10/10/2010

Choosing the Right Type of Tile – A Guide to Different Tiles and Their Uses

Posted by The Flooring Expert under Bathroom Design, Ceramic Tile Countertops, custom floor designs, DIY, Do it Yourself, Floor Installations, Floor Maintenance, Flooring Choices, Granite, Green Flooring, Home Improvement, Kitchen Design, Laminate Flooring, Limestone, Marble, Pergo, Real Estate, Stone Flooring, Tile Flooring, Vinyl Flooring, wood flooring | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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By Joe Wallis

California Flooring Store Locations

California Flooring Store Locations

These days, tiles are used in more than just kitchen and bathroom projects. There are many different types of tiles, some of which can be installed both indoors and outdoors. Some are extremely versatile, and can be used just about anywhere.

Before choosing tile, it’s important to learn about the different types and their uses. Whether you want to simply remodel one room in your home or renovate an entire building, here is an overview to 10 different tiles and their uses.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are forged from rich clay gathered from deep within the earth. Ceramic has an elegant, yet natural appearance, and the tiles are typically glazed in a matte or satin finish. You can also choose unglazed, or “quarry” tiles, if you prefer a more natural look.

Ceramic tile is usually found in residential kitchens and bathrooms. It can be used for flooring, walls, and countertops. If you’re looking for an extremely durable material that can withstand scratches and stains, then you might want to consider buying ceramic tile.

Marble Tile

Marble is extremely elegant. It comes in a variety of colors, with the most common being white, pink, gray, and black. The finish can be either matte or polished. This tile is ideal for countertops and walls in kitchens and bathrooms. Many sinks and vanities are made out of marble as well. Polished marble is not ideal for bathroom floors, as it gets slippery when wet. If you
want to buy marble flooring, be sure to choose tiles with a honed (matte) finish.

Vinyl Tile

 Vinyl tile is both durable and low-cost. As such, it’s a popular flooring material in high-traffic rooms. Not only is it resilient to impact damage, it is also supple and comfortable to walk on. As long as they are installed properly, vinyl tiles don’t need a lot of maintenance. It’s ideal for residential flooring and commercial flooring both. If you’re going for an antique look, you can buy vinyl tile that is designed to resemble wood or stone.

Granite Tile

Granite is a common building material. It has been used for centuries in both indoor and outdoor applications. It’s a very hard stone that is water and scratch-resistant. Since it doesn’t conduct heat, it can go anywhere in the kitchen. It can also be used for outdoor building projects, such as storage building construction and paving. Granite was even used to construct Mount Rushmore! You can choose granite tile in a variety of finishes, including sandblasted, flamed, honed, and polished.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain is known for its beauty and durability. It’s easy to maintain and is available in different colors and textures. Porcelain tile is very frost-resistant, and therefore suitable for bathroom furniture, flooring, and walls. Some small
businesses also use porcelain tile since it holds up pretty well as light commercial traffic. Porcelain tile is available in high-polished, matte, and unglazed finishes.

Slate Tile

Slate has a rough texture and rustic appearance. However, it still scratches and stains easily, making it a bad choice for kitchen countertops. What it lacks in durability, slate makes up for in versatility. You can use it for interior and exterior projects. Some indoor uses for slate tile include bathroom and
kitchen flooring, walls, and indoor sunrooms. For the outdoors, you can use it as building material for a patio or porch.

Mosaic Tile

Mosaic tile is very translucent, beautiful, and versatile. It is produced in many different colors and textures. This makes it a perfect design for just about any renovation project. Mosaic looks great in bathrooms, kitchens, around pools, bathtubs, and even walls. Some manufacturers even create mosaic tiles for
artistic projects. A lot of artists use this material in their arts and crafts.

Travertine Tile

Travertine is a stone tile that is used in a variety of residential applications. It’s easy to cut for a stone; therefore, it can be cut to fit any type of area. In addition to flooring, travertine tile can be used on kitchen countertops sinks, in showers, and for fireplaces. For outdoor applications, it can be used as a garden path or patio. Travertine is rather porous and quickly absorbs liquids. For this reason, you need to wipe up spills as soon as they happen. Also, you need to be careful in regards to the cleaning products you use.

Laminate Tile

Laminate looks like hardwood, yet no wood is used in its construction. Laminate tiles are made up of a variety of materials which are bonded together under high pressure. They are topped with a photographic image of hardwood flooring, followed by a hard, clear coating. Laminate is an ideal choice if you want an inexpensive alternative to a wood floor. It can be installed in just about any room in your home, save for the bathroom and laundry room. This is because laminate tiles can swell when exposed to a lot of moisture.

