Concrete tiles, similarly referred to as cement tiles, are generic products for both residential plus commercial areas. After undergoing revitalization in the early 20th century then dipping off again in the 50s and 60s, the concrete tiles are having a comeback. Esteemed for their toughness and exclusive designs concrete tiles are among the most common selections for kitchens. If you are presently in the development of refurbishing your kitchen, or you have been fantasizing of improving your kitchen space, the concrete tiles are indeed a material to check out.
Why Are Concrete Tiles Superb for Your Kitchens?
You will have a tough time discovering a material that is as exciting and provides as numerous design opportunities as concrete tiles. They may be completed into just about whichever pattern, design and color you can envisage, which is a motive why many property holders are picking concrete tiles instead of other materials, akin to plain ceramic tiles and hardwood floors, for their kitchens. Cement tiles are extraordinarily hard-wearing and resilient, owing to their manufacturing process. A combination of sand, color pigments, mineral powders and cement, are poured in metal molds, supported by aggregates and strengthened by approximately 2,000 pounds of force. The consequence is a tile that will not chip, fade, or display signs of tear and wear, plus a design that shall remain as beautiful as it initially did for an extended time.
Consider the general look
Your floor must work together with the remainder of your kitchen consequently take a look plus material of the units into consideration when choosing flooring. Materials like matt porcelain and durable laminate shall look excellent in contemporary schemes, whereas warm wood and natural stone tiles suit old-fashioned designs. A typical, modern flooring material is refined concrete, which offers a chic, industrial superiority. There is an extensive range of floor covering materials on the proposition that can be employed to improve your cooking zone. Nonetheless, before you set out on an element, there are several significant points to deliberate.
Kitchen flooring – all you necessitate to know
For your kitchen refashion, do not supervise the adaptability of concrete tiles. The consequence will be a kitchen that is flawlessly on point to your character, and that shall keep up attractively for numerous years to come. It necessitates to perform on many levels –safety, ease of cleaning and durability – and it need look great, also. In the end, your high-quality of flooring can break or make your kitchen appearance. It is stress-free to oversee kitchen flooring when you are eventful thinking of what appliances, units plus added extras you will have. However, the floor of the kitchen is probably one of the most prominent surface expanses in the room; thus its assortment deserves careful thought.
via Blogger Designing Your Kitchen With Concrete Tiles
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Cement tiles offer timeless appeal, but before you order some, it is wise to consider where you will be placing them, what kind of maintenance and care is involved among other factors. Below is an in-depth look of cement tiles.
The origin of cement tiles
Cement tiles were first produced in the South of France in the 1870s however the Spanish improved the mastery not so long after by developing many and beautiful colors and patterns. They introduced the Mediterranean, Moroccan and floral designs that are currently very popular.
How they are made
Unlike the usual ceramic tiles, cement tiles are handmade by blending cement, mineral pigments, marble powder, fine sand and other natural materials that do not require kiln firing.
The mixture is then placed in a mold to create the bold, colorful designs of the tile followed by a water bath to cure. Once completely dried, the tiles are treated with a light wax coating. Using a tool known as a hydraulic press, the bottom cement layer (usually a solid grey color) is bonded to the patterned top layer to solidify the two parts into one tile.
It takes about four weeks for the cement tiles to reach 90 percent of their potential strength and will continue to gain strength for decades. It is not that the cement tiles continue to dry out, they go through a chemical reaction that hardens the cement over time.
Where can they be used?
Because of the toughness of cletile cement tiles, the possibilities for design and installation are to a certain extent endless. Cement tiles can be used in a wide variety of spaces including fireplaces, showers, backsplashes and even outdoors where they can withstand all weather conditions.
Maintenance
How to look after cement tiles after they have been installed is an area you should be very keen to keep the tiles looking fresh and maintain the beautiful designs on them. Cement tiles are made up of durable components, but the marble element of these tiles are affected by acids and harsh chemicals. It is essential to do the following:
• Sealing
It is recommended to apply dry treat's stain proof sealer 24 hours after your ceramic tiles have been installed to prevent staining, especially in high traffic areas. Other constructors recommend that the tiles be sealed before and after installation, especially if the tiles are being placed on wet areas this will prevent staining. Also, re-sealing should be done depending on the type sealer that you use.
• Cleaning
Ceramic tiles should only be cleaned with a PH Neutral cleaner. Avoid using any harsh cleaning products that contain bleach or acidic chemicals. Even after showering, soaps or shampoo can sit on the tiles and cause damage; tiles need to be cleaned thoroughly after use.
Common Sizes
Cement tiles come in various sizes and shapes since different manufacturers produce them. But the most common sizes currently available in the market are 6”x 6” and 8" x 8" in square shapes, and 6" - 8" hexagon shaped tiles.
Pattern and color options
Pattern and color options for cement tiles are diverse especially because most manufacturers mix different pigments producing various appearances. Some patterns may be traditional, while others are contemporary, what one manufacturer produces will never look the same as those made by another. Find the look you love and go with it.
via Blogger An In-depth Look at Cement Tiles
Thinking of remodeling your kitchen? The subway tile backsplash is a great choice. Subway tiles have been in use from the early 1900s in New York subways. Apart from protecting the kitchen walls from food, water, and oils splashes they enable the proprietor to express themselves in a variety of textures and colours.
