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
Glass Subway Tiles For Your Kitchen
When you talk about renovating or remodeling one area of or the entire house, the term glass subway tile is often mentioned This is because the popularity of glass tiles has increased throughout the years
My Tile Backsplash Introduces Crossville's Glass Blox | Glass Tile Series
This latest new product announcement from leading glass tile supplier My Tile Backsplash introduces Crossville's Glass Tile collection Glass Blox.
Builders Perth Designing Your Bathroom
Building a new home is exciting and getting immersed in the design can be the best part for many people. There are so many rooms in a new home so where do we start? Well how about in the bathroom. Bathrooms are an integral part of our day. A refreshing shower or bath is a great way to start the day and equally a great way to unwind and relax at the end of it. Bathrooms should offer us an uplifting experience and therefore it is important to get the design balance right.
Wholesalers USA Partners With Giorbello to Offer Discounted Products at Washington Home & Garden Show
Wholesalers USA, a national retailer of glass and mosaic tiles, has announced a partnership with Giorbello (www.girobello.com), makers of European-inspired glass and stone/glass tiles. Wholesalers USA will offer discounts on Giorbello products at the Washington Home & Garden Show, to be held March 13-16.
Modwalls to Debut Their New Viridian Recycled Glass Tile at "West Coast Green"
Modwalls® will debut its latest Eco-Friendly product, Viridian recycled glass mosaic tile, at the 2008 "West Coast Green" conference and exposition in San Jose, CA September 25-27. Viridian recycled glass mosaic tile has been selected by Ecofabulous for installation in the expo's Showhouse, "Harbinger House".
Mosaic Tables Add Style To Any Room
Mosaic tables add style and charm to any room. With the color and patterns, you can create an aura of charm and sophistication. Whether indoors or out, mosaic tables add flair and sophistication to the surroundings.
Modwalls, "Architectural Surfaces That Inspire," Introduces the Modwalls Custom Tile Blender
The popular modwalls brand of glass mosaic tile and other unique architectural surfaces has created a new software program for their retail website. The modwalls tile blender allows customers to create their own glass tile blends from the company's 85 color pallet of the well known Kaleidoscope brand of 3/4" vitreous glass tile.
Modwalls 'Architectural Surfaces That Inspire' Introduces Tile Tattoos
The latest edition to modwalls brand's Lush line of 8mm thick glass tile are 4" square glass tiles of original tattoo designs. Tile tattoos feature ten different designs of custom tattoo art which is kiln fired onto the back of glass tile. Available by the single tile for architectural installations both indoor and out in wet and dry areas. There are eight coordinating 4" field tile colors in the Lush line which are sold by the square foot.
AnchorBayTile.com Now Offers Beautiful Collection of Glass Subway Tiles
This latest new product announcement from leading online tile supplier AnchorBayTile.com introduces their first store branded product called the Solana Glass Subway Tile collection.
New Website Showcases The Elegance of Vidrotil's Handcrafted Glass Mosaic Tiles
Newly launched DistinctionInMosaics.com showcases Vidrotil's unique collection of handcrafted glass mosaic tiles, the premier choice for custom mosaic tile murals, architectural projects, interior design concepts and landscaping applications.
New Source of Ceramic Tile and Glass Tile for the Phoenix Area, AnchorBayTile Opens New Store
The new Tempe, AZ AnchorBayTile store announces its official grand opening. The store will stock AnchorBayTile’s branded ceramic tile, glass tile and bamboo tile in one convenient location that is freeway close for most Phoenix residents.
Seattle Metropolitan - September 2009
Like many eye-catching, contemporary Northwest dwellings, Amely Wurmbrand's Shoreline home thrives on a clean layout and the beauty of its natural surroundings Considering she is both an artist and interior designer who uses decorative wall tile as a staple of her work, it's no wonder the place is a visual playground
Mosaic Tiles - Creating Attractive Illusion
Have you ever seen attractive artwork on floors in churches, cathedrals or in old palatial houses? Do you know what makes such an attractive piece of artwork? That's mosaic, made of small pieces of glass (plain or colored), marble, ceramic, colored stones or other similar materials. Use of Mosaic and Mosaic tiles is very popular in decorative art, interior decoration, and flooring. It creates a beautiful impact wherever used.
Using Tile to Make a Big Style Statement
Tile is an extremely versatile material with the potential to make a big impact in any space It comes in a range of every imaginable color, from nature inspired earth tones to bold flamboyant shades
Ceramic Tile brings a texture, richness and color to a room that Linoleum has yet to truly mimic. Tile floors can be installed in any room, however they are most frequently seen in Bathrooms and Kitchens. I particularly like them in entryways, where they serve as a transition point from the outside to large carpeted or hardwood floored rooms. They make for easy clean up and are impervious to water damage.
