Although glass, ceramic and stone were often used in the production of classical mosaics, sometime semi-precious and even precious stones were also employed. Common examples include: sapphire, lapis lazuli, ruby, opal, tourmaline and topaz.
If your ceramic tile grout gets old and dingy, there are special products available to help you clean it. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product to renew your grout's appearance.
It’s important to remember that not all hardwood floors can be refinished in the same way. While a chemical stripper may be all you need to remove finish from some floors, others will require sanding to restore them.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to install carpeting in all the bedrooms just because that’s what’s standard in most homes. If someone in your home has respiratory issues, you may want to consider ceramic tile flooring in their bedroom instead.
When thinking of glass tiles, you might picture shiny, square, transparent tiles. The truth is that today's tiles can be any degree between transparent all the way to completely opaque. They also come in a huge array of different shapes and sizes to fit any decor.
Similar to the days of the Roman Empire, many modern mosaic tile artists are using this medium to capture the likenesses of the wealthy and famous. Martin Brown, for example, is a pioneer in this movement and is using his skills as a mosaic artist to create portraits of famous artists and icons.
Using a focal point at the far end of a narrow space will take the eye off the limitations of the space. Something like a motif, or mosaic focal point makes the room interesting as well as takes the mind away from the smallness of the space.
Have you been hesitant to install glass tiles in your home because you don’t want to end up with a lot of clear glass everywhere? Remember, glass tiles come in different colors and textures and are probably more like ceramic tiles than panes of glass.
Ceramic flooring tile allows you a wide range of choices when remodeling your kitchen or bathroom. Ceramic tiles are durable, resistant to high temperatures and moisture, and can help you introduce a drastically different style with very little effort.
One of the benefits of fused glass tiles lies in their versatility, as they are available in practically any size: from mosaics to large format. This type of tile is often treated with an etching or other coating to increase resistance to abrasion.
When remodeling your kitchen, one of the areas that may need updating is the flooring. Using ceramic floor tiles is a practical as well as an elegant choice because ceramic tile floors are some of the easiest to clean, as well as the most enduring and moisture-resistant.
One of glass tile's most appealing features is its resistance to moisture, which makes it perfect for bathrooms, spas, pools, and courtyards. The tiles can be placed on the walls as well as the floor, and used to cover a surface entirely or just for decorative details.
Because ceramic tiles come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, they are an ideal choice for making a big statement in a small space. Beautiful floor tiling can transform any area and will make even the tiniest bathroom or shower area look amazing.
What is grout? Grout is an important component of the ceramic tile flooring process. Grout is a cementitious material that goes between tiles to make sure they stay in place.
Although tile is widely represented in the arts, it is also use in construction. It isn't uncommon to see tile roofing, flooring, wall covering and countertops. Tile is available in many sizes, shapes, colors and patterns.
Did you know that ceramic tiles are rated for hardness or scratch resistance using the MOHS test and rating system (where tiles are rated from 1 as the softest to 10 as the hardest). In most cases, ceramic tile with a value of 5 or more is suitable for most residential floor tile applications.
Think about renting a wet saw for your tile installation project. Install all the full tile in your project, then rent the saw, and cut the tile you need to finish up the job.
If you notice that the grout installed with your ceramic tile flooring has become cracked or otherwise dislodged, it’s important to have this repaired a soon as possible. Any gaps left can allow moisture and germs to penetrate past the surface covering to the subfloor.
Although the popularity of the colors, sizes, and textures used in ceramic tile manufacturing has changed over the centuries, the process of making ceramics has stayed very much the same. Ceramic manufacturing still uses many of the same materials and, of course, high heat remains at the core of the process.
If your area is subject to occasional flooding, it might be a better idea to put in ceramic tile instead of wooden floors or carpeting. This is because a properly installed ceramic tile floor will not be affected should water invade your home.
Glass tile is a non-porous material, so it’s a great tile option for areas with a lot of moisture, like bathrooms or a kitchen backsplash. It won’t absorb water or cooking residue and stain like other tile options.
