Bath & Tile Talk

Q & A Series 3: Kitchen Renovations

2011-11-15T13:01:00.001-05:00

Canaroma Bath & Tile Q & A series.
Interview with Shari Andreucci, Design & Sales Rep.

Q: What are customers asking first for foremost when undergoing a kitchen renovation?

Shari: Primarily they select four areas of the following kitchen products.
- kitchen sinks 

- kitchen faucets

 - backsplash tiles 

- kitchen floor tiles 

Q: What are the prevailing trends in kitchen sinks and faucets?

Shari: The most popular is the modern stainless steel sinks. The choice is either a 90 degree corner or a slight curved radius. Another popular kitchen sink is a Trough sink, which is a larger sink to accommodate larger pots and pans. As a matter of fact I have one in my kitchen and I find it extremely versatile for most of my cooking needs.

The older style double bowl sinks are a thing of the past; heavy and ineffective and devoid of customer demand.

I find that our customers have made a huge investment in their newly renovated kitchen and they expect their kitchen products to be of the same calibre in quality, durability and style. Especially when it comes to kitchen sinks and faucets. They are partial to faucets with exceptional quality and durability due to the high frequency of use.

Q: What kind of role does the commercial kitchen faucet play in the scheme of popularity?

Shari: It does not seem as common as the goose neck faucet with an integrated pull out application. Understandably, this product has become our biggest seller. The brands are: Hansgrohe, Grohe, and KWC. I have installed a goose neck faucet with an integrated pull out in my kitchen and it is very versatile, I could not go back to Not having a pullout.

Q: Do you offer suggestions and recommendations for a kitchen sink as well as assist in coordinating style and design? 

Shari: Most certainly. I offer practical solution to our customers, for an example, when selecting a modern sink I would suggest a modern streamline kitchen faucet to complement and a soap dispenser as an added touch.

Q: What kind of assistance do you provide a customer for kitchen backsplash and floors?

Shari: For starters, a customer could browse through our gallery of tiles featuring a fantastic selection of ceramic and porcelain tiles in many textures, colors and patterns. The quality of the tiles, manufactured in Italy, North America and Spain are by far the best quality and design you can find.

I have decorated and selected all the products for my own kitchen renovation. See pics below.

Q: Can we discuss your own kitchen renovation? 

Shari: Absolutely. My old kitchen was small and since we have a large family and love to entertain, I decided to expand and renovate my kitchen. I love an open kitchen concept which meant I had to remove the wall separating the kitchen and dining room. Now I have a great kitchen which is 33' L x 18' W, great for parties and that large Italian family.

 Q: There are so many brands of kitchen faucets and sinks to choose from, what did you select for your own kitchen?

Shari: I choose a Franke Orca trough single sink in stainless steel, a Hansgrohe streamline high arc pull out faucet, a single stainless steel island sink with a prep. faucet. For the kitchen backsplash I went with a 2x4 porcelain tile that has a similar tone to my kitchen cabinets that are chocolate brown in colour, Shaker style.

Q: What makes you special from your competitors for us to be confident with your service?

Shari: With my 15yrs of experience in bathroom and kitchen coordination and product knowledge, I'm in a unique position to offer my expertise in all aspects of kitchen and bathroom renovation. I'm able to discuss and recommend products, color coordination, design etc. for any budget allocation in order to meet my customer's needs.

Q & A Series 4: Bathroom Trends

2011-11-09T13:46:00.000-05:00

Canaroma Bath & Tile Q & A series.
Interview with Gino Giordano:
Senior
Design
&
Sales
Rep.

Q: What is the most popular finish when it comes to bathroom faucets?

GINO: Chrome finish has always rank consistently high and by far had been most popular. However, in recent years, brushed nickel has taken over the number one spot in bathroom finishes, relegating chrome to a close second. In todays bathroom market trend, bath designs incorporating ultra modern approach has brought chrome back in popularity.

