home improvement: October 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

The Difference Between Terracotta and Saltillo Tiles

Terracotta tiles are produced exclusively in the town of Saltillo, Mexico and in much the same way that sparkling wines can only be called Champagne if they are from the Champagne region of France, sun-dried terracotta tiles can only be truly called Saltillo if they were produced in Saltillo. These tiles are shaped by hand from naturally occurring clay in the area and then dried in the sun. They are later fired in a kiln. Terracotta, meaning "burnt earth" in Italian, can refer to any sort of natural clay formed into tiles, dried, then fired in a kiln. Saltillo tiles normally contain Lime Pops which expose themselves over time and are frequently absent in Italian clays. In addition, the Italian, French, and Spanish terracotta can frequently be more durable due to their extruded manufacturing process.

Terracotta tiles are predominantly made in one of two ways: extruded (machine made) or hand made. Both methods will service the client well as long as the material is properly installed and the end user's expectation corresponds to the intended use of the product. The major advantage of extruded terracotta manufactured by machine is that the clay is compressed and trimmed to the proper size, producing a strong, solid finished product. If we compare this to the process of making a snowball, the harder we push the snow together, the more we compress it, the harder and stronger our snowball is. The less we compress it the more likely our snowball is to break apart. The machine compression process allows for less clay to be used during production which can reduce material and shipping costs. The compression and then firing of the material creates a strong and durable tile that should withstand daily wear and tear of most consumers.

A hand made material, such as Saltillo, usually requires much more clay during the production process and is made similarly to the way kids make mud pies. The craftsmen pack the clay into wood or ceramic frames which define the size of each tile. As the size of the tile increases the thickness of material must also increase to maintain the integrity of each tile. An example is a 12" x 12" handmade material may need to be approximately ¾" thick. As the size of the tile increases to a 16" x 16", the thickness of material needs to increase to a minimum of approximately 1" to prevent the tile from crumbling or breaking during the installation process. The added clay required in the hand made process usually increases material and shipping costs.

When a hand made clay tile is fired at high temperature, the heat extracts the moisture from the clay causing several results that must be considered during the selection process. Small pockets of air are in the tile where moisture had been before firing making a very porous product. This porosity means that this type of terracotta is a poor choice for an outside application in a colder climate where freeze/thaw conditions exist. Also, the tiles frequently bow during firing. The larger the tile, the more exaggerated and pronounced the curl will become during the firing process. The added thickness of material and bowing (which increases the absolute thickness) needs to be considered when attempting to match materials to existing floors. Hand made material usually also requires a thicker mortar base during the installation process which can further compound floor thickness challenges. In other words, will the terracotta's and setting material's added thickness allow it to be set next to an existing floor or adjacent to carpet without excessive lippage.

In the end, handmade or extruded terracotta or Saltillo will hold up well if properly installed and I have seen many installations hold up for over 50 years. The key to a successful project is the selection of a quality terracotta or Saltillo, proper substrate preparation, using proper setting materials and methods appropriate for the installation, and completed by a licensed tile contractor familiar with these types of installations.

Ken Tims is co owner of Facing of America. Facings of America is a 41 year old family owned and operated tile, stone and Architectural Feature Distributor that operates two award-winning showrooms in Arizona. http://www.facingsofamerica.com Facings of America has a national reputation for suppling the highest quality tile, stone, glass tile and Architectural Features in the industry and having the most knowledgeable staff to assist clients with their projects. Ken Tims has an extensive background in management and leadership practices. Visit http://www.facingsofamerica.com for more details

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Ceramic Kitchen Wall Tile To Make Your Kitchen Come Alive

Formed from clay mixtures and usually fired at high temperatures, ceramic tile is commonly employed for floors, countertops, bath surrounds, wall coverings and many more. Generally, these tiles, which are used for counters and walls, are glazed. It is because glazed tiles are great for keeping water away and they are also way easy to clean. Also, ceramic kitchen wall tiles are employed to add a touch of style to your otherwise drab-looking kitchen.

But ceramic tiles aren't the sole type of that can be used for kitchen walls. Porcelain and stone tiles can also be employed. Just make sure that you are knowledgeable of the differences of each type for you to make the right choice.

Installing Ceramic Kitchen Wall Tiles

Whether you are thinking of functionality or stylish looks, ceramic kitchen wall tiles can be an excellent choice. This type of tiles can be ideal for your countertops, around and behind the kitchen sink and on walls because they have the capability to protect them from moisture and water. Another reason why ceramic tiles are used is because they allow you to create attractive accent on your walls.

Before installing your kitchen wall tiles, the very first thing that you must do is to measure the kitchen wall in order to know the number of tile that you will need. Also, decide on the size of tile that will best fit your wall and the theme of your kitchen. If you are planning to employ a unique design, then you must get different tile sizes; you can purchase tiles with different colors too. If colorful kitchen is cool for you, you can also use various tile colors all through your kitchen wall.

Grout held the ceramic wall tiles together. This is a type of mortar that is put between tiles to make them stay in place and fill the gaps between them. The excess can simply be wiped away. Once the grout is dry, it naturally hardens in order to hold each tile together and in their respective places. Grout also comes in different colors and applying this is one of the most significant steps when installing kitchen wall tiles.

You can apply the ceramic tile directly over drywall. If the wall is likely to be damp, a special drywall that's moisture resistant should be employed. Or else, the tile can be mounted to a backer board or a mortar bed. A backer board is composed of a ceramic aggregate core encrusted with a thin fiberglass mesh. It is used to help protect your kitchen wall structure from possible damages and also to make the ceramic tiles stick longer and better. For those who apply tiles to kitchen walls having a thick mortar bed, mortar-type adhesive or thinner mastic is important.

If one or some of your ceramic tiles get chipped or cracked, they can't be repaired anymore. The best and only solution is to get a replacement. If you notice loose kitchen wall tiles, check first the condition underneath before you refasten them. Moisture beneath the tiles commonly causes loosening. Be very sure that you remedied the problem and the backing is in tiptop condition. When looking for replacement tiles, be sure to find one that's similar to your existing wall tile.

Your kitchen wall tiles should be attractive enough to make your kitchen livelier; they must contrast, stand out or blend with the kitchen cabinets and floor tiles.

For kitchen tile ideas, visit http://www.kitchentile101.com

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Thursday, October 29, 2009

How to Install Kitchen Tile in Your Home

The chore of having to install kitchen tile in your home can be a daunting task. You know you will be on your hands and knees most of the time. You can lessen your time on the floor if you just know how to do it the right way. The job that you thought would take a professional to do properly can be part of your own list of achievements.

Follow these steps if you want to install kitchen tile in your home:

1. First things first, you need to prepare all the things you need for the home improvement project. Items such as backer boards, tile spacers, wax pencils, sponges, cloths and a bucket will be highly useful.

2. Cover the floor surface that you want tiled with backer boards. Make sure that the edges meet and that you secure them properly. This will serves as an important foundation for your kitchen tiles. You can use coarse thread 1 ¼ inch screws to secure the backer boards into place.

3. Next step to installing kitchen tiles is to find the center of the floor. A neat trick to do this is to draw a line using chalk from one corner to the one across it. Repeat this step for the other corners and there you will find the center of the floor. X marks the spot.

4. Mix the mortar for the tiles according to the instructions and make sure to remember to use tile spacers when laying down the tiles on the floor. After that, you should let the tile set for 24 hours and then you already have install kitchen tile in your home.

Tired of your old lifeless kitchen? Learn how to install kitchen tile and turn your dream kitchen into a reality. Install ceramic tiles now!

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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Kitchen Floor Ceramic Tile

Installing ceramic tile flooring in the whole bathroom is often done without even blinking an eye. But, when someone suggests installing these same tiles as a kitchen floor, suddenly red flags sprout up all over the place. Ugh, I'm not really sure if I want to do that. This is going to take a little thinking about.