Keep in mind that to prevent chipping and cracking, ceramic tile must be installed over a firmly supported subflooring. The tile grout and tile should also be sealed, as otherwise it can be difficult to clean.
There are many choices when it comes to hardwood floors. Parquet wood floors are a North American term for geometric, rectangular blocks of wood that are either glued or nailed down, depending on the type of parquet construction.
Keep in mind that for ceramic tile to be suitable for exterior applications, it must have a very low water absorption rate. In most cases, porcelain body tiles will be best, as they have a moisture absorption rating of less than 0.5 percent.
Engineered wood floors are a newer concept, made with real wood but using multiple wood or wood composite veneers. This can combine multiple species of hardwood trees, and the grain of each veneer runs in different directions, which makes it more stable, and resistant to expansion and contraction.
When selecting ceramic tiles, remember to also view it with a sample of the grout you plan to use. Even slight variations in grout color can vastly change the appearance of your tile.
Are you concerned that some of the materials you’ve been using to decorate your home may not be made from sustainable materials? If this is important to you, we’re always happy to help you learn more about the sustainability of glass tiles.
There are many sheens available in flooring finishes. Gloss sheens are very shiny and reflect the most light, semi-gloss sheens and satin sheens progressively offer less shine and light reflection, and finally matte or flat sheens have the least shine and reflect the least light.
In recent years, darker colors, wider planks and interesting designs have become popular in hardwood floors. Alternative materials that may have renewable characteristics, like bamboo, have increased in popularity, too.
If you select a very light grout color to complement your tile selection, remember that water spills can darken it over time. You may wish to apply a grout sealant to slow this process.
Ceramic tile can last for decades. Usually, when tile fails, it's because it has been installed improperly, so be sure to follow the instructions to the tee if this is a do-it-yourself project.
With glass mosaics, you are able to achieve a wide range of looks, depending on the size, color, and shape of the tiles you use. In addition, glass mosaics can be combined with stone or ceramic for a unique and distinct style.
While using a sander to refinish flooring can be a relatively quick process in some cases, it’s not always easy to tell which areas you’ve covered. Coloring the floor with a pencil first can help you see at glance which areas are sanded.
If you have a large dog in your home, you may feel like you have to choose between flooring that’s easy to clean and flooring that their claws won’t scratch. With ceramic tile flooring, you’ll get easy to clean surfaces that are tough enough to handle their claws.
Did you know that ceramic tile is fired in a kiln and then cooled? This expansion and contraction can cause the tiles to vary in size. When choosing tiles for a project, expect some variation, but try to keep it within one-eighth-inch.
If certain areas of your home seem drab and gloomy, then adding glass tile into the mix is a great option. While certain floor colors such as carpets and darker hardwoods actually absorb light, making the room seem dark and bleak, glass tile reflects the light, making the area seem brighter and more spacious.
The tile pieces in a mosaic are put as close together as possible to maintain the illusion of a picture. Gaps are filled with liquid mortar. Once that dries, the surface is cleaned and polished.
When you see multiple, colorful glazes in tiles, the process used to achieve this masterful layering is called "bicottura." Bicottura is a multiple firing method in which glazes are added one at a time and fired individually to achieve complicated and often dazzling patterns.
Have outdated laminate flooring in your bathroom or kitchen? Not only would updating to ceramic tile look better; it will also increase the value of your home.
There are many reasons why ceramic tile flooring is a practical as well as aesthetic choice. For one thing, ceramic tiles are highly resistant to scratches, making them extremely durable. Ceramic tiles are also some of the easiest types of flooring to clean.
Distressed hardwood flooring is when the markings are made by a machine. Hand scraping is more costly to create, but each hand scraped plank should have a more unique appearance over a machine-distressed plank because of the hand scraping.
When you need to install new flooring in your bathroom or kitchen, it’s important to choose a flooring material that water can’t easily damaged. Choosing ceramic tile flooring will give you a durable option that won’t warp.