Q. When contemplating bathtub style and finish what is the markets preference?

GINO: In years past, the corner tub, followed by the drop-in was the ideal choice. The preference today is the freestanding modern tubs in acrylic. Durability, affordability and easy maintenance have propelled acrylic bathtubs to dominate the market.
The reason why acrylic is the most popular tub material is because 90% of the bathtubs manufactured are made of acrylic. However, a few manufacturers such as Victoria Albert and WetStyle carry solid surface tubs made from limestone and resin.

In a traditional styled bathroom, a traditional slipper freestanding tub with a ball and claw feet would be a perfect choice in such a setting.

Q: What kind of shape is the most commonly sought after design when it comes to modern freestanding tubs?

GINO: For comfort and practicality, the rectangular shaped bathtub is the most sensible solution when it comes to freestanding tubs. We offer a great selection of rectangular bathtubs and contemporary floor mounted bath fillers to match.

Q: Tell us a bit about the toilet trends right now?

GINO: Many toilet manufacturers have noticed a large and growing segment of baby
boomers who are in need of a reconfigured toilet more suitable for their aging bodies. New toilet style and height have to be slightly higher to allowing getting up easier. Thus,
the height from floor to seat previously at 15 1/2" is now raised to 17-18".

Q. Are there any significant differences between Toto and American Standard Porcher?

GINO: Both toilet brands are rated high quality toilets. Toto was the first toilet manufacturer to perfect the 6 liter flush, whereas the other toilet companies still had 13-liter capacity. To comply to stringent water conservation advocated by most jurisdictions most toilets companies today including Toto and American Standard Porcher have 4.8 litres for their toilets. The 2 main differences with the two toilet companies is that American standard/porcher have the higher flush gram rating at 1000, whereas Toto's is 400-800. The second significant consideration is American Standard lower pricing.

Q: What are the new shower systems in the market today?

GINO: The key to success in this market is employing thermostatic valves. The reason is simple.This device allows for a pre-set temperature at a desired level which makes water usage comfortable. Thermostat control supplemented by pressure balance valves ensure a consistent flow of water even when multiple equipment are being used simultaneously, e.g. dishwasher, washing machine, toilet being flushed and a running shower. There is no discernible drop in water pressure or interruption to the flow for the entire process.

Q. Are there new and exciting tangible trends in bathroom vanities?

GINO: Again, it's the modern clean lines that people are after. Whether it's a new construction or bath renovation, customers are looking for the contemporary designer look in bath vanities.

Q: Should your customers worry about select a wood vanity for their bathroom, fearing that the wood would warp and not last?

GINO: Purchasing from the leaders of the industry like Vanico,Artelinea, Novello, Laufen, Duravit and Wetstyle is one way to avoid future headache. We are proud to carry the wood vanity by these manufacturers as they ensure the highest industry standards of pre-treating and kiln drying the wood for the exception quality bath vanities.

Q: What do you consider an important factor when helping customers?

GINO: My first priority is the total satisfaction of my customers. With my 25 years of experience, knowledge and hands on approach, Im confident I am well positioned to meet the objective.

Q & A Series 2: Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles for the Home

2011-11-07T13:44:00.002-05:00

Canaroma Bath & Tile Q & A series.

Interview with Vanessa Piacentini: Interior Decorator / Tile Coordinator

Q: What are the reasons to use ceramic wall tiles in the home?

Vanessa: Our Canaroma tiles in select series are designed to allow different colored grout to be applied to create optional color variations and mood. When the ceramic mosaic wall tile is completely grouted on the wall, it looks like an entire continuous piece of wall covering.

Q. What textured imitation porcelain stone tiles can be used for shower enclosures, waterfall background features and other wet areas without being concerned about treating the tiles?

Vanessa: We have 3 beautiful wall tiles in earthtone colors in 2"x2" on a 18x35 format and we will be introducing about 10 more new wall tile colors in the new year.

Q: Why is the Carrera Blanco such a top seller when it comes to porcelain and ceramic tiles for residential, retail, restaurants and commercial application?

Vanessa: It's made to look like the classic Bianco Carrera marble. Customers love the look because the colors and the organic veining patterns are consistent. The Bianco Carrera ceramic and porcelain is always white with warm gray tones, whereas in the natural marble one may find some slabs with a blue gray tinge within, thus creating inconsistency The 12"x35" tile size is also similar to the natural marble stone slab and is rectified.