Ceramic tiles, we probably would all agree are beautiful, and easy to clean. They definitely are strong and durable. Have you ever tried to purposely crack one? Maybe these reasons are precisely why they create such a magnificent kitchen floor. Consider for a moment the huge variety of colors and patterns that are available for the average homeowner to utilize when designing their "one of a kind" new kitchen tile floor. There are floral designs, geometric designs, stripes, even cork circle designs and etc. Every primary color, secondary color, and in between shades of the rainbow are available. A quick walk through your favorite ceramic tile dealer's store will probably amaze, as well as confuse you.

There is no other room that receives as much foot traffic as the kitchen does. The kitchen usually is the meeting place for every member of the family. Visitors, too, like nothing better than to hang out at the kitchen table; just sipping their coffee while gossiping, I mean discussing, the rest of the world. Kitchen ceramic tiles are scratch resistant and, most important, they are fire resistant. They also have an oven baked glaze on them. Therefore, everything from ordinary water to spilled grease can be easily wiped away.

Ceramic tiles do have one drawback. They are meant to be permanent. Therefore, devote some quality time to the selection of your new tiles. They will be very difficult to remove at a later time.

Jonathan is the owner of Flat Fee MLS Listing Denver, a Flat Fee MLS company that specializes in placing For Sale By Owner (FSBO) properties on the Realtors® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a low one time flat fee. Please visit Denver Flat Fee MLS Listing to learn more about their services and the Flat Fee MLS packages they offer.

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Ceramic Tiles - Choosing Ceramic Tiles For Your Kitchen

If you are in the process of refitting your kitchen and want some advice on choosing the ceramic tiles you need then please read on.

I am a huge fan of ceramic tiles in the kitchen area. As your kitchen needs to be hygienic and bright ceramic tiles make an ideal choice as they meet both of these requirements. They can be wiped cleaned easily and come in some so many designs these days you can pretty much guarantee that you will find a style to suit your color scheme.

Done well I truly believe that ceramic tiles can even add value to your home when compared to other finishes such as wallpaper and paint.

Some points to consider when selecting your tiles

Durability - Kitchens tend to be high traffic areas and also have a lot of heavy appliances in them such as fridges and dishwashers. Some discount ceramic tile stores offer a rating system called PEI which indicates how hard wearing a tile is.

Colour - Choosing the colour of your tiles is definitely going be a personal decision. I do suggest that in addition to considering the colour of your kitchen units and appliances' think about the overall impact of the colour you choose. For example dark colours can make a kitchen space look smaller.

Tile Size - The size of the tile you choose can also impact on the look and feel of your kitchen. Remember that bigger tiles can be installed much more quickly as each tile covers more space. However smaller tiles tend to look better in a smaller kitchen.

For more information about ceramic tiles go to http://www.discountceramictilefinder.com right now.

Jessica Hannah is prolific writer covering a wide range of topics such as entertainment, lifestyle, beauty, health and more.

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Marble Tiles - Tips in Cleaning

Marble is a delicate stone because it has slightly unbalanced chemical mixture. Calcium carbonate is one of the main ingredients of marble and because of this is can react immediately with any kind of acid that may result into some blemishes and pits.

This is the reason why you have to be aware of the right ways in cleaning and maintaining it. There are some cleaning agents that are required to use in maintaining it. You have to strictly follow it to avoid damaging your marble tiles.

Most of the time homeowners use lukewarm water in cleaning the marble tiles in order to maintain its appealing look. You have to use softy cloth and avoid using abrasive cleaning pads for it may damage your marble flooring. You have to wipe it dry after cleaning it.

Though this stone is very delicate, it is still quite easy to clean. What is important is you should know what you are dealing with. You can apply light wax in order to shield the marble tiles. But you have to know that wax cannot provide additional luster to the tiles. This simple technique is just a protection for your marble tiles.

Marble is an elegant material and nothing can compare with what this stone can provide your home. It can give your home a luxurious appeal and a unique design that no other materials for flooring can provide. Marble can last for a, long period of time, but it is important to know that this stone is porous and very sensitive with acids. In case there is a spillage of coffee, juice and wine, it can be easily stained. Stain can make your flooring dull the polish easily even if it is sealed.

Keep in mind that it is not a good idea to install marble tiles for your flooring in the kitchen and bathroom. It can be appropriate for powder room, table tops, tub surround, shower, floor tile and stairways. Cleaning this kind of stone is easy but you have to make sure to maintain it properly in order to make your countertop in top condition.

Nowadays there are lots of homeowners who install marble tiles in the bathroom and kitchen but there is a need for them to buy the right cleaning agents in order to avoid the marble from getting dull. It is not difficult to maintain marble tiles but make it sure that it is properly maintained. In order to make it pleasing to the eyes and attention-catcher, you have to make it sure that it is free from any grime and dirt everyday.

Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - SEO Company.

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Granite Kitchen Backsplash Tiles Substitute The Granite Countertops

Incorporating kitchen tiles into the design of your kitchen is a good way to bring out the beauty of your countertops and cabinets. Great granite kitchen backsplash tile is another important addition to kitchen decor. Because kitchen tile comes in all colors, sizes and materials it is possible to mix several colors to produce a certain design element, such as creating a stone or a marble look.

Kitchen backsplash tiles is not only used for floors, but also used on walls, as a backsplash or on countertops using specialty tiles with unique designs. Decorated ceramic tile backsplashes go with granite or carina countertops as well as tile.

Decorative kitchen tile can be used in countless number of ways in a tiled area. Most painted tiles are made of ceramic because of its extensive range of colors and designs. Kitchen tiles works especially well on a vertical surface, providing a durable surface that is resistant to stains and splashes. On vertical surfaces the grout is less subject to stains than on countertops. Kitchen tiles are also water resistant, making them advantageous for any kitchen counter. While kitchen tiles have many advantages you must be concerned about cleaning grout. Grout must be cleaned regularly or it will stain. Kitchen tiles can also chip and crack requiring replacement.

Benefits Of Great Granite Kitchen Backlash Tiles:

Granite is next only to diamonds in stiffness. It is only the best work exterior obtainable. Its refined end will not wear off. Unlike marble, synthetic and laminate countertops, granite countertops will not blister, scratch or crack; and they are very stain challenging. Granite countertops can take a hot pot with no the use of a trivet. In addition, its cool elegant surface is perfect for rolling out pastry dough. Granite countertops are a gorgeous, durable and cost spirited solution for kitchens, baths and added residential applications or marketable applications.

All Granite and Marble business is the leader in production and setting up of natural stone countertops. This will provide customers with the highest quality of workmanship and stone while keeping products at reasonable. This granite counter tops offer a wide range of products related to natural stone fabrication. This made up designing floors, walls, indoors and outdoors, delivering the best excellence to your home - your bathroom, shower, tub, Jacuzzi. From kitchen countertops, through vanity tops, Jacuzzi and fireplace setting to full wall and floor paneling - these products forever made-up with the utmost precision and quality. You can install granite counter tops for bathrooms, kitchen, custom counter tops, Stone countertops, Soapstone countertops and more.

You can also find more info on Granite Tile Countertops and Marble Granite Tile. Kitchengranitecountertophelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Kitchen Granite Counter Top.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

Selecting the Right Kitchen Tile

Tile, especially porcelain or ceramic tile, is an excellent choice for a kitchen floor because it's easy to maintain, durable, and given the variety of colors and sizes available for every budget, you're guaranteed to find kitchen tile perfect for your home. Here are a few tips to follow before hitting the tile showrooms to better prepare you to choose the right kitchen tile.

Types of Kitchen Tile Available

Kitchens typically see a lot of action, from high traffic to food splatter, to accidentally dropping a dish. This means that the tile floor you choose should be both durable and easy to clean. If, however, your kitchen is seldom used, and is mostly for show, you can be less discerning of what materials you need.

