Thursday, July 28, 2011

Tile Talk Newsletter - July 2011

Project Pick: Alcala Cement Tile on Bath Wall

Alcala Cement Tile Bath Installation

Cement tile patterns create distinctive and eye-catching accents for wall and backsplash installations. They pair well with wood and natural stone, especially when the pattern's colors "pull-out" the natural materials that share the space.

In this bath installation, notice how nicely the wood tones match the brown tones in the tile? The neutral colors in the stone balance the bold tile pattern that makes it easy to love. Our Traditional Alcala Cement Tile pattern was customized using blues and yellows that complement the browns in the tile and the wood. The pattern is used as accent strips along the edges of the room. The full pattern is placed on one wall that is reflected from the mirror. This approach keeps the room from getting too busy - especially when a mirror reflects the tile's pattern.

Traditional Alcala Cement Tile
Traditional Alcala Cement Tile

All of our Traditional Cement Tiles provide amazing design flexibility since they can be customized using the colors from our Heritage Color Palette.

Geo Cement Tile Traditional Cement Tile Cuban Heritage Cement Tile Heritage Solid Color Cement Tile
Geo Traditional Cuban Heritage Solids


SUMMER SALE!
Save 10% on Cuban Heritage Cement Tile


Cement Tile Base Trim Installation with High Toe-Kick

The days are hot and so is our Cuban Tile Sale. This deal will make you dance! You can Salsa, Tango or Twist and get 10% off all Cuban Heritage Tiles when you spend $500 or more. Just mention coupon code TANGO when you place your phone order.

Call us to receive a FREE estimate including shipping and freight. Sample stock of most patterns is available for immediate shipment. Allow 6 - 8 weeks for delivery of most orders. Call 888.739.4972 (9-5 PDT M-F) and place your order today. This offer is valid for Cuban Heritage Tile Patterns only and does not include shipping or handling. But, time is running out because this offer expires July 31, 2011.


Design Tip:

Highlight base trim molding IF there is really something worth highlighting. Patterned cement tile floors generally steal the show so a bold trim works well in these installations.


Tile Tip:

On cement tile floor installations, consider using cement tile base trim. It comes with a bull nose edge that transitions nicely to the wall. You can also coordinate with colors used in the pattern like the installation below.

Cement Tile Base Trim
Cement Tile Base Trim Cooridnates with Patterned Tile & Edge

Cement tile base trim comes in 3"x8" or 5.5"x8" sizes to match common 8”x8” cement tile. Other sizes are available too. Cement tile base trim can be purchased polished or unpolished to match the tile's finish. Base trim is available in any of the 85 colors found in our Heritage Color Palette to coordinate with our Artist Series, Cuban Heritage, Geometric, Textured, or Traditional cement tile.

Cement Tile Base Trim Installation with High Toe-Kick
Cement Tile Base Trim Installation with High Toe-Kick

Find Out More:

>> Read Our Blog Post: Cement Tile Base Trim Ideas

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Answers to CERAMIC TILE CHARACTERISTICS - fact or fiction?

In my last blog post, I challenged Tile Talk readers with a quiz that targeted the misconceptions and misinformation that exist in the industry about ceramic tile and how and where it is appropriate for it to be used. There is so much information available today, much of which is contradictory and product driven, it is often overwhelming. Common sense is an extremely efficient tool, but some general, unbiased facts are helpful. We had no winner and that tells me that urban tile myths live on. Some debunking is in order, so I'm going to review the quiz, indicate the correct answer and explain why the answers many of you chose are wrong.

CERAMIC TILE CHARACTERISTICS - fact or fiction?

(1) Most tile lines have white clay bodies or bisque. But some cheaper tile lines from other companies have red clay bodies. Is a white clay body superior to a red clay body?

Fiction because — answer B
In an effort to keep color purity when glazing over red clay, a layer called an "engobe" was applied. Eliminating this step by mixing a whiter clay not only made sense but helped keep production costs down.

50% of you answered (A):
White clay is just red clay that has been bleached, so one isn't better than another.
This an incorrect answer, because white clay is a mixture of clays and minerals blended to produce a lighter clay body. No bleach is involved.

Nobody answered (C):
Red clay "bleeds" when cut with a wet-saw, therefore white clay is superior.
Actually red clay does "bleed" when cut with a wet-saw. Particles of red clay get into the water used with a wet-saw, turning the water a reddish color. Any good installer knows to change the water during installation when this happens. Obviously this has nothing to do with superiority of one clay type over another, but over the years it has been added to the urban tile myth collection.

(2) All tile is not made the same thickness, but most popular handmade tile lines are thicker than inexpensive tile lines. Are economy tiles always very thin because they use less clay to keep costs down?

Fiction because — answer C
Inexpensive tiles are thin because they are typically mass produced by machine, which allows the clay to be compressed into a dense but thinner tile size.

