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Essential Tiling Tools You Need - Comments (0)
Essential Tiling Tools You Need
Tiling can be a difficult and tedious job, but there are tools that will make it easier for you to do. We have assembled a list of tools to help you be successful in laying your tile, whether it is on a wall or a floor. All these tools are equally important, so we have put them in the order that you will use them...
What is 'rectified' tile? - Comments (0)
What is 'rectified' tile?
Rectified tiles are ceramic or porcelain tiles that have been precisely ground and machined to give them near-perfect straight edges and exact dimensions. These tiles provide a very clean, symmetrical look, and allow for extremely fine grout lines of 3mm or less.
Toilet installation guide - Comments (0)
Toilet installation guide
Whether you're installing a better-flushing toilet or resetting the old one after remodeling, these tips will help you do it faster and with fewer problems. There are a few “tricks” that are important to the success of the job.
Moroccan Style Tiles - Comments (0)
Moroccan Style Tiles
We are constantly looking for ways in which we can create a more uplifting living environment. The options are plenty with everything from decor and lighting to color and accessories being used to add a fresh new look to our seemingly jaded homes. But there are a few unique ways in which you can brighten your home without moving away from existing style and theme. Moroccan style tiles present this perfect opportunity.
Toilet Flushing System Options - Comments (0)
Toilet Flushing System Options
There are a lot of different flushing systems to consider when getting a toilet. Some are more effective in other areas than the other, but it is going to ultimately come down to user preference. The main goal when flushing the toilet is to get all of the waste down in one flush, without having to do a double flush! The second part is you want the jets to cleanse the toilet thoroughly. The third and final part is you want it to go down fast and regenerate in the same amount of time. So which flushing system should you choose?
What colour grout should I be using? - Comments (0)
What colour grout should I be using?
The color of your grout will significantly impact your overall design and is just as important in your decision-making process as choosing your tile color. Grout color affects everything from the overall style of your design to the daily maintenance requirements of your installation, so be sure to take your time when considering your grout color options.
Tips To Choose The Best Floor Tile - Comments (0)

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are a good alternative to natural materials – they’re hard-wearing, light and relatively easy to lay. They often cost less than natural materials, which makes them the ideal choice for larger areas or where you have a limited budget. The new styles of oversized tiles are very fashionable and can create a hotel-chic look.

  • If you’d prefer your flooring to be subtle rather than bold, go for porcelain tiles with a minimal design, without any texture, in a cool color.
  • Choose neutral grey porcelain tiles with a textured finish for a super-chic room.
  • For a spacious wet room, use matching ceramic floor and wall tiles.

When it comes to tile flooring, there is no shortage of materials, colors, textures, and designs to choose from. However, not every type of tile is appropriate for every space.

Here are 8 tips to select the best option.

1. Consider Tile Hardness

When browsing different types of floor tiles, one of the most important features to pay attention to is Hardness (the Moh’s scale).

It measures the material’s ability to withstand wear/foot traffic, as well as scratches. The ratings are issued by the Porcelain Enamel Institute and are based on rigorous laboratory testing.

2. Pay Attention To Tile Porosity

Another critical feature not to be missed is porosity. It is determined by the ratio of air holes to solids in a tile, which impacts the amount of water it absorbs. If you are installing tile in a moisture-prone area, such as a bathroom, kitchen, mudroom, laundry room, pay close attention to this rating.

Here are Porosity Classifications:

Impervious: water absorption of 0.5 percent or less. Recommended for use in the kitchen and especially the bathroom.

Vitreous: water absorption of 0.5 percent to 3 percent.

Semi Vitreous: water absorption of 3 – 7 percent.

Non-Vitreous: water absorption of more than 7 percent. This category is not recommended for floor use.

 

3. Go For Porcelain Tiles – An All-Around Win

If you are looking for a material that has strength, moisture resistance and versatile design, porcelain is the best choice. It is more durable than ceramic and comes in a greater variety of styles, colors and textures. Not all porcelain products are made equal, and you need to check the specs of each one.

Today, thanks to highly advanced technologies, there are countless porcelain tile options that have a higher than average hardness and moisture resistance (these cost more).

4. Ensure Slip Resistance

Most tile materials tend to be slippery, and all the more so, if water is introduced into the equation. If you have children and elderly people in the house, it is very important to install slip resistant tile. The bathroom is a prime place where fall accidents may happen, particularly the shower area, so good slip resistance is highly recommended.

When shopping around for a shower tile floor look for products with a high COF (coefficient of friction).

It is best to install tile sizes that are 4×4 or smaller. Avoid using ones that are bigger than 6×6.

There are a number of options to consider:

1.Ceramic or Porcelain: choose a product that has a special textured surface. Inquire about slip resistant coatings.

2.Slate: this beautiful stone has a naturally slip resistant texture.

