Toronto Tile Installation
Mario Martins, Custom Tile Installer & Contractor
Tile Options 101
If you’re investigating surfacing options for your countertop, floors and walls, tile offers numerous advantages. It's a durable and easy-care material that can work just as well in sleek, contemporary settings as it does in more traditional settings.
In fact, tile options are so abundant today in both home-improvement stores and specialty tile shops that choosing among them can seem overwhelming.
There are a lot of categories of tile, but the easiest way to separate them is into two groups: machine-made tiles and hand-cut natural stone tiles
Machine-Made Tiles
eg: ceramic, porcelain, cultured stone - uniform and inexpensive -
Machine-made tiles are very uniform and straight. They typically cost less than handmade tiles.
CERAMIC
Durable, versatility, low maintenance, easy installation, low cost
PORCELAIN
Tough, variety of design, low maintenance, easy installation, low cost
CULTURED STONE
Looks like natural stone, hard, durable
GLASS TILES AND MOSAICS
Hand-Cut Natural stone Tiles
eg: marble, slate, granite, glass - unique tiles, natural colors
Handmade tiles tend to be less uniform, because each hand-cut tile has been fashioned by the Creator Himself. You'll find them more interesting and beautiful, the colours deeper and richer. The color of natural tile also can develop as it ages, just as the hue of a hardwood floor can change over time, and the added craftsmanship make these products more expensive.
MARBLE
SLATE
GRANITE
5 tips on choosing your tile design
Here are five tips on choosing tile with style:
1. Show the designer what you want. When you first approach a tile store you need to be clear about the goals and budget for your project. Bring along photos or drawings of what you want to accomplish so that when you sit down with the store's designer, he or she will get a feeling for your project.
2. Bring snapshots and plans. Snapshots of the relevant areas of your house are always helpful. If you're planning a major remodeling job, bring along the blueprints or plans.
3. Custom tiles can't be returned. Designs for custom tile are limited only by your imagination. Of course, if something is made especially for you, you probably won't be able to return it. You need your measurements and numbers to be accurate, so that you don't end up with a lot of expensive extra tile.
4. Work with your contractor. Call Mario Martins (416-729-6556) and discuss your project.
5. Don't wait until the last minute. Make sure to plan in advance.
Content source: HGTV.com