For instance, natural stone, such as slate, is beautiful and comes in a variety of shades and sizes, but will most likely chip if a heavy pot is dropped on it and could stain if not sealed properly. Natural stone also requires upkeep, such as sealing the tile once a year (sometimes more if your kitchen falls into the first category), so you might want to consider a natural stone for elsewhere in your house or perhaps as a backsplash.

The most durable and popular forms of tile are glazed kitchen ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles. These tiles don't need to be sealed, so there is virtually no upkeep other than routine cleaning. Also, you can choose porcelain or ceramic that was designed to simulate a natural stone product so you get the beauty of natural stone without the hassles of the real thing.

You can also purchase tile that mimics hardwood flooring, also without the upkeep of actual hardwood. Glass tile and mosaic tiles are best used as accents in areas that won't receive high traffic or best reserved for a backsplash, especially since these are more expensive and will get the most attention above your counters rather than under your feet.

Measure, Determine Budget and Gather Samples

Measure your kitchen (multiplying length by width) to get an approximate square footage-don't worry about being exact because you'll need to figure in about a 10 to 15 percent surplus for cuts and mistakes. Then, determine a budget and divide it by your kitchen measurement so you have an idea of the price per square foot you're willing to pay once you're in the store. Don't forget about paying for labor if hiring a contractor when determining your budget.

Also, gather color samples from your kitchen, such as a paint swatch, a cabinet door and even a countertop sample if possible. This way, once you're in the showroom, you'll be better equipped to choose possibilities that will work with your current color scheme. It's best not to buy impulsively, even if you fall in love with a particular tile. Take several samples home so that you can see tiles in your lighting, in your home, and make sure to put it against any flooring that might connect to the kitchen as well as pay attention to how it looks in both natural and artificial light. You'll be surprised what looks great in the showroom could look completely different in your home. It's best to take your time and get it right, because tile is not something easily replaced once installed.

Bob Fischer contributes to KitchenDesignsRemodeling.com, which specializes in offering kitchen design ideas, as well as kitchen ceramic tiles .

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Using Glass Tile For Kitchen Back Splashes

Do you want to add luster and sparkle to your kitchen back splash? Then glass tiles are the only choice! These tiles are spectacular and are available in clear, frosted, linear or iridescent finishes and can even be slip proof for floors!! Glass is actually incredibly durable and non-porous making glass a perfect choice for the kitchen.

The downside of glass is that these tiles can be very tricky to cut and very expensive. Installing glass kitchen back splash tiles is very similar to installing ceramic tile only your choice of grout color is very important. Since most glass tiles are translucent, imperfections in your grouting job will show through the tile. Since these tiles are translucent, their color will also be affected by your grout color choice therefore it is recommended to use a white grout so that the true color of the tile will show through.

Glass mosaic tile back splashes

Glass 1x1 mosaic tiles are quite expensive running at approximately $30 sq where larger glass tile sheets are less. One way to include glass into your back splash design without blowing your budget is to use smaller glass mosaic boarder sheets. These sheets combine excellently with ceramic or stone tiles and work wonderfully on their own when applied to a painted back splash surface.

Solid glass tile back splashes

Another fabulous option for kitchen back splashes is solid glass slabs. Solid pieces of clear or colored glass can be installed between kitchen counters and kitchen cabinetry creating a luminous and fluid like effect for your kitchen back splash. Solid glass is also quite expensive and will show dirt and grime easier however this surface is very easy to keep clean as it is seamless.

Sculpted glass kitchen back splashes

As evident in glass blowing, glass is a material which can be heated and then sculpted into incredibly beautiful pieces. If you are serious about creating a unique kitchen backsplash, there are glass manufacturing experts who can create some amazing pieces that could be worked into a kitchen backsplash for you. The more complex they are however, expect cleaning to be a nightmare!

!!important tip for white glass tiles!!

If you want to use a white glass tiles in your kitchen back splash design, beware that most white glass tiles will actually have a light green appearance!! It will never look like true white. If white is your color of choice and you wish to use glass tiles then frosted glass tiles are your only hope. These tiles create a much whiter appearance.

Michael Kyle is Co-founder of The The Sexy Kitchen.com and Sexy Bathroom.Com Two great web sites dedicated to Kitchen & Bathroom Design, Planning and Materials as well as a great resource for design photo's and entertaining.

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Kitchen Floor Tiles

If you are having a problem with your kitchen floor then maybe it's time you think about new kitchen floor tiles. Having new tiles placed on the floor of your kitchen can be very refreshing. You don't have to be experienced or a professional to install them yourself. If you don't have to think about paying someone to do it then that money can go towards buying better floor tiles. Everyone has their own taste when it comes to something like this, you can be creative and create a beautiful theme. The tiles you see in most home and are used for other places like the bathrooms or foyer area are the ceramic tiles, another type that is beautiful and natural is stone, and the last type that is not too common is quarry.

Ceramic is used much more often than stone because it is affordable. This is a man made tile that you can purchase in any color you look for. Tiles like this are easy to wipe and easy to keep clean. Although they the most affordable there are many types of ceramic tiles that might be just as expensive as marble.

Stone kitchen tiles include marble and granite. The most popular of them is the granite. Whenever you hear the word marble you immediately assume it will be very expensive. You might have noticed that we are seeing it more and more in homes and show rooms. The good news about it is that the prices for marble is going down now that they are finding more of it in countries like India.

Quarry isn't something the common person has heard about. It isn't as favorable as the ceramic and stone tiles but it is very beautiful to have. Most people want the uniform look on their floors with a smooth flat surface. Quarry doesn't offer that, it looks like bricks and isn't as smooth.

Ceramic, Stone, and quarry are all excellent to have not only on the floors of the kitchen but anywhere else you can put tiles. There is no special treatment required to install them and they are a great way to renew your kitchen.

If your kitchen needs any change, try changing your Kitchen Lighting .

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Bathroom Shower Tile Ideas

Nowadays designing the bathroom following different themes has become a trend. To make your bathroom look luxurious yet comfortable, you must choose tiles of perfect colors. You must also go for a proper bathroom shower tile ideas as it will add up to the splendor of your bathroom. These shower tiles are found in various shapes and designs and each of these designs is found in different price ranges.

Thus, while selecting your bathroom shower tile ideas, firstly you will need to decide on your budget and then select the materials accordingly. You can get bathroom shower tiles made of different materials, for example, stone, cobble stone, marble, glass etc.

Very common mistake that most people make is that they spend many bucks for buying beautiful curtains and accessories. You must realize the fact that, having a great bathroom shower tile idea can provide a wonderful ambience to your bathroom at a much lower cost. Choosing the right color of the shower tiles will depend on the size of the bathroom. If the size of the bathroom is small, it is preferred to use light color tiles, as due to more reflection of light, the bathroom will seem to look bigger.

There is also another easy process of decorating your tiles. You can change the colors of your old tiles by painting them according to the theme you chose from different bathroom shower tile ideas. You can use multiple colors to make the bathroom look more attractive.

The painting procedure must be carried out carefully. It is advisable to use enamel paint for the shower tiles as they are highly water resistant and also resistant to frequent changes of temperature which are quite common for any bathroom.

You can also make the painting procedure easier by using stencils to decorate the area around the shower. Stencils are very convenient to use, cheap to buy and are available in any local crafts store. You can buy the stencils according to the theme of your decoration. The popular themes available are waves, beach balls and others.

Not only the choice of color of the tiles enhances the look of the bathroom, but proper bathroom shower tile ideas can also make the bathroom look more beautiful. For more resource on bathroom tile ideas please visit http://www.bathroom-tile-ideas.net

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Bathroom Tile Ideas for Bathroom Floor Tile

Bathroom tile ideas for bathroom floor tile can help you know what options to consider for your bathroom. Bathroom tile comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, patterns and textures and they are the basis for any bathroom design. Bathroom tile ideas can help you have the very best bathroom possible.

