Bathroom Tile Design – Material Types for Bathroom Tile Designs
Good bathroom tile design should create a floor surface that is attractive, water resistant and safe to walk on. Bathroom tile designs using ceramic tile, rubber flooring or vinyl and linoleum floors are examples of bathroom tile design material choices that should be available nearly anywhere. These types of tiles are easy to clean, water resistant and safe to walk on. If you are going to use natural stone or terra-cotta ceramic tiles on your floors to create a more sophisticated effect, make sure you buy the kind with a non-slip finish.
As you consider which bathroom tile designs to select, each type of tile will have unique properties that may or may not provide characteristics that are good for your bathroom. Here are different material types for bathroom tile design along with advantages or disadvantages of each:
1. Laminate and Vinyl Bathroom Tile Design – these types of tile in bathroom tile designs can be found in a variety of colors, patterns and textures. Some tiles even imitate wood, stone and ceramic. It is not very expensive, is water resistant, easy to install and clean and it is durable.
2. Ceramic Bathroom Tile Design – ceramic tile can range from fairly cheap to expensive and it is the classic choice. Tile is made of clay, shale or porcelain and is formed and fired at very high temperatures until it hardens. The higher the temperature and the more times the tile is fired, the harder and less porous the tile.
If you are using a white or cream ceramic tile for your bathroom, using a different color grout like “blue” will give your bathroom a dramatic look. Grout is the material used to fill the spaces between the tiles. Make sure you apply sealers to grout lines in areas of heavy wear like countertops. Sealers will also preserve grout colors.
3. Stone Bathroom Tile Designs (marble, granite, brick, slate, onyx, travertine and limestone) – this tile can be beautiful, very strong, durable in high-traffic areas, it will last a long time, is low maintainance and easy to clean. However, it is expensive, it’s a cold material, can be slippery and absorbs stains easily.
4. Linoleum Bathroom Tile Design – this tile is made of renewable and natural materials like linseed oil, ground cork, limestone, jute and wood flour. This type of bathroom floor is making a comeback with new marbled and graphic designs, and it is more durable and easier to clean than vinyl tile.
5. Mosaic Bathroom Tile – this wonderful tile was an ancient craft that today can be made of tile, stone, porcelain and colored glass, creating stunning floor patterns. These tiles are small (1 or 2 inches square) and often expensive. What you can do is to add a small section of this type of tile for visual interest to your floor or countertop.
6. Concrete Bathroom Tile Designs – durable, low maintenance, perfect for wet areas and stunning. You can find this type of tile in beautiful textures such as shiny, rough, slick and sandpaper and in various colors and sizes.
7. Hardwood – you can build your bathroom floor using solid wood, parquet flooring or engineered woods (several layers of wood laminated and high-tech materials that are similar to plywood). Hardwoods are wear-resistant, attractive, comfortable to walk on, easy to clean and refinish, not very cold in winter, but they are more vulnerable to moisture when used in a bathroom.
If you want to use a bathroom tile design that includes rugs in your bathroom, make sure you buy the kind that has rubber backing, or add rubber backing strips to the rugs. Be careful with rugs that can slip and slide on a tiled floor or natural stone floor which creates a safety hazard. Rugs can also harbor dust mites and allergens which is a problem for people with allergies.
Whether you’ll be remodeling an old bathroom or creating a brand new one, being active in the design stage helps ensure that your bathroom turns out just like you want. The bathroom tile designs and styles, colors, patterns and sizes you choose can help you have a bathroom that is comfortable, attractive and functional and a room that you will enjoy every day.
Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing
Bamboo Flooring Durability
Why Is Bamboo For Me?
With a warm and inviting look, a bamboo floor makes a great addition to any house. The great durability and ruggedness of the material makes it a perfect choice for high traffic homes such as those with very active pets or even children. Strand woven bamboo is one of the most stable woods suitable for wood floors Bamboo is also very eco-friendly. It can be planted, grown, and harvested with little to no impact on the environment around it. Due to its rapid growth process, bamboo is much more eco-friendly than the other slower growing hard woods.
