How to Tile a Small Area

Tiling a small floor area uses pretty much the same process as tiling a big floor, except it's a little easier. Instead of having to stretch a chalk snapline across the room and adjust the lines to be exactly perpendicular with one another, you can just use a level and square to get the layout right. Don't assume that just because it's a small space that you need to use small tiles. In fact, using large tiles in a small space lends a dramatic look to the project.             

Instructions

1. Measure the length of one wall, at the floor to be tiled, and put a mark in the middle of it. Do the same for the opposite wall. Lay your level across the floor between the two marks, and draw a straight line, cutting the area into two equal halves.

     2.  Measure for the middle of the line. Lay your square at the middle, and make a perpendicular

         line off the first line. Extend the second line to the two walls, using your square, so the area

         is  divided into four equal squares that meet in the middle.

     3.  Use your notched trowel to spread thinset mortar over the middle of the intersection of the two

         lines, covering enough to lay four tiles in the four corners where the two lines meet. Press the 

         four tiles into place, putting floor spacers between them.

     4.  Spread more mortar in all directions from the middle, building outward with the tiles, putting

          spacers between all of them. Cut the tiles at the edges of the space with your tile cutter to fit

          against the walls.

    5.  Let the tiles set overnight. Pull out the spacers.

    6. Grout the area by applying grout to the whole surface with a grout float, pressing it into the    

       spaces between the lines and squeezing it off the tile face. Use a damp sponge to wipe away the

       excess group.

Source:  Ehow

What Is Tile Glazing?

Tile glazing is a clear, reflective glass topcoating applied to tile to protect it from scratching, staining, fading and fire damage. The glaze is mostly used in residential buildings and is slip resistant and easy to clean. Tile glaze can give the tile a smooth or textured surface and is available in many designs and colors.                    

Function

• The purpose of tile glazing is to protect the tile. It also causes the tile to repel water and makes the surface more slip resistant.

Types

• Tile glazing is highly reflective and makes the surface very hard, smooth and slip resistant. The glaze is available in many different colors and designs. Some glazes can create different textures. Tiles and glaze can be made from various minerals such as zinc, mercury, copper, gold and silver.

In Your Home

• Tile glazing is mostly used in residential buildings because it is easy to clean. The glaze protects the tiles from wear and tear and will extend the life of the surface. Glazed tile is great for use in kitchens and bathrooms, mudrooms, porches and patios.

Manufacturing

• Tile glazing is made up of a thin layer of liquid, colored glass called frit that is applied at very high temperatures by spraying or pouring it on. Some glazing has mineral additives to enhance the finished look of the tile. After the tile is glazed, it must go into the kiln to bake at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Tiles can be single- or double-fired depending on the type of tile being manufactured.

Benefits

• Some of the benefits of glazing are that it protects the tile and extends the life of the surface. It seals out water and is easy to clean. The surface is slip resistant. Tile glazing is also available in many colors, styles, textures and designs. Glazed tile works well in high-traffic areas of your home.

The Difference Between Glazed and Unglazed Tile

• Pick up the tile and turn it to the side so you can see it in profile. The body of the tile, called the bisque, is the largest layer. If you see two layers, the tile is glazed. If only one layer is visible, the tile is most likely unglazed.

Classes of Tile

• Tile comes with different ratings which clarify what types of tile should be used in different areas of your home. Five classes exist that rate the scratch resistance and durability of the tile. Class 1 is for areas that have no foot traffic. Class 2 tile is used for light traffic areas. Light to moderate traffic areas call for using a class 3 ceramic tile. Class 2 or 3 tiles are most ideal for bathroom walls and floors, kitchens and most other residential applications. Class 4 ceramic tile is used for areas with moderate to heavy traffic such as offices, shopping malls, showrooms and restaurants. The final class, class 5 tile, is used for heavy to extra-heavy traffic areas like airports, subways, supermarkets and other commercial and industrial buildings.

source: Ehow

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