3.Small size tile (glass, mosaic, etc): these have more grout lines, making the overall surface more textured and therefore slip resistant. Penny tile rounds are another beautiful design that provides ample traction. They typically come in size 2×2 or smaller. As a result, they would be perfect as shower tiles.

4. Pebble stone: has a highly textured surface and boasts a unique visual aesthetic.

5. Choose Ceramic Wood Tile Instead Of Real Hardwood

If you love the look of hardwood but don’t want to deal with maintenance, consider installing wood ceramic tile. It is highly durable, scratch and moisture resistant.

Best of all, different high-end brands make products that masterfully recreate almost any wood species from domestic to exotic. Even distressed and reclaimed wood grain ceramic tile is available! Check out chic ceramic tile designs from Architectural Ceramics, Porcelanosa, Marazzi USA.

These will look stunning as a kitchen floor tile, particularly in more traditional or rustic spaces. Also, its ideal as a bathroom or a shower floor tile, where a real hardwood would not be recommended.

If you are worried about tile being cold to the touch, you can add under floor heating, and it will feel even more pleasant than real wood!

6. Install Stone Tile For Ultimate Luxury And Quality

If luxury and incredible durability are your top priorities, stone floor tile is second to none. Marble, granite, and travertine can elevate the look of any room of your house. Because no two stones are exactly alike, you get a naturally beautiful floor that will look like no other.

Larger tile sizes, at least 12×12, look particularly impressive and help create a uniform seamless look that is ideal for modern interior designs.

It's important to note that unlike other types of tiles, stone needs to be sealed to maintain the durability and remain resistant to stains. Unsealed stone may remain porous and therefore susceptible to water infiltration. In worst-case scenarios, it may even begin to crumble.

After being initially sealed during the installation process, it will need to be resealed every 5-10 years to maintain optimal looks and quality.

7. Make A Space Appear Larger With Light Floor Tiles

If you have a room that is small and or does not have a lot of natural light, you can improve it by installing light color floor tile. White, sand, beige, cream, etc are all good choices. Marble or ceramic/porcelain would also be a good match for this application.

Larger tiles tend to make a small room appear bigger. You can even install the same material on the walls, which will further enhance the illusion of expanded space. To amplify the affect, and create a seamless flowing surface use a matching grout color. This works particularly well in small or tiny bathrooms.

8. Create A Modern Aesthetic And Custom Designs With Concrete

If you want a very modern, upscale feel in your home, consider concrete tile. It is a highly versatile material that can be used in any room of your house: kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc. Compared to other types of floor tile, concrete’s biggest advantage is that it can be custom made for your particular application.

You can choose the size, color and texture of concrete, request custom cutouts, embeds, special imprinted patterns, as well as three-dimensional sculptural designs. Thus, your design options are virtually endless.

The best part: this unique custom-made flooring is rather affordable. Installation costs range from $6-8 per square foot, which is cheaper than natural stone.

Moreover, concrete is one of the most durable, and long lasting flooring options. It is highly resistant to foot traffic, staining and moisture. Once installed, you will most likely never have to replace it again!

The only major downside to concrete floors is extreme hardness. Some people may find it uncomfortable to touch when walking with bare feet. Also, small children or elderly individuals may get hurt, in case of slipping and falling.

Click here to view our large range of tiles.

How to clean your home to prevent the spread of coronavirus - Comments (0)
How to clean your home to prevent the spread of coronavirus
For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective. Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
How to clean taps - Comments (0)
How to clean taps
Calcium carbonate, known as limescale, can quickly build up on faucets that run hard water. It tends to sneak up on showerheads and kitchen sink taps, leaving hard white deposits around the spray holes and a cloudy film over the rest of the faucet. You can find a variety of spray-on chemical cleaning products that are designed to eliminate limescale. However, with a few household items, you can easily get rid of unsightly limescale buildup naturally, even from hard-to-reach areas. Just be sure not to use acidic cleaners, like lemon juice or vinegar, on metal-plated taps.
How to clean grout? - Comments (0)
How to clean grout?

How to Clean Tile Floor Grout

Tile floors will not appear completely clean unless the dirty grout is cleaned as well.

 

Create a paste of baking soda and water.

Scrub it gently into the grout with a toothbrush or grout brush

Rinse with warm water and allow to air dry. 

Try removing small grout stains with a white or pink pencil eraser, like you would erase a mistake on a piece of paper. 

For stubborn stains, use a toothbrush or sponge to apply grout cleaner or a solution of three-quarters bleach and one-quarter water to the grout lines and rinse with warm water. Avoid getting the bleach on the tile. 

The best way to clean tile floors depends on the type of tile you have and usually only requires the application of warm water and elbow grease. Keeping your tile floors free of dirt and debris can mean that deeper tile floor cleaning will be needed less often.