Ceramic Tiles

Homemade ceramic tile has been used for centuries. It has been found in ancient Babylon’s ruins and in the pyramids. Ceramic floor tile was made from clay which was baked and glazed. It is still made from clay, but other materials such as feldspars, sands, dolomite, and quartz are usually added. Glazes are added before the tile is fired. Theses glazes are applied in different techniques to achieve different colors, finishes, and weights. Although the process is somewhat similar, modern technology allows tile to be manufactured with speed and preciseness.

Ceramic wall tile is utilized by homeowners, businesses, and institutions. It is preferred for its durability, ease in cleaning, and it is stain resistant. It also makes an allergen and bacteria resistant surface. With the variety of shapes, finishes, and styles, it is adaptable for any decor. There is a wide price range, so bathroom ceramic tile can fit into anyone’s budget. It can be used as ceramic floor tile, wall tile, bathtub surrounds, backsplashes, and countertops.

Unglazed ceramic tile is also available. It is very hard and is usually used for outdoor applications because it is not very stain resistant and requires sealing to prevent stains. It does provide a good non-slip surface.

There are numerous styles and colors of ceramic porcelain tile. It is available is any color you could desire. There is tile that look like real stone. You can choose from slate, granite, limestone, or marble. It has the durability of real stone but averages about 75 per cent less than the cost of actual stone. You can achieve a modern, rustic, old world, or country look in a space by using different styles of tile. Most tile is available in high-gloss, slip-resistant, and matte finishes. There are hand painted bathroom ceramic tiles that can give you a custom designer look and you can even purchase a ceramic tile mural kit.

The standard size for ceramic kitchen tile is a 4 1/4″ square. A trend that is gaining popularity is the use of the larger ceramic floor tiles. These sizes are 8″x8″, 10″x10″, 12″x12″, and 18″x18″. There are small 1″ and 2″ square tiles known as mosaic tiles. These are used to create pictures and patterns. A Bullnose ceramic tile has a rounded edge and is used for countertops and other applications to give a finished look.

When choosing decorative ceramic tile, there are a few things to consider such as your budget, style, and the amount of traffic the tile will be subjected to. When considering ceramic floor tile, a high-gloss finish may cause treacherous walking conditions. For bathroom ceramic tile, consider how moisture resistant the tile is. Tiles have a PEI rating that can be helpful when considering your needs:

PEI 0: This is for wall tiles only.
PEI I: Floor tiles for light duty wear – where soft footwear will be used.
PEI II: Floor tiles for light duty wear – where normal footwear will be used.
PEI III: Floor tiles for medium-heavy duty wear- normal footwear without external access.
PEI IV: Floor tiles for heavy duty wear – normal footwear in private houses and public buildings except dance halls.
PEI V: Floor tiles for heavy duty wear – very heavy traffic and commercial use.

Glazed discount ceramic tile has a wide price range. It be can purchased from $1-$20 per square foot. The quality, style, finish, and manufacturer all affect the price. Custom made designer tile can cost even more. Unglazed glass ceramic tile averages about $2 per square foot. When ordering tile, it is best to add an additional 10 or 20 percent to the order. This covers breakage during installation and repairs in the future.

It is important that ceramic floor tile is applied to a smooth sub-floor. The flooring tile should be laid out and cut before attaching it to the floor. All tile in any project, should be adhered with a specially made tile adhesive. Cuts should be made with tile cutters that are available where tile is purchased. After all the tile has been glued in place, the grout is then applied. Immediately wipe of the excess grout with a damp cloth. After the grout has dried, the remaining surface grout can be wiped off. Grout is available in a variety of colors or you can tint your own to your liking.

Professional tile installers usually charge by the square foot. The cost can range from $5 to $10 for basic installation. If you want a custom installation such as tile laid on an angle or borders, it will cost significantly more. These installation costs do not include materials such as the tile, adhesive, and grout.

Using ceramic wall tile or floor tile can greatly improve the value of your home or business at a significantly lower costs than other material.

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