How to choose tile

The hardest part of Tiling is choosing color, finish, type & pattern.

It is a common agony many of us go through in the pre tiling stages. There are plenty of web sites offering instruction on the mechanics of cutting & setting tile without acknowledging the tortuous journey of getting past the sales counter.

Here are some simple tips will lower the decision stresses and make shopping for tile less daunting.

1) Good planning is good tiling.

2) Take samples from the store and experiment with different tile patterns. Use a representative quantity to truly get the idea of the final look.

3) Draw out and plan of how the cut tiles will place in the corners. Try to avoid less than a half tile in those areas.

4) There are two kinds of cuts:

Folds: Imagine the tile is made of paper and it folds around a corner... better for pattern tile.

Short tile: Cut as an abrupt finish works better on Non Pattern tile.

5) Measure & plan where faucets, spouts, brackets and shelves need to be placed. Choose a tile size that allows you to grow a hole from the edge of a tile than place a hole in the middle.

6) If mid tile holes are unavoidable diamond hole saws are available.

7) Pencil your square and plumb lines in the middle of the area to be tiled. Choose a tile pattern that best fools the eye if things are not quite as square as they should be.

8) Create a cut list mapping out just how many cuts will be generated by your choices. Less is more in many cases.

9) Lay out your tile plan the tricky cuts.

10) Under floor heating is an amazing upgrade to a floor, don’t be overwhelmed by the electrical. Install the tile over the floor element run the wires to a convenient location and terminate you can connect anytime later.

11) Special cases Bevel edge subway looks great but cuts in corners can look ugly. Plan for whole square tiles in that position and then work outward or away from the corner.

Color

12) Keep in mind florescent lighting gives a modified color tone to that of daylight.

13) Darker tile colors show less dirt especially for floors.

14) light tile colors are better in showers hiding soap splashes.

15) Grout color samples seen in the store are vaguely representative to the actual dried finished color. Consider not matching grout and complimenting tile color with a bold grout line accent.

16) When considering glass tile use a light color thin set. On lager glass tile air bubbles are visible as darker spots remember to fully back butter.

17) There is always some variability of color in tile, buy your quota plus 10% to be sure of color consistency.

Size

18) Size does not matter however time spent cleaning might. Bigger tiles are easier to clean.

19) Thickness of tile is not reflective of quality, but be aware of the class of tile and its appropriateness of use. Some tiles are good for walls and not floors.

Look

20) Tile surface finish plays an important safety roll when considering a flooring project. Seek advise from your supplier.

21) If you shower uses a larger tile and the last row is greatly reduced in height consider an accented row of another style and height to soak up the problem.

22) If the edge of a tile is visible such as in a window ledge or counter top. Look for full glazed tile that brings the color over to the sides or insert a bull nose section ( ¼ round).

Source: homerepair.com

Backsplash tile

What is a backsplash? A backsplash is a vertical extension to a counter--typically kitchen or bathroom counter--which protects the wall from unintended splashes of water.


Backsplashes began life as functional conveniences — easy-to-clean surfaces that protectkitchen walls, especially those behind the cooktop, sink and prep area. But it didn't take long for kitchen designers and homeowners to realize that a distinctive backsplash can also help a kitchen look great. That means you can add real flair to your kitchen with relatively little fuss, because installing a backsplash is a project you can tackle without disturbing other elements in the room.

There are no real rules governing backsplashes. Besides selecting a material (or materials), you have to decide how "long" the run should be. Wrapping the backsplash around the entire room gives a sense of visual continuity, which could help a small space seem larger. The opposite approach—panels behind specific areas like the range or sink —highlights and draws attention to these areas.

The other choice is how tall the treatment should stand. A backsplash that runs all the way up to the bottom of the wall cabinets gives the room a finished quality. As for a low backsplash, Karen Thompson, a design consultant for a branch of The Home Depot in Atlanta, says, "I don't recommend the standard 4-in. backsplash because it adds another horizontal line to a room that's full of them. Also, the wall has to be finished off with paint or wallpaper, which isn't very durable."

