Ceramic, Porcelain Tile Selections at Ground-Floor Prices

Redoing a kitchen or bath with ceramic tile is one of the most popular and decorative ways to achieve not just a fresh look but one that’s easy to care for and will last a long time.

If you’re doing anything larger than a small counter top, the money you save at Valley Tile Factory Outlet is well worth the drive to San Gabriel.

The selection of 400,000 square feet of tile in the showroom warehouse is impressive, and Valley Tile Factory has immediate access to more than 6 million square feet from the main warehouse.

They import direct from factories around the world; and quality names, such as Datile, Azuvi, Casa de Italia and Crossville, are on their pallets.

Although porcelain tiles once were quite expensive, a recent purchase of factory close-outs measuring 12-by-12 and 16-by-16 inches are selling here for 99 cents to $1.19 per square foot as opposed to $2.50 to $3.59 at many stores.

There are six colors to choose from. Another new arrival--100,000 square feet of 16-by-16-inch ceramic tiles that often sell for $2.99 per square foot. The price until they’re gone is 99 cents per square foot.

On porcelain and ceramic tile close-outs, there’s a 10% discount when you buy a full pallet.

The staff has many years’ experience selling flooring and can help with designs, as well as information on installation.

Incurable bargain hunters love the 59-cent final sale section. When manager Steve Slutzah gets down to the last few boxes of any tiles, they end up here and there’s usually enough to do a small entryway or bathroom.

Valley Tile Factory Outlet, 1618 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel. Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (626) 572-0600. Also, 1730 South E St., San Bernardino. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (909) 384-0800.

Weekend Supersale: Probably the best sale around this weekend is the clearance at Flaphappy’s warehouse outlet in Santa Monica, where quality apparel for boys and girls (newborn to size 14) is wholesale and up to 90% below. Merchandise consists of samples, past seasons’ styles and some irregulars. Sale goes through Saturday.

Flaphappy’s, 2330 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 453-3527.