Home Improvement by Melcer Tile

Melcer Tile: A Lowcountry Tradition

Although it keeps growing as new businesses and residents continue to be drawn here, a great thing about living in the Lowcountry is that established businesses like Melcer Tile consistently offer state-of-the-art products and treat customers with respect and courtesy.

Melcer Tile, a ceramic tile company located in Charleston, SC has always been family-owned and operated. Selling to wholesale and retail customers throughout the region, only carefully-selected tile and natural stone are offered. In addition to stocking over 200 tiles, Melcer carries tools and setting materials for professional and do-it-yourself types.

Melcer Tile was established in 1968 by Mel Rauton. His son Jay Rauton has guided the company for the past 25 years. Jay has hand-picked a group of professionals that enjoy helping customers get fantastic tile at reasonable prices. 

Recently two employees celebrated anniversaries. Johnnie Love recently celebrated his 25th anniversary working in the warehouse and as Melcer's only delivery driver. Owner Jay Rauton commented, "Johnnie has never been late to work and has never called in sick. Johnnie's loyalty and dependability can only be found in very special employees. We are so proud to have had him as an employee for the last 25 years." 

Travis Kronman recently celebrated his 10th anniversary, starting as an inside salesperson and being promoted to purchasing manager. Travis also handles all IT issues. Jay Rauton commented, "Travis is an incredibly talented person who is effective in any role within our company. His dedication to customer service and to the success of Melcer Tile continues to amaze me".

 

How to Tile a Foyer

Tile has been around for thousands of years as a flooring material and it is still a beautiful, practical choice today. What many people fail to understand is that with planning, time, and careful attention to detail, just about anyone can install tile as part of a home improvement project.

An article titled  "Tiling a Foyer: How to Grout the Tile" on DIYnetwork.com gives step by step instructions on how to properly grout tile in a foyer area. Host Paul Wilson provides clear written descriptions of the steps of proper grouting including pictures, and also includes a video which describes and shows the grouting work being performed.

If you live in the Charleston, SC area, Melcer Tile  has been selling top quality tile products and providing installation materials, including grouting needs for home improvement since 1968. They also offer free tips and advice on how to install tile in any area that calls for beautiful, sturdy tile.

 

Updating the Bathroom with Tile

You may be considering updating your home in 2014 and tile is a fantastic material for improving bathrooms. In a recent article on MarthaStuart.com "Choosing Bathroom Tiles with Barabra" Martha asks expert designer Barbara Sallick to provide great advice for using tile in bathrooms.

Barbara points out, "Not only is it easy to clean, waterproof, durable, and eminently practical; tile also carries rich color and has a reflective sheen that opens up small spaces." Barbara also stresses that you hire a reliable, professional tile installer for your job.

          
Luckily if you live in or near the Lowcountry of SC, you have one the largest showrooms to view and order tile in the Southeast at  Melcer Tile. Located in Charleston, SC, expert staff at Melcer are ready to assist you in choosing the right tile material, color, and pattern for your bathroom. 

Are You Craving Tile for the Kitchen

Let’s face it; a great home always seems to have an inviting kitchen as its anchor. A fresh, modern kitchen may be closer than you may think, simply by adding quality tile products that protect and enhance the look of kitchen surfaces.

A recent article on HGTV.com, “Style Your Kitchen with the Latest in Tile” by Douglas Tratnner, explains trending uses of tile in today’s modern kitchens and describes four ideas that kitchen designers are very excited about for 2014:

1. Glass – for adding exciting visual highlights to backsplashes or accent areas
2. Metal – such as stainless steel, copper and bronze for matching appliances or adding polished contemporary style to accent walls or backsplashes.
3. Hardwood floors – Faux hardwood tile is attractive, economical, tough, and easy to maintain.
4. Framing a window – Using tile to create unique blends of color and texture around windows.

Tile allows the homeowner to create a unique space where sunlight, artificial light, color hues, tones, materials, and textures combine to make the kitchen more inviting for all of your senses.

Located in the beautiful Charleston, SC area, Melcer Tile, can furnish glass, metal, hardwood, window framing, and many more tile products. Melcer’s wide range of choices helps homeowners, contractors, designers, decorators, etc. to incorporate tile products throughout the home.

Remember, this coming year, tile is one of the most versatile and attractive materials to consider for your kitchen.

Related articles

Solutions On Kitchen Back Splash Tiles Remodelling

Mel’s Filling Station & Automobilia Museum

Melcer Tile founder Mel Rauton has an interesting hobby anyone can notice while driving by Melcer Tile’s showroom in Charleston, SC. Tucked just behind and to the side of the showroom, is a replica of an early 20th century gas station full of antique cars, trucks, and memorabilia.