Our new 2"x2" glazed ceramic tile in a 12x35 format with the Carrera pattern is a great design complement and it gives the space a touch of glamour, an added punch.

Q: If a customer doesn't want to deal with any removal of the existing floor tiles and wants a simple and easy installation, is there a floor tile that is suitable?

Vanessa: Yes, it's our cliker tile system. cli-ker is an innovative and exclusive dry tile-laying system which allows the tiles to be swiftly and cleanly laid, with no cement, nor grout to the joints and more importantly no waste rubble. Applying this system eliminates the need for additional or unnecessary extra work and mitigate the generation of waste during the tile-laying process, consequently reducing tile-laying costs and making it easy to refurbish floors in a way that guarantees comfort and functionality.

Q: What are the advantages for using porcelain hardwood floor tiles instead of natural hardwood floor planks?

Vanessa: Porcelain hardwood floor tiles are virtually chip resistant, whereas the natural wood floor would dent, and get discolored as it easily absorbs spills. The bacteria from the moisture would result in defacing a superb surface.

Since porcelain hardwood floor tiles are made of non-organic materials and the absorption rate is less than 0.03% there is no concern for mold or bacteria buildup.

Natural wood floors show dust more easily and require more maintenance, whereas porcelain hardwood floor tiles are easy wiped clean for a worry free maintenance.

Porcelain hardwood floor application is recommended to be widely used in every living area of the house, including the foyer, living room, dining room or against a wall going up the stairs. The Porcelain hardwood collection of rectified porcelain tiles replicate the look and feel of new or distressed hardwood and comes in a variety of colors and sizes. Planks can be used in indoor and outdoor applications.

Q: What kind of floor tiles do you recommend for the dining and living room?

Vanessa: The type of porcelain hardwood floor tiles in these areas should be superior to the other parts of the home with attractive furnishings and accessories. A homeowner should consider using tiles that are made to look like nature stone such as marble, onyx, travertine, Sisile, hardwood, etc. We carry all these products in our tile department and more.

Q: What about the use of large format tiles for a kitchen backsplash instead of the usual mosaics tiles or subway style tiles?

Vanessa: Absolutely. The larger tiles such as a 13x40 and 12x35 make a great alternative which would require less grout, making it less messy, and easier to clean. There are so many different options to choose depending on what compliments the overall finishes of your kitchen. When coming to our bath & tile showroom, key things to remember when choosing a backsplash please bring in a sample of your countertop and finish of the cabinetry.

Q: Is this a new trend for kitchen backsplashes?

Vanessa: No, it's a Canaroma Bath & Tile trend.

Q & A Series 1: Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles for commercial and retail applications.

2011-10-20T11:13:00.002-04:00

Canaroma Bath & Tile Q & A series.

Interview with Andrew Piacentini, Bath & Tile Expert

Q1: What is the best floor tile to use in office, restaurant or commercial spaces?

Andrew: Through body porcelain is basically the only choice. Reason being is that through body porcelain tiles have the colour finish that is shown on the top manufactured and formed all the way through the tile. Even in extreme applications, these tiles tend not to show wear as the porcelain is harder than granite and concrete.

Q2: How is the maintenance for the polished porcelain floor tiles and about slippage?

Andrew: Unlike natural stone where you need to polish, buff and seal the floor tile often, porcelain tiles require no treatment or sealing as they have an extremely high scratch resistance. As for slip resistance of porcelain tiles, porcelain tiles have an extremely low (0.04) water absorption, they are usually frost resistant. Through body porcelain polished tiles have the ability to be a lot more slip resistant due to the polished finish that is provided to them. Through-colour porcelain tiles have a semi-polished finish to be more slip-resistant because they are unable to have the full polished finish like through-body porcelain has.

Q3: For exterior floor and wall tiles, which brands would you recommend from your porcelain and ceramic tile collections?

Andrew: I would not recommend any ceramic tile for exterior applications as they are not made for extreme temperatures. Our complete Iris porcelain tile collection would be perfect as exterior floor and wall tiles for office buildings, retail stores, condo exteriors to name a few. The most important thing to remember is to select a through body porcelain that is matte for the floors and either matte or polished finish tiles for the walls.

