The only thing I don't care for with U.S. Ceramics is that they decided back about 10 years ago to cut down the thickness of the tile as a cost cutting move. That made it a little more difficult to work with only because it breaks so much easier. Once installed, it's just as good as any other. Atleast with reference to their wall tile, anyway.

Although it's not really an inferior product in that it performs any worse than AO or Dal, I have a little sore spot with USCT (which also used to be known as Romany Spartan). Back about 12 years ago, in a cost cutting effort they decided to cut down the thickness of the tile, so it's about 2/3 the thickness of the other two, when all three used to be pretty much the same size. It used to be Romany was my favorite tile to use, until they "cheaped out". I was afraid if they did something like that that could be seen, what did they do that couldn't?

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.

We used Home Depot subway tiles for our guest bathroom in the house we sold last year. I loved the clean appearance of the white grout with the white tiles. I purposely chose a neutral palette as this was for resale. Also, this is sort of a weird angle shot, but you get the idea. We bought much of our reno supplies at HD (including travertine 3x6 & 6 x 6 tiles for the master bath). Overall, no complaints and our house sold in 12 days. Very pleased!