Being a homeowner you know a lot of hard work goes into making the kitchen and bathroom the best they can be. Often when you are in search for a flooring material for these areas which combines strength and durability with timeless good looks, it's very hard to beat all the virtues of ceramic tile. Often when a single tile on your kitchen or bathroom wall breaks it makes the whole room look completely unsightly.



Large Variety:

Tile products are easily available in unbelievably large options of colors, patterns and textures. The fact alone can be overwhelming when trying to choose the perfect tile to suit your needs. But very often which seems to confuse consumers more than design choices is the difference between the types of tile.

Each and every type of tile is made from a different composition, and that is what determines the tile's body color, texture and density. Generally there are three basic types of tile: Ceramic Tile, Porcelain Tile and Glass Tile. Among the three, ceramic and porcelain are the ones that confuse consumers most.

Ceramic Tile Installation Methods:

There is various different installation methods used to install ceramic tile. A successful installation of ceramic tiles depends on the proper use of quality installation materials or more commonly referred to as setting materials. Selection of the correct setting materials is as important as your tile selection.

Thin set is most commonly used while installing floor tile over a concrete or similar surface. It is a form of cement or bonding mortar. Thin set is usually sold in 50 pound bags and is relatively inexpensive.

Grout is another method which is a setting material that you will use with any ceramic tile installation. It is the cement that will fill the joints in between the tiles. There are generally two main types of grout, non-sanded and sanded.

Organic Adhesive which is also referred to as glue, organic adhesive is used to install ceramic tile on walls, counter tops, etc.

Latex bonding chemicals are just another way of installation which is primarily mixed in with the thin set to increase the bond strength.

Sealers can also be used for installation must which can be used with tiles that are not glazed such as Mexican and terra-cotta tiles. The installation process for these types of tiles can be quite complex.

Ceramic floor tiles maybe cold to stand on, but are durable, water-resistant and resistant to stains and spillages. They are available in numerous colors, patterns and shapes and are generally made of natural clay, decorated on one side with colored glaze. The surfaces of floor tiles are normally glazed (although floor tiles are not as highly polished as wall tiles), matt or have an unglazed finish.

Unglazed tiles once laid must be sealed with the proper proprietary sealant. The stronger floor tiles come in larger sizes and are thicker and darker on their underside. They are vitrified, that is, fired at a higher temperature so that the particles fuse together. This leads to the tiles being almost unbreakable when laid.

Cutting Ceramic Floor Tiles:

It is always wise decision to buy a few extra tiles, in case a tile cracks or breaks while cutting it to fit, or to keep as a convenient spare in case of accidental damage in the future. The method of laying tiles on a floor is similar to the method for laying them on a wall.

However to cut floor tiles, floor tile cutter with angled jaws or a floor tile cutting tool is required due to their thickness. Use a wooden stick to mark the length of tiles along its length and later it can be used as a tile gauge. It should be kept in mind to allow spacing for grouting.

Laying Ceramic Floor Tiles:

A waterproof, floor tile adhesive should be used which allows slight flexibility when set. Use a layer of adhesive on the back part of the tile and press into the desired position. It is very important to lay the first tile correctly, because its position will determine the position the other tiles.

A batten nailed to the floor can give a straight edge to guide the positioning of the tiles. Plastic spacers or thick card can also be used to regulate the distance between the tiles. These areas will be grouted when the floor tiling is complete and therefore must be equally spaced for neat, accurate results.

Cleaning Ceramic Floor Tiles:

Ceramic tiles do not require polish as they come with a natural glaze or matt finish. Sweep should be preferred rather than vacuum, as the end of some vacuums can scratch the surface.