a cement-based grout won’t be enough. An epoxy grout will be a better choice, because it’s more resistant to those substances. It’s made up of two parts (a resin and a hardener), and it comes in both sanded and unsanded form. Early epoxies were hard to apply because they cured fast and were hard to clean, but the detergents being used in more recent epoxies have made it easier for tile setters.

    Epoxy grout can cause discoloration in tiles that have more porous surfaces (such as unglazed quarry and limestone tile), so they should be sealed before the grout is applied. And because of its resistance to stains, it’s the best option for kitchen counters, backsplashes, and floors. Epoxy grout is expensive, but there’s a positive to the higher price. Cement grout has a one-year shelf life, but epoxies can last forever.

    Choosing the Right Grout Color

    There are three main approaches to choosing the right grout color:

    • Contrasting – A clear difference in the color of both the tile and the grout (such as a black tile with a white grout).
    • Harmonizing – A blend of colors between the tile and the grout.
    • Neutral – Choosing a shade of gray or white in the grout.

    The best choice will depend on your specific situation, so be sure to speak to a professional for more information.

    Conclusion

    Choosing the right type of grout is as important as choosing the right tile, because it plays a more important role than many people think. Grout is more than just a decorative feature. It’s also part of the tile’s overall structure. And while cement-based grout is good for most applications, you may need to use something else. Be sure to speak to a professional so you can make the right choice.

    Sources

    •  https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/all-about-grout
    •  https://www.thespruce.com/sanded-vs-unsanded-tile-grout-1822584

  5. Special Prices for Hurricane Harvey Damage

    Special prices for our neighbors that suffered floor damage from Hurricane Harvey.


  6. You’ve been there for us for over 45 years. So we’re here for you.


  7. First or Second Choice Tile?

    Tile is produced in mass quantity and must endure several levels of quality control along the way to ensure that the tile is up to a specific standard of quality and beauty. Those tiles are what manufacturers refer to as “seconds, b-grade, or builder grade.” But is it worth it?

    When tile is fired incorrectly, irregularities may appear. Bubbles, watermarks, discolorations take away from the beauty and quality of a tile that has passed quality control. (Warped tile is unusable.) While you may be able to live with tile that suffers visual imperfections, the tile still needs to stand the rigors of time, especially if it’s floor tile.

    Budgetary considerations are often the reason some of us buy seconds. You can purchase seconds for a huge discount, but you may not know the consequences of the choice until you’ve opened the boxes. And will you have enough?

    AFCsecondsThere’s a chance that some of the tiles are already damaged, or could be damaged in transit, or when installed. The general rule when purchasing seconds is to buy 20% over what you think you’ll need in case any of the aforementioned scenarios are in play or have occurred. Plus, some seconds tile sellers won’t allow you to check the tile before you purchase a box; others don’t allow for returns. Who wants to be stuck with boxes of damaged tile?

    Seconds don’t meet the ANSI A137.1 standards. ANSI A137.1 is a 2012 standard titled “American National Standard Specifications for Ceramic Tile.” The standards apply to ceramic tile and describes a wide variety of quality control metrics.

    “These Specifications describe the normally available sizes and shapes of ceramic tile; the physical properties of Standard Grade and Second Grade Ceramic Tile, Decorative Tile, and Specialty Tile; the basis for acceptance and methods of testing prior to installation; the marking and certification of ceramic tile; and the definitions of terms employed in these specifications.” — American National Standards Institute, Inc.

    There are many different quality control tests tile manufacturers execute while tile is being produced. Inspectors check for imperfections, flaws, and defective material as the tile is produced. There’s a level of quality that must be maintained that not all tile can meet. Tile is graded as either first or second choice. Anything beyond a second is taken right the equipment and discarded.

    Characteristics of Second Choice tile:

    • Off-Size. Size of tile vary more than the industry tolerance of 1/16″.
    • Off-Shade. Different shades are present between tiles, sometimes very noticeably.
    • Wrong Color. Tiles that come off the production line a different color that what was originally specified.
    • Chipped edges. Tile corners that are chipped somewhere between forming and baking. Not often noticeable, but there are no guarantees in an unopened box.
    • Glaze Imperfections. Imperfections during the firing. From pin-holes to uneven lines that span the body of the tile.

    So basically, you have two choices to consider when buying tile: First Choice tile has no major flaws or defects. Any imperfection is rare and doesn’t affect the quality of the tile. Second Choice tile Failed quality control along the way and can have imperfections throughout any part of the tile.

    Here at AFC Tile & Flooring we offer only first choice tile for the simple fact that it offers peace of mind in that it’s the best tile the manufacturers can offer.


  8. Helping our community

    AFChurricane