Ceramic Tile Patterns - How to Pick the Best Tile Patterns

One of the greatest things about living in the twenty first century is the sheer abundance of showers. They are always a joy to use, and efficient with their use of water. Also, they give you a wonderful surface with which to make ceramic tile patterns. These patterns can be made in a number of ways, each with their own pros and cons.

Ceramic tile patterns come typically with two different types. Large format tiles and small mosaic tiles. Large format tiles are usually set side-to-side, creating ceramic tile patterns with variations of color or surface texture. Large format tiles have the extra benefit of superior waterproofing properties. Tiles are obviously waterproof but the grouting that is placed between them isn't. Grout is porous, and water can seep through it. So the great surface area of large format tiles requires less grout, thus your ceramic tile patterns will have a slimmer chance of moisture problems. While this is an excellent attribute, large format tiles can't make the most artistic patterns.

Smaller mosaic tiles are enormously versatile since they are so small. They can be placed in a number of ceramic tile patterns, from square to round patterns. However, you have to be sure that the waterproof layer under the small mosaic tiles is very well placed, since there will be a bit of grout between the small mosaic tiles, which can lead to leakage. However, the sheer variety of ceramic tile patterns that a small mosaic tile allows is astonishing. By connecting an interesting pattern, with other colours and textures, you can make terrific ceramic tile patterns in your shower. Nevertheless why would you limit these patterns to your shower when you have a huge surface like a wall or floor to work with?

Since a bathroom's floor and walls are traditionally tiled, it makes sense to make it an interesting area to look at or walk into since you will need to look at it every day. When there is little to no water to worry about, the porous issues becomes a complete side-issue and your personal taste comes into play. Small mosaic tiles can be used liberally without the worry of leaking and flooding.

Small mosaic tiles can have many sharp edges that you can cut your skin on if they aren't set correctly. This a heavy concern when you have small kids or babies in the household, since they can easily injure themselves. Large format tiles have a smaller amount sharp edges, since there are fewer tiles required. Large format tiles will cost less too, since you won't need as many. You will need a lot of smaller mosaic tiles to handle a floor or a wall, so they are likely better suited to shower surfaces if you have a smaller budget.

Tile patterns flourish when you exercise your creativity, and consider your budget, to create bathroom and shower surfaces that are safe, waterproof and visually beautiful.

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A Ceramic Tile Counter Top in the Kitchen

The latest trend in kitchen counter tops or worktops, as they are also called, is to cover them in ceramic tiles. The ceramic tiles are the same ones that go on your floor or walls. individuals no longer care for the old MDF plastic coated worktops, pretty as they seemed to be until not so long ago. They are now so old-fashioned, darling! You simply must have a ceramic tile counter top in the kitchen.

There is such a broad assortment of ceramic tiles as well. There are thousands of styles of tiles in dozens of materials. There are stone, slate, ceramic and quarry tiles to name but a few of the materials used to make tiles. However, most individuals go for the ceramic tiles for their counter top, because there is more choice and they are not so expensive.

Some of the designs obtainable for a tiled counter top are plain, riven, patterned, mosaic, floral, rustic, country or artistic, but really, the world is your oyster when it comes to selecting ceramic tiles. They are also available in different sizes, but the most common are: 25 mm (one inch); 150 mm (six inches); 225 mm (nine inches) and 300 mm (one foot).

As you probably already know from your preceding experience with tiling the kitchen and bathroom, ceramic tiles are very versatile. They can be cut or snapped fairly easily, once you get the hang of it and they are easily bedded down although some tilers would rather one method and others another.

In Europe tiles are usually laid on lines of adhesive which have been laid down with an adhesive applicator. This technique uses approximately half the adhesive you would normally use. In Asia they tend to lay tiles on a full bed of cement. It does not matter which technique you use for walls or your counter top as the tiles will not be subject to any weight.

A ceramic tile counter top in the kitchen is an outstanding idea because there is lots of variety, they are simple to lay, hard-wearing and heat-resistant. It is a surprise that they did not catch on a long time ago.

Some individuals count the ceramic tiles above the work surface as part of the counter top although it is not really. It is part of the wall tiling. Anyway, choose your tiles carefully, because you will be seeing them often. A lot of people choose to have an off-white splashback with a number of picture tiles placed at random but with a panel of six or eight tiles making a fresco in the centre. A granite counter top cut neatly around your hob and sink looks great. This style works best if you have a built-in sink and cooker.

Black is too harsh for many, so they might pick a lighter, say, marbled tile. This looks great too. It is all a matter of getting the colours of the splashback and the counter top co-ordinated well, but it is not hard. You could also have a panel in the ceramic tile counter top. If you are stuck for ideas, just walk around a home improvement centre and look at their show kitchens. What they have in MDF, you can do in ceramic tiles.