Q4: Is there a commercial tile that can be used for interior and exterior walls and floors that don’t require any removal or demolition?

Andrew: Yes, that product would be our 3mm porcelain tile from Italy. Our thin porcelain tiles with fiberglass backing can be simply cut to obtain different shapes and formats. Just lay it on your existing tile with adhesive, no demolition of your old tiles required. Some of the amazing benefits of this thin tile product is: it’s high flexural strength, frost resistance, hygienic surface qualities, it’s eco-friendly and recyclable, as well as its elimination of demolition costs, just to name a few.

Imitation Tiles

2011-08-18T16:21:00.000-04:00

Do you ever wonder what catches a visitor’s eyes when he or she enters a newly constructed home or a newly renovated home? You guessed it. The floor ambience and colour immediately bring into focus the discriminate selection of the owner.

A hardwood panelled floor with a rich polished sheen is glamorous. But keeping its sparkled shine and gloss finish is a demanding chore. It’s time consuming and expensive and cost more if a professional service is engaged.

As a rival to wood, porcelain wood floor tiles are just as charming and inviting. The faux porcelain tiles look and feel almost like the real thing. You would like them more when you compare the price and the durability of the porcelain wood floors. An ideal area to use in the home is in the kitchen where it can withstand the wear and tear in the midst of heavy traffic. Covering the bathroom floor with porcelain tiles is standard procedure in most homes. The floor tiles could be laid in any interior or exterior part of the home with satisfying result.

Of course, porcelain tiles are not restricted to ground level. The versatility extends to the walls, for example, kitchen and bath room walls and above washing sinks, to name a few. For those who may not wish to embrace porcelain or like to try out another form of tile, we recommend mosaic tile for flooring and wall.

Here are some of the contemporary tile ideas combined with great tiles to enhance the interior of a home.

*Porcelanosa Cubica Blanco: Beautiful square textured surface wall tiles. It is attractive for application in a bathroom or in a shower. These shimmering white tiles would always make your bathroom look extra clean!

*Horus art: Zoo Collection - Zebra: Choose these modern and dramatic wall tiles. Stylishly and fashionably designed zebra patterned porcelain tile would be wonderful as an accent wall.

*Porcelanosa Block Wenge: The porcelain wood floor tiles resemble something made of the same material. Friends, family and visitors would swear and compliment that you have laid a wood floor and praise you for commitment to the renewal of the eco-system .

*Porcelanosa Baia Stone Negro: A collection of small natural stones make up this mosaic for indoor or outdoor use.

Why shop at Canaroma Bath & Tile?

2011-07-22T13:14:00.000-04:00

Are you planning to build a new bathroom or kitchen or to renovate the existing one or both?

You cannot have chosen a better partner in your grand undertaking.

At Canorama Bath & Tile, we take great pride in presenting our knowledgeable and service friendly staff, complemented by a wide range of traditional to contemporary and everything in between of attractively designed bath vignettes to fit every income level. Our company’s forte extends to assisting clients in design, plan layout, colour co-ordination and all the little things that make a bathroom an attractive feature in a home.

For the kitchen, our in-house bath and tile experts would guide you through the choice of kitchen faucets, kitchen sinks in stainless steel, porcelain or stone, as well as kitchen mosaic backsplash tiles and porcelain floor tiles. With decades of design and work experience under their belt, our bath and tile experts would propose ideas for ample storage space, wider areas for ease of movement, color co-ordination from floor to ceiling and lots more.

When the time comes for you to sell the home for any reason, a gorgeous bathroom and kitchen would be a strong selling feature, not to mention the higher price the home could command.

If you have decided taking on a new or renovated bathroom or kitchen challenge, we invite you to call any of our bath and tile experts at 905-856-7979 and make an appointment for bath and tile product and planning co-ordination get together. You could discuss various issues over tea or coffee in a confidential and leisurely pace.

We look forward to hearing from you and allow us the opportunity and privilege of meeting you.

