Melcer Tile
Article in South Carolina Homes and Gardens Magazine
For luminous beauty that lasts and lasts, smart home builders and remodelers buy tile. For almost unlimited choices and expert help in selection and design, smart shoppers buy their tile at Melcer Tile. Text: Beverly J. Phillips.
"Hands down, tile is the best choice for flooring or wall coverings," said Jay Rauton, president of the North Charleston-based business. While tile may be more expensive on the front end, the extra investment pays solid dividends because it is both beautiful and durable. It is also low-maintenance. "Installed properly, it will hold up forever."
Melcer Tile has six full-time showroom people at their Dorchester Road location and two full-time staffers at the recently opened John's Island location. They can work with customers on tile and color selections and do approximate drawings to show the color patterns.
"We can help people select all of their tile and decide how they want it laid, and then give the (design) sheet to the installer," Rauton said. "We can do as much or as little as people need."
He added that the process has gotten a lot more involved over the past 5 to 10 years. "Now you have a million and one choices." With the variety of patterns, sizes, textures, and materials, there actually can be thousands of options for the tile customer.
In addition to having a tremendous amount of tile in stock, Melcer Tile has a quick turn-around time on special orders, Rauton said.
Among the choices is whether to use man-made or natural materials. Rauton said his company imports slate directly from India and Travertine from Turkey. But while natural stone is gaining, the man-made products still make up the bulk of his business. Part of the reason for the popularity of man-made products is they cost a little less than the nature-made ones. Another factor is that man-made materials require less maintenance. Natural stone has to be re-sealed about every five years.
When it comes to color, a buyer's best bet is usually something in timeless tones that don't have to be changed with evolving trends. "Tile is a permanent entity." Rauton said.
Wall paper or paint color, unlike tile, can be changed in a day, so most buyers stick with neutral colors so they can redecorate more easily.
Because the 37-year-old Melcer Tile is locally owned and operated, "we don't have to call Tacoma for a decision," Rauton said. "We can do what we need to do to help the customer. We're very, very service oriented."
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