If you are planning a remodel in your kitchen or bath, consider tile for its versatility, eye catching aesthetics, and supreme durability. VanRossun is experienced at creating bright, richly textured environments with tile that are durable, water resistant, and easy to maintain. Read on to learn a bit more about your options, and maybe find some inspiration.
Ceramic tile is the most widely used type of tile. It is an easy to use, durable, and works great in the kitchen, bathrooms, and other areas that need surfaces that are impermeable to water and won’t harbor germs. Ceramic tile is good for DIY projects because there are no especially tricky techniques needed for basic projects, and the tiles are widely available in variety of colors and patterns. Patterned tile has been used for thousands of years, so you can be sure it will stand up to the heat and sun of Austen, making is an especially good option for outdoor patios or poolsides.
Ceramic tile is made from clay, which is formed into a tile and the baked or ‘fired’ at high temperatures to harden it. There are two categories of ceramic tile: porcelain and non-porcelain.
Non-porcelain ceramic tile is made entirely from clay. When not glazed, these tiles have a natural hue that ranges from red to brown, and a rough, porous surface, like a pot in your garden. This changes when they are glazed. The glaze can be any color, glossy or non-glossy, and when fired the glaze melts into the pores in the surface of the tile, giving the tile a glassy, water resistant finish. Non-porcelain tile is a cost-effective and durable option for areas that will need to resist water, which makes them a popular option for kitchens and baths.
Porcelain tile is made from a half and half mix of clay and a substance called ‘feldspar’. Feldspar is what gives porcelain (known as ‘china’ or ‘fine china’ in other contexts) its unique properties. During the firing process, the feldspar melts and infuses itself into the rest of the clay. It binds together molecules, resulting in increased durability, and fills in any gaps and pores that might exist in the tile, making it entirely impermeable to water. Because of it’s increased price, porcelain is usually only used in projects that require a very specific look.
Ceramic tile can be used to great effect in the kitchen because it can go anywhere. The floors, countertops, and even walls can be tiled, allowing you to create a continuous design for the entire area. Look to unconventionally shaped tiles to provide eye catching patterns and textures.
The bathroom is where tiling can really create an entire environment. Floor to ceiling tiling is easy to maintain, and creates an amazing canvass for mosaic-like designs that utilize tile to the fullest. Check out these examples:
If you are looking to add a distinctly southwestern flair to your home, ceramic tiles are a perfect choice. Bright, repeating floral and geometric patterned tile was featured prominently in spanish architecture in Mexico and the other areas of the spanish colonies in the southwest. Especially if your home already has some traditional accents, like a spanish tile roof, consider using this style of tile to give a bright, colorful, and traditional feel to your Austin home.
Call VanRossun at (512) 263-9244, and let us give you advice and a free estimate for tile in your kitchen and bath renovation.
Credit to the articles listed below for providing some of the information used in this article:
http://buildipedia.com/at-home/floors/tile-flooring-101-types-of-tile-flooring
http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/compare-flooring-tile-pros-and-cons-of-each/page-6.html