Friday, March 19, 2010

How to Choose Kitchen Tiles Like a Pro

How to Choose Kitchen Tiles Like a Pro

If you are a new house owner and you are looking for quick tips on how to choose kitchen tiles for your home then this article may help you to do so. This article will quickly discuss kitchen backsplashes, granite tiles and ceramic tiles. After reading this, you should be able to see why the different tiles mentioned above are worth considering.

If you know your kitchen tile types well, you would notice that a kitchen backsplash is not a tile type. It is the upright portion built against the wall at the back of your stove or sink. It is the most visible part of the kitchen as you would be staring at it most of the time you are in the kitchen. Thus, having elegant tiles and stylish designs to decorate it is an essential part of your kitchen beautification strategy. Obviously, the two tile types that we are going to discuss here is the granite and ceramic types.

Granite kitchen tiles are usually used for kitchen flooring (but that does not mean you should not use them on backsplashes, you can...) and for good reason too. They have slip resistance. That means the chances of you slipping and falling on your head is greatly reduced! This is good especially when you have children at home. What is more, this type of tile is known for its beauty and durability. Thus, it sometimes comes with a steep price. On the other hand, it is not costly to maintain so it is really up to you when budget is an important factor in your decision making.

Ceramic tiles are also durable much like granite tiles. Other than that, it is also resistant to heat making it a perfect candidate for tile backsplashes and counter tops. With it, you can place hot frying pans or pots on top of it without worrying that it will be damaged by the heat.

There are certainly more types of kitchen tiles out there to choose from. But given the information above, you can certainly opt to use granite or ceramic tiles for your kitchen without resenting it in the end.

Further reading and information on kitchen tiles can be found in these articles discussing different aspects of kitchen tiles.

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

Monday, March 15, 2010

Kitchen Tiles - That Latest Trend of the Household Project

Kitchen Tiles - That Latest Trend of the Household Project


It has been seen that the demand of kitchen tiles is increasing day by day with the passage of time. Whatever the design and colour theme of your kitchen, you can find the right option of kitchen tiles that can make your kitchen more beautiful and fancy. They are durable, easy to clean and maintenance free. One of the best things of their usage is that you do not need to spend any more on another material once you have installed them in your kitchen. They are comparatively soft material, so you need to take your extra care while installing them in your kitchen. Using a detergent, you can easily overcome the issue of cleaning of stains or marks that are stuck to them. Undoubtedly, you will be able to collect some important information on the most demanding tile in the world.

Almost everyone among of you knows that kitchens are more susceptible to dirt and debris so it is very easy to notice them on the walls and floors of the kitchen. Generally most members of the family, whether they are children, young or old people, visit this place to have something when they are hungry so it is very common to find some stains and marks on the floors and walls of the kitchen. Not only this, you can also find oil spills and miscellaneous items scattering down there. That's the reason that why people prefer to use the material in the kitchen that is hard and user friendly. One of the most important things that need to take into consideration is their maintenance. People always use the material that can be easily cleaned and also has a gorgeous look.

You should always go with the tiles that can withstand abrasions since you have seen that there are various utensils moving around the place. You can also notice some unexpected stains and marks made by the children while they scattering the food in the kitchen. In this case you can do anything except cleaning these marks. Apart from that, you should also choose the tiles that have the ability to stand against tough abrasions without creating any wear or tear.

Whatever the type and design of your kitchen tile, don't forget to select the option that has slip resistance feature because you can easily find the liquid fall in your kitchen as compared to other rooms of your household project, therefore, you need to be very attentive while choosing the right alternative for your home and buying it in the market.

Today, Kitchen tiles have become the latest trend among the masses. Whatever your taste, you can easily find the one among a huge variety of their colours, shades, hues, patterns. Make a list of your all requirements and then go for the selection procedure. Approach the kitchen tile professional and put your all requirements and needs in front of him. He or she will definitely suggest you the right option that will suit both your needs and budget. Hence, get rid of the old trend and colour your imagination with beautiful designed and advanced kitchen tiles.

About The Author:-
Jacob Oramy is a renowned writer who has written several articles on different interior designing techniques and his articles also gives light on the various uses of kitchen's interior, Kitchen tiles, Ceramic tiles, Granite tiles, Bathroom tiles and Mirror tiles.

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

Use Kitchen Tiles and Add an Unmatchable Beauty to the Place

Use Kitchen Tiles and Add an Unmatchable Beauty to the Place


You must be well aware of the fact that kitchen tile is becoming famous with the passage of time. Several makers increasingly opt for kitchen tiles as they are beautiful looking, long lasting, easy to clean and absolutely maintenance free. Once placed, you are free and would not have to invest more on kitchen's beautification. They are not really tough so you should ideally take care at the time when you are installing them in the kitchen. Any stains or marks on them can be easily cleaned with a detergent. The following write up would provide you valuable information about the most demanding tile in the world.