Because a backsplash bridges the counter and cabinets, choose a material and color that work with those elements. Complementary colors or variations on a dominant color give a traditional look. To liven up the room, add some contrast, like a stainless backsplash with cherry cabinets, or a checkerboard of dark and light tiles. Consider texture, too. Rough finishes add a casual flavor, while slick, shiny surfaces emphasize elegance and a contemporary feeling.

This roundup will show you how several backsplash materials stack up when it comes to installation, cost and maintenance.

Source: this oldhouse

Larger tiles are becoming popular

Larger tiles are becoming more and more popular these days. Here are some pictures of some 20x20 tile we installed in the tack room of a horse barn in Bucks County PA.

 This floor is a high traffic area that will see a lot of abuse. The customer chose a large durable matte finish porcelain tile with natural colors to accentuate the walls but also because it is low maintenance.

The color and finish of a tile can minimize water spots from cleaning and spills as well as hide the dirt. Larger tiles mean less grout, and the grout we installed was a stain resistant epoxy. This is a great combination for high traffic areas.

Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic floor tiles are usually made from porcelain, ceramic, or glass formed into squares of less than two inches (2.5 cm). The squares can be arranged to form a picture or a repeating pattern. Artisans create unique floors using mosaic tiles. The tiles are also available in standard patterns, which can be purchased attached to a backing for easy installation.

Mosaic is an art form which involves fitting small pieces of rock, shell, tile, or glass called tesserae together to create a pattern which may be abstract or representational. Some of the finest examples of mosaic can be found in ancient art from the Greco-Roman world, and in Byzantine churches. This craft can be used to decorate everything from chests of drawers to floors, and it has been a part of the artistic expression of many cultures all over the world.

The earliest known mosaics date to around the eighth century BCE, when the Greeks made mosaics with pebbles. The art form spread to the Romans as well, and it was used extensively in the internal decoration of homes and businesses. The Romans were especially fond of mosaic for flooring, and some truly incredible floor mosaics have been revealed at archaeological sites. With the spread of Christianity came an explosion of mosaic art in churches and other houses of worship; these mosaics depicted saints or religious scenes, and often integrated precious materials such as gold and gems.

Some Native American cultures, especially in Latin America, also developed mosaic, which was used to ornament shields and body armor. Latin American mosaic utilized stones such as turquoise and precious metals, and immense technical skill was involved. The oldest pre-Columbian mosaics appear to date to around 600 BCE, although older mosaics may still be discovered.

The Middle East has also been a site of incredible mosaic work. Islamic art does not depict figures, but rather complex geometric patterns which often involve subtle interplays of color and shading. Middle Eastern mosaics ornament furniture, flooring, and walls. Middle Eastern mosaic was often made specifically with tile, and it was used to convey social status and power, since it would have been expensive to install.

This striking decorative art is also used by modern artists. All of the historical uses of mosaic can be seen in modern design, ranging from ornate mosaic tile floors to furnishings and sculpture covered in mosaic. Artisans often have very fine materials to work with, and they may include things like mirrors and vibrantly colored glass to make their mosaics particularly eye-catching.

Making mosaic on your own can be fun, since there are so many possible materials to work with. At a minimum, you will need a surface to mosaic and materials to cover it in. Tile factories and pottery studios are a great source of broken clay and glass to use, and you can also purchase mosaic tiles which are specifically designed for this purpose. A strong adhesive is needed to fix the tesserae to their backing, and you will also need grout to finish the piece, along with sealer if you want it to endure moisture. Tools like tile snippers are also very handy, and remember to wear face protection when breaking pottery or cutting glass.

Source:  geekwise

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tile is made from clay fired in a kiln. Then a colored glaze is added, and the tile is fired again, making the colors very vivid. Ceramic tile can be slippery, so they are usually treated with an abrasive if they are to be used a floor tiles. Unglazed ceramic tiles, called quarry tiles, are also available. They stain easily, so they should be sealed for use as flooring.

Ceramic tile is a beautiful and economical way to add a custom style to your home. There are a variety of things to consider when choosing tile. Ceramic tile is relatively easy to install, so many people choose this as a do-it-yourself project. If you plan to install the ceramic tile yourself, it is even more important that you shop carefully.

