Ceramic Tile Patterns

Posted By admin on July 19, 2010

Regrout Tile

Doing a Kitchen - What's Available and What Will It Cost

These days a great many different types of countertops are available. They vary in cost quite dramatically, although all of them look very presentable.

Be aware that certain types of countertops are in vogue, while others are not. Tile, for example, makes an excel-lent countertop. However, in higher-priced homes today, it is almost universally avoided in favor of more expensive granite, or one of the newer synthetic tops. Modern laminate also makes a wonderful-looking coun¬tertop, because colors and styles can be mixed and matched. However, it is infrequently seen in upscale homes because of the reminder that, in its early days, it was an inexpensive solution. Of course, fashion is fickle, and what's out today could be in tomorrow.

From a building code perspective, it really doesn't make much dif¬ference what top you put on the counter. Most codes specify that the top must be nonporous and washable. In other words, food must not be able to permeate the top and decay, producing a health hazard. Therefore, a highly polished surface of almost any kind will do.

For practical purposes, however, there are four basic materials that you're likely to use: laminate, tile, synthetic, and stone. You can install tile or laminate yourself at a considerable savings. There are numerous books available that give you step-by-step instructions.

Laminate
Laminate countertop has been popular for at least 50 years. However, don't mistake the old laminate tops you may have seen years ago with their modern cousins. Today's designs are far more colorful, the material is laid down better, the seams can barely be seen, the material is more durable, and the presentation is nothing less than awesome!

Pluses.
Laminate is probably the least expensive countertop. It's often prepared at the factory with sections already laminated to the base; the sections are then quickly assembled in the home, making laminate one of the easiest countertops to install. Alternatively, it can be glued down (the glue is similar to rubber cement) at the site. The surface is hard and easily washable and it's difficult to chip.

If you decide to install premade laminate tops (with the laminate already glued to the base) by yourself, be care¬ful to get extremely accurate measurements. (You may want to have a professional do the measuring for you.) How the final product looks and how big the seams end up will depend on those initial measurements.

Minuses.
If you put a very hot pan (right out of the oven) on a lam¬inate surface, it could burn, leaving a permanent and unsightly brown or black mark. Also, if the installation is less than perfect, the seams will show and will accumulate unsightly dirt.

Tile
The granddaddy of countertops, tile has been used for millennia. It offers a hard surface that will not be damaged by heat. Tile is basi¬cally clay that has been molded into shape, hardened by fire, and often finished with a glaze. Tile countertops are beautiful and have the look of ages about them. They are more expensive than lami-nate but about half the cost of synthetic and granite. Tile comes in a variety of hardnesses (grouped 1 to 4) and is priced accordingly.

The least expensive tile is around $2 per square foot uninstalled; the sky's the limit from there for truly exotic tiles.

Tile is available from many parts of the world. European, particu¬larly Italian, tile has been in demand for many years. Domestic U.S. tile has improved in recent years to the point where the variety, color, and size are comparable to almost anything available any¬where in the world.

For a different look, consider Mexican tiles. They tend to be irregular in shape and very colorful. And they are often less expensive than tile from other areas. They produce a distinctive appearance that some people find appealing.

Installation costs vary with labor charges around the country. A good rule of thumb with medium-priced tile is to triple the price of the tile itself for the cost of materials plus installation. Smaller tiles often come attached to a threaded (fiberglass or nylon) backing so that you can lay down a square foot at a time.

Pluses.
Tile is versatile. It comes in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, patterns, and colors. It also comes in glazed or unglazed surfaces. (The glaze is the glossy surface that protects the tile.) You can choose between high gloss, semigloss, or low gloss. For kitchen/bath applications a high gloss or semigloss is usually preferred, because it makes the tile impervious to penetration and, thus, to stains. Tile is close to permanent. If applied correctly, it can (and has) remained steadfast for centuries.

Because tile is laid down in pieces, it is relatively easy for a home¬owner to install. If you get good instructions, and then follow them slowly and carefully, you can do a good job the first time out.

Minuses.
The biggest minus with tile is that the grout tends to get dirty as the countertop is used. Although sealers can be helpful and cleaners can lessen the dirt, the grout tends to be a high-mainte¬nance surface. Eventually, after five or more years, you may find that the dirt is permanent and that regrouting might be the only solu¬tion. As noted above, this involves digging out the surface of the existing grout, putting new grout in, and resealing it. It's not a huge project, but it is time-consuming and messy.