Linoleum Tile

Linoleum is a great looking tile that looks attractive in both contemporary and traditional settings. Linoleum floors can last for a very long time, and don’t require a lot of maintenance. It’s extremely water-resistant, so you can put it in your bathroom, laundry room, patio, and just about any other indoor or outdoor setting. The downside to linoleum is that it doesn’t do well around heat, so avoid using it near a stove or fireplace.

About the author:
Joe Wallis is the editor of the Learn How to Lay Tile website, which provides information about how to choose tile and set it properly for a wide variety of home improvement projects.

 

09/22/2010

Procedure for Removing Tiles

Posted by The Flooring Expert under custom floor designs, DIY, Do it Yourself, Floor Installations, Floor Maintenance, Flooring Choices, Granite, Home Improvement, Kitchen Design, Real Estate, Stone Flooring, Stone Flooring Maintenance, Tile Floor Installations, Tile Flooring, Tile Installations, Tile Maintanence | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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By Joe Wallis

Tile Removal

Tile Removal

The first thing that you should do whenever you are going to install a new set of tiles on the floor of any room in the house is to take out the worn-out tiles prior to beginning with the installation. Another suggestion is for you to inquire from professionals and ask them for advice or to research about it before you begin working, similar to other kinds of renovation work. Even as a number of people will not find it difficult to remove tiles, you would not know what to do until you will be able to consult an expert. You will be able to do a satisfactory job in taking out the tiles provided that you stick to the procedures in this article on what you need to do when you are removing tiles.

Since a number of rooms inside the house are used more often compared to others, they are often worn out faster than the others especially with the way they are used. Among the rooms that often have badly worn out floors are the bathroom and the kitchen. You may have to install brand new and elegant tiles to replace the ones that already look old and worn out. Even though it may not sound easy to do and may take a long time to finish, you might as well work on it if you have a couple of weekends available to work on it since you will reap the rewards of your hard work later on. Even if the adhesive that was used in installing the tiles are heavy duty, the equipment that you will use in removing the tiles will be suitable enough for the job.

The image of yourself on the floor struggling to remove each and every tile on the floor may have crossed your mind. But the good news is that image in your mind is not accurate since the procedure in taking out the tile will not take forever to do. I also experienced the sense of relief after learning that it will not be necessary to stay on the floor for a number of hours just to remove worn out tiles. Safety will always be the foremost concern whenever you want to remove the tiles. Have your gloves and goggles ready due to the dust and dirt particles that might fly off when you know how to take out the worn-out tiles on the floor.

If you are fascinated by the demolition and wrecking of things, you will find the next step fun to do. Simply get a hammer and start smashing the tiles one at a time. Try to control yourself since things can easily go wrong, however be confident enough to enjoy yourself during the job, As soon as the tiles are destroyed and smashed into smaller pieces use a power scraper with a long handle to sweep the floor. You will be able to take out any of the extra bits wedged against the floorboard using the tool as a broom. Once this is done, take all the large and tiny pieces of tiles out of the room and vacuum it to remove the dust particles from of the room. With this you should already know how to properly remove worn-out tiles from the room.

About the author:
Joe Wallis edits www.learnhowtolaytile.com, which offers a free course that instructs people about how to remove old tile and other tile setting matters.

 

08/16/2010

Tile Flooring Installation Video of the Week

Posted by The Flooring Expert under custom floor designs, DIY, Do it Yourself, Floor Installations, Flooring Choices, Granite, Green Flooring, Home Improvement, Limestone, Marble, Stone Flooring, Tile Floor Installations, Tile Flooring, Tile Installations | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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08/03/2010

Natural Stone – Classy Ways To Go All Natural

Posted by The Flooring Expert under Concrete Flooring, custom floor designs, Floor Heating, Floor Installations, Floor Maintenance, Flooring Choices, Granite, Green Flooring, Home Improvement, Kitchen Design, Limestone, Marble, Real Estate, Stone Flooring, Stone Flooring Maintenance, Tile Flooring, Tile Installations, Tile Maintanence | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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By Sandy Yeates

Natural-Stone-Floors

 

The next time our highly plasticized world starts getting you down and you feel an urge to commune with nature, slip off your shoes and walk barefoot on a floor made from natural stone.

