Avanti Tile & Stone provides Carolina homeowners, contractors, builders, and designers some of the area’s best prices to one of the largest and biggest variety of inventory available in the Southeast. If we don’t have it in stock, we can usually have it to you in a very reasonable time period. Our quotes are for the total job, but are also detailed so you will know exactly what you are paying for – no hidden extra charges sprung on you after the job has already started or nearing completion.
We pride ourselves on installing exactly what you pick out. Some of our competitors have been known to switch “lots” of a certain product to complete the work, often resulting in different colors for different areas within the same room.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles
Both types of tiles come in different shades and sizes and are easily maintained. No sealing is required. Ceramic tile will have either a “glazed” or “unglazed” face to it. Porcelain tile which is a stronger, more heavy-duty product than ceramics made to resist abrasion and changes in temperature, making it usable for both indoors and outdoors. “Glazed” porcelain tile in which only the top part of the tile is covered with color and characteristics of the tile, is the most commonly selected for homes. “Throughbody” porcelain tile has the same color clay throughout, is more resistant and used primarily for commercial and outside areas.
Brand name tile companies that we carry include Marazzi, Daltile, American Olean, Florida, Stone Peak, Edilcuoghi, Emser, Vallelunga, Crossville, and Florim USA. We also have glass tile and mosaic tile selections from which to choose.
Installing Tile for Flooring
For those homes and commercial establishments that have a cement or wood subfloor, we remove the existing flooring (tile, vinyl, hardwood, carpet, etc.) and any glue that held it down, and then thoroughly clean the floor before installing new tile. If the subfloor is wood, we first install cement board before laying the tile on top of it. Typically a wood molding or marble threshold is inserted between the new flooring and an existing floor in the next room. Shower installation with tile is similar once any fiberglass or old tiles are removed, but may involve new fixtures, knobs, etc. as part of the process.
The grouting process is fairly standard but many homeowners elect to upgrade to stain, mold, and mildew resistant grout. Grout will always require some level of maintenance. Avanti Tile & Stone turns to National Gypsum, TEC, and Bonsal for setting materials for installations.
Natural Stone – Granite, Marble, Slate, Travertine, Limestone
Which natural stone to use in your home or business is typically based on how much use or abuse will be given it as well as the look desired. These stones will vary on porosity, hardness, and durability.
Slate
This is a natural stone which is actually a series of coats of different stones with different shades, sizes, and thickness, causing it to have an uneven finished surface. Slate is very popular for outdoor use or sunrooms.
Travertine
This is the most popular stone in use today for backsplashes. It is highly porous and does require sealing and maintenance. Travertine comes in a variety of finishes: honed and filled, brushed and chiseled edges, straight edges, polished, tumbled, etc.
Granite
We are “fabricators” which means we buy directly from wholesalers and then send our customers to the wholesaler to pick out the slab from which the countertop, etc. is to be cut. Though we can pull product from several countries from around the world, the selections from Brazil and Italy tend to be the most popular. We only install granite that is 3cm thick, the thickest you can get – it looks nicer and is not as fragile. Granite is harder than marble. At Avanti Tile & Stone we guarantee that what you select at the wholesaler is exactly what we use for a final cutting. After all, honesty and integrity are very important to ensuring l00% customer satisfaction.
Marble
Marble is among the most luxurious and elegant of the natural stones we carry. It tends to be softer and more susceptible to staining (and therefore requires sealing and upkeep) and thus is more suitable for areas with less traffic, like formal areas. It is commonly used for walls, vanities, shower walls, etc.
Installation of Natural Stone
The process is very similar to installing tile but the amount of grout used is far less. It is more time consuming due to the need to match up the stones correctly. Natural stone needs to be sealed due to its porosity. We only use high quality, stain resistant seals. An “enhanced” seal is often requested, but it will give a different look – it all depends on whether you want a “natural” look or one that has a richer, deeper appearance. For countertops we offer a variety of sinks from which to choose, depending on the level of quality you want.
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors almost always involve a subfloor because it needs to be nailed down, though it is possible to glue it to a cement floor. Our installation process usually involves a vapor barrier between the subfloor and the hardwood floor. We use exclusively Bruce and Shaw for our hardwood flooring. The quality and variety of their materials makes them two of the best in the business.
Laminated wood flooring is a result of taking imitation wood and applying a coating designed to give the appearance of real wood. It can be installed directly onto cement floors, is very durable and nine times more resistant to wear than hardwood floors. There are different levels of laminates, with the premium brand offering a longer warranty.
Engineered hardwood is real wood, but in layers, involves tongue and groove, is somewhat thinner than laminates and can either be glued down or just laid down on a cement floor or subfloor.
We look forward to showing and explaining to you in detail the differences between the various hardwood floors we carry as well as the pros and cons of hardwood versus tile or natural stone for all of your flooring needs.