Ceramic tile is available in a wide range of sizes. In general, the larger the tile, the easier it will be to install. The most important part of installing tile is to keep it even and level. There are a variety of spots that you need to watch to ensure that you are laying the tile correctly.

It is important that the mortar below your tile is a uniform height. This will keep your floor from being uneven. If the mortar is thicker in one area than another, your tiles will also be uneven, leading to an uneven floor. The spacing between each tile needs to be even as well. While there are spacers available that you slide between the tiles to help maintain proper spacing, it can still be difficult to keep each row properly spaced.

As you can see, there are a variety of ways that the spacing and maintaining evenness can be a problem while laying ceramic tile. When you use larger tile, you will have less opportunities to make a mistake with your spacing. Larger tiles are also easier to handle in the sticky, thin-set mortar.

Another consideration when you are choosing ceramic tile is the pattern of the tile. Ceramic tile nearly always has some variation in each tile. If the variation is subtle, it is easier to match. If the variation is more pronounced, it is important to be very careful when laying the tile out. Even a group of tiles that look exactly alike will exhibit subtle changes when set out beside each other.

The easiest way to deal with slight variations in the tile color is by selecting tiles out of each of the boxes in a random pattern. The worst thing that you can do is to use all of one box, and then move on to the next box. Instead, open all of the boxes of ceramic tile and mix them up. This will draw attention to the natural variations between the tiles without there being highly visible lines, with each quarter of the room looking different.

source: geekwise

Porcelain

Porcelain tiles are clay tiles fired at very high temperatures. This creates a dense tile that is quite resistant to moisture. The Porcelain Enamel Institute rates the hardness of porcelain tiles for use in light traffic areas, group I, to extra heavy traffic areas, group V.

Porcelain is a very hard, translucent white ceramic which has been manufactured in China since the 600s, and in Europe since the 1700s. Because porcelain was associated with China and frequently used to make delicate plates, cups, vases, and other works of fine art, it is sometimes known as “fine china.” Some artisans make the distinction between hard paste porcelain, made in the traditional Chinese style, and soft paste porcelain, claiming that only soft paste porcelain is true china, but the terms are used interchangeably by most of the rest of the world.

Clays have been used to form dinnerware and fine art for centuries, and the roots of porcelain began in the Han Dynasty, when Chinese craftspeople first combined white kaolin clay with a type of ground granite and fired it at extremely high temperatures. The result was a resilient, translucent, resonant, beautiful piece of pottery, and the technique was further refined during the Tang dynasty, around 6oo AD, to create strong, thin walls which were truly translucent. European adventurers were captivated with the unique and beautiful material, which looked drastically different from the stoneware then in production, and attempted to replicate it.

Early European results at duplicating porcelain resulted in china, soft paste porcelain made with clays and silicates. In the 1700s, a German pottery company successfully made bone china, which closely resembles true porcelain, by mixing calcified bones, clay, and feldspar. Bone china is extremely durable and relatively easy to make, and has become a popular choice in many English speaking nations, although true porcelain is preferred in much of Europe and Asia. Britain and Germany both manufacture large amounts of porcelain and china for use in Europe and export to other nations.

Porcelain starts with a pale clay such as china white, which has small, tight grains that are further ground so that they are even. Materials like glass, feldspar, and granite are ground with the clay before water is added to the mixture so that it can be worked. The porcelain is formed into the desired shape before being fired in a bisque kiln at moderate temperatures. After being bisqued, glazes are applied and the porcelain is fired at high temperatures, resulting in a fused, strong piece of pottery which is delicate, translucent, and highly useful. In addition to being used for dinnerware, porcelain is also used to make electrical insulators, tile, bathroom fixtures, and false teeth.

source: geekwise

Terrazzo Tile

Terrazzo tiles are formed from marble or other stone chips embedded in concrete. The surface is polished to a high sheen. Terrazzo floor tiles are beautiful and easy to maintain. Clay has been used for floor tiles from ancient times. Today, the clay can be processed in a number of different ways, resulting in several categories of tile.