Chances are, no matter what type or quality of stone tiles you have used for flooring, it will feel wonderfully cool during the hot summer months and retain warmth during the colder winter months.

Apart from its natural beauty, natural stone also contains no toxins or chemicals which can cause allergies.

But like all natural products, the qualities and features of various stones differ dramatically, so if you want to choose natural stone tiles for your flooring you need to consult an expert to find out which stones work most effectively where.

Let’s have a look at how you can incorporate natural stone indoors as a feature.

Slate Tiles

The beauty of slate is in the rich diversity of colours and its durability.

Each piece of slate tiling is like an individual work of art with its variations in tone and texture, ranging from pale greys and pinks to intense greens and blacks. When laid properly in a large space, these variations give a feeling of continuity and tonal flow – much like a painting.

Alternatively, individual slate tiles or small groups can be used to offset or complement a plain stone tile like sandstone on the walls or floors. For example, a cream coloured sandstone with overtones of pink can be highlighted with a small grouping of slate tiles with deeper splashes of pinks and blues, placed on the diagonal.

Like most natural stone products, a sealant improves the quality and durability of slate so it is easy to maintain, easy to keep clean, resistant to chemical spills, won’t fade and is impermeable to water.

Sandstone Tiles

Sandstone is a generic name given to a type of natural stone that contains quartzite – the inclusion of quartzite is the only characteristic the various types of sandstone share. Sandstone is obtained from quarries all over the world, so the qualities of sandstone are unique to the region where they are sourced.

Although most designers and homeowners use sandstone for outdoor paving and around traditional chlorinated pool areas, it blends beautifully indoors, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. Sandstone is slip resistant and impervious to water (although poor quality sandstone doesn’t possess these important qualities).

Sandstone is an incredibly versatile product and is used extensively by architects and designers because of its durability, fire resistance and thermal qualities. Sandstone is generally pale in colour, so it effectively enhances the feeling of light and space when used indoors, particularly in large open plan rooms.

Designers often use a darker natural stone tile like bluestone or quartzite to break up large sections of sandstone or to define a particular area. This effect can look stunning with a little creativity and imagination.

Bluestone

Nothing beats bluestone for its incredible strength and versatility. Not only that, bluestone is an aesthetically beautiful natural stone that is grey in colour but with subtle variation in tone. Surface treatment options make it versatile for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Bluestone with a polished surface has a refined luster under any lighting. Honed bluestone is a softer, low sheen option popular for both indoor floors and walls. Bluestone with a flamed finish is a natural outdoor paving stone.

The best quality bluestone is being used extensively indoors in kitchens, living areas and hallways because it is virtually impervious to water and has a stain resistance. The dark grey tones of bluestone effectively hide dirt, making it a busy homeowner’s dream natural stone surface.

Cutting edge designers are now incorporating bluestone into high traffic areas because of its durability and toughness and also because it is so easy to maintain. Nowadays you will see bluestone in honed and polished form used extensively in wine bars, restaurants, hotel lobbies and up-market retail outlets.

Outdoors the natural stone tile of choice is flamed bluestone because of its non-slip characteristics, to say nothing of its luxurious appeal. Garden designers are increasingly using the grey/black tones of bluestone to offset water features and pool surrounds.

The Appeal of Natural Stone

From the sleek lines of steel and glass used in contemporary architecture to the soft decorative features of a federation style home, the inclusion of natural stone complements any environment.

Imagine a stacked stone water feature made with blue-grey slate inside a glass covered portico at the entrance to an architectural masterpiece, or the soft colours of sandstone laid in the entry of an old inner city terrace, or an expansive family room floor tiled in the earthy, ambient tones of limestone.

Natural stone is…well…natural and it glows with life, no matter how or where it’s used. In a world burdened by the effects of toxic chemicals and products, doesn’t it feel good to experience the look and feel of something that you know has been created by nature? Natural stone was here long before we were and will still be around long after we’re gone.

About the author:
The next time our highly plasticized world starts getting you down and you feel an urge to commune with nature, slip off your shoes and walk barefoot on a floor made from natural stone.

Chances are, no matter what type or quality of stone tiles you have used for flooring, it will feel wonderfully cool during the hot summer months and retain warmth during the colder winter months.

