FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We understand that you may have some questions before committing to a purchase, and we’re more than happy to provide as much guidance as possible. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get on various tile topics, including Wood Look Tiles, Porcelain Tiles, Ceramic Tiles, and more.

Wood Look Tile vs. Hard Wood Flooring

1. What are some of the advantages of Wood Look Tile when compared to Hard Wood?

The Wood Look Tile is much more durable and will not scratch or wear as real wood floors do.

2. How hard is it to tell the difference?

The trained eye can tell the difference, but the newer generation wood look tiles are very realistic.

3. How do you maintain each?

To maintain the Wood Look Tile you only need to sweep and damp mop. Real hardwood floors require refinishing periodically. This refinishing can be costly and quite messy as the floors have to be sanded and then refinished

4. What's an example of this "newer generation" Wood Look Tile?

The Boardwalk series from the Mediterranean is one of the most innovative Wood Look Tiles on the market. The HD imaging technology makes it very difficult to tell apart from real wood. It also offers a wide range of sizes.

Porcelain vs. Ceramic tile

1. What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic?

Porcelain is a much denser bisque and is also less porous than ceramic. Porcelain can be used outside where ceramic cannot. Porous ceramic can hold water which can turn into ice and crack in freezing temperatures. Porcelain is durable- it ages more slowly when a large number of people walk over it than ceramic tile.

2. What is the best material for the outdoors?

Porcelain tile that is selected properly is the best material for outdoors. Porcelain can be used outside whereas ceramic tile cannot. What’s more, porous ceramic can hold water, which can turn into ice and crack in freezing temperatures. Lastly, porcelain is durable- it wears slower in a high traffic environment, meaning it can last much longer.

3. Do ceramic and porcelain tiles need to be sealed?

No, they do not.

4. Is a smooth or textured surface easier to keep clean?

Smooth surfaces are generally regarded as much easier to keep clean than textured surfaces.

5. Is variation inherent within man-made tiles?

It can be depending on what tile you select. Some tiles are monochromatic whereas others have more variation. They are rated from low to high in variation.

6. Do I need to use a backer board?

Yes. Generally speaking, a backer board is recommended in most applications.

7. What is bullnose?

Bullnose is a trim piece used to finish raw edges in or on tile installations.

Tile used in commercial settings must adhere to guidelines set forth in the American Disabilities Act (ADA).

A final practical process in tile selection involves how you interact with the tile once it has been installed. Cleaning and maintenance are very important to maintaining the pristine condition of your tile and grout.

What Our Satisfied Customers Have to Say

4.8

Based on 70 reviews

See all reviews Write a review

Melcer Tile was the best place to put together my vision for our new home. Specially, Dawn was incredible - she has such a good eye... I relied heavily on her throughout the process. She provided guidance in such a thoughtful, patient way... It can be overwhelming to pull together a whole home and she made it easy and fun. I deferred to her expertise for so many decisions and am so pleased and excited about the look and feel of our home... Thank you, Dawn!

Jenny P.

14:22 19 Feb 24

Melcer Tile is absolutely an incredible tile company. Their knowledge of tile choices added to their incredible customer service is impossible to beat! Our experience working with Dawn’s knowledge and service was unparalleled.

Cindy I.

16:52 09 Oct 23

Melcer tile is a great resource for tile. We recently built our new home and they did a great job for us. Dawn was our rep. who was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process. Wouldn’t go anywhere else!

BG M

23:55 21 Nov 22

On our first visit to Melcer Tile, we just went in to look. Trying to familiarize ourselves with an unknown design process – a master bath remodel, we didn’t make an appointment, yet Lizzie De Leonibus greeted us, then proceeded to treat us as if we were valuable clients.Lizzie described some of the basics intrinsic to a successful bathroom remodel; she basically gave us a crash course in the process. In short order we learned about the Schluter shower installation, different types of material such as glazed tiles, porcelain flooring, and tile patterns.Lizzie easily answered all our questions, and we left feeling more confident.The following week, we made an appointment, specifically requesting Lizzie. Friendly and personable, Lizzie answers our questions without going over our head. We’d brought in quartz samples for the vanity countertop and a piece of existing flooring to see what might complement our selections. She then shared several complimentary color schemes. Once she understood our aim was a timeless look, she helped us fine-tune our selections. We chose certain colors and sizes of subway tiles, grout/epoxy color, and recycled glass shower flooring.She was so helpful, and she’s earned our trust.Lizzie suggested additional resources of information as a way to further empower us as we navigate color selections.In the middle of our appointment a client came in and brashly interrupted our conversation, yet Lizzie remained courteous. Hotheads exist, but they needn’t reign. Lizzie provided a calm response. With impressive composure, she resolved the issue with a few simple clarifications.We have chosen Melcer Tile for our remodel products. Thank you, Lizzie!Lisa and Lee Weatherwax

Lisa W.

