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Smart shoppers take their time and collect all the facts before making a decision. Especially when it comes to the finishes you put in your home. Choosing the best ceramic tile for your home is really about knowing the right combination of characteristics, aesthetics, performance and budget to best meet the needs of your lifestyle.
The beauty of ceramic tile is the flexibility you have with design options, especially through the use of the accent pieces: trim work and decorative tiles.
Steps for trim work and decorative tile use
identify the room and its application
select the type of tile
then its color and shade
then its texture and size
finally, a layout pattern is designed
the trim and decorative patterns are determined
grout color and type are chosen
Floor Tile Trims
Bullnose
one rounded finished edge on the tile for a finishing
sometimes it is also used as a substitute for cove base
Corner Bullnose
two rounded finished edges on the tile to be used to complete a corner
Sanitary Cove Base
rounded finished top like a bullnose to cover up the body of the tile
Color, texture and shading
tiles are intended to show color and texture variations
glaze also varies; different tile styles will also exhibit different gloss levels
solid color tiles provide a consistent look
shade variation is inherent in all fired ceramic products
certain tiles will show greater variation within their dye lots
shade variation is usually listed on the back label of each sample
low, moderate, high or random rating
color of the body of the tile is determined by the color of the clay
quality of the tile is more related to the quality of the manufacturer, not the color of the body
color variations will also be present between manufacturers’ samples
Low (V1). Consistent shade and texture
Moderate (V2)
moderate shade and texture variation
High (V3)
high shade and texture variation
Random (V4)
high shade and texture variation
Moisture absorption and tile density
As the composition of glaze varies, different styles of tile will exhibit different gloss levels and surface textures. This is important to note when choosing your ceramic tile flooring. For example, in areas that are used while wet, such as your shower or bathroom floor, they should have low moisture absorption and good slip resistance.
Moisture Absorption
as the density of the tile increases, the amount of moisture that tile can absorb becomes less
Tile Density
as the weight or the density of the tile increases, it becomes a stronger tile
density of the tile increases the moisture absorption rate becomes less
Non-Vitreous Tiles
tiles that absorb 7% or more moisture
suited for indoor use only
Semi-Vitreous Tiles
tiles that absorb from 3% to 7% moisture
applicable for indoor use only
Vitreous Tiles
tiles that absorb less that 3% moisture
referred to as frost resistant tiles
cannot be used in exterior areas where freeze
thaw conditions could cause tile cracking
Impervious Tiles
tiles that have less than .5% moisture absorption
frost proof
can be used in exterior areas or on the outside of building facades
Grout
typically mixed on site
slight color variations can occur within different areas of the same installation with the same grout color
can vary from the manufacturer’s sample
attributed to variations in temperature and humidity at the time of grouting
common to see grout variations when comparing the grout color in a tile floor and the same grout color on the tile countertop or wall
select a color that blends in with the overall color of the tile to minimize the appearance of the grout
select a grout color that is lighter or darker than the tile
in high traffic areas, you may want to select a darker grout
exact layouts, type of grout and grout joints widths are determined by the tile setter at the time of installation and are governed by the actual size and shape of the tile, and the exact dimensions of the areas to be covered
your responsibility to maintain all caulked areas
may also darken over time in areas with heavy water use
changes of season can cause cracking and separation
Subfloors
no subfloors are perfectly level
may hear hollow sounds where your subfloor’s surface dips and ridges
that this does not affect the integrity or installation
hollow sounds are normal and are not considered defect