I went to pretty much every tile place in town looking for a filled, honed, medium shade travertine and couldn't find the right thing. I happened to be at my local Lowes and, low and behold, there it was. I needed 16x16 and they were 18x18, but since it was for a smallish bathroom floor, my contractor just cut them down. I knew it was a risk, but they didn't have any trouble cutting them down (no fill coming out, chipping, etc.). I don't think that the price was half the other places, but it was what I was looking for and have been very happy with it the past 2 months it has been installed.

I've bought a lot of items from both Home Depot and Lowe's over the years. I've found them to be customer oriented, easy to do business with, and they carry a wide assortment of products. I've had doors installed, carpet installed, bought appliances, tons of tools, hardware, you name it. I'm looking at vinyl tiles at both stores right now, and carpet at Lowe's. I pay close attention customer reviews. Other than that, I have noticed that they carry a wide price range of items within a product line, to suit what their customers want. In researching the vinyl tiles, I've noticed that H.D.'s store brand has a lot of excellent reviews. I have also noticed that both stores have the bottom of the line, inexpensive varieties that have problems. But I think that's more because of the PRICE and not because it's at H.D. or Lowe's. Some of the vinyl tiles have complaints that the top layer will scratch off, pieces not be squared, the tiles iwthin a box won't match in pattern, etc. So I think if you inspect in person, and buy something that is not the bottom of the line, it should be fine (paying attention to customer reviews). I don't know about ceramic tile, but for vinyl tile, I was able to buy a single tile, or pick up a sample, and take them home for color inspection, and scrape them with a knife to test for durability. The one thing that surprises me, but which I think is the case, is that if there is a manufacturing defect, and the tile has been installed, I'm not so sure the big box stores will credit you. They may serve only as an agent with the manufacturer for you. You'd have to check on that, since I'm not sure. But then all stores would be this way. I love the big box stores. So easy to do business with them.

I'll significantly disagree with terriks on that statement above. It's not just a quality discount, much like fabric from Joanne's. The tiles are first run, which means that the color is harder to match in the future (so buy extra, quite a bit) and often run on lesser quality materials which can mean that a finish will wear earlier or that the tiles can break easier. When it comes to stones, you get badly if at all gauged tiles as well. Personally, given that the cost of tiles is normally not as bad as the effort and cost of install, I'd buy one, then go compare it apples to apples at a quality tile shop. You'll see the difference likely. If the difference does not matter to you...no biggie, but if it does, than you should up that portion of your budget. I purchased subways from HD for the last house and then went to a local tile store. Theirs were obviously better quality when held side by side.

Well, we can get the Rittenhouse 3x6 but not the Modern Dimension 4x8 so looks like we are going with the ProSource pricing--need 4x8 bullnose too we are thinking a 3x6 basketweave pattern on top 3rd--chair-rail transition and then 4x8 in running bond...herringbone would have been an upcharge from the tile guy the shower is 72" back wall and end walls are 42"... i think the 3x6 on bottom third in running bond would be a little too busy and the 4x12 in Modern Dimensions is same price as 4x8 but they would be too long for short walls... Will the 4x8 be too boxy under basketweave?