In addition, tile can crack and/or chip. A heavy pan slammed onto a tile counter can do major damage. On the other hand, it's relative¬ly simple to break out a damaged tile and replace it with a new one.

To clean tile, try using a mild solution of hydrochloric acid, the kind that is used to affect the pH in swimming pools. Also, a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide may work well, too. And, of course, there are a wide variety of commercial grout cleaning products available.

Synthetics
Corean is a new type of surface that has been available for a couple of decades. Corean and other synthetic materials are available in a wide variety of colors and textures, although you cannot easily cre¬ate patterns with them as you might with tile or even laminate.

Good synthetics cost about twice as much as tile, installed. And you pretty much cannot do the installation yourself, unless you have been specially trained. Professional installation is a wise choice.

Corean produces a look that defines a home as high-quality. Indeed, because of the cost it is rarely found in any but upscale properties.

Pluses.
There are no seams at all. A synthetic surface is all of a piece, from one end to the other. It comes in large slabs which, once laid, are glued together. The gluing process is so perfect that it is impossible for anyone but a professional to detect where it was done. The surface is hard and does not chip.

Minuses.
Like laminate, synthetics will burn if a hot utensil is placed on them. However, the burn is easy to correct. It is cut out, a piece of the original material is put in its place, and it is reglued. The new surface is as good as the original, and it's impossible to detect where the burn was.

Stone
Stone is currently the most prestigious countertop to own. It is avail¬able as natural granite or natural marble (as opposed to synthetic marble, frequently found in bathroom countertops). It is what it says it is: stone from the ground. It is quarried and cut up into three-quarter-inch slabs, which are then cut to fit for the countertop. (Stone tile cut smaller and thinner is also available.)

For years marble was the stone of choice. However, it is porous, and the cost has gone up with its decreasing availability. Granite has become popular in its place. There is, seemingly, no end to the amount of granite available. The colors and textures of granite are more limited than those of marble. However, more and more gran¬ite is coming to the United States from quarries around the world; hence the variety of colors and textures is growing.

If you want granite, go to the quarry, or the importer. There you'll be able to pick out the exact pieces you want and have them cut to fit. That's the only way to know exactly what color and texture you'll get.

Re-Grouting Tile Floor

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Making & Installing Handmade Tiles (A Lark Ceramics Book) List Price: $17.95 Sale Price: $11.01 You save: $6.94 (39%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description With more than 70,000 copies sold, Lark’s Handmade Tiles has delighted crafters everywhere, and whetted their appetites for more beautiful ideas. They’ll find just what they’re looking for in these dozen ceramic tile projects, which include everything from trivets to tabletops to stepping stones. The wealth of practical, visually breathtaking information covered here includes everything from design and formation through decoration and site installation, making this manual an absolute must in every ceramics and home improvement library. Find out about basic tools and materials, glaze application, and techniques for making slab tiles. Get the lowdown on mosaics, and stamped, carved, and inlaid designs. With these techniques, even beginning crafters can start working fast, and move on to simple stair risers, a kitchen backsplash, and an exquisite window surround. Features ISBN13: 9781600594090 Condition: New Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Ultimate Guide to Ceramic & Stone Tile: Select, Install, Maintain List Price: $19.95 Sale Price: $13.57 You save: $6.38 (32%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Everything a do-it-yourselfer needs to know about tiling floors, walls, counters, patios, and more can be found in Ultimate Guide to Ceramic & Stone Tile. Design and planning information helps readers prepare the site and select the right tile–ceramic, stone, vinyl, glass, and more. Chapters on tools and materials feature how-to photo sequences so even novices can tackle tile projects successfully. The emphasis is on solid, durable installations that can stand up to years of use in kitchens, baths, and other areas. The book also covers exterior applications, and includes a practical and complete guide to repairing and maintaining existing tile. Features Creative Homeowner Press #CH277532 Ceramic&Stone Tile Book CREATIVE HOMEOWNER PRESS

Handmade Tiles: Designing * Making * Decorating (A Lark Ceramics Book) Sale Price: $51.99 See Reviews For This Product Description Easy-to-understand, and an enthusiastic treatment of the art of making tiles that provides a wealth of practical information, from design and formation, through decoration and installation. “The definitive guide to tile and how to make it. This is a book that demands your perusal.”—The Tile Heritage Foundation.