Ceramic bathroom floor tile is often used because of its durability, resistance to dampness, its safety to walk on when wet and its ease of cleaning. If you select ceramic tiles for your bathroom, consider using a tile that has a slip-resistant surface for bathroom safety, which is one of the best bathroom tile ideas. If you buy and install unglazed tiles, they will need to be washed frequently because they absorb stains quite easily. Bathroom floor tile shapes can be squares, rectangles, hexagons and octagons while accent pieces can be narrow and small diamond-shaped.

Here are bathroom tile ideas for bathroom floor tile:

1 - If you use solid color ceramic bathroom floor tile in your bathroom, you can add tile borders of a different color to the tile floor, or you can create a border by alternating different colors. This kind of visual treatment can create a more interesting bathroom floor.

2 - When using the same color ceramic tile for the floors and walls, choose a different tile size for the walls or lay the wall tiles diagonally to create a more interesting visual effect.

3 - Another of the bathroom tile ideas is to choose a grout color that contrasts with the ceramic tile color. For example, if you are using white tiles, you could use blue, red or yellow grout for contrast. Be sure and apply sealers to grout lines in areas of heavy wear since sealers will protect and preserve grout colors.

4 - If your favorite color for a bathroom is pink, for example, add a few pink decorative tiles for the walls or use shapes, textures and borders to give it some visual interest. Select some rows of the walls where you can also use some of the pink tiles placed diagonally.

5 - To give your bathroom a contemporary style and look, consider using bright and bold colors with shapes or graphics against plain backgrounds. Contemporary style accessories and fixtures will further provide a modern-looking bathroom.

6 - If you are trying to have a romantic or Victorian look in your bathroom, use floral tiles in soft colors like pink, light green or light blue plus handpainted ceramic sinks and perhaps a wooden floor.

7 - For a Mediterranean bathroom look, mix terra-cotta tiles with Mexican or other hand-painted tiles for the floors. For the countertop perhaps mix the hand-painted tiles with another plain color tile.

Bathroom tile ideas and tile color are important since color can greatly affect your mood -- making you feel calm or energizing you. Warm colors like peach and yellow are fun, they make the bathroom feel cozier and they go well with a more country looking bathroom decor. If you use neutral colors like beiges or whites, they will make the room look larger, they will reflect light and they are always in style. Colors like blue, green and violet are viewed as serene or cool colors. Brighter colors like black or red add drama to the decor, absorb light and will make the room appear smaller. In rooms with plenty of windows and natural lighting, consider using darker tiles to offset the ambient lighting. You can also work in colors you want through the use of accent tiles and accessories.

Have fun as you select the styles, colors, patterns and sizes of bathroom floor tile and related details for your bathroom. You'll want your bathroom to be a fun, cozy room to spend time in and the bathroom floor tile used can help create that kind of atmosphere. Use bathroom tile ideas to help you have that special bathroom that you can enjoy every day.

Learn bathroom decor ideas and bathroom layout, lighting, storage, bathroom vanities, small bathrooms, childrens bathrooms and more. David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - a popular website for homeowners.

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How to Tile a Floor - Bathroom Or Kitchen

How to tile a floor - tiling a bathroom/kitchen floor is a straight forward process if you know the right techniques to go about the job.

The most important part is the preparation, the removal of the toilet and basin is highly recommended to eliminate the need for awkward cuts around the toilet pan and the basins pedestal. Removing the toilet and basin will also result in a lot neater finish to the job.

Prepare the floor using ply wood sheet or a self levelling compound and coat with a layer of pva adhesive, this will help aid the adhesion of the tiles.

The next step is to work out the tile spacing, this is important to ensure that the tiles at the edge of the room are not slithers, and also to produce a symmetrical finish to the floor.

Now its time to start tiling, mix up some tile adhesive and spread it on the floor using a notched adhesive spreader, now lay the tiles on the floor and separate with a 5mm tile spacer. Once the whole floor area is covered leave the floor to fully set.

When the floor is fully set its time to apply the grout, mix up the grout and apply with a grout float or a grout spreader, when the grout has partially set, sponge of the excess with a damp sponge.

There are different types of adhesive available for different types of floors and tiles, care should be taken in the type of adhesive purchased.

GA Property services "Plumbers Liverpool"

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Mosaic Bathroom Floor Tiles Are the Perfect Choice For Your Bathroom

The tiles you choose for your bathroom determine its overall look and ambience. Tiles in single solid colors impose some limitations on creativity. If you want to get creative with your bathroom, mosaic bathroom floor tiles are the best choice.

These tiles are made of different materials like glass, metal, marble, pebbles etc. Sometimes different kinds of tiles are combined in a single mesh to give you a mixed mosaic tile. Each one has its own specialty and gives your bathroom a simple, natural and elegant look.

Individual mosaic tiles are small and measure just around 2x2 inches. These small tiles are arranged in a mesh or frame to form a large mosaic sheet, usually 12x12 inches. The sheets can be used as such or can be cut into shapes to form backdrops, accents etc. Mosaic tiles are not always square. The come in hexagonal, octagonal and rectangular shapes too.

Porcelain mosaic bathroom floor tiles are a nice choice. They are colorful, bright and durable. You can choose porcelain mosaic tiles with dark colors if your bathroom is spacious. Otherwise stick to light colors like white, cream or pastel. Ceramic mosaic tiles are also good. They can be arranged in different patterns to give your bathroom a nice, classic touch.

Pebbled mosaic tiles are perfect for bathrooms with a Zen like ambience. They also add a touch of elegance. These tiles are made using different kinds of pebbles and flat stone embedded in a sturdy mesh. They add color and texture to the bathroom. You can also choose grey colored mosaic bathroom floor tiles to give a cobbled appearance to the floor.

A big advantage of using mosaic bathroom floor tiles is that you can deviate from the common practice of laying tiles in a row by row manner. These tiles can be arranged to form patterns and themes. They can be arranged as swirls, circles, waves etc Different colored mosaics can be used to piece together a work of art like an underwater theme or a flower.

With a little bit of creativity, mosaic flooring can give your bathroom a touch of fun or elegance or history.

Glass mosaic bathroom floor tiles are a cool option for those looking to add a contemporary touch to their bathrooms. For more bathroom floor tiles please visit Bathroo

Bathroom Floor Tiles

When you are decorating your home, not to forget to add a touch of personality and substance to your bathroom. Most people unwind and relax while taking a bath so, the ambiance of a bathroom ought to be warm and comfortable. The kind of bathroom floor tiles you choose determines the overall look of the bathroom.

There are so many different kinds of bathroom flooring available- you can go in for ceramic ones, vinyl tiles, linoleum flooring, marble flooring and even hardwood floors. Choose bathroom floor tiles which match the decor of your house and blend well with the fixtures in your bathroom. Space is also another factor to take into consideration because certain Kinds of flooring can leave an already small bathroom looking even more cramped while some others can add an element of space to a small bathroom. Safety is also another factor to consider. Bathroom floor tiles tend to accumulate dirt, grime and moisture so they must be easy to clean and should not be slippery.

Ceramic tiles are the most popular bathroom floor tiles. They come in different shapes, sizes and colors. If you choose to do your floor in one solid color, try using colored grout that contrasts with the color of the tile. This gives your bathroom a dash of color. You can also choose tiles with prints on them. Choose prints which blend well with the theme of the bathroom and the home in general. For instance, delicate floral prints on the tiles gives your bathroom a nice Victorian feel. Vinyl and laminate tiles are also a good choice since they are affordable and easy to maintain. If you are looking for something different go in for metal tiles. They come in copper, zinc, bronze, brass etc and give your bathroom a modern look. If elegance is what you are looking for, you can opt for stone flooring in marble, granite etc. Stone tiles with matt finish would be a better option than polished finish because they are less slippery.

To complete your bathroom decor, add green potted plants or nice carpets and make sure there is plenty of light and ventilation. Your bathroom will look fresh, warm and appealing.