There is no doubt about the fact that kitchen is the place of your home that gets very dirty and untidy most of the time you use it. There is too much foot traffic here that you would definitely need something really strong to keep the floor ticking for a long time. Children, old people even visitors come inside kitchen and the possibility of stains and dirt on the tile is maximum. Oil spills, tea fall and miscellaneous items are scattered everywhere is common sight in kitchen. So at the time of making your kitchen you need to ensure that the material that you are utilising is hard and user friendly. It can be cleaned easily and it should also look beautiful.

The tiles to be installed in kitchen should be such that they are resistant to abrasions as there is numerous utensils moving around the place. Children can scatter food, make stains and you just don't have any options for them. And that is the purpose for which, the tiles installed here should be capable to fight tough abrasions without producing any wear or tear.

Talking about the floor, the tiles should be such that people don't go down as there is lot of movement all along. It should not be very slippery as the possibility of liquid fall on the kitchen floor is much higher than any other room in the home, hence, you can well understand the importance of floor kitchen tile. They should be carefully selected at the time when you are buying them in the market.

The demand of Kitchen tiles has risen manifold in the present times. Also there are number of colours, shades, hues, patterns in the market with an extensive range of shades and patterns to choose. You can select as per your requirements and creatively make your kitchen taking help of professionals who can provide an extra style to the overall style of the place. Most of them have readily accepted them, it is time you follow the latest trend.

About the Author:-

Ricky Manty is the owner of a major tile installation company in UK. He has made significant contribution in providing tile installation and maintenance tips for the buyers of bathroom tiles, Kitchen tiles and Marble tiles. Read his expert articles to get easy and affordable solutions for your tiling projects.

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

Tips to Find the Best Kitchen Floor Tiles

Tips to Find the Best Kitchen Floor Tiles


The best kitchen floor tiles will vary from room to room as well as different situations. The best kitchen floor tiles for you should work within your space, budget, as well as your overall design. Here are a few tips for finding the best kitchen floor tiles for your space.

Go with something a little bit neutral. This can still be interesting. However, tile is a pretty big commitment. You want to make sure that you have design durability and choose a tile that can hold up to your family. For more of a vintage look try going with a white and black checkerboard. This will tie in different colors of appliances and cupboards but also adds a graphic element to your room. You can also use this in a contemporary design style. Another option is to go with a Spanish terracotta finish tile. This lends a warm red, orange, or clay color to the room without being too bold. Depending on the area of the country in which you live it might even be the traditional tile for your home.

Decide whether you want your floor to blend in our stand out. Flooring is usually the focal point of the room. Instead, you might want to focus in on stainless steel appliances or beautiful kitchen cabinets. In this case you'll want the other items to be the stars of the room. Then you can focus more on a neutral background with your flooring. In this case you should go with basic colors such as white, gray, or taupe.

The best kitchen floor tiles should solve problems. You can use them as a tool to bridge gaps in your room that don't match. You could pull out your floor color and match a particular cabinet color. This will give life to your entire room on a budget. It can also help you save items that you would have thought you had to tear out before. The right kitchen flooring can really lend a cohesive style to the rest of your space.

The best kitchen floor tiles work for how you actually live. They should be durable and not crack if you drop a pot on them. You also want to find something that works for your lifestyle. Natural stones can require that you seal them. You might want something that is a little less maintenance in which case a ceramic tile might be the way to go.

Learn more about large artwork. Stop by Sara Gilmore's articles where you can find out all about kitchen floor tiles.

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

Kitchen Backsplash Tiles - Why Tiles Are Better Than Trays

Kitchen Backsplash Tiles - Why Tiles Are Better Than Trays


A beautifully designed kitchen backsplash will serve to liven up the kitchen. There are different materials you can use for this purpose. Each material has an advantage over the other therefore, you have to consider the material with the highest benefit. This article will examine kitchen backsplash tiles compared to other methods. Using tiles for your backsplash means that it is a permanent feature in the kitchen. Other materials such as decorative trays are not permanent and therefore appropriate if you intend to leave the house after a while. These materials are also compared to the tiles hence perfect for someone designing the backsplash on a budget.

Using other materials to create your backsplash gives you total freedom to explore and display your creativity. This is because you can use any practical material such as platters, framed prints, framed tea towel or even your own photos. You can also extend the decorations to cover the whole wall. With kitchen backsplash tiles, you are limited to glass or ceramic tiles. Extending the tiles all over the wall is also not practical. Another major difference is the installation process. With kitchen backsplash tiles, you need some technical knowledge and proper preparation before undertaking the task. With the other materials, the installation process is quite simple and therefore does not require too much preparation. You also have room to change any material that does not fit with the overall kitchen decor at a later date. This may not be possible with the tiles.

Despite these, kitchen backsplash tiles are still superior in terms of durability and maintenance. They only need regular cleaning and will not be damaged by water or other weather elements. They also display a higher level of commitment to the process of decorating the kitchen since they are not seasonal like the other materials. All these characteristics indicate that tiles are superior.