 

07/08/2010

Clearing Up The Confusion Surrounding Sealing Natural Stone

Posted by The Flooring Expert under custom floor designs, DIY, Do it Yourself, Floor Maintenance, Flooring Choices, Granite, Green Flooring, Home Improvement, Limestone, Marble, Real Estate, Stone Flooring, Stone Flooring Maintenance, Tile Flooring, Tile Maintanence | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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By Leigh Kerr

Stone Flooring Maintenance Videos

Click Picture for Stone Flooring Maintenance Videos

 

There would seem based my own experience that there is a lot of confusion amongst the general public and some builders as to what sealing natural stone actually means.

When we talk about sealing a surface we normally mean that an impenetrable barrier is painted on or applied in some way. For example tiled floors are often sealed to give them added protection and make them shine. To do this a series of coats of emulsion polish are applied to the surface and allowed to dry. This seals the floor and gives it protection. Other surfaces such as wood are often sealed with a coating of a polyurethane product. This adds strength to the surface and protects it. Many other normally porous surfaces can be sealed with a layer that sits on the surface acting as a barrier to penetrative agents and gives protection also.

The sealing of natural stone such as marble, granite, limestone and slate is very different. Natural stone is made up of crystals that interlock together. The actual minerals that are present as crystals in the stone give it its colour and striations. However there are spaces between the crystal and the smaller these spaces are and the more the crystals have been compacted together the less porous the stone is. So these spaces will determine the porosity of the stone. A combination of pore size and mineral content of the stone will also determine its hardness and thus its durability. These spaces in the stone are air filled when the stone is dry and water filled when the stone is wet. Bacteria inhabit these spaces and these are often vital for the maintenance of the stone. Very little research has been carried out into these bacteria but what has been done would suggest that they are essential in maintaining the integrity of the stone.

Consequently we have the picture of stone as quite a complex mix of minerals, bacteria and spaces. You must imagine the stone to be something akin to a very hard sponge! If you drop a liquid onto the stone it will be absorbed and spread through the spaces. This is why what initially looked like a small spillage can end up as quite a large stain in the stone. To remove the stain it has to be flushed out of these spaces. All a stone sealer does it fill up these spaces. Many of the stone sealants in use are based on fatty acids rather than synthetic sealants. These natural sealants are better because they do not destroy the bacteria but often enhance them. Synthetic sealants will destroy these bacteria that has longer-term consequences on the stones makeup. Sealants based on fat however have a shorter lifespan and must be renewed periodically.

Whatever sealant is used it simply fills up the spaces between the crystals it does not cover the surface of the stone. Its purpose is simply to delay the penetration of liquids into the stone. So if corrosive materials get onto the stone then it will be damaged. Stone sealants do not form a protective ‘seal’ on the surface of the stone. Consequently stone is only protected from absorbing liquids. It is not protected from surface damage.

About the author:
Information on back spasm treatment can be found at the Body Spasms site.

 

03/05/2010

Bathroom Flooring: Keeping Safety in Mind

Posted by The Flooring Expert under DIY, Do it Yourself, Floor Installations, Floor Maintenance, Flooring Choices, Granite, Green Flooring, Home Improvement, Limestone, Marble, Stone Flooring, Tile Flooring, wood flooring | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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By Stefra
Bathroom floors are always moist, or even wet for several hours every day. The waterlogged floor not only poses increased risk for slippage, but also acts as an excellent conductor for electricity, which can potentially lead to fatal accidents. As such, it is always imperative that you keep the safety of you and your family when choosing flooring material for your bathroom.

You will not be limited by choices here; there are so many types of materials available that you will have a hard time making a decision. From the natural wood to artificially produced mosaic, there are plenty of choices available for you. However, it is necessary to consider the pros and cons of each type of flooring before you decide on using a particular type. Here is a heads up of the positives and cons of the most popular types of bathroom flooring to help you with that.

Wooden flooring


Wood tiles or sheets make for excellent flooring material, imparting a classy look to your bathroom. Wood will look good with most types of bathroom decor. Also, anybody slipping on wet wooden floor will sustain considerably less severe injuries compared to a stone or concrete floor. However, remember that on prolonged contact with moisture, wood will rot and create a haven for mildew and fungi. If you have decided to use wood flooring, make sure that it is waterproofed prior to installation. It will greatly improve the life span of wooden flooring.