Ceramic Tile Setting Sale Price: $24.95   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 3 months See Reviews For This Product Description Given the high prices that contractors charge for ceramic tile jobs, many homeowners would undoubtedly consider installing it themselves, if they had the proper guidance. Also in the last ten to fifteen years, tile used in new homes is often glued to nothing more than plasterboard. The life expectancy of this type of installation is generally less than two or three years, which means that homeowners must pay to have the tile torn out and redone-an expensive proposition. Now, John P. Bridge comes to the rescue, providing do-it-yourselfers with all of the information they need to complete ceramic tile projects with long lasting, professional results. Bridge begins with a brief discussion of the tools of the trade, materials required, and various types of masonry tile. Readers will then find easy-to-follow instructions for installing floors, tub surrounds, walls, and counter tops. Bridge takes readers step-by-step through the entire process, from surface preparation, layout, and design to setting the tile, grouting, and finishing

Designing Interiors with Tile: Creative Ideas with Ceramic, Stone and, Mosaic List Price: $17.99 Sale Price: $7.20 You save: $10.79 (60%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Introducing tile and stone into the home gives designers and homeowners an artistic medium like no other. Reclaimed, antique terra-cotta tile can transform a high-rise city kitchen into a French countryside retreat. Italian mosaic tiles hand-assembled in geometric borders and colorful murals can turn an ordinary bathroom into an oasis of luxury.This book traces the latest designs using tile, stone, and mosaic. Through beautiful photography and illustrative text, installations for every room in the house-kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and more-are presented. Renowned designers and tile manufacturers from around the world share their exquisite creations.In this high-tech world, tile, stone, and mosaics can fulfill our innate desire for tactile design. With these materials, we can create homes that are sensual places where the feel of cool stone beneath bare feet is as important as its deep, rich color or how the sunshine illuminates it.For interior designers, homeowners, and apartment dwellers, this book is an essential guide to using tile and stone to decorate. It will surely inspire.

Setting Ceramic Tile List Price: $19.95 Sale Price: $8.65 See Reviews For This Product

Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Ceramic Tile, Third Edition: Includes Stone, Porcelain, Glass Tile & More (Black & Decker Complete Guide) List Price: $24.99 Sale Price: $16.49 You save: $8.50 (34%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Complete DIY tile installation instructions with over 350 how-to, step-by-step photos; tool and material selection guides with full-color photography; design inspiration; the most up-to-date tile products and projects, such as recycled glass tile and other environmentally friendly and sustainable tile, new advancements for tile specifically engineered for outdoors, faux-stone tiles (made of more affordable materials), etc.; tile for all home projects including floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoors. This is the one stop shop for do-it-yourself tile installation instructions. Features ISBN13: 9781589235632 Condition: New Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Lark Studio Series: Art Tiles List Price: $12.95 Sale Price: $9.32 You save: $3.63 (28%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description With nearly 100 selections taken from the book 500 Tiles, this pocket-sized book will delight art enthusiasts. The magnificent tiles--from single standouts to large displays designed to decorate public spaces--will inspire beginners and professionals, as well as collectors and enthusiasts. The renowned artists include Paul Andrew Wandless, Lai Gong, Claudia Riedener, Melody Ellis, Ruchika Madan, and many more. Features ISBN13: 9781600596810 Condition: New Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

1,000 Tiles: Ten Centuries of Decorative Ceramics Sale Price: $58.75 See Reviews For This Product Description Chalky blues, sultry ochres, imperial reds, 1,000 Tiles dazzles with the brilliant color and design that has adorned even the farthest reaches of the world down through the centuries. From Mesopotamian to Post-modern examples, each exquisite tile or tile plate is presented in rich color and matched with a profile describing its origin, history, symbolism, and decorative motifs, as well as providing information on techniques such as fire glazing and dust pressing. Arranged by period and style, this comprehensive book makes it easy to access tiles from any era or movement. Artists and designers looking for inspiration, especially in the realm of patterns and color play, will find much to admire in this visually arresting volume. Complete with a resource section and tips for building a collection, 1,000 Tiles is the ultimate guide to an ancient art form that remains vital today.

Handcrafted Ceramic Tiles List Price: $17.95 Sale Price: $2.15 See Reviews For This Product Description “Easy-to-conquer designs....Every part of the process—indeed, of the more than 25 designs—is well documented with clear directions and color photos. In part for novices; in part for those firing up their skills.”—Booklist. “Shows how to add color designs to existing tiles without an expensive replacement job...a very practical book for public libraries on an often underutilized decorative feature.”—Library Journal.

Categories: ceramic tile patterns
Tags: diy, grout, home, regrout, regrout tile, regrout tile cost, regrout tile countertop, regrout tile floor, regrout tile in shower, tile