Bathroom Floor Tiles, your reliable resource for the right choice of Floor Tiles for Your Bathroom. An affiliate with Bathroom Decorating Ideas

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Tips to Properly Install a Bathroom Tile

Your bathroom is your refuge. It is the one place in your house that you cannot prevent yourself from going. In the same way, it is also a place that visitors can see. When you throw a party or invite someone to dinner, there is a chance that they will ask you where your bathroom is. The cleanliness and design of your bathroom will show your guests a bit about who you are as a person.

A bathroom is somehow a reflection of the owner's personality and lifestyle. With this, it is very important to take the time when trying to redecorate your bathroom. This applies especially when you want to install a bathroom tile. Although searching for a nice tile design can be quite difficult, laying it out is another issue. It is with this reason that some people find it quite a chore to remodel their bathrooms.

Luckily, there are already lots of resources on the Internet that teaches people how to install a bathroom tile. All you really need to do is to follow these steps and you can never go wrong. But before you go and start to install a bathroom tile, here are some tips that might help you.

It Never Hurts to Try

When some people think about how to install a bathroom tile, they usually freak out. But one thing you must remember is that it never hurts to try things out. In the end, you will be more proud of your bathroom because you have managed to install your bathroom tiles all by yourself.

Be Accurate

But if you have decided to install a bathroom tile by yourself, be sure you are always accurate with your measurements. The last thing you want to happen is have irregularly cut tiles at the edges of your bathroom. Plan ahead and lay out the tiles and do your measurements. This will leave a small area to commit an error.

Get Someone Else To Do It

But if you are one of those people who simply find it hard to install a bathroom tile, then maybe it is better to have someone else do it. There are lots of service providers in this area and you can simply ask them to do it for you if you have the money. This will also save you some time which you can dedicate into doing other things.

So as you can see, installing bathroom tile not be hard. There are already available procedures you can follow and services you can avail which give you no reason to not remodel your bathroom. Always remember that your bathroom will always be a place that can be exposed to your guests when you throw parties or ask people to dinner. Do you want them to think badly of you simply because of your unappealing bathroom? Of course not! You may think that this is not true but that is just the way people judge. It is out of your control. What you can only do is to change your bathroom tiles for a new and more attractive look.

Reveals more on bathroom tile design ideas for further assistance at http://www.bathroomtiledesign101.com and find other bathroom design topics as well.

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Tips to Properly Install a Bathroom Tile

It Never Hurts to Try

Be Accurate

Get Someone Else To Do It

So as you can see, installing bathroom tiles should not be hard. There are already available procedures you can follow and services you can avail which give you no reason to not remodel your bathroom. Always remember that your bathroom will always be a place that can be exposed to your guests when you throw parties or ask people to dinner. Do you want them to think badly of you simply because of your unappealing bathroom? Of course not! You may think that this is not true but that is just the way people judge. It is out of your control. What you can only do is to change your bathroom tiles for a new and more attractive look.

Reveals more on bathroom tile design ideas for further assistance at http://www.bathroomtiledesign101.com and find other bathroom design topics as well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aikaz_Run

Bathroom Floor Tiles Ideas

If you are in doubt about the kind of flooring you want for your bathroom, take a minute to glance through the current trends. Bathroom floors are usually done in ceramic or vinyl tiles. Some people use linoleum. If you have a good budget, you can go in for marble or granite flooring.

Some different bathroom floor tiles ideas include tiling your bathroom with tiles made of cork, bamboo or hardwood. Cork flooring gives your bathroom a different texture. They are easy to maintain and stays warm even in winter. If you choose to do the bathroom tile using cork, add some potted plants and use fixtures with a metal finish to give a cool and natural look.

If you like wooden floors, go in for hardwood floors. They look stylish and elegant when combined with accessories like potted plants, mirrors and bathroom rugs. However, they require extensive maintenance. Bamboo flooring is also a good idea. It is cheaper and requires less maintenance though it adds the same natural and cool look to the room.

Another one the good bathroom floor tiles ideas is to use pebbled tiles. They come in different textures and styles. These tiles give the bathroom and cool and natural look. Combine them with chrome fixtures, potted plants and mirrors to give your bathroom an elegant look.

Metal tiles are one of the more innovative bathroom floor tiles ideas. These tiles are made using bronze, copper, brass etc and come in different kinds of finishes like smooth, silky or brushed finish. These styles suit modern and contemporary bathrooms.

You can also use bathroom tiles made of stone or mosaic. Stone flooring may be more expensive but they last long. Mosaic tiles are made using glass, old tiles, pebbles etc and add texture and color to the bathroom.

One of the more practical bathroom floor tiles ideas involves using concrete tiles. They are durable, low maintenance and come in different colors and textures. They also give good grip and prevent one from slipping.

It is up to you to let your imagination flow and choose flooring that best suits your bathroom.

Traditional bathroom floor tiles ideas involve using ceramic or vinyl tiles. For more bathroom floor tiles please visit Bathroom Floor Tiles

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Bathroom Tile Decorating Ideas

Bathroom tile decorating ideas help enhance the allure of the bathroom and create amazingly beautiful results.

You could use pink tiles that have a black trim in the bathroom. Old world homes generally are well complemented by such bathrooms. This would involve a classic minimalist look, which can be offset by white linens and black and white motifs.

Alternatively you can incorporate a glamorous look by adding a chandelier to a bathroom with pink tiles having no trims. Pink tiles with brown trimming can be complemented with pink and brownish shower curtains, wooden fixtures and a few white accents.

One of the most popular bathroom tile decorating ideas is to tackle the shower tiles. You can add some attention-grabbing designs to the typical square contoured shower tiles that are of a light single color. You can etch out attractive designs on the tiles with the help of a stencil purchased from a craft store or that is hand crafted. The stenciled motifs should complement your bathroom's interior design theme.

You can also consider replacing the existing shower tiles with ready made decorative tiles with imagery and letters. Custom decorative tiles can be obtained.

Bathroom tiles can be also decorated by painting a border for all the tiles. You can also add a few tiles here and there in the bathroom, that have a color other than the primary hue of your bathroom tiles. This will add a splash of color to an otherwise prosaic bathroom and make it interesting.

Using enamel paint is one of the most economical and effective Bathroom tile decorating ideas that helps in refurbishing your bathroom. It will help change the tile color scheme and also change the design element from something boring and expected to a new motif that will be interesting and modern.

You can also use exclusive hand painted ceramic tiles to adorn your bathroom walls. These tiles have bright hues and are fired and glazed so as to ensure that the colors do not get washed off and instead remain sealed in. These are the decorative mural tiles.

These bathroom tile decorating ideas are easy to implement and can give your bathroom a whole new look and aura.

Another of the most effective bathroom tile decorating ideas is utilizing tiles of diverse sizes in the bathroom. For more great bathroom decorating ideas please visit http://www.bathroomdecoratingideas.net

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How to Tile a Bathroom

Introduction To Bathroom Tiling

There is almost an unlimited choice of colours, patterns and textures of bathroom tiles, bathroom tiles are the obvious choice to line the bath or shower area, but most people leave it up to the professionals. This does not need to be done as a bathroom can be tiled by anyone in a weekend, even without any previous tiling experience.

Tools For Bathroom Tiling

Before you start your tiling you will need the following tiling tools for bathroom tiling; Tile cutter, Tile saw, Grout spreader, Spirit level, Tile nibblers, Adhesive spreader, Tile cutting jig, Gauge stick (home made).
For a final touch to make your bathroom tile project look a little better you should carefully smooth off the border edges where cut with a tile sander

Preparation For Bathroom Tiling

Before you begin you bathroom tiling project, you MUST make sure the walls are clean and dry. You need to make the wall surface as smooth and flat as possible, to do this you will need to remove all flaking paint and any wallpaper that may be on the wall. Once you have your wall prepared you will want to make a start on plotting your tile position, to do this we recommend making a gauge stick to help you plot tile positions on the wall. Use a piece of wood laying several tiles along side it with a spacer between each tile, and mark off each tiles and spacers position along the stick. For more details on making a Gauge Stick please see our page Tile Layout & Preparation.

