Tantalizing Tiles

The variety of tiles out there is mind-boggling and it’s easy to be overwhelmed when selecting the correct options that will suite your home and your style. Tiles are easy to clean and are waterproof, therefore providing an excellent choice for wall and floor coverings in your high traffic areas like, bathrooms, kitchens and living areas.

 

Ceramic tiles are the most common, but there are a variety of other materials used for tiling. Natural stone tiles, such as; marble, granite and sandstone can be expensive, but are durable and years later if you’re renovating and need to move plumbing for example, you can buy more, as the slightly different tones in the tiles add character. Tiles of man-made materials, such as glass and ceramics are much more affordable, but the ranges are available indefinitely, so be sure to have extras set aside for later down the line.

 

Here is a list of a few main tiling options for home improvers.

 

Ceramic tiles are manufactured from various types of clay. Most ceramic tiles are then glazed over with a glazing material that gives the tile its shiny, smooth appearance. Characterised by their reasonably thin plate-like structure, ceramic tiles are used extensively in the home and commercially. Used for both walls and floors, ceramic tiles are economical, easy to cut and install, and come in a variety of colours and patterns.

 

Manufactured from the same material as that used in the production of brittle china, porcelain tiles are pressed from dust and mixed with colouring oxides. Porcelain tiles come in an array of finishes such as polished, honed, and natural and can be glazed or unglazed. They have a very low porosity rate and therefore are ideal for high traffic areas such as, shopping malls, offices and airports. In the home porcelain tiles are ideal for high moisture areas like patios and verandas.

 

Terracotta tiles are manufactured from clay that is baked in a kiln. These tiles are extremely durable and are accordingly a popular choice as a floor tile. Terracotta tiles have the same texture and colour throughout the tile creating a rustic or Tuscan feel to the home. Besides the selection of terracotta tiles for the interior floor of many new homes, they are also a very popular choice for patios, verandas and around swimming pools.

 

Manufactured from white cement mixed with coloured dyes and hardening agents, cement tiles are usually heavy and thick in structure. Cement tiles are similar to terracotta tiles in that they are largely used in flooring applications and on patios and verandas. The natural earthy colours of the cement tiles create a cottage or rustic feel to a home.

 

Mosaics are a combination of tiles, glass pieces or ceramics that are placed together to form certain desirable patterns or colour tones. They are commonly used in showers and around the edges of swimming pools, but today mosaics are used extensively to create artistic tiling patterns and shapes. Mosaics work well where there are water features or garden centre pieces.

 

 

Slate tiles are created from naturally layered rock which is made up of compacted sand and mineral particles. Slate is mined and these rocks are split into various layers, each layer having its own unique colours and characteristics. The slab is cut into even sized slates and these make up the slated tile. Available in a variety of colours and sizes, slate tiles are used largely in flooring applications, but they can also be used on outside walls and floors. It is essential that slate is treated and sealed properly in order to avoid pieces splitting off or the rock becoming stained.

 

Sandstone is a hard sedimentary rock made up of bonded sand particles, iron oxides, silica, and clays making it an extremely durable tile. Depending on its origins, sandstone is available in many natural colour tones, including beiges and even pinks. Sandstone is porous and requires treatment with a correct sealant in order to preserve its natural beauty. Sandstone tiles are used for both walls and floors and are effective in bathrooms and kitchens as a decorative finish.

Limestone is also made up of sedimentary rock and has similar characteristics to sandstone. The main difference between sandstone and limestone is the high density of calcite in limestone tiles.

 

The extreme durability and hardwearing properties of granite tiles are due to its origins in molten lava. The attractive grey textured colour of granite is caused by the mineral crystallising during the cooling down of the molten rock. Granite is mined from open cast mines and cut into manageable pieces and later cut even further into tiles. Granite tiles are used in bathrooms and kitchen for a luxurious finish.

 

Marble is formed from limestone that has been subjected to intense pressure and heat. Marble tiles are however, relatively soft and when cut and polished has a smooth and elegant finish. Marble tiles are used for flooring and decorative finishes. Marble tiles can become quite slippery and should be avoided in the bathroom. Marble is easily stained by acidic chemicals, care should be taken. Stone tiles are generally more expensive than ceramic and terracotta tiles due to the extra effort needed in mining and transportation of the rock and stone.

 

Travertine has become increasingly popular for its attractive cobble-like appearance. Travertine is quarried in blocks; cut down to tile sizes and then “aged” through a special process whereby the tiles are tumbled together with abrasive stones. The end effect is a rounded edge tile that looks as if it were laid half a century ago. The more traffic the better the stone will look, as the holes eventually fill with residues over time, giving it a more rustic appeal.