No tile guru here but I don't think you need one to determine that is quite a gimmick!
Basically what he is saying is Lowes gets only 2nds - hmmm then how the heck do they stay in business? If that were the case, they would certainly be out of the tile business.

Check out Lowes, HD and see if you have a Daltile wholesaler near you - I did and purchased mine fr. dal direct at excellent pricing.

BTW - if for any reason you did get a batch of tile that was not acceptable - you can return it for full refund or exchange.

"out of square" would mean that the manufacturers perhaps recalibrate the machines that punch the tiles out - so they aren't square!

You can check yourself - pull several tiles out and butt them up against one another - they should have a snug fit - depending on the tile - 3x6 dal subways, 4x4's etc will fit into one another

good luck

"I just have those boards, I really don't sell that stuff". Kind of like the tile he was pushing was far superior.

Actually, it was most likely because there wasn't as much of a commision in it for him (or her). Dal's a good tile, for the most part (stay away from their 13x13 lines like Alaska or Montana Series-- their sizing and squareness isn't the greatest). But the french Quarter's a good tile, as is their Continental Slate series of porcelain (although that might be a bit over your price point. The following series should be well within your price point, and should definitely have something you'll like:

Salerno (a great glazed travertine lookalike for the money-- I have pics if it interests you)

Ridgeview

Brazos

Gold Rush

VIllage Bend

Edgefield

Sierra

These should give you a place to start.

Also, so you don't have to depend on the salesperson to show you the samples, check them out on the website, and if you see something you like, go into the showroom armed with a series and color number and DEMAND to see it!! :-)

Website's below, and if you don't see anything you like, let me know, and we'll see what else we can dig up!

Here is a link that might be useful: Dal Tile

Thanks for the advice jejvtr and Bill. Everything is such a learning experience. We've decided not to go with that store. We've found a Dal Tile dealer about 20 miles from where we're building so we're going to check them out. Bill, thanks for the suggestions. I really like the Salerno, and the Ridgeview in Blue/Gray is just what we were looking for! The Continental Slate is gorgeous. We figure if we use a less expensive tile in the rooms that aren't going to be used as much, we could afford one that is a little out of our price range for the master bath. Thanks again! :)

I like the RD-06, myself. It's one of my favorite desgin colors. :-) Even as a field tile, matched with something like Mapei's Pearl Grey or Hydroment's French Gray grout, it makes for a nice slate-look:

This design is RD-02 and RD-06, and the field tile is RD-05:

I just went thru all the pics I have, and not a single shot of the most common use for that tile, which is as a mud room tile! Between that tile and a dark grout, it does a good job of hiding dirt and stains-- the perfect answer for kids and pets!

That last layout is spectacular...I can't decide if it's a star, a cross or what but it's gorgeous. And those tiny points that extend to the other tiles are just perfectly in line. Only in my dreams...
Susan ~

It's what's called a compass rose. It's one of my favorite designs to make. There's also a website linked below where I explained how to do it.

I DO have plans to turn it into a crucifix some one of these days, though. I've got the stone all picked out and everything!! Now all I need is the customer! :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Ceramic-Tile-Floor.Info

I hope amcofar doesn't mind me posting this link to the Kitchen forum, but just today she posted this picture of her Dal-Tile French Quarter floor. Gorgeous, isn't it?

Here is a link that might be useful: Amcofar's floor

Hey Bill, thanks for posting the pictures. Great job on the compass rose. Reminds me of a mariners compass quilt. If I had any doubts about using the RD06, I certainly don't now. I love it! Might even consider using it in the shower.

dmlove - the French Quarter does look gorgeous. I've just seen it on their website, not actually in a room. Looks great!

Bill Vincent...can you post the photos of Salerno? Please list the color and grout used. Also, Between Salerno and Brancacci (same cost), which would you choose to achieve the most dramatic masterbath? If it is Brancacci, would you go with Windrift Beige or Fresco Caffe? If anyone else is familiar with these tiles, please jump in. Thanks.

SL 83 with Mapei Chamois grout:

SL-82 with Mapei Pewter grout (stripe is SL-83):

SL-81 with Chamois grout:

The only one I don't have is SL-84

You truly do beautiful work...thanks for posting the photos.

I fell in love with the Salerno nubi bianche. We are not finished with the redo, but we used SL 81 with 122 linen grout on the walls and the darker 156 fawn grout on the floor.

twitchy,

I think Home Depot sells Dal, and they have a 20% off tile sale every 3 or 4 months. Ring them up to find out the next time it's on sale.

I agree with Bill that the Continental Slate series is a nice tile.

Mongo

Are those 10"x14" field tiles layed horizontally? Also, what size floor tiles did you use? From the photos, these tiles say "expensive"...very nice.

Bill,
Can you ID the tile shown in the attachment as Bath 3? You can enlarge the photos by selecting a photo and clicking on the magnifying glass button.

Thanks.

Here is a link that might be useful: flickr

Sorry, Don. I've never seen nor used that tile that I recall.

Thanks for letting me know, but we've just finished picking out our tile. We met with the tile installer, and he told us that if we went with any tiles from Home Depot or Lowes that he would charge an extra $1.00 per square foot for installation. So we ended up going back to the dealer we went to originally and dealt with someone else. Here's the tile we picked:

For the master bath floor: Ragno Riverstone Fuerte
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For the master bath shower: Daltile Goldrush Klondike White
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I was all set to go with the Daltile RD-06, but then I saw the Ragno Riverstone. We both really liked the look (and it was only .50 more than our budget).

Thanks again everyone for your help!

Bill,
Just one more request...do you have any photos of Brancacci in Windrift Beige BC02 or Fresco Caffe BC03? Thanks again for all your help. For anyone interested, I have the Daltile link for Brancacci below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Daltile Brancacci

I just used the BC-02 for the first time two weeks ago, but it wasn't anything special, so I didn't get any pictures. Sorry about that!! BC-03 I haven't used.

Thanks for the reply and all the help...I am going with Salerno SL-81 for our masterbath. This discussion and all the photos were a great help.

Your tile installer was going to charge more if you didn't buy tile where 'he' wanted you to? How odd...While I don't like home depot much, I have purchased and used Lowes tile. One advantage is that I can take single tiles back for return while the local tile places will only take a full box for return. IMO Lowe's tiles are as good as any I have bought elsewhere.