Setting Out Bathroom Tiles

Setting out the walls will depend a large amount on the size and shape of your bathroom ultimately. Work out where your bottom line of tiles will be going, mark it out and nail a temporarily thin guide batten to the tiling wall, making sure it follows the mark. To ensure your mark and guide are perfectly horizontal you should check them with a spirit level.

Measure into the center of the wall and add another mark for this, now on each side of this center mark set out rows of tiles using your gauge stick. You may need to reposition your bathroom tiles by moving them half a tiles width to the side if the ceramic border tiles measure less then half a tiles width. Once this is done you need to get your vertical line up which should be done the same as the horizontal line, using a guide batten and a spirit level to make sure they are level, once level temporarily nail to the wall.

If you have to tile around any object you should make that your starting point as this will help to keep the surrounding tiles to an equal size. By objects we mean things such as a window. As above you should use the temporary batten guide to position your row of tiles above the window. Remember, all cut tiles should be placed at the rear of the windows reveal.

For a final touch to make your bathroom tile project look a little better you should carefully smooth off the border edges where cut with a tile sander.

Vishal, representing TMEsolutions, is the webmaster for Thetiledepot, The UK's leading stockists of floor tiles, wall tiles and ceramic tiles.

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Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors

Cleaning ceramic tile floors can be a frustrating task because of the difference of the material that the glazed tile is made of and the unglazed grout. Ceramic tile floors are a great addition to the home, usually found in bathrooms, hallways and kitchens. But like all floors they require periodic cleaning and cleaning a ceramic tile floor is not the same as cleaning a vinyl or wood floor. What makes it difficult is that the tile is glazed but the grout is unglazed mortar cement between the tiles that gets stained or dirty much easier than the tile. Although the grout may have a sealer applied, it is still not as durable and resistant to stains and dirt as the ceramic tile. If the grout is dirty the entire floor looks dirty. So how do we clean it?

There are many household cleaning products available to do the job however; none of them do a much better job than white vinegar and warm water. Vinegar is a mild mixture of tartaric and citric acids. It makes a great cleaning solvent when mixed with warm water. It rates just as well as the commercial cleaning products for cleaning floor grout and does not cost nearly as much. For grout cleaning, mix a 50/50 % mixture of white vinegar and warm water and apply it to the grout with a sponge. Let its set for a few minutes and scrub the grout using a tooth brush. A second application may be necessary if the grout is heavily stained. Use the sponge to sop up the residue and clean the floor with a mild detergent.

The same vinegar and water solution can be used to clean stains from the ceramic tile. Use a sponge to clean the entire floor and dry. Because vinegar is an acid it will remove any grout sealer that hasn't worn off. After cleaning the grout reapply a grout sealer using a small paint brush. Apply two applications of sealer, let thoroughly dry between the applications. Grout sealer is available in most home improvement supply centers or a tile store.

To protect your hands I recommend that rubber gloves be worn when handling the vinegar solution and applying the grout sealer. It is not necessary to use an electric floor scrubber/polisher to clean a ceramic tile floor. Excessive use of scrubber/polisher may remove the glaze from the tile leaving it with a dull finish. I do not recommend using Clorox bleach to clean ceramic tile floors as it tends to yellow the tile and erode the grout.

Home Addition Plus Perks provides extensive suggestions on home improvements and decorating ideas to enhance your home and quality of life. Your home is a major financial investment and like all investments, it requires frequent attention to maintain its value as well as providing a comfortable place for your living enjoyment. Given the cost of home improvements by someone else, a contractor, it can be more cost effective to do things for yourself and by yourself. We will help you in that effort by providing suggestions and recommendation with detailed instruction as necessary. We also offer home decorating and gardening suggestions for enhancing the interior and exterior of your home. To help you stay healthy we offer suggestions on diet and exercise too. You can find us at http://www.homeimprovementplusperks.com

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Clay Pottery Art Glazes

Glaze is used on earthenware pottery to waterproof it and on porcelain and stoneware pottery to decorate it. Glaze is also used on construction materials such as bricks and tiles. Glaze can be applied as a dry mixture dusted on the surface of a clay object, and also by placing soda or salt in high-temperature kilns to make sodium vapor, which interacts with the silica and aluminum oxide in the amaco clay to deposit a glass coating on the object. However, the most common type of glazes are liquid glazes which are suspensions of metal oxides and powdered minerals. They are applied by pouring the glaze over the object, by dipping the objects into the glaze, by spraying the object with an airbrush, or by painting the glaze on the object. Often all or part of the bottom of an object is left unglazed, or placed on stilts or kiln spurs, so that the object doesn't stick to the kiln.

Glazes can range from complete transparency to complete opacity. Opaque glazes are caused by tiny air bubbles or particles in the glaze suspension; many glazes which appear white are actually opaque rather than containing a white pigment. Decorations applied to the clay underneath the glaze is termed underglaze, which can be applied either to raw, unfired or to bisque-fired (already fired) pottery. Transparent wet glaze is applied over the underglaze, and the pigments in the underglaze fuse with the glaze. The well-known blue and white clay pottery art of Holland, England, Japan and China is an example of the underglaze technique. The characteristic blue color comes from the cobalt oxide or carbonate in the glaze formulation. When decorations are applied over a layer of glaze, they are termed overglaze. Overglazes are fired at low temperatures and give a glassy appearance. The color of a glaze is affected not only by its chemical composition but also by the atmosphere in the firing kiln. A kiln with a high level of oxygen produces an oxidation firing while a kiln low in oxygen produces a reduction firing. An oxidation firing of copper carbonate glaze produces a turquoise color, but a reduction firing of the same glaze produces a bright red.

Choosing the correct glaze is a science unto itself. Factors which need to be taken into account include the firing range, the formulation, and the use to which the object will be put (for example, dinnerware objects require non-toxic glazes). The firing range is determined by the type of clay which is used. Mid range stonewear clays require mid range glazes and low range earthenware clays require low fire glazes. Although many professional ceramicists formulate their own glazes to achieve specific effects, beginners are advised to use commercial formulations such as amaco glaze whose properties are well-known and tested. Commercial suppliers can provide sample tiles which indicate properties such as surface texture, color, transparency, and food-safety.

The knowledge of glazes in clay pottery art is a science unto itself. In addition to taking the type of AMACO clay which is used into account, selecting the correct AMACO glaze requires consideration of what artistic effect is desired; and to what use (e.g. dinnerware) the object will be put.

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Hand Painted Ceramic Tile

If you want to give your home a creative and artistic touch, then the most suitable option is to use hand painted ceramic tiles. Hand painting is one of the most popular methods for decorating ceramic tiles. Hand painted ceramic tiles not only improve the aesthetic value of your home, but also increase its resale value. They are a perfect choice to beautify children?s bedroom, recreation areas, living room, counter tops, stair risers, fireplaces, patios, fountains, table tops, floor accents, window borders, display windows, and wall coverings.

Hand painted ceramic tiles is specially noted for their unmatched beauty, and they come in a myriad of shades and colors. Everything from abstract and geometric designs to images of historic events and ancient designs such as cave art paintings, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and Mayan stone carvings are adopted as themes for hand painting ceramic tiles. Hand painting of ceramic tiles has also now evolved as a hobby, as it gives a skilled artist the full freedom to express his imagination.

Plain, shiny, and white glazed ceramic tiles and thin tiles are most suitable for hand painting. The media used for hand painting ceramic tiles generally depend on the plans and techniques employed. Some of the most commonly used materials and tools for hand painting ceramic tiles are China paints (overglaze colors) made from oxides of several metals, lavender oil, brushes, palette knife, fine calligraphy pen, soft pencil for glass, and turpentine.

