Tile is easy to clean and long lasting, but there are characteristics that make it wrong for certain rooms. Tile holds the cold, so it is not good for a basement; it can be slippery, so it may not be good for an entrance.
2. What is the right tile?
Tiles come in many shapes and sizes, from as small as one inch to as large as two feet. The size of the room should determine the size of the tiles you use. A small room would be overpowered by large tiles, so smaller sized tiles should be used here and large tiles limited to larger spaces.
There are many choices of styles for tiles, and your personal decorating taste will dictate the one you choose. If you prefer a rustic or natural look, you would choose something rugged rather than a marble look. The polished marble look would suit a formal design scheme.
Be careful about the texture of the tile. Smooth surfaced tiles can be slippery, a consideration if there are children or elderly people in the household.
3. Pick the right grout color and width
Grout is the cement that is used to fill the space between the tiles, and can be chosen in many different colors to complement the tile. Choosing a wider or narrower grout space will affect the appearance of the tile.
4. Methods of installation
Tile can be installed in many different ways, and the method chosen depends on the material, time allowed and the patience of the installer. The most important step in installation is preparation. Make sure you have all necessary materials on hand, such as the bonding material, the grout, sealer and all of the right tools.
The tricky part of laying tiles is to make sure that your cuts are even and that the spaces between all of the tiles is consistent. If, after you have laid out in your mind what is necessary to do the job right, you get cold feet, you can call in a professional.
5. Maintaining tile
Ceramic tile is very easy care. If you take proper care of ceramic tile, it will stay new looking for years. Any household cleaning product can be used to clean tile. Vacuum or sweep the surface, then mop the tiles clean. That's all there is to it. You do have to be careful about dropping objects on ceramic tiles because if they break or crack, it is difficult to replace only one tile.
There is an enormous variety of styles, colors, types, and price points to choose from. First of all consider what the tile will be used for. For example, floor tiles need to be durable and slip resistant, while wall tiles don't. Relatively hard tiles that rate at least 6 or 7 on the Mohs scale (a 1-to-10 scale used by tile manufacturers to indicate the hardness or softness of a tile) and that have a textured or matte glaze are the best for floors.
For the bath or shower walls, ease of cleaning is an important consideration. It is best to use tiles with a shiny glaze for walls so hardness is less of an issue. What you might do is to take a few samples home that you are considering using and kind of take them for a test drive in the areas that you plan on using them. That way you can check out scratching, reaction to soap and water spots, scuffing, cleaning ease in the area you are planning to use them.
Slate has a rich, organic look and is available in a variety of colors and surface finishes. Some slate has a rougher texture that provides good traction for floors and walls, but because slate is soft and somewhat porous, it needs to be sealed and properly maintained to prevent staining.
Marble is a beautiful and popular bathroom finish material, but is generally also the most susceptible to staining among the natural stones. Highly polished marbles are most vulnerable, and like most stones, marble needs to be sealed with a penetrating silicone sealer that is maintained regularly.
Natural stones like granite, soapstone, and slate are popular finish materials for bathrooms because of their natural beauty and durability. Stone is available in both highly polished and matte finishes.
Then, of course, there is ceramic and porcelain tile, one of the most widely used tiles for the bathroom. It is available in a variety of finishes including matte, glossy, textured and natural. There is a wide range of prices. Cost can run from as little as 35 cents apiece while the fancier handmade specialy tiles can range from $10 to $150 each. There is a huge range of edging options, and comes in sizes from 1"x 1" up to 24" x 24" and from thickness of 1/4" to 3/8".
Both Vince J. Paxton & Linda Tanner are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Vince J. Paxton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Bathroom Home Improvement, Interior Design and Home Management. Focusing recent findings in vinyl flooring, Vince Paxton writes articles principally for http://www.insidewoodworking.com . You can have a look at his work on. Vince J. Paxton's top article generates over 550000 views. to your Favourites.
Linda Tanner has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wedding Cake, Golf Guide and Culture and Society. Linda Tanner has experience in home improvement projects. She has bought over 15 homes that she improved and/or remodeled, then resold for a profit. If you would like to know more about selecting tile for your home go to. Linda Tanner's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.