Designing a Tile Layout

Design Tile Patterns on Graph Paper

One of the easiest methods for laying out a tile design is to use graph paper. Begin by measuring the length and width of the area in question. For small areas, simply give each square on the paper a designation, such as 2, 4 or 6” a piece. For very large areas, divide the number of squares in one direction on the graph paper into a number of inches of the layout in the same direction. This number will designate how many inches each square on the graph paper will represent.

Once the squares have a numerical measure assigned, begin by drawing the length and width of the space. Count of the number of squares on the graph paper that equal the size of the tile being used and begin playing with the layout. This is especially helpful for wall borders, chairrail heights and backsplash tile designs. Play with the height of the border, whether it will have tiles above and below it, a chairrail or molding on either end, and whether the tiles above and below are in the same pattern. Lay tiles below a border straight and above the border on an angle.

Designing a tile pattern can be done this way; sketching the tile sizes to scale, in the scaled space. Drawing out the design this way can help get a feel for the whole space.

Mark the Design with Blue Tape or Poster Board

For those homeowners who need more visual help, try marking the area to be tiled itself. For help laying a border or a chairrail height, place blue painter’s tape at various heights on the wall, or various increments in from the walls on the floor.
If trying to determine how the tiles should lay, try drawing them to scale on a piece of poster board, and either placing the whole board in place, or cutting the pieces out and playing around with the layout. Try laying the loose pieces at different angles and positions and stepping away from the space to get a feel for how it will look. Using poster board in a color approximate to the one chosen for the tile, will help increase this effect.

 

Ask for Loose Pieces

If the tile showroom has a large enough sample room, ask to borrow several pieces of the tile being considered, along with chair rails and moldings. Then use the actual tiles to lay out the pattern or the design in the space and see how it looks. If loose pieces are not available, find out what the return policy is, and purchase a box of tile. Many showrooms will allow for the return of full boxes of tile within 30 days. Some may charge a restocking fee for this service, so be sure to ask before going this route, especially if unsure if this is indeed the tile to be used.

This method works well if playing with different sizes of tile to see how a pattern will look, or if trying different layouts of the same tile. Try placing square tiles on the diagonal in the space, or stacking subway tiles on top of one another, rather than with a broken joint. Take the various sized pieces of a pattern and lay them in the space to see how the pattern will look.

Be sure to try to look at a placement for several days and be confident that it’s the correct one before laying the tiles. Leave blue tape or poster board up for several days to a week, or leave the loose tiles in an area that gets lots of changing light to see how they will look through the course of a day. It’s always better to wait a little longer and be sure of a layout, than to risk having it put in only to find out it’s not the layout imagined. Get creative with the tiles and the space, and start designing a new tile project today.

source: interior decorating 101

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

Floor tiles

Floor tiles

These are commonly made of ceramic or stone, although recent technological advances have resulted in rubber or glass tiles for floors as well. Ceramic tiles may be painted and glazed. Small mosaic tiles may be laid in various patterns. Floor tiles are typically set into mortar consisting of sand, cement and often a latex additive for extra adhesion. The spaces between the tiles are nowadays filled with sanded or unsanded floor grout, but traditionally mortar was used.

Natural stone tiles can be beautiful but as a natural product they are less uniform in color and pattern, and require more planning for use and installation. Mass produced stone tiles are uniform in width and length. Granite or marble tiles are sawn on both sides and then polished or finished on the facing up side, so that they have a uniform thickness. Other natural stone tiles such as slate are typically "riven" (split) on the facing up side so that the thickness of the tile varies slightly from one spot on the tile to another and from one tile to another. Variations in tile thickness can be handled by adjusting the amount of mortar under each part of the tile, by using wide grout lines that "ramp" between different thicknesses, or by using a cold chisel to knock off high spots.

Some stone tiles such as polished granite, marble, and travertine are very slippery when wet. Stone tiles with a riven (split) surface such as slate or with a sawn and then sandblasted or honed surface will be more slip resistant. Ceramic tiles for use in wet areas can be made more slip resistant either by using very small tiles so that the grout lines acts as grooves or by imprinting a contour pattern onto the face of the tile.

The hardness of natural stone tiles varies such that some of the softer stone (e.g. limestone) tiles are not suitable for very heavy traffic floor areas. On the other hand, ceramic tiles typically have a glazed upper surface and when that becomes scratched or pitted the floor looks worn, whereas the same amount of wear on natural stone tiles will not show, or will be less noticeable.

Natural stone tiles can be stained by spilled liquids; they must be sealed and periodically resealed with a sealant in contrast to ceramic tiles which only need their grout lines sealed. However, because of the complex, non repeating patterns in natural stone, small amounts of dirt on many natural stone floor tiles do not show.

Most vendors of stone tiles emphasize that there will be variation in color and pattern from one batch of tiles to another of the same description and variation within the same batch. Stone floor tiles tend to be heavier than ceramic tiles and somewhat more prone to breakage during shipment.

Rubber floor tiles have a variety of uses, both in residential and commercial settings. They are especially useful in situations where it is desired to have high-traction floors or protection for an easily breakable floor. Some common uses include flooring of garage, workshops, patios, swimming pool decks, sport courts, gyms, and dance floors.

Plastic floor tiles including interlocking floor tiles that can be installed without adhesive or glue are a recent innovation and are suitable for areas subject to heavy traffic, wet areas and floors that are subject to movement, damp or contamination from oil, grease or other substances that may prevent adhesion to the substrate. Common uses include old factory floors, garages, gyms and sports complexes, schools and shops.

source:  wkipedia