Ceramic tile

Especially attractive as kitchen, bathroom, entrance hall or glassed-in veranda floor covering, ceramic tiles are also well suited to work surfaces and walls that are subjected to on-going wear and tear. They offer durability, variety in texture and finish, and flexibility in matching and mixing, all precious assets in interior design and decorating.
Project guide service
Paint calculator
Wallpaper calculator
Ceramic calculator
Colour it!
Related Projects
Related Tips
Page 1/1
New styles...
The kitchen...
The bathroom...
Large rooms...

New styles...

Ceramics, whether used for purely decorative purposes, or for protection as is the case in an entrance hall or a bathroom, are increasingly popular. Tiles, once sold in standard sizes of 12 x 12 in. for large rooms and 8 x 8 in. for bathrooms are now available in a wide range of sizes, from 1 x 1 in. to 14 x 14 in. Shapes are also more varied and now include rectangles and hexagons. When it comes to style, tiles that simulate slate, terra cotta, stone and marble have been most popular in recent years. Also available is a wide range of mouldings that contribute to a multiplicity of finishing opportunities.

Some will prefer patterned tiles for kitchen walls and for kitchen and bathroom counters because they represent an opportunity to create unusual mosaics and personalized arrangements.

The kitchen...

Ceramic working surfaces are in style even though material and installation costs are higher than are those of laminates. Many will opt for them because they allow for customizing while providing a durable maintenance-free finish.

Easier to wash, glossy smooth-finish tiles are better suited to work surfaces. Should you opt for a slightly porous finish, you will need to apply several coats of a sealer.

You may choose to finish your ceramic tile counter in a number of ways. For example, you may elect to frame them using 1- or 2 in.-square wood strips, set flush with the surface of the tiles. Or you may prefer less imposing or more sophisticated wood framing, or framing which rounds off counter edges. Or, still, ceramic frames, specially designed for borders and edges. Although the range of ceramic finishing materials is limited, creative possibilities abound.

The bathroom...

Ceramic tiles are common in bathrooms. To the extent that they are probably installed, they will protect against humidity and water infiltration. And those with a gloss finish are easy to wash. Porous finishes, such as slate, are acceptable as long as they are properly sealed.

Ceramic tiles are still the preferred finishing material for bathrooms. Whether used on walls (whole or partial covering), around the shower or the bathtub they offer diversity, flexibility and endless customizing possibilities.

Large rooms...

Large rooms generally call for large ceramic tiles. And there are indeed numerous styles and matching possibilities that can radically transform your environment. Alternating plain and mosaic tiles, arranged with smaller patterned tiles, is among the possibilities.

Odd-dimension ceramic tiles, ceramic borders, regular and double-curved mouldings can all contribute to more harmonious finishes. For example, a cap moulding that fits perfectly in a right-angle corner can be used to round it off. The double-curved moulding is often used as a baseboard to provide a more attractive joint between wall and floor. Other mouldings, available in various shapes are suitable for different finishes and adapt well to interior and exterior corners.
The advent of heated floors has contributed to the popularity of ceramic tiles in glassed-in verandas and porches. Whether used to heat the floor or the entire room those systems are known for their ability to deliver both comfort and energy savings.
Page 1/1