Thursday, July 9, 2015

Why is Epoxy Grout such a amazing products for shower installations? There are so many benefits to using epoxy over standard cement based grouts especially is a shower or a wet environment. First it has superior stain resistance due to its near zero porosity. Secondly it never needs to be sealed and can always be cleaned to its original color. Thirdly since it is not porous it doesn't change color when wet like sanded cement grout. We have seen many shower floors like the one pictured here that was grouted with standard grout. What we usually see is that the grout is several shades of color because wet grout is darker until it dries so the shower floor is not uniform in color. I think one of the best benefits to using epoxy grout is that since it doesn't absorb water it is less likely to harbor mold. Nothing can compare to the uniformity of epoxy grout color too, because there isn't any pigments or cement in it the grout it lacks the inconsistency seen in standard grout. Epoxy grout is installed using the same method as regular grout but the clean up and shaping of the grout is completely different from standard grout. I would highly recommend hiring a professional to install epoxy grout for you that has worked with it for several years on a number of different surfaces. We have found that each tile grouts differently from each other and temperature and greatly effects the characteristics of the grout. If you are interested in having epoxy grout used for your next project call Mark Van Osdol for a estimate, we have over 10 years experience working with different epoxys and have found what products perform best. You can reach Van Osdol Marble and Tile in Sarasota at 941-468-5955


Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Limestone marble installation makes a Sarasota bay front home warm and welcoming. Honed and polished limestone are mostly made up from the skeletal remains of marine micro organisms and coral. Limestone can be very neutral in color or have slight variations to them. The limestone that we installed in the pictures below was a honed neutral beige color. The living room floor consisted of 24"x24" limestones tiles installed in a straight pattern. We also wrapped a fireplace with 2cm limestone slabs which now hold a set of beautiful wall sconces and a painting over the fireplace. The inside of the fireplace was then covered with absolute black granite tiles. One very nice features about this limestone installation was that we framed the insides of the wall niches with slabs of limestone for displaying the clients art. The electric contractor was able to install led lighting in a small void that we left in the top of the limestone to create back lighting for the niches. If you can appreciate the everlasting beauty of a limestone marble quality installation and would like to transform your home then contact Van Osdol Marble and Tile. They have been creating limestone masterpieces in Sarasota for over 20 years. Just call 941-468-5955 to set a appointment with Liz Van Osdol our certified interior decorator for help with your future design.






Here is a great Idea that can work in most small bathrooms. Are you having trouble finding the perfect mirror frame to go with your newly remodeled shower. Well we have the solution, you can create a mirror frame using the same tile that was used as a accent strip in the shower. The shower featured here we installed on Longboat key in Sarasota, FL. You may find it is the easiest solution because you can build it to the dimensions that you need so it is always a perfect fit every time. For inquires about having this done in your home contact Van Osdol Marble and Tile at 941-468-5955



Monday, June 29, 2015

The most important factors to a successful marble installation on the floor of a elevator. We have installed many tile and marble floors in elevators over the past 20 years without one failure. From commercial condo elevators to private home elevator like this one pictured here they all share the same main adhesive substrate. What is the secret to building a bullet proof installation that will out last the test of time, its one word Epoxy. Elevator bases can consist of a few different substrates, one is wood most commonly in personal home elevators and the other is steel in commercial elevators. We have found that commercial elevators are the most difficult to work on because the steel floors are typical not flat or level and there can be exposed brackets that are attach to the floor and can get in the way of your tile installation. The other challenging factor is time restraints, most condos do not have the ability to shut down the elevator for longer then a day so all of the prep, tile installation and grouting has to all be completed in a 24 hr period. Epoxy thinset can be a challenge to work with because of its lack of body and also the consistency of the material changes rapidly with time. Anyone who has worked with marble knows that to achieve small grout joints and a lippage free level surface that you have to mudset your tiles. In a elevator we do not have that ability because of height restraints and also we are needing the full bond strength of epoxy. So with that being said marble floor installations in elevators can be a real challenge even for a seasoned pro. There is no comparison to the beauty of a well installed marble floor. We had the joy of crafting this marble floor in the Oaks Club in Osprey, FL for a client. The marble is a cream of marfil with waterjetted inlays of emperador light border. The outer field was installed straight and the inner field was installed diagonally. For further information our to inquiry about a project contact Mark Van Osdol directly at Van Osdol Marble and Tile 941-468-5955


