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Tile Types
- Glazed Ceramic Tile: These tiles are coated
with glass-forming minerals and ceramic stains. Typically
they have a matte, semi-gloss or high gloss finish. They
offer better stain and moisture resistance than unglazed
tile.
- High gloss finishes can be more slippery and
scratches can become more visible
- Matte or textured finishes help with traction
and scratches and dirt are less visible
- Unglazed Ceramic Tile: These tiles are very
hard and dense. They come in various surface treatments
and textures. Typically these are installed outside as
they do not offer much protection against stains compared
to Glazed Ceramic Tile. Unglazed tiles do have good slip
resistance, however they do require sealing to prevent
staining.
- Porcelain Tile: Porcelain is the hardest and
densest tile you can buy. They can withstand temperature
extremes. The color in a porcelain tile goes all the
way through. These tiles are non porous and resist scratching.
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Tile Sizes and Shapes
- They are a vast amount of tile sizes ranging from 1"x1" to
18"x18". With such variety the design opportunities are endless.
- Typical flooring tile sizes are 8"x8", 12"x12", 13"x13",
16"x16" and 18"x18".
- Tiles of different sizes in a repeated pattern are
also popular. An example would be a cobblestone look.
- Tiles 2"x2" and smaller are usually referred to as mosaics
and are often used with different colors to create a pattern.
- Some of these smaller tiles also come different shapes,
such as hexagon, for more design options.
- Pattern borders in different size tiles or different colors
can create beautiful looks. When creating a pattern with different
tile, the more prominent tile that is throughout the largest
areas is called the "field tile".
- Larger tiles actually can make smaller rooms appear bigger
because there are fewer grout lines.
- Smaller tiles offer more traction or slip resistance because
there are more grout lines.
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Mosaics |
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Floor With Border |
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Tile Ratings
There are many industry ratings that can help you determine which tile
will perform best in different areas of your home. Ask your design consultant
to review the ratings with you. One commonly used rating is:
- COF or Coefficient of Friction rating: This measures slip
resistance, the higher the rating the more slip resistant the tile.
This is particularly important in areas such as your bathroom or kitchen
floor.
Decorative Accents
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- Also available are multitudes of accent pieces sometimes called "decos" or "feature
strips". These can really personalize and enhance the look of
a room.
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What About Color Consistency?
- Solid Color Tiles-Solid color tiles provide a consistent look, however
shade variation is inherent in all fired ceramic products. Certain
tiles will show greater variation within their dyelots. Many manufactures
will list what the shade variation is with a low, medium or high rating.
- Natural Stone-looking Ceramic-some ceramic tile is made to emulate
the look of natural stone. These tiles will intentionally show slight
variation.
Solid Color Tile |
Natural Stone Look |
Choosing Grout
- Choose a lighter or darker shade of grout based on the foot
traffic that will take place in the tiled area.
- Design Options-grout can match, contrast or coordinate with
your tile.
- Remember that grout colors can change from the sample in the
design center to the grout installed in your home based on the
temperature and humidity at the time the tile is installed.
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The Value of Upgrading
- Wider selection of size, color, textures and finishes.
- More design options available, such as borders, patterns, mosaic
insets, clipped corners, decos.
- Higher performance rated tiles
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