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Ceramic Tile Floor Designs That Make Your Home Proud

Ceramic tile floor designs are quite popular with many homeowners as it's one of the best ways to decorate any room. There are many different types of tiles that can be chosen from which often include quite sparkling displays of colors available.

They are used mostly by people who really like to be creative in their home decoration, and have a good eye for design. It is not very easy to install them and they are not the cheapest either, however they are really popular as many homes have been made much more comfortable and attractive only by using this flooring in the various rooms.

One way to install them is by hiring a professional who knows his craft either to do the actual job or simply to give you guidance on doing it the right way on your own. Many interior designers know right away what exactly needs to be done to your room and most will completely agree with adding ceramic tile floor design to enhance its appearance. Also they can tell you exactly what design works best with your room and how to use the space in the room the best way so those flooring designs will be brought into spotlight.

When choosing the right designs, you can go either locally in various shops or browsing online through various sites that have many pictures and patterns on their sites so you can see exactly what you are getting for your own flooring. You can even mix and match colors, shades and patterns for best effect. It is however important to go for quality material while not forgetting about the price. Ceramic tiles are not cheap, however many manufacturers and stores have discounts in place that will help you save some money.

So when you next look for the ceramic tile floor designs that you want to install in your room, don't forget to first ask for ideas from an interior decorator, so you really end with a great room (or rooms) that will make your home proud.

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The Best Way to Clean Porcelain Ceramic Tiles

Porcelain ceramic tiles come in many different colours, sizes and finishes. Each one is slightly unique in how best to clean and maintain them. What is important is to keep the tile clean. Dirt, over time, can abrade a tile, change the feel, and make it look dirty even when it has just been cleaned. Because of this, these are the recommendations for different types of ceramic tiling. For most cleaning jobs, a solution of one part vinegar to 100 parts water, or about 2 gallons of water and a quarter cup of vinegar, is an ideal and very mild cleaning agent. There are tile-specific cleaners out there as well, which can stain or colour the tile slightly, so care must be used to properly dilute them down per the cleaner's instructions.

Cleaning polished porcelain ceramic tiles

A polished tile is by far one of the most common types of tiling that a homeowner could have. It is beautiful and the shine is one of the reasons it is often chosen. However, because of the shine, it appears dirty quicker and things such as wet shoes will really affect the tiles look more than other types of tile. The best way to clean it is to first clean the worst of the dirt by sweeping or vacuuming the surface. Then, use a mild soap or detergent solution diluted down to half what is recommended for other tile surfaces. Apply this cleaner using a mop and if need be, use a scrubbing brush or tile-safe scrubbing pad for any spots that need extra attention. Finally, rinse the floor clean with water only and carefully dry the tile using a towel to make sure it shines and has no water spots.

Cleaning Unpolished and Textured porcelain ceramic tiles

Unpolished and textured ceramic tiles require a little more work to get completely clean. Because they are not completely sealed and smooth, they have pockets to trap dirt and grime, which a quick mop will not get at. After sweeping or vacuuming any loose dirt from the floor, saturate the floor with either homemade or commercial cleaner diluted with hot water. Let this work for five to ten minutes. If need be, work in small sections to prevent the solution from evaporating off. Use a nylon bristled brush to scrub the tile to get into and pull out any dirt that is trapped. Afterwards, wipe away the dirty cleaning solution and water, then rinse with clean water applied with a mop.

Things to avoid

While it may be tempting to use a stronger cleaner thinking that stronger is better, cleaners that contain harsh chemicals really should be avoided. Acids, bleaches and ammonia can all do damage to the tile and grout and should not be used on porcelain ceramic tile surfaces. Waxes and sealants as well as oil-based cleaners should all be avoided as well because they can affect not only the colour, but also the amount of traction. Even the smoothest sealed tile will become even more dangerously slick when wet if wax has been applied to the surface. Finally, unglazed porcelain tiling should never have any cleaner or other liquid applied that has dyes or colouring of any kind in it. From a child's fruit punch to a cleaner with dye, it can stain the surface permanently.

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Understanding Ceramic Tile Ratings

The range of ceramic tile available for use and installation in homes and offices these days is enormous to say the least. However, when choosing the right ceramic tiles for your particular project it helps to understand the basic ceramic tile ratings system that is followed industry wide. Here is a simple introduction:
Grade 1 - This is the weakest of all standard grade ceramic tile and is best for wall installations only. These sre the perfect tiles for creating a beautiful kitchen or bathroom backsplash.

Grade 2 - This is a great choice for all kinds of wall tile installations but it is also suitable for floor installation in areas that see only light foot traffic - a guest bathroom for instance.

Grade 3 - This grade of ceramic tiling is probably the most commonly used in residential building. It is a great choice for flooring areas that get light to moderate foot traffic like the kitchen and the master bathroom.

Grade 4 - Another great residential tile flooring choice but this grade can stand up to heavier daily foot traffic without losing any of its beauty.

