Sunday, October 22, 2006
Ceramic Tile Style Guide
Whether patterned or not, tile floors can go a long way in determining how the interior of your home looks.
Floors are one of the first things people recognize when entering a home. Whether it's to make sure they're not wearing shoes in a "no shoe" zone or if they are just making a mental note about a bare floor that's especially appealing, a home's floors can make quite an impression.
One increasingly popular flooring option many homeowners are choosing is ceramic tiling. While homeowners used to lean toward conservative tile styles and colors, nowadays more and more people are choosing to spice things up with bold tile colors. Such a shift does not even bear mention of the numerous styles of ceramic tiles, which can make the decision process all the more involved. For those hoping to make the best decision possible, the following informative style guide should help make the decision process a bit easier.
· Glazed tiles. A mixture of clays pressed into shape, glazed tiles are the most standard type of ceramic tile. The glaze is what's applied to the top of the tile before being baked on. Though they're best used on walls, glazed tiles can be and frequently are used for flooring as well. Just make sure the finish you use isn't too slippery and won't scratch easily, something glazed tiles have been known to do when used on countertops.
· Quarry tile. Though this is a broad classification, quarry tile is distinct in both color and in that it is never glazed. Typically deep red in color, quarry tile is a mixture of clays that's especially suitable for interior floors thanks to its porous nature. While they can be left unsealed, unsealed tiles have been known to stain, so sealing is recommended.
· Mosaic tile. Unlike glazed tiles where the color does not go all the way through, mosaic tiles are are made with color pigments so the color does go all the way through, meaning a chipped or cracked tile won't have the top color and then the inside color revealed on the crack. Mosaic tiles are also useful for just about any surface, as they're hard to chip or crack as well as stain-proof and resistant to moisture.
· Premium tiles or look alikes. Though not ceramic, slate, marble, granite, and limestone can all be used to make beautiful tiles by simply cutting them into thin pieces and installing them just as you would a ceramic tile. However, these can be expensive, and thanks to that you'll want an experienced professional to install them.
For those with limited budgets but a desire for elegance, ceramic materials resembling marble, granite or limestone are available at significantly cheaper prices. These materials, though you'll know they're look-alikes, won't give themselves away either, as they're just as durable and aesthetically appealing as the real thing.
One increasingly popular flooring option many homeowners are choosing is ceramic tiling. While homeowners used to lean toward conservative tile styles and colors, nowadays more and more people are choosing to spice things up with bold tile colors. Such a shift does not even bear mention of the numerous styles of ceramic tiles, which can make the decision process all the more involved. For those hoping to make the best decision possible, the following informative style guide should help make the decision process a bit easier.
· Glazed tiles. A mixture of clays pressed into shape, glazed tiles are the most standard type of ceramic tile. The glaze is what's applied to the top of the tile before being baked on. Though they're best used on walls, glazed tiles can be and frequently are used for flooring as well. Just make sure the finish you use isn't too slippery and won't scratch easily, something glazed tiles have been known to do when used on countertops.
· Quarry tile. Though this is a broad classification, quarry tile is distinct in both color and in that it is never glazed. Typically deep red in color, quarry tile is a mixture of clays that's especially suitable for interior floors thanks to its porous nature. While they can be left unsealed, unsealed tiles have been known to stain, so sealing is recommended.
· Mosaic tile. Unlike glazed tiles where the color does not go all the way through, mosaic tiles are are made with color pigments so the color does go all the way through, meaning a chipped or cracked tile won't have the top color and then the inside color revealed on the crack. Mosaic tiles are also useful for just about any surface, as they're hard to chip or crack as well as stain-proof and resistant to moisture.
· Premium tiles or look alikes. Though not ceramic, slate, marble, granite, and limestone can all be used to make beautiful tiles by simply cutting them into thin pieces and installing them just as you would a ceramic tile. However, these can be expensive, and thanks to that you'll want an experienced professional to install them.
For those with limited budgets but a desire for elegance, ceramic materials resembling marble, granite or limestone are available at significantly cheaper prices. These materials, though you'll know they're look-alikes, won't give themselves away either, as they're just as durable and aesthetically appealing as the real thing.
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