ABOUT TILE
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Why
Tile? Tile
is the ultimate product, combining beauty with durability.
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It will not stain, mildew, burn or fade.
• Moisture will not effect it.
• It is “allergy-free” – soil, fumes,
smoke and germs will not penetrate it.
• It is the easiest of all finishes to clean – never
needs buffing, waxing or finishing.
• Tile has the lowest long-term cost of any alternative
product
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Decorating with
Tile
Fancy
TileOne of tile’s best features is its adaptability. It
can play a major roll in a design scheme, as the focal point of
a room. Or it can play a minor roll, simply complementing your
other decor. The broad range of sizes, shapes, colors and textures
enables us to incorporate tile into almost any application.
From the understated to the luxurious, the traditional to the
contemporary, the stylish looks of tile will complement any style.
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Selecting
a Tile
Tile
offers you a vast selection of products, with a wide variety of
performance characteristics to suit any application imaginable.
The key is selecting the right tile for the job. Every tile manufactured
is given a wear rating. These ratings vary according to the amount
of traffic the tile will receive, and directly correlate to how
well the tile performs. Tiles with a lower class rating are more
suited for light traffic areas. Tiles with a high wear rating
are for areas with heavier traffic. Below is an example of basic
wear ratings:
Class
1
Usually wall tile only
Class
2
Suitable for light residential floors
Class
3
Appropriate for all residential and light commercial installations
Class
4
All residential and commercial applications
Characteristics
of Tile
Texture and color are also important characteristics to consider
when selecting tile.
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Texture
The
two basic types of texture used in making tiles are tactile and
visual. Tactile textures can be felt, and convey the look of the
natural product. Visual textures actually have a flat, smooth
surface, but give the impression of texture through color and
shade variation.
Color
Probably
the most powerful of the design elements is color. From calm to
bold, and cool to warm, tile offers an abundance of choices. One
facet of color, called shade variation, deals with one of the
most popular looks today – stone tiles. It is also the most
dramatic. Today’s stone products are designed with shade
variation to provide a more natural look. One piece will not be
indicative of what an entire floor will look like. Care should
be taken to mix pieces from different boxes to incorporate any
shading differences.
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Finishing
the Job
Kitchen
No job is complete until the grout has been selected. Grout selection
will affect the appearance and performance of your final installation.
It is wise to select a grout that fits your particular design
scheme or level of use. Whether you are matching, coordinating,
or contrasting the grout color, the visual results can be limitless.
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| Caring
for your Tile
Tile’s
beauty and durability have made it one of the most popular interior
finishes today. There are just a few simple steps to maintaining
the rich look of a tile surface.
Sealing
For
ease of installation as well as on-going clean-up, unglazed tile
and grout joints should be sealed. Using a sealer protects against
stains.
Glazed
tiles do not require the use of sealers. Since the glaze on these
tiles is made of glass-like materials, they do not take on stains
and are already easy to clean.
Cleaning
Weekly
cleaning of tile is as simple as vacuuming up loose dirt, followed
by mopping with warm water and neutral cleaner. (A neutral cleaner
does not contain any acids or bleaches). Also avoid soap-based
cleaners, which can leave a film behind, making your tile more
difficult to clean later.
The
proper tile, installed correctly, will last a lifetime. Be daring
– go beyond kitchens and baths and use tile throughout your
home, inside and out, and have some fun!
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