20:39 13 Jul 22

Kenneth L.

14:54 12 Jul 22

Vinicius M.

14:04 10 Jun 22

I recently visited the showroom with the professional guidance from Jane and the added bonus of the owner, Jay Rauton, stopping by to offer additional assistance if needed and to say hello. The showroom and options are MANY and so tasteful. I was able to make my selections that same day and obtain a wonderful referral for installation. They make the process fun, informative without a pressure sales approach, and you leave happy and sure of your purchase.The installation resulted in a finished project that exceeded my expectations! It is absolutely beautiful! Thank you Melcer Tile, Jay and Amy Rauton, Jane, and Mike! What a wonderful experience and we highly recommend Melcer Tile in the Grant home.Sincerely,Jim and Amie GrantSummerville, SC

Amie G.

18:30 19 Mar 22

Excellent place to shopping for tile. Customer service and designer are great. Thank you so much.

Guillermo A.

16:52 28 Jan 22

Recommended. Dawn is helping us finalize the design for a kitchen backslash and can find the right accents in a major of colors, shapes, sizes and manufacturers. Most selections these days are a custom order, so allow for procurement lead time.

Nelson A.

07:15 14 Jan 22

Larry N.

21:12 04 Jan 22

Shane M.

23:30 07 Dec 21

They are very friendly and had me off loaded very quickly didn't mean to give a bad review the first time just hit the stars by mistake

Thomas B.

16:54 15 Sep 21

Dale H.

01:24 03 Sep 21

Monica A.

18:17 27 Aug 21

Jennifer is extremely kind and always willing to help. She goes above and beyond to ensure each client's design vision is possible.

Mikayla C.

20:00 20 Aug 21

Good selection . Jennifer was super helpful. They are redoing the contractor area. Showroom is amazing.

Robert L.

22:28 17 Aug 21

Karen H.

20:49 03 Aug 21

Carol Brooks was very helpful in the show room, has followed up on any changes after the order was placed, and always keeps us informed.

Michael S.

17:41 27 May 21

Good experience. Very helpful in picking out tile for two bathrooms, ensuring all the necessary accessories were ordered and following through with ordering and pickup. I will definitely use them again.

Kathy

10:54 27 May 21

We are currently working with Lisa Falzone at Melcer Tile. We are building a home in Kiawah, from the start of this journey Lisa takes time and listens to what we want and what we are trying to achieve . She has been sopatient with us , she is very knowledgeable about all of their product. She is creative and has a great sense of design from color to textures. I can’t say enough about our experience thus far . Making these important choices can be so stressful but with Lisa by our side it has been fun!!! Thanks Lisa for your expertise , patience and professionalism!!!

Tom B.

20:27 22 May 21

Lisa F. offered the best in professional design support as I navigated all the options for backsplash tile in my kitchen renovation. She helped me find the perfect solution that I will love for a long time.

Marty S.

22:14 21 May 21

We recently used Melcer Tile for our master bathroom remodel. Our design consultant was Karri and she was a huge help. My wife knew what she wanted but Karri went above and beyond as our consultant. With her help, we had the shower wall tile, the custom shower base tile, and the floor tile picked out within an hour. Melcer Tile has an awesome selection of tile and awesome employees. We also used them for our kitchen remodel a few years ago and I doubt we would go anywhere else for our tile needs. Thank you Melcer Tile!

Billy K.

21:41 21 May 21

Melcer is the premier and professional tile store serving greater Charleston for decades. The sales staff are keenly aware of their vast array of products and offer professional advice as they listen to your needs. Kate was especially helpful and her sense of design was spot on as I was choosing my tile. I highly recommend Melcer for your tile. They will help make your home beautiful.

Michael A.

16:28 21 May 21

Like many customers we came to pick out tile for multiple rooms and had some vague ideas of what we wanted.Our budget was much more defined than our design concept.Kate pulled together beautiful tiles within our budget and way beyond our expectations. She is the consummate professional who listens first and then pulls together the tangible products that bring your style and taste to life.Thank you Kate. We couldn’t be happier with the end result.And thank you Melcer for providing expert designers as an included part of your service.Bill and Lillian Bright

Lillian Salcines B.

16:11 21 May 21

Great selection of tiles, and very knowledgeable and personable staff.

Linda W.

19:12 13 May 21

Good service there 👍

jose J.

13:58 29 Apr 21

Lisa B.

17:57 14 Apr 21

Jimmy K.

20:43 31 Mar 21

Mary Kelly B.