Thursday, June 25, 2015

This is a custom tile shower that we installed porcelain tile on the walls with a chiseld slate accent wall. Everything was then grouted with epoxy. We also installed a rectified porcelain tile on the floor that looks like wood. The stone we used in the shower was onyx.


Tile Sarasota: This is a Anodized Aluminum tile backsplash that V...

Tile Sarasota: This is a Anodized Aluminum tile backsplash that V...

This is a Anodized Aluminum tile backsplash that Van Osdol Marble and Tile installed in Sarasota Florida. With this type of backsplash there isn't any grout so it is very important to create a very tight fitment of the tiles. The tiles do not require sealing. It is critical that your substrate is flat and free of any defects prior to installing the tiles otherwise lippage will be evident in your installation. For superior marble and tile installation seek out a contractor with a track record of 100% customer satisfaction.Tiles can be very expensive and difficult to install so hiring the right is contractor is key. Read what people are saying about the person you are considering to do your job it could save you money in the long run. To research more about Mark Van Osdol and his company Van Osdol Marble and Tile check out his website on Houzz. It features pictures of his craftsmanship along with customer testimonials. The link to his site is www.TilePro.info



Sunday, June 21, 2015

This shower that we tiled is a 12 x 24 rectified porcelain and we installed a chrome Schluter strip in between each horizontal row of tile. We also built a recessed shampoo niche in the knee wall and build a corner seat. The shower floor is also a 12 x 24 and it is pitched all in one direction to a linear drain. We finished everything with epoxy grout. It is important when designing a shower like this that all of the substrate surfaces are waterproofed prior to installing your tile. Also much care must be taken when grouting the tile so that as to not scratch the surface of the chrome Schluter strips. This shower was installed in Sarasota on longboat key by Van Osdol Marble and Tile at the sanctuary condominium.

This shower that we tiled is a 12 x 24 rectified porcelain and we installed a chrome Schluter strip in between each horizontal row of tile. We also built a recessed shampoo niche in the knee wall and build a corner seat. The shower floor is also a 12 x 24 and it is pitched all in one direction to a linear drain. We finished everything with epoxy grout. It is important when designing a shower like this that all of the substrate surfaces are waterproofed prior to installing your tile. Also much care must be taken when grouting the tile so that as to not scratch the surface of the chrome Schluter strips. This shower was installed in Sarasota on longboat key by Van Osdol Marble and Tile at the sanctuary condominium.https://plus.google.com/106035104617438660449/posts/bP4bKk3qgvg

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Great words of wisdom from John Ruskin.


Sarasota's Best Tile Contractor with award winning designs and installations.

This project in Sarasota was for a private residence on Sarasota bay. The shower walls are a 12X24 rectified porcelain installed vertically using a running bond design. The shower was built on the second floor of the home and was designed for wheel chair accessibility. A curbless shower on the second floor of a home takes quite a bit of engineering. The shower is also very low maintenance due the application of epoxy grout on all the surfaces. The shower floor is a marble and glass mixture of circle mosaic tiles. The tiles come on a 12x12 sheet but we pull them from the mesh backing and install them individual. We do this to create a tighter grouping of the tile and to avoid the unnatural look that you get when installing full sheets of these random mosaics. We have seen many poorly installed jobs were the contractor installed the individual sheets and you could make out each 12x12 section. It is our methodical approach that we take in all our of our installations that separates us from other companys. From conception to completion we maintain a relentless pursuit for perfection. If you look closely you can see none of the circle mosaics were cut. Each tile was hand placed to achieve this. For over 20 years Van Osdol Marble and Tile's passion and love for these materials has giving us the ability to create functional livable art that is design to last a lifetime.  www.TilePro.info