Some of the other benefits of a Bamboo Floor include:
Easy to clean Allergen Free Can be sanded and refinished just like other hardwood floors Coordinates easily with any room d
5 Laminate Flooring Installation Secrets To Prevent Flooring Fiasco’s
The laminate flooring installation industry has seen phenomenal growth, and with good reason. These innovative floor coverings simulate virtually any wood grain, style and texture. The appearance is absolutely authentic. If you can’t afford a solid hardwood product, this is an excellent, easy-to-clean alternative. However, for a professional finish you need to keep some laminate flooring installation secrets in mind.
Secret 1 – Transform Yourself Into A Traffic Master
You need to match the quality of the flooring perfectly to the area where you plan to install it. One easy way to do this, is to make a note of the AC-rating. This symbol-and-digit system gives an accurate indication of the suitability of a particular range for use in high or low traffic areas. AC stands for Abrasion Class. In order to display this symbol, a range has to be tested for its ability to withstand a certain amount of use, as well as mishaps such as bumps, scratches, burn marks, or fading due to UV damage. The tests also include aspects such as moisture resistance. A cheap, discount laminate flooring product may not carry this mark and may be a total waste of money.
For residential use, the AC-rating consists of a house symbol, while commercially suited lines display a building. The digit tracks the traffic wearability.
AC1 is an indication that you can do the laminate flooring installation in the bedrooms of your home. AC2 lines can be installed in living rooms and dining room areas. AC3 is tough enough for use in heavy traffic residential areas, or light commercial settings. AC4 ranges can be utilized in offices and boutiques. AC5 is the toughest, suitable for heavy traffic areas, such as department stores.
Don’t assume that the most robust one is the best for your home. The higher the AC-rating, the rougher the texture. If you enjoy barefoot walking, your feet will soon be complaining loudly. You are also likely to find that sock darning suddenly becomes a full-time occupation! A sales person should be able to give you advice, but it is much better if you collect some background information yourself.
Secret 2 – Core Truths Of Flooring
You now know to be on the look-out for plank quality and thickness. Another vital secret to keep in mind, is the density of the floor’s core. If you want to know how well your choice of brand will be able to resist moisture, rips and indentations, ask about the core density. On the other hand, the wear layer determines the robustness as far as scratches, stains and scuff marks are concerned. Urethane for example, is great if you want to block stains. A good core density combined with a tough wear layer are a winning pair if you want a floor with a long life.
Secret 3 – When The Chips Are Down
Chipping often becomes a headache during a laminate flooring installation project. You have to use some type of saw in order to get the plank lengths you need. It is vital to find a way to minimize chipping. Use a left-over piece of plank to practice on. Find out what works for you, before you continue with the task. If you have a hand held power saw, turn the plank over and keep the good side down. Try to use a form of builders tape to protect the edge while you work. Chips can be extremely unsightly and you need to eliminate them as far as possible. A circular saw with a carbide-tipped blade and a saber saw for curves are highly effective.
Secret 4 – Go With The Flow
You need to install the planks parallel to the direction of the light flowing from the natural source of light. This is one secret behind an aesthetically pleasing floor. In addition, this simple step will display the joints between the planks in the best light, so to speak.
Before you start, also make sure that the walls are really as straight as you assume they are. You can start your project by following a wall, only to find out that the line isn’t at all what you expected. This can quickly result in a costly flooring fiasco. It is sensible to complete three or four rows, and let them settle down for an hour or so. This will give you a solid start. The wall of a long hallway can also be utilized as a guide. Always check that you tackle adjoining rooms in such a fashion that the line can be continued straight and smoothly into the hallway.
Secret 5 – Stick To Your Guns
Many experts in the home improvement field still recommend the use of glue in the grooves of the planks. Manufacturers often claim that this isn’t necessary, as the planks fit so tightly together. Your laminate flooring supplier will be able to give you an indication of the approach that ensures the best results with a particular brand. A sealed joint will definitely give better protection against moisture. However, this complicates the procedure and is time-consuming.
In bathrooms and kitchens you don’t have much of an option in this regard. There are always spills and messes, no matter how careful you are. Humidity has a tendency to seep into every crevice. It will cause the core to swell, leading to unsightly buckling. By being diligent with glue in the joints and a caulking gun around the perimeter of the room, you will ensure that the good looks of your laminate flooring installation is retained for years. The floor itself is never glued down, except on stairs. Don’t be too generous with the glue and wipe any excess away with a damp cloth. Always work in the direction of the joint.
Some research will pay handsome dividends in the long run. If you choose wisely, your laminate flooring installation will provide pleasure and an elegant decor touch for years to come.