Subway tiles are easy to clean, stain resistant and light reflective making them a go-to tile option for your kitchen and relatively cheap. Its size and shapes make it easier to enhance the other decorative features of the kitchen such as the cabinets, windows, and lighting. They are creating visual interest and a focal point in the kitchen. Moreover, it's important to note the versatility feature that comes with subway tiles. One has many patterns to select.
1. Type of material
As said earlier subway tiles have versatility. There is a variety of stuff you can pick from when selecting your subway tile backsplash. The kind of material can be porcelain, ceramic, glass, marble and many more. With this unlimited number of patterns, you can try out what works for your kitchen design.
2. Texture and color
Color choices say a lot of who we are and the right color makes everything falls into place in the kitchen. Having your preferred cletile subway tile backsplash color gives the kitchen a personal touch and keeping things simple. You'll decide whether you want your backsplash to be neutral or colorful. The color has also to match with the kitchen color.
3. Backsplash height
The height of the backsplash is an essential factor to consider when choosing the subway tile backsplash. You have to decide whether you want it to reach the nearest shelf or top of your cabinet. Height is an important detail that most people tend to ignore. Interestingly the more the height, the better the focal point in the kitchen.
4. Size, pattern, and shape
It's important to note that subway tiles come in different forms. Whether the classic three by six or four by four tile would be ideally best for your kitchen. Shapes also come with different patterns; the right subway tile backsplash has to fit well with your kitchen. You have to decide how these factors might impact the overall design of your kitchen.
Most people overlook a lot of things when deciding the right backsplash to go for their kitchen. Comment if you would consider the above factors when choosing your kitchen backsplash.
via Blogger How To Choose The Right Subway Tile Backsplash For Your Kitchen
Installing subway tiles are totally the new trend right now, and it is elegant and timeless. Installing the subway tiles is quick and easy as well as a cost-effective activity. But, it can also be a total pain to install the tiles without proper background search of the dos and don'ts of the process. So here are five things that tilers should avoid when installing subway tiles:
1. Lack of a layout plan
Before embarking on the journey of installing subway tiles, it is of profound importance to have a plan. The prior plans include being aware of the space, the pattern of choice, and the number and size of tiles required; it is also important to consider the floor and the ceiling to avoid ending up with slivers on either end or tiny cuts on the corners. It is advisable to make use of Excel to come up with the layout plan.
2. Indecorous wall preparation
This is the first mistake most tilers make. For a perfect job of installing cletile subway tiles on the wall, it is critical to ensure that the walls are free from fingerprints or grease stains. Unclean walls prevent both the adhesive and the tiles to adhere to the walls.
3. Cracking the tiles
Regardless of the material the tile is made of, they can easily crack, where having many cracked tiles can be both wasteful and expensive. To avoid cracks when cutting the tiles, it is advisable to use a wet saw and apply slow, even pressure to create a precise cut. It is worthwhile noting that the wet saw is a bit expensive, but most hardware stores tend to rent them.
4. Forgetting to mark the end tiles
The edges demand that one cut the tile to fit; hence, it is crucial to hold in place each end tile and mark it for cutting. When making the mark, subtracting the width of the grout joint is vital. This eps in avoiding having small tiles all over the subway, which destroys the intended outcome.
5. Lack of proper cleaning
Most people want to be proud of themselves after installing subway tiles by themselves, but end up disappointed for the messy work left. It is time-saving to scrap the thin set that oozes between the tiles as one continues to install the subway tiles since it is a lot difficult to get them out before grouting. Always remember to clean as you go.
These are just but a few mistakes that tilers do when installing tiles. The CleTile comments section is open for readers to comment on their views regarding the article as well as add other things that tilers should avoid when installing tiles.
via Blogger Things To Avoid When Installing Subway Tiles
Are you wondering where to get tips of laying terracotta tile? This is the right place to be.
Prepare and clean the surface
After the right terracotta tiles are chosen and ready for installation on any surface, be it a wall, exterior or house interior, it is prudent that the surface is cleaned to ensure proper bonding. A standard level of cleaning should be achieved through thorough cleaning. For rough surfaces, a stiff brush should be used to scrub all the dirt.
Eventually, the intended surface should be cleaned using a combination of water and another suitable solvent such as trisodium phosphate.
Fill in any existing crack or concrete
After the cleaning, it is recommended that any existing crack or damage on the surface, which is to be tilled should be repaired using a crack filling membrane. Normally, a thin mixed mortar is used to cover the holes and cracks. The mortar is smoothed with a trowel to achieve a uniform gradient on the surfaces.
Dry-lay the tiles
Terracotta tiles need to be soaked in water and allowed to dry before they are set for laying. The main reason for soaking the tiles is to ensure that they are not stiff. Additionally, watering them reduces the chances of breakage.
Once the tiles are dry, they are laid on the floor and cut to acquire the right shape to achieve a given pattern. Afterwards, the tiles should be laid close to the laying surface so that technicians can easily reach them with ease while working.
Commence the laying Procedure
Normally, a thin layer of mortar is mixed as directed on the packet instruction. Using a trowel, the mortar is applied on the terracotta, and the hedges are combed to create a groove that will ensure an adhesion is achieved. After that, the tiles are gently laid into place with a specific measurement spacer for consistent spacing.
Notably, the mortar that accidentally lands on the surface of a terracotta tile should be removed immediately using sponge and water.
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