Grade 5 - These are the ceramic tiles that can stand up to it all. They are used in really high traffic areas like airport concourses and shopping malls and these are the tiles that are usually best suited for use outdoors, around the pool or on the patio for instance.

So which is best for your project? If you are not sure, working with an experienced tile dealer who can help you decide can be of great help. They will be able to guide you to the tile that is suitable for your needs as well as advise you about best installation practices.

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Ceramic Tile Flooring Installation - How to Get it Right by Yourself

Before you can begin your ceramic tile flooring installation, you must make sure that the tiles you have chosen are well-suited for the section of the house you are going to use them for. Ceramic tile flooring is resistant to moisture, water spillage and sudden extreme changes in temperature and are usually used in bathrooms or kitchens, and sometimes in other areas of the house as well. Once you have made sure of the section of flooring that you will use ceramic tiling for and also the tiles that you want to use - you are ready to begin.

Keep Your Tools Ready

The first thing to do is to make sure that the tools you will use are ready at hand. These tools should include basic carpentry tools like an accurate measuring tape, a carpenter's square and a bubble level. You should also be prepared with the tiles and all you need to space them and put them together: tile spaces, a tile cutter, a trowel, and a putty knife. Then you must get your adhesives ready: tile bonding material, thin set mortar or tile adhesive, the sealant, the grout and a rubber grout float. Also you must make sure that you are wearing work clothes or overalls, glasses and heavy-duty gloves for safety.

Prepare the Sub-Floor for the Tiling Process

After you are ready with your tools and before you begin tile flooring installation, you must first prepare the sub-floor for the ceramic tile flooring installation. This involves cleaning the sub-floor thoroughly and checking it for cracks. If you do find cracks, you must repair them. If any crack is too large to repair, that section of the floor must be replaced completely. If your floors are wooden make sure that they are supported well and are at least two inches thick so that they are able to withstand the weight of the tiles you are about to install on them. Once you have checked for cracks and cleaned all the debris off the sub-floor you are ready to begin with your ceramic tile flooring installation.

Measure Everything

The next step of your ceramic tile flooring installation is the accurate measuring of your floor and your tiles. This is necessary for you to be able to calculate exactly how many tiles you will need. You must measure the length and width of the section of floor you are going to tile and also the length and width of each tile. Then you must calculate, using these numbers, exactly how many tiles you are going to use, which will depend on the orientation of each tile as you have decided to place it on the floor, as well. Then you must find the mid-points of the length and the width of the floor you want to carry out your ceramic tile flooring installation process on; connect these midpoints to form a plus across the floor space. The intersection of the two lines of the plus is the center of your floor space; it is here that you must begin your ceramic tile flooring installation.

Install the Ceramic Tiles
Start with the center and move outwards with each ceramic tile. Use thin set mortar or tile adhesive to set the tiles, make sure that the bond between the tile and the sub-floor sets by applying pressure on each tile. After the tiles have set, complete the process by applying the grout. Remember that the grout must be of the same color as the tiles you have chosen. Remember that each step requires twenty-four hours to set and dry before allowing yourself to proceed to the next step of your ceramic tile flooring installation.

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Ceramic Tile Floor Designs

Using various ceramic tile floor designs has become quite common among the people to decorate their homes. The market is flooded with the number of ceramic tiles and even some people, love to customize their designs also. However there is simply no dearth of the designs available in light to fascinating attractive colors.

The best part of using ceramic tile floor designs is that it is very convenient and reflects your creative side and your eye for appreciable designs also. Although the use of the ceramic tile is bit tough and requires investment, people love to use it as it makes their entire house beautiful and floors very attractive and comfortable.

So, if you have made up your mind to use the tiles then you should make detailed list of the items you may be required while using tiles. If you are hiring some interior professional who can guide you on this critical and important issue, you need to pay attention to their recommendations about its use. The interior designers are well versed with its use and they will check for all greater details which can be used to give your home floor an effective and exciting look. They will help you in identifying the ideal design and shade you are looking for. Apart from this while laying the design of tiles flooring, they will make an optimum use of the available space in your room and even in the corners. So, it is advisable that if you are not a professional by yourself then try to seek a professional help to make your home floor even better.

However, as far as the selection of the tile designs is concerned you can take care of this part. You can choose from a number of colors and designs available in the market. You can visit the stores and can select a design and color. You can also ask for the details at the store which will show you the latest trend going on. If you have specific design in your mind then you can share with the tile manufacturer and can transform your imagination on tiles.

Another most effective method is to look for the designs and colors online. You can visit certain websites which will help you in getting the right kind of tile floor designs. This is the most important and widely used method. Using online facilities you can get different colors, shades and designs and will be able to use it effectively. Another thing is that while looking for ceramic tile floor designs you should also check the quality. You know that ceramic tiles can be used for longer period only and it can not be hanged at short intervals. So, the quality of these tiles should be very good and strong.

So, go ahead and make a selection of the ceramic tiles and give a new look to your house.

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