The first step in the process of hand painting is to decide the theme of the painting. Then, make rough sketches on a graph paper of the exact size. Before hand painting tiles, clean them thoroughly with soapy water and allow them to dry. Next, mix the paint with oil and turpentine. Brush and palette knife can be used to smear and blend colors. When the hand painting process is complete, it is necessary to heat the glazes between 1350 degrees and 1500 degrees Fahrenheit, inside a kiln.

Mostly, hand painted ceramic tiles are durable and can be used for pool installation and other outdoor purposes. A recent addition to the ceramic tile market is water-proof hand painted tiles. Custom made, hand painted ceramic tiles are also available. At present, there are numerous retailers as well as manufacturers specializing in hand painted ceramic tiles.

Ceramic Tile provides detailed information on Ceramic Tile, Ceramic Floor Tile, Ceramic Tile Design, Installing Ceramic Tile and more. Ceramic Tile is affiliated with Mosaic Arts .

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A Brief History of Ceramic Tiles

The earliest forms of ceramic tile date back to prehistoric times, when the use of clay as a building material was developed independently in several early cultures. The precursors of modern tile were roughly shaped and not nearly as strong as tiles today. The material was dug from river banks, roughly formed into building blocks, and baked dry in the sun. The first tiles were crude, but even 6,000 years ago people were decorating them by adding pigments for color and carving low-relief designs into their surfaces.

Firing Tile

The ancient Egyptians were the first to discover that firing clay tiles at high temperatures in a kiln made them stronger and more water-resistant. Many ancient cultures also used thin squares of fired clay as decorative elements in their architecture.

Buildings in ancient Mesopotamian cities were fronted with unglazed terra-cotta and colorful decorative tiles. Ancient Greeks and Romans used ceramics for the floors, roofs, and even the plumbing in their buildings. The Chinese used a white clay called kaolin to develop the white-colored and durable ceramic known as porcelain.

Tiles in medieval Europe were generally reserved for the floors of churches. Across the continent, the Byzantines excelled in using tile at a small scale; they created expressive mosaic patterns and murals using ceramic tile as well as pieces of glass and stone.

Glazing Tile

Persian ceramicists, inspired by imported Chinese porcelain, created a decorative tradition that spread across South Asia, North Africa, into Spain with the Moors, and eventually throughout Europe. Because their Islamic religion prohibited using human images in art, artisans turned to brightly colored tiles with ornate and intertwined patterns.

Solid-color glazed tiles were cut and assembled into large-scale mosaics with subtle color gradations. The Muslim artisans also developed metal oxide glazes using tin, copper, cobalt, manganese, and antimony, which made tile glazes more brilliant and durable.

By the fifteenth century, metal oxide-glazed tile had become popular in Italy, and their design influence moved northward with Italian craftsmen. Major European trading centers gave their names to local design motifs and types of tile that are still used, including delft tile (from Delft in Holland), and majolica tile (from Majorca in Spain).

Modern Tile

Today, most commercial tile manufacturers use the pressed-dust method of construction. First, a mixture of ingredients is pressed into the desired tile shape. Then the tile is glazed (or left unglazed) and baked in a kiln. Some tile makers may extrude tile shapes by squeezing them through a press into a die or by rolling them out flat and cutting the tile shapes with a form much like a cookie cutter.

Whatever the method, all ceramic tile must be fired to become durable. The purity of the clay, the number of firings, and the temperature of the kiln determine the quality and price. Kiln temperatures vary from about 900° F to 2500° F. Lower firing temperatures produce more porous tile and soft glazes; higher temperatures produce dense, nonporous tile and hard glazes.

For more information about ceramic tile and other flooring options visit http://www.discount-flooring-guide.com - Featuring comprehensive information about all types of flooring.

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Superiority and Popularity of Glazed Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are a popular tiling material that is widely used to design households and commercials. It's highly popular due to its extraordinary physical and chemical properties. These tiles can be utilized to designs your floors, walls, counter tops, black splashes, fireplaces and walkways. Hence, they can be used to create an elegant and royal look for your homes.

Nowadays, you can find glazed and unglazed ceramic tiles. The glazed tiles have a thin coating on its surface while unglazed tiles are sold in their natural state. The liquid glass coating is responsible for the amazing texture, color and design of glazed tiles. Therefore, glazed tiles are available in different range of colors and designs.

However, glazed ceramic tiles have several properties like:

They are stain resistant and can be cleaned with help of chemicals like soda and acid. Hence, you can use them to design you kitchen shelves and floorings, since the area is highly prone to dirt and stains.

These tiles are less prone to scratches and stain due to falling or dragging of objects from one part of room to another.

Glazed tiles are fire resistant; hence they retain their shine and shimmer despite being exposed to fire or heat.

The color of glazed ceramic tiles doesn't deteriorate on exposure with harsh sun rays.

Glazed tiles are slip resistant and ideal for designing bathroom and kitchen floors.

However, the glazed tiles don't have any glass coating on their surface. Their colors fade after sometime and lose its shine. Moreover, the color is widely distributed throughout the surface; hence they lose their beauty once they get worn out. They are available in earthy colors like light brown, peach, gray etc.

Hence, you should be particular about your tiling needs, while you purchase ceramic tiles for your households and commercials.

About the Author:-
Jason Colling is a renowned writer, who has written articles on various interior designing techniques related to floor decor. His articles focus on various uses of porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, granite tiles, natural stones and adhesives.

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Ceramic Tile Counter Tops For the Bathroom

Ceramic Tile is a great material to be considered for a counter top in any Bathroom space. These tiles can add texture, be integrated with back splashes and are available in many different color palettes. Primarily made from clay and various natural minerals and materials, Ceramic tiles get their strength once exposed to extreme heat. From a bathroom design perspective, this product can be a great fit.

Cost

Ceramic tiles for bathroom counter tops are available in many sizes, shapes, thicknesses, colors, textures, and strengths all at various prices. You can spend as little as $.99 a sq foot to as high as $45.00 a sq foot for designer tiles.

Color/Design

Ceramic tiles are a porous material thereby requiring a sealant or in other words a glaze. A natural glaze application would allow for the tile to gain a hard surface but would also leave the tile with its natural hue. In order for a tile to have a particular color, pigments are then added to the glaze and once fired, become an intentionally colorful tile.

The options truly are endless for tiles with respect to color, texture and style. The difficult part is really deciding which one best fits with your space!

* Glass tiles can be a beautiful addition to your bathroom counter tops as well. Remember that glass tiles are clear with color pigment inside the tile themselves. They change color with light, grout and backing. Durability

With respect to durability, all tiles are ranked using a Roman numeral grading system of I to V. Today the internet and discount tile supply stores are a fantastic option for getting great prices on tiles, but beware that not all packages will be properly labeled to distinguish a strength grade.

In bathroom counters it is vitally important to have a tile with at least a grade III strength rating. With respect to durability, a grade III or higher glazed ceramic tile is an excellent solution for counter tops in any Bathroom for many reasons: It is very strong and can last almost as long as any other counter top surface product on the market today if installed properly and well maintained.

Scratch resistance - Glazed ceramic tiles rank highly among similar materials for scratch resistance.

Strength - Although the strength of glazed ceramic tiles are ranked in grades and can be very strong with respect to wear and scratching, these counter tops can be more susceptible to damage than laminate and solid surface. Very heavy objects could eventually create enough pressure over time to crack tiles and should something heavy fall onto the counter, breakage will most likely occur. It is possible to fix broken tiles, however this process can also damage surrounding tiles so diligence is needed when doing so.

Fire resistance - Glazed ceramic tiles are fire resistant and will not burn or emit toxic fumes.

Water resistance - Glazed ceramic tiles are moisture resistant with an absorption rate of 3% to 7%. If water is left pooling on a ceramic surface for a prolonged period of time, damage can be expected. Proper cleaning and vigilance will keep tiles looking like new.

Maintenance - Cleaning spills quickly and occasionally cleaning the grout can prolong the life of your ceramic tile counter top.