Tile Types
Ceramic tiles come in two basic types. Glazed and Porcelain. Glazed holds up the best for heavy traffic areas and porcelain works well in bathrooms. Porcelain is typically more expensive, so consider your budget and the size of the area you want to tile. Tiles also come in many shapes and sizes. For flooring, however, I would suggest using larger tiles up to 12" x 12".
Underlayment
For proper installation the base foundation or the underlayment is critical. Typically it consists of ¾" to 1 ¼" of plywood. Tiling over Linoleum or existing tile is also feasible, as long as it is solid. I also recommend when Tiling over Linoleum that you first apply ring nails or screws 6" on center over the entire area. Tiles can also be installed directly over Concrete. Make sure in all cases that the floor is level and free of dust and debris prior to installation. There are leveling compounds that you can apply before applying tile if necessary.
Preparing the Site
Before actually installing the tile, it is best to lay it out in the room to see how it will look. Pay close attention to how it runs out toward the walls, in the corners and next to cabinets, tubs and toilets. The trick is to lay the tile out such that stubby tiles do not show up in highly visible spots. Once you have completed this, make two marks with a pencil outlining the most centered tile. These lines should be perpendicular to each other. Also take note of the wall that is most visible from all the others. Now remove the tiles. Next draw or snap a line perpendicular to this wall that is in line with one of the marks you made on the floor.
Then, draw a perpendicular line to this first line. This second line should be centered with the first line and fairly in line with the second mark you made on the floor. Once you have completed this task, re-layout some of the tiles along the perpendicular lines and observe if they run out in a way that will limit cutting and stubbed tiles. Once this is completed, remove the tiles and prepare for the actual installation.
Installing the Tile
Again, make sure the area is free of dirt and dust. Next apply the ceramic adhesive or mastic to the flooring, starting in the center, where the two perpendicular reference lines intersect. Apply enough material to cover 6-10 square feet, if no cuts are required. If cuts are required limit the amount of mastic application to about 2-4 square feet. When applying the mastic, first spread it with the flat end of the trowel. Lay it on relatively thick, approximately 1/8" to 3/16"thick. Then turn the trowel around and run the notched edge over it. This creates ridges in the mastic that helps to hold the tile down more securely. The larger the tile, the larger the notches should be. For example, I use a ¼" notched trowel for 12" x 12" tiles.
Note: Only make up enough ceramic adhesive for 30 minutes, as this material has the tendency to harden up rather quickly.
Once the adhesive has been applied, begin installing the tiles working from the center outward. On larger tiles you should back butter them. Basically, apply a thin coating of mastic to the back of the tile prior to laying it on the floor. This will help ensure a good bond.
As you near the walls or edges of cabinets, tubs and toilets, you will need to cut some of the tiles. I highly recommend the use of a Wet-Saw. A Wet-Saw will allow you to make very accurate cuts, both large and small. You will also save money, as you will waste many fewer tiles with bad cuts or broken tiles. Wet-Saws are not that expensive and once you see your finished product you will certainly be installing more tile. Wet-Saws can also be rented as a cheaper alternative.
When applying Tiles, you may want to use Lugs. Lugs are effectively spacers that come in various thicknesses. I typically like to have no more than a ¼" space between the tiles. Employing Spacers will ensure uniformity with your tile spacing.
Grouting
After the Tile has been completely installed, allow it to sit for 24-48 hours before applying grout and walking on it. Grout comes in many different colors and is very easy to install. Simply mix the grout with water or a special bonding agent and apply with a rubber trowel. Run the trowel on a bias when going over tile corners.
Once the grout has been applied, immediately wipe the tile of excess grout, using a wet sponge and a bucket of water. Wait 30 minutes and again wipe the tiles down of any residual grout. Wait another 60 minutes and repeat. If grout is left on the tiles to dry, you will have a great deal of elbow work scraping it off.
Let the grout sit up for 24 hours and it is ready for use and admiration.
Mark J. Donovan
me_donovan@comcast.net
http://www.homeadditionplus.com
http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com
Over the past 20+ years I have been involved with Building homes and additions to homes. I have completed many projects that have included: building a Vacation Home, Family Room Additions, and a Garage. I have also finished the upstairs on unfinished homes. My formal education and Profession has been as an Electrical Engineer and Marketing Manager.