Tile Walls & Floors

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For centuries ceramic tile has been used as a decorative element in the construction of buildings and new homes. Its intriguing shapes, colors, and design add charm and durability to any home. Because ceramic tile is man-made, the selection of color, style, and sizes are endless.

 

Ceramic tile is made from natural materials such as clay, rock, and flint. They are mixed together, pressed into shape and kiln-fired at high temperatures. The resulting products are then glazed and decorated.

 

Ceramic tile can be used for floors, walls, fireplace surrounds, and countertops. It is available in a number of different textures and gloss levels, giving each area its own unique look and feel. Many modern ceramics are made to imitate natural stones. This gives a great look without the maintenance of natural stone. Many decorative liners are available to enhance the look of the tile work going into the home.

 

Ceramic tile is a long lasting, durable product, and requires simple care. Because of its durability, it will retain its beauty for many decades.

 

Understanding the Characteristics of Ceramic Tile

• Durability - While ceramic tile is one of the more durable products you can put in your home, it is not indestructible and may crack or chip under extreme force. Take precaution when moving heavy objects across ceramic tile.

 

• Dye Lots - Ceramic tile dye lots may vary in shading, veining, color, glazing, and texture. Due to the way ceramic tile is manufactured, some variation is expected. The tile installed in the home may not be a “perfect” match to the sample.

 

• Trim Pieces - Certain applications will require trim pieces (bullnose). The trim pieces and field pieces (main tile) may not be a perfect match. Due to the manufacturing process, some variation in color, texture, and size is expected.

 

• Mosaics - Mosaics are individual pieces of tile and/or stone that are placed on a net backing to create one piece or one decorative liner. This product will not be perfect in thickness and not all individual pieces will be straight and even. This is considered a normal characteristic of this product.

 

• Grout Joints - When mixing field tile (main tile) with trim pieces, and liners; grout joints will not remain constant. They may have slight variation at the transition from piece to piece.

 

• Countertops - Tile countertops are expected to be flat, but may not be perfectly level. Do not sit or stand on tile countertops, as it may cause cracking and chipping of the tile and grout.

 

• Layouts - Exact layouts are determined by the tile setter at time of installation. Layouts may vary based on size, shape, and type of tile and trim pieces. The width of the grout joints will also be based on the size, shape, and type of tile.

 

 

Introduction to Natural Stone Tile

Natural stone can be one of the most valuable additions to your home. It will add beauty and elegance to any room. If properly maintained, natural stone will last indefinietly.

 

There are several types of natural stone to choose from: granite, marble, limestone, travertine, onyx, and slate. Each type of natural stone varies in hardness and porosity and will bring its own unique look and feel.

 

Most natural stones are available in a variety of color and finish choices. Natural stone can be used on floors, walls, countertops, and fireplace surrounds. Consult with your designer to select the best option for your lifestyle.

 

Description of Natural Stones

• Granite – is visibly granular but can have a lot of movement. It consists primarily of quartz, mica and feldspar. Granite is the hardest architectural stone and least porous. It is highly recommended for kitchen countertops, but works well for any other application.

 

• Marble – typically has distinct veining and is composed primarily of carbonate minerals, calcite, and dolomite either singly or combined. Marble comes either polished or tumbled. Marble scratches easier and is more porous than granite. Polished stones show more scratches than tumbled stone because of the shine. Marble is not recommended, nor installed by Dream Home Designs, as kitchen countertops, but works well for other countertops such as those in the master bathroom. Polished marble can have smaller grout lines because of the straight edges where the tumbled marble will have large grout lines because of the tumbled edges. tumbled stones will have pits and holes that will be filled with grout during installation.

 

• Limestone/Travertine – has a honed finish and a distinctive layered structure. Some layers contain pores and cavities which create an open texture. It is one of the most popular stones for interior and exterior applications. It works well on flooring, bathroom countertops, and fireplace surrounds.

 

• Slate – is usually highly varied in color and typically comes gauged with straight edges, but can also come tumbled and polished. It will always have an uneven surface to a certain degree and can have thickness variation from tile to tile. It is a micro crystalline rock derived from shale and is primarily composed of mica, chlorite, and quartz. Slate is not recommended for any countertops due to uneven texture and can be hard to care for in showers. It works well for flooring, fireplaces, and exterior settings.

 

• Onyx – is a semi-precious sedimentary gemstone. It is valued for its translucent qualities and ability to be backlit. It can scratch or etch easily like marble. Harsh chemicals, vinegars, and citrus juices can damage the finish. It can be used on bathroom countertops, walls, and fireplaces.

 

Understanding the Characteristics of Natural Stone

• Variation - All natural stone will vary in color. The tile installed in your home may vary slightly from the sample shown in the design center. If repair work needs to be done at a later date, the new stone may vary from the original stone.

 

• Veining - All natural stone will have some veining which is not considered a defect. The installer will determine direction of the veining based on layout and style.

 

• Imperfections - Many natural stones have mineral spots in them. These are small spots that may appear a little lighter or darker in that given area. “Fissures” are often mistaken for cracks in the stone. Often natural stones, even after being polished, will contain small pits and chips. These are not defects, but rather a natural part of the stone.

 

• Durability - All natural stones will vary in hardness. Although most natural stones are very strong products, they will scratch and damage if the proper care is not taken. Take precautions when moving heavy objects across the stone.

 

• Thickness - All natural stones will vary in thickness within the same piece of stone, and from piece to piece.

 

• Surface - No natural stone will have a perfectly smooth surface.

 

Introduction to Grout

Grout is a powder concrete substance which is mixed with water. Exact layouts and grout joint widths are determined by the installer at the time of installation. They are also governed by the actual size and shape of the tile and the exact dimensions of the areas to be covered.

 

The standard grout on kitchen counters, bathroom vanities and tub-shower surrounds is a non-sanded “dry” grout that is only available in white or almond. The standard countertop tiles have built-in spacers called “lugs” that allow for a tighter grout joint approximately 1/16”. Grout joints on a floor tile will range from 1/8” to 1/4” depending on the tile. In a tumbled tile this may go up to a full inch in some places.

 

Tile with a scalloped (wavy) edge will have an inconsistent grout width.

 

Understanding the Characteristics of Grout

• Variation - Colored grout is intended to coordinate with the tile selection. However no grout will match the tile color exactly. Colored grout will vary in color from the samples shown in the design center due to the conditions of the job site and finishing techniques.

 

• Flecking - Elements of nature, including but not limited to, the sun, temperature, humidity, dry time, water temperature, mineral content, and chemical reactions, combined with the aging process will vary the color and cause a flecking and/or cracked appearance of your grout even within the same area. This is not considered a manufacturing, material, or installation defect.

 

• Cracking - Over time cracks will appear in the grout used with your tile. These cracks may be repaired by the homeowner as part of general maintenance. However, color variation may occur between the patch and the original grout.

 

• Sealing - All ceramic tile grout installed by Dream Home Designs will be sealed with a penetrating sealer. Over time this sealer will need to be re-applied by the homeowner. Expected wear will vary depending on hardness and texture of surface, type of area surface wear, frequency of maintenance, and type of maintenance products used. The expected wear is up to 10 years. Extreme weather conditions, harsh cleaning methods, and high-alkaline or solvent-based cleaners will affect wear.

 

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