FAQs

1. Porcelain Tiles are frost resistant because of their low water absorption rate <.50%

2. Porcelain tiles are compact and dense because of their high firing temperatures (2200° F as opposed to 2050° F for ceramic tile).

3. Porcelain Tiles are highly refined purified clays that make it durable and an ideal palette for broad ranging surface designs.

The combination of these elements make porcelain tile an outstanding choice for residential and commercial applications, walls and floors, interior and exterior – there’s a porcelain product suitable for every installation!

Ceramic tile is rated by the hardness of the glaze. Ceramic can be more decorative than porcelain as it's not fired in as high temperature as porcelain. 

Ceramic can be used in all residential and some commercial installations. Some ceramics are frost resistant (Arley).

The primary reasons why one would select porcelain tile and ceramic tile over stone is that they take much less care than stone, both in installation and in maintenance.

Generally, any tile designated by the manufacturer as floor tile can be installed on vertical surfaces and countertops. The durability required for floors is usually greater than that for walls (which receive no foot traffic). Exterior wall applications must use tile that is Frost Resistant. 

The reverse is not true, however. Wall tile is not suitable for use on floors. It is usually non-vitreous, i.e. not manufactured to withstand excessive impact, abrasion or freeze/thaw cycling. 

One caveat when considering floor tile for wall or countertop installation is the abrasiveness of the tile.  A highly abrasive product would be more difficult to clean on a wall or countertop since commercial floor scrubbers could not realistically be used for maintenance. Otherwise, continuing the chosen floor tile on walls adds great cohesion to an installation and continuity of design flow.

Frost Resistance and Coefficient of Friction (i.e. how slip-resistant is the tile?) are criteria to consider when selecting tiles that will be installed horizontally outdoors in freeze-thaw areas or in areas with similar environments such as walk-in freezers.

The proper maintenance for porcelain and ceramic is easy. Vacuum the area first to get up loose dirt so it won't darken the grout joint. Depending on the usage, residential or commercial, a neutral non-toxic concentrated cleaner should be strong enough that can handle difficult dirt and grease problems, yet gentle enough for everyday use. 

There are specialty cleaners for special problems.

Most porcelain tiles require minimal maintenance. 

They can generally be cleaned with clear water and/or a neutral pH liquid cleaner (soap-less).  

Follow with a clear water rinse and wipe dry to prevent film formation. As with most porcelains, spilled liquids may stain the light-colored products if not promptly removed. Neither sealing nor acid cleaning is recommended for porcelain tiles.

The tile should be thoroughly cleaned of grout after installation (following the grout manufacturer’s instructions) to assure ease of maintenance in the future. Tiles, whether glazed ceramic or porcelain, should be maintained on a regular and frequent basis to prevent buildup of soil, grease, residue, soap detergents, sealers, dampness, liquids, etc., to keep the surface clean and lessen slippery conditions.

Granite, Laminate(Formica/Wilsonart), Marble, Quartz and Quartzite. 

To answer these questions please see a break down taken from MSI surfaces and Wilsonart laminate countertop as well as Formica.com.

Laminate

Laminate countertops are made from plastic fused with kraft paper or particleboard. They are considered a more inexpensive alternative to solid materials. Laminate countertops are made to imitate materials like wood, marble and natural stone.

The laminate brands we carry are Formica®, and Wilsonart®. These brands manufacture similar products. Laminate countertops are popular choice for homes and apartments because of their affordability. Laminate tops are considered non-porous, easy to clean, and affordable.

To clean the surface, use a damp cloth or sponge and a mild soap or detergent. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and wipe dry. Difficult stains such as coffee or tea can be removed using a mild household cleaner and baking soda; mixing to achieve a paste consistency. Use a stiff nylon bristle brush, scrubbing (approx. 15-20 strokes) the affected area. Do not scrub so as t not o mar (damage, scratch) the surface finish.

Stubborn stains that resist any of the above cleaning methods may require the use of undiluted household bleach or nail polish remover. Use a cotton ball saturated with bleach or nail polish remover (acetone), gently rub the stain for up to two minutes. 

Rinse thoroughly with warm water and wipe dry using a soft cloth. This step may be repeated if the stain appears to be going away and the color of the laminate has not been affected.

Warning: 

Prolonged exposure of the laminate surface to bleach will cause discoloration. Always rinse laminate surfaces after cleaning! Failure to rinse after cleaning can cause damage, even if a small amount of cleaning solution remains on the surface. A dry residue may be invisible; however, moisture from cups or drinks can reactivate it, and result in permanently etched scars or stains over time. 

Hot pans and heat-producing appliances (such as electric skillets), when set directly upon countertops, can mar the product's beauty. Always use a heat shield, hot pad or trivet.

A Few Notes of Caution: 

Acidic or abrasive cleaners can damage laminate surfaces; do not use them. Drain cleaners containing lye will permanently damage the laminate surface. If you spill a drain cleaner, wipe it up immediately and rinse several times with water.

Hair, textile and food dyes can cause permanent stains. If dye should happen to spill, wipe it up immediately with dishwashing detergent or an all-purpose cleaner.

Do not work with oven cleaners on an unprotected countertop. Wipe spills away promptly and rinse several times with water.

Rust removers contain harsh chemicals, which will quickly cause permanent damage. If a spill occurs, wipe off all residue immediately, wash thoroughly with soapy water and rinse several times.

Steel wool and other abrasive pads will damage the laminate face. Do not use them for cleaning and don’t store steel wool pads on your countertop; the metal can rust and leave stains.

Toilet bowl cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can cause permanent damage. If spills occur, wipe up immediately, wash surface with soapy water and rinse several times.

We carry a wide range of windows both stock and special order. We stock mostly double hung windows. Customers can special order Awnings, Bays, Bows, Casements, combination windows, double Hung, and picture windows.

Double Hung windows are standard “up and down” windows. Our Double Hung windows are double pane and can tilt in to clean. The double hung also come with a half screen. These windows come in both new construction and replacement models, we can also special-order black, brown and almond. 

Yes, we do. These are windows are energy efficient windows.

We recommend that all our customers purchase energy efficient windows. Energy efficient windows contain LoE and Argon gas. The gas is sealed within the window, and the glass itself has a metal oxide coating. The result of energy efficient windows is less UV radiation into the home. Certification of this can be seen in the label form the manufacture as it will reflect a lowered U-rating.

No, Broadview does not install windows or kitchens.

Yes! After (and only after) your kitchen cabinets are installed, we will come out and template your kitchen for granite countertops or bar tops. We will then install in a few business days.