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Tile Talk

Flooring for High-Traffic Retail Spaces

Published: November 4, 2025
Author: Kristi McSween
What Flooring Withstands Retail Realities? Retail environments are tough. From the constant foot traffic of customers and staff to seasonal wear and tear, spills, and rolling loads, every surface in a retail space is subject to rigorous testing. That’s especially true for flooring. The ideal floor supports your brand image, keeps maintenance manageable, and most[...]

Tile Thickness Matters: Design Smarter with the Right Specs

Published: July 15, 2025
Author: Kristi McSween
When it comes to commercial tile specification, an element often overlooked yet essential to project success is tile thickness. While surface aesthetics and slip resistance typically take center stage, understanding how tile thickness affects installation requirements, performance, and long-term durability is equally critical. For commercial interior designers, contractors, and national brand account managers, selecting the[...]

Commercial Tile Specification: How Strategic Consolidation Saves Time, Cost & Preserves Design Integrity

Published: March 3, 2025
Author: Kristi McSween
Tile Specification Challenges in Commercial Design Specifying tile for commercial projects is an intricate process that demands careful consideration of aesthetics, budget, lead times, and long-term performance. However, the complexity of sourcing from multiple vendors often introduces risks—long lead times, budget overages, stock-outs, and even complete re-selections late in the project. What is the key[...]

Why Value Engineering Isn’t Just A Buzzword

Published: November 11, 2024
Author: Kristi McSween
In today’s commercial construction landscape, value engineering, or VE as it is more commonly referred to, is more than a buzzword; it is necessary. Budgets are often stretched to their limits, requiring stakeholders to optimize costs without compromising the quality or vision of the final product. However, value engineering is not all about costs. Product[...]

The Art and Science of Tile Manufacturing

Published: September 16, 2024
Author: Kristi McSween
A Comprehensive Journey of Tile Manufacturing Tiles have been integral to human civilization for centuries, gracing the floors and walls of palaces, public spaces, and homes. The intricate process of tile production is a fascinating journey of art and science. It intertwines the raw beauty of natural materials with cutting-edge technology and meticulous craftsmanship. In[...]

Celebrating Sustainability: The Mindful Materials Movement

Published: April 20, 2024
Author: Kristi McSween
In the bustling world of commercial construction, where the clatter of progress never ceases, a quiet revolution is taking place. It’s a shift towards sustainability, transparency, and health-conscious choices championed by the mindful MATERIALS program. This initiative is not just changing the game; it’s rewriting the rules. Right at the heart of this transformation is[...]

Non-Resilient Flooring vs Resilient Flooring for Commercial Spaces

Published: January 22, 2024
Author: Kristi McSween
When it comes to setting up a commercial space, the details matter. One of the most critical yet often overlooked details is the flooring choice. This decision can profoundly impact the area’s look, feel, and functionality. This blog will explore two categories of flooring options available for commercial environments: non-resilient and resilient. By understanding the[...]

The Ultimate Guide to Tile in Commercial Design

Published: November 20, 2023
Author: Kristi McSween
The world of commercial design is a dynamic and ever-evolving field that thrives on creativity, innovation, and functionality. Among the myriad design elements, tile is a versatile and visually appealing choice strategically utilized to transform various commercial spaces into functional, aesthetically pleasing environments. In this blog, we will explore how tile design plays a pivotal[...]

Seven* Frequently Asked Questions About Tile

Published: October 26, 2023
Author: Ken Ahn
As you may already know, I oversee all aspects of quality assurance and quality control for the tile division here at Creative Materials Corporation. My scope and responsibilities range from reviewing tile specifications in early schematic design to assisting with post jobsite issues and concerns at the contractor level. This means that the questions my[...]

Tile Specification Tips

Published: October 18, 2023
Author: Ken Ahn
A good tile specification in a commercial construction project lays the foundation and groundwork for a successful installation, providing detailed step-by-step instructions along the way. A comprehensive tile specification ensures the project meets design standards, quality expectations, and durability requirements. Additionally, a thorough specification guides and protects all parties from job site failures, construction delays,[...]
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