Terra cotta is clay that has been fired but not colored, the same material used for garden pots. It is usually left unglazed. The color can vary, due to variation in the mineral content of the soil, but usually has an orange cast. Terra cotta floor tiles absorb liquid, so they have to be treated before use indoors.

Terrazzo is a flooring technique that results in an attractive and durable floor that is easy to maintain. Created with the use of pieces of marble or stone chips, terrazzo is an excellent option for a number of different decorating schemes. A cement binder provides the medium for arranging the stone or marble chips, making it possible to create terrazzo floors that are unique in color composition and design.

Traditional terrazzo flooring is created onsite, rather than prepared elsewhere and then installed. Any existing flooring in the space is removed or prepared to receive the layer of concrete that forms the basis for the terrazzo. After smoothing the wet cement into place, the surface is embedded with colorful stones and marble chips. At this juncture, the arrangement of the stones and chips can be very free form, or carefully placed to follow a specific design idea. Part of the beauty is that it is possible to use as many pieces of stone or marble as desired.

Once the chips are in place, trowels and other tools are used to make the surface as smooth as possible. The smoothing does not have to be exact at this point, as the goal is really more to ensure the stones are firmly in place before the concrete sets. After the cement has dried, grinding machinery is brought in to achieve a more precise even surface, and also add an element of polishing to the floor.

The final step in preparing the terrazzo floor involves cleaning and sealing the surface. After the polishing is completed, any residue is removed from the surface, and a thin layer of sealant is applied. The end result is a colorful floor that will hold up well to a lot of traffic, easy to maintain, and will last for many years.

Today, there are specially designed terrazzo tiles that may be attahced to an existing floor in a process that is similar to the installation of linoleum tiles. While the design styles are more limited than the freeform approach, installation generally takes less time and requires less preparation.

 source: wisegeek.com

Kulp Tile and Marble, Inc. - what we offer.

Kulp Tile & Marble, Inc. is a ceramic tile and marble installation business located in Lansdale, PA. We service Montgomery County, Bucks County and all of the Delaware Valley.

Our goal is to provide our clients with quality and creative tile and marble installations that they can enjoy for years to come. Our clients are our most important asset, and that is why we provide all of our services in a clean, punctual, and professional manner.

Our Services

Residential Service

Kulp Tile & Marble Inc. offers a variety of tile and marble services to enhance the beauty and exemplify the craftmanship of your home or business. Whether you are looking for a professional designer for a new installation, or an experienced contractor to repair or replace your existing tile or marble, Kulp Tile & Marble has the experience and and professionalism you need.

Commercial Service

Kulp Tile & Marble Inc. offers tile installation and repair services for a wide variety of commercial clients. Tile is an integral part of many commercial buildings because it has great durability and it is very easy to clean and maintain. High traffic areas like restaurants, supermarkets and business centers rely on tile to offer a pleasing look while maintaining the durability and resilience ideal in these types of environments.

About Kulp Tile & Marble Inc.

We are a family-owned business that takes pride in superior craftsmanship and unbeatable customer service. Our years of experience have allowed us to provide the area with the most professional and reliable services in the business.

We are located in Lansdale, PA and provide ceramic tile and marble installation and repair services throughout Montgomery County, Bucks County and surrounding communities.

What Do We Have to Offer You?

Your home is an extension of you. The addition of ceramic tile in your kitchen or bathroom will give you an opportunity to personalize your home. The many colors and sizes of ceramic tile and stone are a tasteful way to brighten up your home while adding to its value. Kitchen and bathroom renovations/upgrades typically provide a high return on investment, especially if they are completed professionally.
We like to educate our clients in the products and installation methods we are employing so that they can make comfortable, informed decisions. We partner with our clients to make their tile project as stress-free and fulfulling as possible.

Our 24 Hour Pledge!

We pledge to respond to you within 24 hours of receiving your call with a date and time for a free consultation. We will inquire as to what your specific needs and desires are and bring samples to your home. Contact us today for a free consultation. If you like, a company representative will meet you at the tile showroom of your choice and help you with your selection. If you are unsure of where to go we can recommend a showroom to you.


Please visit our website@  http://kulptileandmarble.com