21:23 02 Mar 21

I have been using Melcer Tile for many years but I have to pause to give credit where credit is due. I am an interior designer and to a certain extent, I am rather self-sufficient. However, there are times when I rely on the advice of the people that I consider experts in their field. These are the people who not only fill in the gaps, but take a project from average to outstanding. I would be remiss if I did not take the time to shine a light on two Melcer employees - Dawn & Jennifer - who always go the extra mile. These two women keep me in check with their attention to detail, appreciation of and sensitivity to the client’s needs, timeliness in their response, and overall professionalism. At one point, Dawn stepped in last minute and seamlessly picked up right where Jennifer had left off on a rather complicated client order. Their willingness to go above and beyond does not go unnoticed, certainly not to me. If they are any indication of the caliber of the rest of your staff (since I have mainly interacted with Dawn & Jennifer), you should be very proud of your operation. Thank you!

Marina C.

14:22 26 Aug 20

I went to Melcer Tile to see if we could find a match to the existing tile I had in a bathroom. I worked with Jennifer and she worked hard to try to find a match and sent samples directly to my house. In the end we chose a different route and now I have tile going in that's an improvement to what I had. Jennifer was SO helpful and fantastic to work with! Now to find another project so I can work with Melcer again...

Paige B.

16:33 22 Jun 20

As a Charleston interior designer, I rely on vendors with quality products and excellent service. Melcer Tile is my go-to for all my tile projects. The staff is knowledgable, friendly, and professional. They treat me the way I treat my clients-with graciousness and appreciation. Melcer Tile is a Charleston tradition that matters.

Alexandre F.

14:55 07 Apr 20

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ All the way! Walked in and was immediately greeted with a warm welcome from Dawn. She asked if we needed a designer and I said no. After looking and feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amazing choices, I asked for help. Kate stepped up and we looked at many choices. Finally landing on one my husband and I loved. Kate’s personality was perfect and patient with us. We were very indecisive. We will be back! Thankful for Citadel Enterprises and Peter Loy for the excellent recommendation!Way to go Kate!! We are super happy!! 😀

Annalyle A.

21:00 01 Apr 20

We used them for a new bathroom; in stock tile selection was great, service and design choices turned out awesome. There selection is enormous, and you can match and layout what you want. We will use them again for our tile needs.

Mike B.

12:38 10 Mar 20

Excellent professionalism and courtesy as well as knowledgeable staff.I was picking out tile for my bathroom and the sales associate was extremely helpful and patient with me. She followed up with an email with my bathroom design drawn out and sent a follow up thank you note.Best customer service ever!!

Barton C.

20:39 11 Feb 20

My husband Hugh and I are extremely happy with the service at Melcer Tile. Jay is outstanding in his compassion to give excellent customer service. He actually came to our home and helped guide us through a difficult repair even though we purchased the tile over 10 years ago! Definitely the best customer service and product in Charleston. We highly recommend Melcer to everyone.Hugh and Jeanne Williams

hugh g W.

17:23 07 Feb 20

I walked into Melcer Tile desperately in need of some ideas and tile selections to help pull a vision out of my head that I had for my place. I was so very fortunate to be teamed up with Kate Glanton. From the moment we met I could tell we would work well together. She was so patient and so very knowledgeable. Within moments Kate had various selections out and also incorporated other designers in the showroom to chime in with their insights as well. It was a total team effort but it was Kate that made it all happen for me. Her keen eye and her ability to listen to me and make those visions a reality will forever be remembered! I can't thank you enough Kate!I would highly recommend Kate for any future renovation project you have upcoming. She is as professional and as creative as they come.Thanks again Kate.....YOU made all of this happen!

Adam K.

14:46 21 Oct 19

Allison R.

17:27 13 Jul 19

Barry C.

00:42 26 Jun 19

Gertrude S.

20:14 26 Apr 19

Mike F.

14:21 23 Apr 19

Debbie F.

13:57 23 Apr 19

Best placed in Charleston South Carolina for all your tile needs see Roxy

Jeff S.

15:25 22 Apr 19

Juan Luis R.

15:56 13 Mar 19

Randy S.

17:44 06 Mar 19

Mary A.

16:06 27 Feb 19

Malinda F.

21:28 21 Dec 18

Excellent place to shop for tile. Very knowledgeable, helpful... and patient staff.

Elaine R.

20:42 19 Oct 18

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Contact Us for Mosaic Tiles & More!

Are you interested in designing your home or business with some of the best glass, mosaic, or porcelain tile options in the state of South Carolina? Reach out to us today and let us know what we can do for you! From kitchen and bathroom tile, we have what you are looking for!

4965 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29418

843-744-5345

Free Design Consultation

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