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In This Issue...
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Business Profile
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Tile Outlet Always In Stock in Soquel
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The Mid-County Post > Business Profile
Tile Outlet Always In Stock in Soquel
By Kristen McLaughlin
For the past two years, homeowners and do-it-yourselfers have turned to Tile Outlet, located at 4000 Cordelia Lane in Soquel, to meet the need for a wide array of high-quality tile products at affordable prices.
With all types of floor, wall and counter tiles, along with pre-fabricated granite slab countertops, Tile Outlet offers a complete selection of tiles along with the tools and supplies needed to install them, all in one helpful location.
One-stop shopping and individual service make Tile Outlet a choice for the weekend home improvement buff, just as with professional tile setters.
“A contractor or do-it-yourselfer can walk out with everything you need to do the job,” said manager Chris Matley .
With this kind of home improvement project, you do not want to be driving all over town for materials and tools, he added.
4,000-Square-Foot Showroom â€" from Travertine to River Rock
Tile Outlet in Soquel has a complete 4,000-square-foot showroom and a stocked warehouse. The public is welcome to stop in and see some of the latest designs and products.
“We have palettes right in the showroom so that you can touch and select,” Matley said.
With alternatives ranging from porcelain to ceramic, natural stone to river rock, and travertine to transparent colored glass, the variety of tile seems almost endless, but Matley and his staff have the knowledge and experience to help the customer select a tile to suit their needs while pleasing their sense of aesthetics as well.
Popular right now are slate, natural stone, and travertine tiles in earth tones of reds and browns. Travertine is softer than traditional marble tile, and since it’s not polished, has a matte finish opposed to the glossiness of marble.
The showroom also includes a full display of porcelain tile and trim in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Manufactured from clay, porcelain makes a good choice for those who want something that is consistent and durable, Matley explained.
“Most porcelain tiles are almost indestructible,” he said.
With a variety of colors such as Sahara Dream and Oregon Beige, there is something to satisfy any color scheme.
Natural Stone Including River Rock
For those who want something with a little more natural variation, Tile Outlet stocks a large section of natural stone products including slate and river rock tiles in a full range of colors and textures.
Often used for shower floors and outdoor spaces, the river rock tile is actually a 12 x 12 piece of mesh with smooth rocks already in place.
“You can set these down like a tile,” Matley said. “The installation takes a quarter of the time.”
Additionally, many of the natural stone products will require a sealant to become food and stain resistant, he noted.
Mosaics for Shower Floors
Still another option is to use mosaics and smaller tiles, a popular choice for kitchen backsplash designs.
“We sell a lot of that for backsplashes and shower floors,” Matley said.
The smaller tiles usually come in either square or rectangle-shaped pieces, and are well suited for shower floors since you will get better traction on a smaller tile, Matley added.
A modern take on traditional tile, pre-fabricated granite countertops are in high demand right now, Matley added.
“It’s unbelievable how much granite we sell,” he said. “It is a product that almost everybody can afford now.”
Matley added that simple renovations can also financially improve your home.
“It is also a perceived upgrade, especially in real estate when you sell,” he added. These popular countertops are sold in a variety of shades, all polished and ready to install, he said.
The tool selection includes everything you need from trowels to staples, spacers and more. There is also a full line of premium grout in dozens of colors and sealers available right in the showroom.
Better Prices, Better Selection
A resident of Aptos, Matley was born and raised in Santa Cruz County. He opened the Tile Outlet in Soquel in January 2006, with childhood friend Karl Moe.
While Moe chose to live in Lake Tahoe, he still wanted to operate the store in Soquel.
“He put all the money in, and I put in all the sweat,” Matley said. “This building was hollow when we first arrived.”
That hollow building is now stuffed with ideas for tile, granite, stone and a slew of design concepts for any room in your home.
An independently owned and operated store, Tile Outlet is part of a larger franchise network with close to 100 stores throughout the western United States, giving Tile Outlet the purchasing power of a much larger store.
Another benefit of being a franchise is they are always in stock, since each store can order additional product direct from a larger Sacramento warehouse”, according to Matley.
“Even though each store is individually owned, the nice thing is we get the buying power of a chain,” Matley said.
With better pricing, better shipping rates and a better selection of tile from all around the world, Tile Outlet has something for everyone, be it the weekend handyman or the experienced tile setter.
Tile Outlet is also a direct importer of tile from countries such as Italy and India. This added service enables Tile Outlet to keep prices low and compete with the bigger stores, while still offering personal service direct to the customer.
Being a direct importer means Tile Outlet receives products straight from the country of origin instead of from a middleman, Matley said.
Asked about his new neighbors, Matley said being across the street from the recently opened Home Depot has actually been good for business. When the store opened, business picked up, bringing more do-it-yourselfers to this part of town.
“It’s kind of like free advertising,” he said.
Tile Outlet is located at 4000 Cordelia Lane, off 41st Avenue in Soquel next to Cafe Cruz, across from Safeway. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 831-479-4300.
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