A Hideaway to Relax and Unwind

2011-07-21T22:51:00.000-04:00

Do you know where and how the most successful people go to seek refuge at the end of a demanding but rewarding day?

Though it may sound strange, the bathroom, with its welcoming bathtub is a place of solace and quiet. Away from the humdrum of clatter and noise from all the human activities experienced during the workday day, you can now read a book, listen to your favourite music, watch TV in a Maax Urban series drop-in whirlpool or freestanding oval Barcelona tub ergonomic backrests make it a tub that must be experienced from Victoria & Albert A daily bath is invigorating to the body and with the right combination of skin protection and lotion, the exterior body emits a healthy glow and is not susceptible to the common cold.

If you wish to take advantage of extravagant comfort and splurge in elegance in your bathroom, I highly recommend that you invest in the latest:

- Maax Peal Series Bathtubs with amazing whirlpool and air option, or

- Maax Serenade Bathtub which allows for freestanding installation for a two-person bathtub with spacious interior, or

- Maax Viaggi Bathtub which is jointless bathtub with a hidden drain. It is chic and has a contemporary look.

The selection and style of bathtubs are too numerous to record in this presentation. You have to see it yourself.

To complement the magnificent bathtub, turn your attention to the wide array of bath faucets available. To name a few,

- Rubinet Ice Faucet - Besides the great look, there are 21 colours to choose from which is simply mind boggling.

- Zucchetti Isy Tub filler - It does remind you of the farmhouse water-pump, but it is much more modern with a hand-held tub-filler and a single lever function.

During times when one is unable to enjoy an extended relaxation in a bathtub due to work or social demand, the alternative is a quick shower. Here again there are elegant shower heads recommended to do the job.

- Rubinet Shower Head- The thermostatic controls 2-way valve control hand shower or showerhead for an even flow of running water.

- Zucchetti Bellagio 4 Piece Deckmount Faucet-Shower Head- The design was inspired by a beautifully shaped classical architecture several centuries ago.

We suggest you look closely at other accessories for the bathroom.

By installing some of these beautiful bath products you will soon discover what you have been missing for years and will now begin to appreciate the wonderful life in complete privacy.

Spice up your life and take on an artistic challenge

2011-07-20T15:02:00.000-04:00

** RENOVATE YOUR KITCHEN **

Imagine the wonderful and inspirational ideas you always dream of for a delectable kitchen by installing the choice of the latest sinks available:

- Farmhouse sinks by Franke
- MicroEdge Stainless Steel 16gauge sinks by Blanco
- UrbanEdge kitchen sinks from Julien

Let us take this opportunity to introduce to you the latest trend in coloured kitchen faucets which would project a glorified professional chef look:

- Baby chef by Aquabrass – Pull Down Spray Kitchen Faucet Professional with a single hole. A pull-down spray kitchen faucet is available in Polished Chrome

- Red Kitchen Faucet by Zucchetti. Designed by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba, this trendy faucet comes in an eye-popping palette.

- EVE Swivel Pull Down Kitchen Faucet with Solid Stainless Steel, Black or Red finish and integrated LED lit spout.

Your creativeness doesn’t end with the selection of kitchen sinks. To complement the decor you now have to decide the most attractive places to install the wash basins, faucets and cabinets. As an integral part of a home, a well designed kitchen, together with the accessories, would truly lighten up your mood and spirit and lift the whole family.

When designing your dream kitchen, consider the open-kitchen concept approach. This allows for more open area and space to move around and create more opportunities for storage space which is never sufficient as the family grows. A highly recommended safe environment for cooking is to install an undermount sink. For an attractive kitchen wall surface, select a mosaic tile backsplash or glass wall tiles. Besides the beauty and glean of the tiles, they make cleaning of kitchen walls a breeze.

So you see, a well renovated kitchen, embracing the recommended elements would bring a big smile to your face, your family and friends. Your can expect to receive endless compliments from family and friends for a job well done.

For more information on these products and other similar kitchen sinks and kitchen faucets:

- web site: www.canaroma.com

- tel: 905-856-7979

- visit our 15,000 sf showroom: 7979 Weston Rd, Vaughan, ON