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Friday Tile Design Inspiration
We wanted to share these magnificent tile creations for your Friday! These ideas are from Pinterest. Pinterest is a great resource for planning your tile projects and organizing your ideas. Have a great weekend, everyone. Get inspired!
Source: mysmilenetwork.com via Arin on Pinterest
Incredible ceramic tile wall.
Source: google.com.au via Tan on Pinterest
Modern tile floor is made cozy with the fireplace and rug.
Source: lyring.com via Kitt on Pinterest
Gorgeous tile mosaic wall.
This backsplash gives a nice pop of color!
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All About Grout
Grout, the colored mortar between the tiles, has been drastically improved in recent years. Grout helps hold your tiles in place as well as seals the space between them. It also acts as a frame around the tile and should complement the color of the ceramic tile. Numerous colors are available to coordinate with your tile choice.
A few things to keep in mind when it comes to grout:
* The Grout Color. The actual finished grout color in an installation is affected by moisture, temperature and installation techniques. Because of these variables, the installed shade may differ from a showroom sample. Choose grout color to blend rather than match.
* Proper Maintenance.Today there are grout formulas that contribute to stain and mildew resistance. Good maintenance procedures that remove surface soil always improve the appearance of any ceramic tile installation. For tile cleaning tips click here.
* Using a Sealant. Improved sealers can assist in keeping the grout at its best.
* A word of advice for the DIY-er: Grouting can be a difficult task and requires a level of skill to ensure the look of your tile for years to come. When it is properly applied and maintained, your tile will have a fresh look for many, many years. However, even just one wrong move in the application process can cause the grout to crack, become dry, and hold stains for years. Here are some tips for a good grout application.
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Floor Construction For Ceramic Tile
A common question we hear when it comes to ceramic tile installation is , “Does ceramic tile require a special floor construction?”
In answer to this question: Standard floor construction of 2″ x 10″ floor joists spaced 16″ on center with 5/8″ plywood underlayment is suitable. However, more than 20 years experience shows that rigid cementitious backer board is superior to plywood as an underlayment. Whether consisting of a double layer of plywood or a layer of plywood with cement board on top, the total thickness of the subfloor must be at least 1-1/4″. A clean, structurally sound concrete slab is suitable and does not require additional underlayment. In some cases 1/4″ or 1/2″ thick cement board can be laminated directly over existing floor coverings without having to remove them.
If you have any tile questions, we would be more than happy to answer them! Please leave us a comment.
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An Important Tile Resource
Tile Council of America provides valuable information on the proper installation of ceramic tile in virtually any condition. They research all the installation methods and conditions and annually publish industry standards for the installation of tile.
Any reputable Ceramic Tile Contractor will be very familiar with their publication. At Garretson Tile Company it’s our “bible”.
Visit tileusa.com for endless amounts of resources and tips.
The Garretson Tile Showroom
One particular example is this great article called “Ceramic Tile for Geniuses and Dummies” presented by Robert E. Daniels, Executive Director Emeritus of TCNA. This article discusses the intricacies of the tile business and how important it is to work with a reputable Tile Contractor. There are so many variables when it comes to tile. The article also details the basics in ceramic tile. Here is an excerpt:
Ceramic tile itself can be a complex subject. Let’s slice down the layers of complexity and make it simple. There are two major types of tile, quarry tile: that is tile that is made by extrusion from natural clay or shale and tile that is made by the pressed dust method. This category includes wall tile, mosaic tiles, and floor tile. Either type of tile can be glazed or fired as unglazed. Glaze is a ceramic surfacing material that is used to provide a certain appearance. Let me restate this point: any ceramic tile type may be glazed or unglazed. This includes porcelain tiles. Read more here.
Bottom line is: Do your research and be sure to speak with a tile expert. A general flooring expert and tile expert are two very different things.
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Spotlight On Custom Tile Project- Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel
We were thrilled to provide and install tile for the Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel’s stunning lobby. Here are a few photos of the finished space:
Wyndham Gettysburg is located at 95 Presidental Circle | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Image courtesy wyndham.com
For more projects visit us at www.garretsontile.com
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Using Pinterest for Tile Design Inspiration
Have you heard about Pinterest? This online “pinboard” is the largest growing social network right now. People are flocking to the site to create boards filled with all kinds of inspiration from home decor and recipes to event planning and fashion.
This is a fantastic way to find and save inspiration for the tile projects in your home. When we start working with a client we always get a clear picture of their inspiration and hope for the space. Whether it is a magazine cut-out, a color scheme, pattern, etc., we use all of these pieces to design and achieve the desired tile effect. Now, Pinterest makes this process easy! After doing a simple search for “tile”, these are just some of the results. Users can share their boards as well as receive comments and likes from friends.
A word of advice- Once you start searching and pinning on Pinterest it’s hard to stop!
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Mixing Textures & Patterns for Design Effect
Tile’s versatility is well-known to many interior designers. The variety of textures and patterns is seemingly endless. Mixing textures and patterns can result in some truly spectacular effects and fully custom to your own sense of personal style and choices of aesthetics. Small oblong or rough-edged tiles pieces can be arranged and affixed in a mosaic pattern or as an interlocking geometric pattern using a mix of rectangular and square tiles. Mix textures – smooth glazed tiles with rougher, rustic pieces – for a dramatic effect.
Need some inspiration? Maybe these photos will help.
Photo courtesy of Shelterness.com
Photo courtesy of Passport2Design.com
Photo courtesy of McKay Flooring
Photo courtesy of DoItYourself.com
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Design Inspiration In The Kitchen
Are you planning a kitchen remodel and looking for a way to really make the design pop? We often think of tile as primarily flooring material, but it can also be used to great effect as a backsplash or accent wall. Here’s a few designs that we really love that show off the versatility of tile in the kitchen.
Photo courtesy of kitchen-1st.co.cc
Photo courtesy of tileswithstyle.com
Photo courtesy of haigremodeling.com
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Transform Your Home into a Work of Art with a Tile Floor Mosaic
One way to use tile in your home is to create a custom mosaic. A mosaic instantly transforms the space into a work of art that is sure to spark conversation. You can really make a mosaic anything – backsplash, wall, fireplace, or floor. Like with any other tile project, endless options abound for your personal work of art.
Here are some examples of mosaic floor tile that we love:
Mosaic "Rug" image courtesy of Linda Merrill
image courtesy glassmosaictileart.com
image courtesy of creeksidetile.net
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Bathroom Tile Inspiration
The bathroom continues to receive increased attention in many homes as homeowners seek to create a tranquil, personal space. This retreat-like atmosphere is very desirable and can be created in endless ways. Not to mention, a bathroom remodel using tile is an investment that will add value to your home. (Read our previous post here for tips on creating a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom.)
Here are a few photos of gorgeous bathroom retreats to spark your inspiration:
Image courtesy Ceramic Tileworks
image courtesy Ceramic Tileworks
image courtesy homenix.com
image by Garretson Tile Company
image by Garretson Tile Company
image courtesy of Trendir Modern Interiors
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