Granite flooring


There is a popular misconception that the surface of granite becomes slippery when wet. This is not completely true. Large, thin slabs of granite can indeed become slippery, but granite tiles with grout lines present every 10 sq. cm or so are perfectly safe for use as flooring material. Granite tiles will resist corrosion from cleaning agents like bleach and household cleaners, making these highly durable. However, make sure that you do not leave acidic chemicals on granite floors for extended periods of time. Good quality granite will resist the acid, sure, but will also get stained in the process. These stains can be hard to remove. Another drawback of this type of flooring is the high price tag.

Mosaic flooring


Mosaic tiles come in different sizes, allowing you to choose the one you wish to install in your bathroom. Mosaic tiles have one major benefit over other types of tiles, in that it does not get slippery even when wet. This makes it an automatic choice if you have senior citizens or babies in your home. Mosaic floors also resist corrosion and can last for years. However, the one drawback of this type of flooring is the high price it can command. The floors have to be cleaned frequently, since dirt and grime can accumulate in the ridges and curves of the tiles. Also, due to the characteristically rough texture of this type of tiles, especially around the edges, it is hard to make uniform grout lines when installing. Still, the slippage resistance is enough benefit for many customers, as indicated by the high popularity curve of this type of tiles.

Slate flooring


Slate is an igneous rock, and completely impervious in nature. As such, it provides absolutely 100% protection against growth of mildew and fungi. Also, it greatly resists corrosion from any kind of acidic chemical, making it a very good choice as flooring material. The high price tag may be a tad problematic for some customers, but the benefits do vastly outweigh this one drawback.

These are the major flooring materials, from which you can choose the one for your bathroom. Each has its own set of pros and cons, but ultimately, your budget may be the last criterion for your choice, as the pros do outweigh the cons in most cases.

About the author:
Read more about Baderom at Nettoline.no

 

11/09/2009

How To Select The Right Natural Stone Products To Use In Your Bathroom

Posted by The Flooring Expert under Bathroom Design, Flooring Choices, Granite, Green Flooring, Home Improvement, Limestone, Marble, Stone Flooring, Stone Flooring Maintenance | Tags: , , , , , , , , |
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By Vikram Kumar

One of the best trends in bathroom remodeling has been the use of natural stone products. From bathroom vanities to floor and wall tiles, natural stone products have been working their way in to every corner of the modern washroom. People love how easy they are to care for and the beauty and value that they can bring with a bathroom remodeling project.

bathroom-stone

Bathroom Flooring Room Designer

If you are thinking about natural stone products to use in bathroom vanities, you want to make sure that they are durable and easy to care for. Choices of natural stone products include marble and granite. There are a number of different tops for bathroom vanities in both single and double sink styles. The color variations can be stunning when paired with the right cabinetry. For a truly modern look, you can also choose a stone bowl-style sink. These sinks sit on top of the bathroom vanities and these can be great if you want to use a piece of cabinetry that was not originally designed or intended for use in a bathroom. It is one of the hottest trends in bathroom vanities at the moment.

Other places that natural stone products can be used are as floor and wall tiles. Floor tiles and wall tiles are available in slate, granite, marble, travertine and several other types of natural stone. You should keep in mind that some stone products have different care requirements than others and that you should not overpower the room with a bunch of mismatched elements. 

Regular decorating rules still apply even when working with natural stone products in a bathroom. If you are planning to use natural stone products to tile the walls, you may want to stick to lighter colored tiles with the occasional splash of more intense color. This is so that the room continues to look large, light and airy rather than cramped and closed in. Natural stone products can be purchased in tiles which range from large squares for use on floors to smaller squares and subway tiles for the walls. You are not limited to only one type, shape or color of tile but with every additional type or color of tile your cost will increase.

Natural stone products can also be used in the shower. Consider how striking your shower can look if you have it tiled in square tiles with a band of mosaic tiles. These can be the same as the larger tiles or be made from complimentary natural  stone products. Keep in mind that different natural stone products have different grains and degrees of hardness so you may want to speak with a designer to make sure that you will get the results you are looking for.

It doesn’t matter whether the natural stone products you are using are designed for bathroom vanities, sinks or tiles. The range of colors and choices make it possible to find something that suits every taste and budget and can help you to get the bathroom of your dreams. 

About the author:

If decorating your bathroom is something you want to accomplish on a budget, check out homedesignoutletcenter. Their choice of <a href=”
http://www.homedesignoutletcenter.com
“>natural stone products</a> ranges from <a href=”
http://www.homedesignoutletcenter.com
“>bathroom vanities</a> and sinks to floor tiles and you can be sure to find something truly amazing.

 

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