Only one reader got the right answer. Both incorrect answers below were chosen by others:

A)   Inexpensive tiles are thin because they are easier to install and the manufacturer can fit more tiles in a box, thereby keeping shipping costs down.
Ease of installation has to do with the surface on which a well-made tile is adhered. Thin or thick, it will be more difficult to install any tile on an uneven surface. It is true, however, that you can fit more thin tiles in a box and that does keep shipping costs down.

B)   Inexpensive tiles are thin because clients for this product don't like thick tiles which are often uneven in surface texture.
Who says thick tiles are often uneven in surface texture? Totally made up reason. Surface texture, whether smooth or undulating is a part of the planned production method.

(3) When purchasing handmade tile, surface glaze irregularities — such as pin-holes, occasional little specks, glaze build-up, glazed over nicks and chips — are not considered defects.

Fact because — answer A
The hand of the ceramic artist is evident in the irregularities that will be inherent in a handmade and hand glazed tile product and are part of their charm.

Congratulations! You all got this one right. But I especially loved one reader who put "all" as the answer. Here's why:

B)   These are not considered defects because purchasers of handmade tile don't want tile that looks machine-made and with cookie-cutter sameness.
While A is the real answer, this one qualifies too. Purchasers of handmade tile by-and-large do celebrate the obvious handmade qualities and don't want a perfect, flat and monotonous look.

C)   All those irregularities are not defects because the Kiln God says so.
Ask any tile manufacturer and they will tell you that the Kiln God rules! The making of most ceramic tile is part art and not an absolute science, even though science is used in production.

(4) I've been told to NEVER mix white or off-white glazes from different tile lines.

Fact because — answer B. 75% of you got this one right.
Factories use different bisque and glaze recipes and over the expanse of a wall or floor, they can look very different from one another. A sample cannot tell the whole story.

A)   Tile manufacturers don't sell standard quantities per box, so figuring quantities needed would be too tricky if ordering from different suppliers.
This is fiction because any good tile showroom should be able to figure correct amounts regardless of the different quantities packed per box by manufacturers.

C)   Tile showrooms discourage mixing whites, like a less expensive field tile with that beautiful but costly molding you love, because it makes the sales associates' job too difficult.
Excellent, nobody picked this answer. It should be so fiction! Run from any tile business that takes this attitude!

(5) Thick tile is stronger and, therefore, more durable than thinner tile.

Fiction because — answer C. 50% of you got this right.
The thickness of tile has to do with the method of production and the type of clay body or bisque, not its strength and durability.

50% of you thought this was the right answer. You are not totally wrong.

B)   A thinner tile is just as strong as a thick one after it is installed and is joined to the wall or floor with the appropriate adhesive.
The key here is the statement that thick tile is stronger and more durable. Installation was not mentioned. Tile production can be controlled to a degree but installation typically is done by an independent installer. Tile, whether thin or thick, is only as good as the surface it is installed on and the skills of the tile mechanic doing the installing. So... strength and durability of a given tile is determined by the quality of its production. Strength and durability of an installation is determined on the quality of the installation surface, installation materials and skills of the installer.

Thank you to all of you who took the time to answer the Tile Quiz and help me debunk those old urban tile myths. I hope you learned to separate some tile facts from fiction along the way.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Gourmet Garden Vegetable Tiles

One of my favorite things about summer is fresh vegetables and fruit. Living in Southern California, I’m lucky to get great produce year-round at the farmer’s market. But nothing beats the fresh-picked oranges, lemons, lettuce and tomatoes offered by my neighbors. Our Gourmet Garden Gloss tiles and Matte tiles capture the feeling of having fresh picked fruits and vegetables in your kitchen.

Garden Vegetables Hand Painted Tile
Hand Painted Summer Harvest 8" x 8" Tile

These beautifully hand painted relief tiles make you feel at home. Their slightly uneven edges create a charming uniqueness. The rich colors add warmth to your kitchen.

Our Gourmet Garden line features vegetable-themed tiles that are hand painted with either a gloss or matte finish. They pair well with tumbled marble, travertine or light-colored stone.

The glossy finish is often used to accent ceramic field tiles; but, it also creates a nice contrast that pops when placed with matte tiles, as you can see in this installation.

Hand Painted Garden Vegetable Tile Installation - Gloss
Hand Painted Vegetable Tile Installation (Gloss)

Because each tile is hand painted, the fruit and vegetable colors can be slightly customized. You can choose purple grapes instead of burgundy. Or, just yellow squash instead of Italian. Notice the differences in coloring between the Hand Painted Summer Harvest tile in matte featured (top of page) and the gloss finish in the installation photo above? If needed, the tile background can also be modified to work with your field tile or counter.