Construction/Installation

It is not necessary to have Ceramic tile counter tops professionally installed, make sure you follow these few rules and you'll be fine.

1. Do your research and seek out credible advice. There are several fantastic websites designed to help you install your ceramic tile counter tops and be sure to visit your local building centers where some will host free lessons on tiling. The more information and advice you can receive the less mistakes may be made therefore saving you money!

2. Choosing a color or style of bathroom counter top tile is an important consideration, but so is your grout! Be sure to get the right grout and don't forget to choose the right grout color as well. Be aware of the look you are trying to achieve and realize that your choice of grout color could dramatically change the overall look of your bathroom counter for better and for worse! Space between your tiles is also something very important to consider. Greater effect and style can be created in something as simple as tile spacing.

3. Another tile to consider installing is un-manufactured tile or hand-made tiles. One very important thing to note about using and installing these tiles is that each tile is generally different. This tile can add rustic beauty to your space but beware of inconsistencies; your end result may not resemble your intention!

Environment/Health

Ceramic tiles are an excellent choice for bathroom counter tops in that they are very easy to clean. These tiles are non-conductive and therefore do not attract dust and dirt. From a green perspective ceramic tiles are ideal. Created from natural ingredients they are not harmful to landfills and post consumer recycled glass is a great option if you are so inclined.

In conclusion, Ceramic tiles are Very sexy and allow for much creativity in your bathroom design. Ceramic tiles are very prevalent in Mexican and Spanish design for a reason. They are durable and versatile and you can incorporate your ceramic tile counter tops into your back splash, match them to your floors; create a great space with unlimited possibilities!

The Oops Factor

Ceramic & Glass counter tops can be a scary bathroom choice due to breakage and maintenance! Although easy to clean, tough on spills, heat resistant and sanitary, these counter tops are problematic for damage! The tiles are also subject to breaking when abused so be careful with heavy items and try to always clean spills quickly to avoid staining your grout. With proper care you can have a great relationship with ceramic tile counter tops in your bathroom for years to come.

Michael Kyle is Co-founder of The Sexy Bathroom.Com and The Sexy Kitchen.com Two great web sites dedicated to Kitchen & Bathroom Design, Planning and Materials as well as a great resource for design photo's and entertaining.

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Persian Tiles Featuring Glaze Chalk and Glaze Pencil Decorations

Persian tiles began to be manufactured in the thirteenth century, after Persia conquered Timur. Persian potters were fascinated with the Chinese pottery style they discovered, which permitted many colors to appear on one tile. Persian tile decoration, termed Ghlami, in which several colors are brush-painted on a tile in the intricate geometric patterns characteristic of Islamic art, reached its height in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This technique can be reproduced in the modern classroom by painting the tiles using either the majolica technique, or more simply with liquid glazes. The majolica process, which arose in the Middle Ages and was refined during the Renaissance, is used to create elaborately decorated ceramics in which white tin-glazed earthenware is painted and decorated with oxides and stains. This traditional technique is still popular with modern artists, and can be reproduced with easier-to-use and safer materials.

To make majolica tiles, at least three coats of opaque white glaze are applied to 6" unglazed bisque tiles. Then the design is transferred to the surface of the tile using carbon paper, and the carbon outline is filled in with glaze pencils or by brush using majolica gloss color glazes. Backgrounds are also filled in with majolica gloss color glazes, applying at least three coats of glaze. Traditional Persian designs are usually repeated patterns of abstract renderings of floral, bird, animal, and geometrical forms. Since Persian tiles were often used to make murals or decorate walls and floors, designs must be made keeping in mind the precise number of tiles needed. For example, if the finished piece is a square of 4 tiles, then the original design must incorporate a 4-tile composition and measure 12" by 12". Finally, the tiles are fired to cone 04 (760°C = 1400°F) for 4 hours, to create the glossy surface and rich colors associated with majolica ceramics.

To make Persian tiles using liquid glazes, start with a 6" unglazed bisque tile, and transfer the design to the bare tile with carbon paper. The outline of the carbon paper tracing is painted in with colorful underglazes. The design can be filled in with several coats of underglazes or with glaze chalk to produce a solid coverage. When the underglazes are dry, two or more coats of clear glaze are applied and allowed to dry thoroughly. When the glazes are completely dry, the tiles are fired to cone 04 for 4 hours. Finished tiles can be glued to a wooden base with construction adhesive and grouted, then the finished composition can be framed.

Making an entire Persian tile wall can be an excellent school-wide project, teaching teamwork as well as how to use liquid glazes and kilns. Students can follow traditional Persian designs, or let their imaginations run wild with their own glaze chalk and glaze pencils designs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_Lane

Choosing Strand-Woven Bamboo Flooring

You've just made a step in the direction of green consumerism when you chose your new bamboo flooring, but how about going it one better? Now you can buy an option that's even more eco-friendly by selecting strand-woven bamboo flooring.

You may be asking what the difference is between strand-woven bamboo and the conventional bamboo flooring. In reality, strand-woven bamboo has taken a good thing and then one-upped it. Standard bamboo planks are made from solid bamboo. The excess material used to be a by-product of the manufacture of bamboo flooring is now taken, coated with an adhesive, and compressed to make a totally recycled product known as strand-woven bamboo. After compression the durable material can be cut into any size of planks or boards and used in place of hardwood flooring.

Why You Should Choose Strand-Woven Bamboo

The stability and durability of strand-woven bamboo can't be beaten, especially for use in high-traffic areas. Bamboo is a plant that grows much more quickly and is a lot more renewable than hardwood, so there's plenty of it to use for flooring without depleting nature's supply. Most of the cleaning strand-woven bamboo flooring will need can be done with either a dust mop or an environmentally-friendly solution of vinegar and water without a need for harsher chemicals. In addition, the product is more moisture resistant than other types of flooring which increases the longevity of the floor.

The benefits of strand-woven bamboo flooring don't stop there. People who suffer from allergies will love it, because it is virtually free of allergens. It can be easily sanded and refinished as necessary, just like more costly hardwood flooring. However, it probably won't need to be refinished nearly as often over the years which could end up saving you a lot of time and money.

The Reasons for Strand-Woven Bamboo Longevity

If you want a product that is naturally durable and resistant to damage, you can't beat bamboo, unless it's with strand-woven bamboo. The process that is used to make strand-woven bamboo flooring increases its durability greatly. Couple that with the fact that bamboo naturally expands and contracts with weather conditions, and you've got one of the longest-lasting types of flooring on the market today.

When choosing the type of strand-woven bamboo you want to use in your home, be sure to pick something that wasn't made using formaldehyde. There are health dangers involved with floors that do contain formaldehyde, especially if your home is quite air-tight. Rather than risk becoming sick somewhere down the line, do your homework first. Once you've chosen your flooring, it will only take a little hard work to get it installed and finished. Then you'll be able to sit back and enjoy the elegance you've added to your home.

Your reasons for choosing strand-woven bamboo flooring really won't matter over the years, as you will continue to be amazed at how beautiful and durable they are over and over again.

You know you want hardwood floors - visit RefinishingHardwood.com for more tips on refinishing hardwood floors and how to clean hardwood floors and make have the floor you've always wanted.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_W_Smith

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Friday, October 30, 2009

The Difference Between Terracotta and Saltillo Tiles

Ceramic Kitchen Wall Tile To Make Your Kitchen Come Alive

Thursday, October 29, 2009

How to Install Kitchen Tile in Your Home

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Kitchen Floor Ceramic Tile

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Kitchen Floor Tiles

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Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors

Clay Pottery Art Glazes

Hand Painted Ceramic Tile

A Brief History of Ceramic Tiles

Superiority and Popularity of Glazed Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic Tile Counter Tops For the Bathroom

Persian Tiles Featuring Glaze Chalk and Glaze Pencil Decorations

Choosing Strand-Woven Bamboo Flooring

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