![]() || Posted October 21 2013ħ Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food BudgetĮnd of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. The National Tile Contractor Association (NTCA) is a nonprofit contractor's association that offers a members locator and a buyers guide to assist homeowners in selecting a reputable tile installer.ħ Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ CrowdĪs they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts.Larger tiles mean fewer seams, but large tiles may cost more than smaller tiles in a similar style, and more of the large tiles will need to be cut to fit into tight spaces. Hand-painted or mosaic artisanal tiles can be severely damaged if they're placed in the middle of a heavily used kitchen countertop. Consider how heavily the countertops will be used before deciding on the size and style of tiles.And has tips from Ann Sacks on evaluating your needs and wants, then shopping for tile. describes the differences between ceramic and porcelain tiles. Choose what kind of tile will work best.The installer or contractor will do an official measurement later, but a good estimate can give a rough sense of the costs. Home Depot provides a worksheet to help calculate the measurements. Before beginning to price tile countertops, measure the countertop area.Check their weekly ad pages for possible discounts. Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's occasionally offer special discounts on tiles and construction materials.HGTV describes how to install tile countertops. Ceramic tile can be laid on an existing countertop by a DIYer in about a weekend, saving the cost of professional installation.Tile cutting saws cost $100-$600 replacement blades cost $5-$20 each. Expect to pay $5-$40 for grout depending on the amount you need, about $30 for sealant, and $10-$20 for plywood. These items are sold at hardware stores like Ace Hardware and home improvement stores like Home Depot. For DIY tile countertop installation, the plywood, grout, sealant, and tools all cost extra.Installation of a tile countertop should include a professional pre-installation measurement, preparation of the counters (including leveling and shimming, and insulation near stovetop if required), laying the tile, sealing the grout, cleanup, and final inspection.Cases of tile do not include any of the materials needed to install them. Most ceramic and porcelain tiles are sold in cases that include 6-8 tiles.Related articles: Granite Countertop, Laminate Countertop, Concrete Countertop, Quartz Countertop, Kitchen Countertops, Kitchen Remodeling Inlays and custom cutting tiles in unusual shapes costs extra. ![]()
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