Mel’s Filling Station & Automobilia Museum is located at 4955 Dorchester Rd., North Charleston, SC 29405. Built in 1993 by Mel Rauton, the facility houses Mel’s antique car collection. Mel is a true car enthusiast, but he especially enjoys collecting and showing antique cars.

Mel grew up in Lyons, GA, and has fond memories of the back-in–the-day car refueling and repair stations he visited as a youngster. That’s back when there was no such thing as self-serve gas, and you could enjoy an ice cold soda in a thick glass bottle for just a nickel. Mel created his station as a tribute to that era.

Mel’s station was featured on FX TV Network’s Collectible Show and has been visited by hundreds of car lovers and auto club members from all over the country. At Mel’s, you can also checkout an amazing collection of license plates including SC plates from 1917 to present, plates from every US state, plates from every province & territory of Canada, and more.

You can view antique and classic motor oil cans, nostalgic advertisements, photos depicting the golden age of the automobile, and at least 2-4 antique cars. Stop by Mel’s Filling Station & Automobilia Museum soon to reminisce, and head back to the best days of cars and driving.

  

 

 

 

4 FAQs about Wood Look Tile versus Hard Wood Flooring

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

How hard is it to tell the difference?

How do you maintain each?

Click here to find out.

The 3-Step Method to Tile Selection: S.C.T.

The SCT model is an attempt to make tile and stone selection as simple as possible. There can be thousands of choices in a large tile showroom. Making the choices below can substantially decrease some of the confusion associated with making tile and stone selections.

 

Click here to continue reading.

 

 

The Art of Tile Design—Curved Wall

This project, a custom design for homeowner Jeri Finke, was featured in Charleston Home + Design Magazine.

The uniquely designed curved wall was inspired by Mrs. Finke's architect and was brought to life by Jill Mahoney of Melcer Tile. When Jeri's builder, Carter-Bignon, sent Jeri into Melcer for her design consultation, Jill was eager to get creative. Jeri was very receptive to Jill's ideas. Finding the tiles that follow the curved wall was a big challenge. The porcelain tile Jill suggested was made by the Italian manufacturer Atlas Concorde. Its unique design allowed craftsman Sid Fowler of Fantastic Floors to construct the wall that separates the master closet from the master bath.

As you can see, the outcome is quite distinctive. Charleston Home + Design quoted Jill: "I've got to say, it's breath taking."

Another notable part of the Finke project with Melcer Tile was the tiny square tiles in both the kitchen and wet bar areas. 

Melcer Tile in Charleston is South Carolina's largest ceramic tile, marble, and granite showroom.

We'll Be At the Custom Home and Remodel Show

If you want to get Ideas for Your Custom Home or Remodelling Project, come see us at the Custom Home and Remodel Show  in Charleston, SC from August 24-26 at the Citadel's Johnson Hagood Stadium.

 

Melcer Tile will be there with our knowledgeable staff on hand to show a wide variety of natural stone, ceramic, porcelain, and glass tile.

We've found shows like this are a great opportunity to immerse yourself in visual ideas for your home or business and we'd love to meet you and help you plan your next project.

 

 

4 Ways to Upgrade Your Pool with Tile or Stone

With summer here, maybe you are spending more time around your pool. Tile is a great way to enhance both the appearance and value of your pool, making it even more enjoyable. Here are four different ways for you to better your pool using tile:

Stone pavers and coping for pool decks

Stone pavers and copings can beautify the look of your pool as well as adding value to your home. Stone pavers are usually travertine and come in a variety of colors and sizes. Matching copings are also available in these travertine colors. The Versailles pattern is a mixture of 4 different sizes and is very common option for pool surrounds.

 

Porcelain tile for the water line

Porcelain tiles can be used at the water line to enhance the look of your pool. The size options are endless but the 6X6 size is the most common for waterline applications. There are many color and texture choices available in porcelain tiles. 

 

Glass tile for the entire pool or the waterline

Glass tiles have grown tremendously in popularity for pool tile applications. There are many color and sizing options available. *

 

Traditional pool tile

 

Traditional pool tile is generally 6X6 in size and is readily available in both field tile as well as depth markers.

Andrea Futeral at Aqua Blue Pools says "There are a variety of porcelain tiles that can be used in swimming pools. The going trend is a tile that is more natural looking and blends in with the surrounding environment. For example: if the swimming pool's backdrop is of the march, then the tile selected tends to be a combination of those colors that will blend together nature in addition to the materials used on the house and other surrounding structures.

*not all glass tiles are suitable for pool installations. Make sure you check with a professional before you make a choice.