It’s that time of year again! Time to work in our yards and gardens and freshen up our outdoor spaces. Whether you’re building a palatial patio, outdoor kitchen, or a gathering spot around a firepit, the right tile will help turn your backyard into an outdoor oasis.
 
Maybe you never thought about using tile outdoors; it can add beautiful, eye catching features to your home. Opting for slip-resistant tile around your pool area instead of concrete really adds polish to a design. The tile surrounding your pool can carry over into an outdoor fireplace or kitchen and patio area. If you really want to get fancy, you can use tile to surround your outdoor fireplace or as an accent wall in your outdoor grilling space.
 
Whatever space you design, the type of tile you choose is important. Natural stone tiles like slate are often used outdoors, but natural stone does require more maintenance and can be susceptible to discoloration overtime. Porcelain tiles are one of the most durable and well-suited tiles for outdoor use. If you’re set on a natural stone look but don’t want to deal with the upkeep, you can find porcelain tiles that emulate natural stones like slate and travertine.
 
Outdoor tile tips:

• Think outside the box. Tile can be used almost anywhere outside.
• Porcelain and slate tiles are best suited for outdoor use (porcelain is the ideal choice for its durability and longevity).
• Every tile has a rated grade. Make sure the tile you select is rated for outdoor use.

Color is often used to express our personal style and feelings, whether it be through art, home décor, accessories, or clothing. When it comes to home décor, color is all about the mood you want to set in your home. Do you want your space to be bright, vibrant, and energetic, or cool, calm, and collected? Today on the blog we’ll examine two different color schemes in regard to home décor: earth tones vs. bright colors.
 
Earth tones are just what their name implies: a color scheme made up of natural colors found in nature. This color scheme is particularly popular in many homes and businesses because these colors are neutral, calming, and flow well with a variety of styles and spaces. When you think of earth tones, you might generally think of colors like tan, beige, gray etc., but earth tones also encompass so much more. In nature, there is a wide variety of colors and earth tones that include muted greens, oranges, reds, blues, and yellows.
 
Bright colors on the other hand, are not as commonly found in nature. Bright colors consist of primary colors (along with their bolder and brighter variations) and are known for conveying a sense of energy throughout a space. Vibrant hues are most commonly used in contrast to neutrals for an eye-catching contrast. There are many fun ways to use bright colors in a space, and while flooring is mostly in neutral colors, there are some fun options in tile that can be used for floors, showers, walls and backsplashes. Carpets and rugs are also an area you can be creative with your bright colors. Keep in mind that bright colors can be used to add a stunning pop or focal point but can become overbearing if used too much.

When it comes to home projects or repairs, there are those people that would never even consider a DIY project, but then there are those that love the satisfaction of finishing a project with their own two hands. If you fall into that second category, this blog is for you! Today we’ll discuss a couple of different flooring options that make for easy DIY installation.
 
The first option for ease of installation is laminate. Not all laminate is created equal, but brands like Mohawk, Quick-Step, Mannington, and Armstrong are all reliable brands with good quality. Laminate is easy to install because it can be installed as a floating floor. This means it can be installed without adhesives or nails due to its click-together locking system. The planks are constructed so that they fit together and lock in place to form a solid surface floor.
 
Other flooring options that install similarly to laminate are LVT (luxury vinyl tile) and WPC (wood plastic/polymer composite). These are also rigid plank flooring options equipped with click-together locking systems. LVT and WPC can be installed as floating floors over plywood or concrete subfloors, or even right over previous flooring like tile or sheet vinyl. LVT and WPC do have an advantage over laminate in that they have very low maintenance requirements and are either waterproof or highly water-resistant, depending on which brand you choose.
 
If you enjoy a good project, we would be happy to supply you with what you need to get the job done right. Look for our regular specials and pricing on “U-haul” products. Also check out our closeout and clearance sections for fabulous deals for the do-it-yourselfer!