Hand Painted Gourmet Garden Gloss Eggplant Tile
Hand Painted Eggplant Tile (4"x4" Gloss)

The backsplash below uses 4"x4" vegetable tiles in a checkerboard pattern and framed with a twig border created by the same artist. The matte finish accents natural tumbled stone, travertine or marble. The slightly uneven edges of each hand painted fruit and vegetable tile creates a rustic and charming touch.

Hand Painted Garden Vegetable Tile Installation
Hand Painted Vegetable Tile Installation (Matte)

Our Gourmet Garden tiles create a classic kitchen theme: fresh picked fruits and vegetables.

Garden Vegetables Hand Painted Tile
Hand Painted Tomato Tile (4"x4" Matte Finish)

Tiles are available in a 4"x4" or 8"x8" format. Accent tiles are also available in 3"x3" and 2"x2" sizes. We recommend using Gourmet Garden Matte tiles with our Celtic Cedar 4" x 4" or Celtic Botticino 4" x 4". Or, pair with your own natural stone tiles in earth-tones. These hand painted relief tiles provide the feeling of fresh fruits and vegetables in your kitchen each and very day.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Cement Tile Base Trim Ideas

A frequent question is, "How do I finish the base of my cement tile floor?" The simplest answer, use cement tile base trim!

Cement Tile Base Trim
Cement Tile Base Trim Cooridnates with Patterned Tile & Edge

Cement tile base trim comes with a bull nose edge that transitions nicely to the wall. You can also coordinate with colors used in the pattern as shown above.

Cement Tile Base Trim Installation Showing Bullnose Edge
Cement Tile Base Trim Installation Showing Bullnose Edge

Want to kick it up a notch? Add a higher toe kick like this…

Cement Tile Base Trim Installation with High Toe-Kick
Cement Tile Base Trim Installation with High Toe-Kick

Cement tile base trim comes in 3" X 8" or 5.5" x 8" to match grout lines on standard 8” x 8” cement tile dimensions. Other sizes are available too. You can purchase cement tile base trim with a polished or unpolished finish to match the tile's finish. Remember, you can select the base trim in any of the 85 colors found in our Heritage Color Palette to coordinate with our Artist Series, Cuban Heritage, Geometric, Textured, or Traditional cement tile.

Cove Base Trim
Coved Base Trim

Other Base Trim Options

We also provide coved ceramic base trim and other trim options. Our ceramic tile is available in over 300 glazes, so we can match it to your cement tile colors. Additionally, you might consider using painted wood trim or stained wood trim for the base board. There are lots of options. Don’t be afraid to be creative or try something different. In fact, a customer recently used rough cut barn wood for the base board.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Hand Painted Tile FAQ’s

This blog is dedicated to the use, design and understanding of hand painted ceramic tile and cement tile. Last month, Sunny McLean issued a design challenge in her post, TILE QUIZ TIME: Fact or Fiction. We're thrilled that so many folks participated; but, alas nobody got all five questions right. So we know our work is cut out for us as we try to dispel the misconceptions and misinformation that exist about hand painted ceramic tiles. Sunny's next post will offer a full discussion of the answers.

Typical Handmade Moldings made from different bisque
Typical Moldings Made from Different Bisque

In the meantime, I wanted to post all five questions as an easy-to-understand FAQ:

  1. Are tiles made of white clay bodies or bisque superior to those made with red clay bodies?

    No. However, to keep color purity when glazing over red clay, an initial layer called an "engobe" is applied. Eliminating this step by using white clay may help keep production costs down.

  2. All tiles are not the same thickness and most handmade tile lines are thicker than inexpensive tile lines. Are inexpensive tiles thin because they use less clay to keep costs down?

    No. Inexpensive tiles are thin because they are typically mass produced by a machine that allows the clay to be compressed into a dense but thinner tile.

  3. Are surface glaze irregularities like pin-holes, occasional small specks, glaze build-up, glazed over nicks and chips considered defects in handmade tile?

    No. The hand of the ceramic artist is evident in the irregularities and variation that is inherent in a handmade and hand glazed tile and part of their charm.

  4. Can I mix white or off-white glazes from different tile manufacturers or lines on the same installation?

    No. NEVER mix white, off-white or neutral glazes from different tile lines. Factories use different bisque and glaze recipes and over the expanse of a wall or floor, they can look very different from one another. Even if the samples look close there is too much variation when installed next to each other and this problem is amplified with hand painted glazes. A sample cannot tell the whole story.

  5. Are thick tile stronger and more durable than thinner tile?

    No. The thickness of tile has to do with the method of production and the type of clay body and bisque, not its strength and durability.

Handmade Tile with Different Thickness and Glazes
Handmade Tile with Different Thickness and Glazes

Do you have a question about artisan tile, handmade or hand crafted ceramic or cement tile? Send us an email or write a comment on our blog. We’d love to help you understand how and where it is appropriate for your specific tile to be used. To gain an even better understanding of the myths and truths of hand painted ceramic tile, don’t miss Sunny’s next post! Look for it toward the end of this month.