The standard bricks produced today for construction projects can be assembled in a number of traditional but interesting patterns. They include: basket weave, pinwheel bond, herringbone and Flemish diagonal bond.
We recognize that having beautiful flooring is of secondary concern compared to clean flooring for many people. If you aren’t convinced that you’ll be able to keep your ceramic tile flooring clean after installation, we’re always happy to give you a few pointers.
If it’s time to clean the grout on your glass tiles, you can use a mild soap and water solution or water and vinegar. Spray the area and use a small bristled brush to gently scrub the grout clean.
No ceramic tile flooring is complete without grout. Grout is a fluid form of cement used to fill the gaps and hold the tiles in place.
How long will a hardwood floor last in your home? If you guessed 20 years, you're may be understating the durability of most hardwoods. Some manufacturers warrant their products for 50 years.
Tiles can be painted or glazed and comprise a variety of materials. Glass is one option, while stone, terracotta, porcelain and marble all have their own distinctive looks.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to use ceramic tiles in your shower or for your backsplash just because it’s the most common material for the job. In most cases, you’ll be able to replace all your ceramic tiles with glass tiles if you’d like.
The days of buffing and waxing your hardwood floor are pretty much gone forever. Today, manufacturers use sophisticated techniques to quickly apply urethane-based finishes right at the factory. These urethane finishes do not require buffing or waxing.
When deciding on a ceramic tile floor, it's important to be sure that the design you picked out is exactly what you want. Having second thoughts after the floor has been installed will certainly be a costly and time-consuming setback.
Proper installation of glass tiles is vital to ensure they will look just as you envisioned and hold up under use conditions. While it's possible to install glass tile as a DIY project, there are a lot of variables to consider and the job needs to be done precisely. If you're not completely comfortable, consider hiring a professional.
Because of it's qualities like non-combustibility, low maintenance, and fade resistance, ceramic tile is wonderful for outdoor use. You can use it for patios, around barbecues, and much more.
When deciding on a ceramic tile floor, it's important to be sure that the design you picked out is exactly what you want. Having second thoughts after the floor has been installed will certainly be a costly and time-consuming setback.
When it comes to cleaning ceramic tile, avoid using bleach or ammonia-based cleaners. When used consistently, these products will discolor your grout.
Too many patterns used in the same space creates confusion and overstimulation. This makes a room feel too busy. It’s best to limit pattern combinations to just one or two in a single space.
Proper installation of glass tiles is vital to ensure they will look just as you envisioned and hold up under use conditions. While it's possible to install glass tile as a DIY project, there are a lot of variables to consider and the job needs to be done precisely. If you're not completely comfortable, consider hiring a professional.
Because of it's qualities like non-combustibility, low maintenance, and fade resistance, ceramic tile is wonderful for outdoor use. You can use it for patios, around barbecues, and much more.
When deciding on a ceramic tile floor, it's important to be sure that the design you picked out is exactly what you want. Having second thoughts after the floor has been installed will certainly be a costly and time-consuming setback.
Modern mosaic materials can be either natural or manmade. Natural materials include but are not limited to, marble, sea pebbles, shells, crystals, semi-precious stones and minerals, that all combine to create multi textual designs.
Ceramic tile is a very durable building material so you can expect it to last for a very long time. However, it may suffer some damage over time so it's important to make sure you have replacement tiles on hand in case the design you have goes out of production.
When it comes to cleaning ceramic tile, avoid using bleach or ammonia-based cleaners. When used consistently, these products will discolor your grout.
Too many patterns used in the same space creates confusion and overstimulation. This makes a room feel too busy. It’s best to limit pattern combinations to just one or two in a single space.
Proper installation of glass tiles is vital to ensure they will look just as you envisioned and hold up under use conditions. While it's possible to install glass tile as a DIY project, there are a lot of variables to consider and the job needs to be done precisely. If you're not completely comfortable, consider hiring a professional.
Because of it's qualities like non-combustibility, low maintenance, and fade resistance, ceramic tile is wonderful for outdoor use. You can use it for patios, around barbecues, and much more.