Stanley Hardin has been writing articles for more than 5 years. Not only does this author specialize on the subjects of health, diet, fitness and weight loss.

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

Friday, March 12, 2010

Variety in Shower Tiles

Variety in Shower Tiles


There is a lot to be said for shower tiles. They are easily maintained, easy to clean, they make for a neater looking shower and they are less likely to mold and mildew. Your bathroom is a direct link to your homes decor. The better your bathroom looks the better the rest of the house looks but you have to remember to stay the similar decor for the bathroom as you have for any room that the bathroom opens into. For example, you don't want a retro style bathroom with a contemporary style bedroom if they are attached.

Shower tiles come in a wide variety of styles, colors and materials. Marble and ceramic are probably the most well know materials for shower tiles. But are you aware they also are available in porcelain, mosaic and granite as well? You can purchase shower tiles for the floor as well as for the wall of your bathroom and shower. It is not recommended that you use the same tiles on the floor as you use on the walls for one main reason. Wall tile is generally glazed which gives it a shiny and slick feel to it when it is wet. Glazed tile on the floor would create a slipping hazard and could be dangerous.

Some tiles do not need glazing to make them shiny. Marble and granite for instance are natural stones and when polished they will naturally be shiny. Most mosaic shower tiles are made of glass and glass is naturally shiny because of the sand that is used to create it. You will find that shower tiles have many varying styles, colors, designs and prices. Bathroom tile is no different than tile that is used in the kitchen. They are both made of the same materials but one may be slightly smaller than the other.

Some retailers only carry limited amounts of some shower tiles. This may make it necessary for them to order sufficient amounts in order to complete large projects. This should not affect the cost of the tiles and in many cases there is no cost for ordering either. Granite and marble tile may be slightly higher than other tiles of similar design. The materials, designs and size of the tiles will have an effect on the prices. Bathroom tile can be found at most local home and building supply stores at competitive prices.

Ceramic and porcelain shower tiles are the least expensive tiles. Mosaic tiles mix different shapes and colors to create a design where porcelain and ceramic tile is molded with the design in them. All shower tiles are easy to clean with a general cleanser and a sponge or cloth. This does not mean there may be times that a little elbow grease may not be necessary to remove hard water stains or soap scum. If you have a special surface on your tile, you may want to ask local retailers if there is a special cleanser that you can use to prevent damage to the surface.

For more about the home decor benefits of Shower Tiles, visit http://www.showerremodelingonline.com.

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

Painting Ceramic Tile - Bad Tile? Paint It!

Painting Ceramic Tile - Bad Tile? Paint It!


Painting ceramic tile is one of the best home makeovers you can easily (and cheaply!) accomplish. With the wide variety of colors and stencils available these days, transforming a tiled area with fabulous results is as easy as painting the walls.

Any tiled area in your home can be painted over with the exception of areas with water/high humidity. There are products out there that can handle the moisture in these areas (bathtub or shower surrounds or floors), but they are best left to the experts.

To begin, choose your paint wisely. Oil-based paints will stick better, but take longer to dry thoroughly. Acrylic paints will peel without properly preparing the tile ahead of time. If you choose acrylic paints, you will spend more time preparing the area for painting than you will actually painting.

Simple steps for painting ceramic tile:

1. Thoroughly clean the area to be painted with a mild abrasive cleanser. Make sure you clean the grout as well.
2. Buy, beg or borrow an orbital sander - even a hand-held unit will do. Sand the tile lightly, just enough to scratch the shiny glaze and give the paint something to hold on to. If you are using acrylic paint, you will want to remove most (if not all) of the glaze.
3. Clean the tile again to remove the dust from sanding. Let the area dry for 48 hours (the grout takes longer to dry).
4. Paint your tiles with a high adhesion primer and let dry completely. Add a second coat if the tile color shows through.
5. Very lightly sand over the primer again, to remove any upright points the paint roller may have left. Be careful not to sand off too much!
6. Paint your area, using a low-nap roller. If your paint is too thick, thin it slightly, according to the manufacturers instructions.
7. You can add stencils, stripes or free hand designs at this point. Let your imagination guide you!
8. After your new color is completely dry (about 2 days), apply at least one coat of water-based urethane, to protect the surface of the paint. Painted tile floors will want additional coats of urethane, to preserve that fabulous new look.

Painting ceramic tile does not have to be hard or expensive. With the right tools and know-how, you can create a unique style in any area of your home, inside or out. These simple steps can be used on new, loose tile as well, to create one-of-a-kind trivets, coasters and more, or for future tiling use. Kids can help and create their own masterpieces as well, for gift-giving or show-and-tell at school. Explore your creative side and gain valuable experience doing smaller projects before tackling that spare bathroom with the lime green tile.

Gary Pearson is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about painting ceramic tile [http://makingceramics.info/painting-ceramic-tile-bad-tile-paint-it], please visit Making Ceramics [http://makingceramics.info] for current articles and discussions.

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