A tile shower installation- Time lapsed video/explanation

How to tile a shower in 48 seconds! Ah wouldn't that be nice but in reality it took a bit longer.
This will give you a great overview of the process though from sealing the cement board to wiping the tile clean.

Now for a bit of the explanations behind the process.

Here you can see the cement board and the coating is a waterproof membrane that is rolled on. It's a bit of extra security and peace of mind.

This pre-made shower niche was added by cutting into the cement board exactly where it would go and once that was done the edges were sealed with caulk to ensure against future leaks.

I had already planned out the tile layout so the next part was to actually start setting the tile.

As I worked my way up we then came to the layer of glass tile, which actually came in a sheet and which we cut in half for the bottom and top layers.

Then the addition pattern was set and the second layer of glass tile will be added above.

Then the additional layers of tile are added, let to sit overnight and the grout is applied.

The grout is applied and then smoothed over as an initial cleanup with a damp sponge and allowed to sit again overnight. 

The final clean up with again a  damp sponge.

The finished product!

That's the basics of tiling a shower and I do have to apologize for the yellow color in the photos. This was done as the project took place and not under showroom settings without professional lighting and such. Hopefully it will give you a good idea of what goes into tiling a bathroom shower and wouldn't it be nice if it could be really done in 48 seconds!

Step Up to Spanish Tile | September 2012

Project Pick:
Hand-Painted Spanish Ceramic Tile Risers

Avente's Spanish Tiles are beautifully hand-painted in a variety of colors and patterns on ceramic bisque using time-honored techniques.

Using the Majolica technique of glazing, our Hand-Painted Spanish Ceramic Tile designs include colorful patterns from the different regions of Spain, or the traditional blue and white found in the New Iberica border tiles and liners.

The Majolica technique utilizes an opaque white tin-based glaze that is ideal for vibrant, colorful patterns and designs for ceramics. The centuries-old technique is believed to have originated in 9th century Mesopotamia with the desire to imitate the white porcelain wares coming from China. Over time, and with the spread of Islam, the art made its way through to Northern Africa, and to what is now known as Spain, Italy, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Within our hand-painted Spanish ceramic tile collection, you'.ll find craftsmanship and fine examples of the traditional Majolica ceramic method, such as those used for this Spanish stair riser project:

Alcala

Additional Majolica-Based Patterns

Andalucia

Cadiz

Albacete

Burgos

Caceres

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Tile Tip

Our hand-painted Spanish ceramic tile designs include borders, corners, large decorative tiles, and accent dots. Use the 3"x6" tiles to create a border, or make a bold design statement using the 2" dots in a row. The 1" dots, used as an accent to a floor inset, are a fitting complement to a backsplash consisting of 6"x6" tiles of the same design. These versatile collections, with their stunning colors, create a timeless look that blend well with hand-painted Spanish Field Ceramic Tile, which were created specifically to complement the subtle color schemes found in our Hand-Painted Spanish Ceramic Tile line. Use these tiles for kitchens, bathrooms, warm weather pools and fountains. For more inspiration, check out Spanish Style Stair Risers, Spanish Tiles on an Entry Path, and Spanish Tile on Stair Risers.

Considering Spanish ceramic tile for your next project? Then let us help you find some inspiration. Visit our Ceramic Tile Design Ideas section.

Where would you use hand-painted Spanish ceramic tiles? What pattern would you choose?

Cement Tiles Trend Toward Bold Patterns & Colors

Earlier this year I did a guest post for the Gold Notes blog called, Tile Trends from Coverings 2012. I reported that I was seeing a trend to use texture, color, and geometric patterns in tile. I'm excited about this trend because I like to see color and pattern embraced in design. Today I'll show a few examples of how that prediction is growing - based on the samples and installations we've been working on. Cement tiles have been extremely popular this this year and I want to show you how color and pattern are being used. Look at some of the samples we recently shipped.

Melilla Cement Tile

The Melilla Cement Tile use nine colors in this bold warm palette with a playful Latin feel. Our Montecristi pattern uses five colors here including: White, Antique Ivory, Gray, Indian Red, Peach Puff.

Montecristi Cement Tile

I love the bright Indigo inset with the warm Tibetan Gold in Geo 8 – the simple pattern reminiscent of ceramic tiles and is great for breakfast nook or patio.

Geo 8 Cement Tile

Cement tiles in strong patterns in a black and white or black/white/gray colorway are also popular. Neiba Cement Tile illustrates how a clean pattern in "basic black and white" creates a floor with a focal point in an easy-to-use and flexible palette. Try using an accent color like red to really make the design pop!

Neiba Cement Tile

Simple geometric patterns in basic colors are being used in both residential and commercial installations. The Geo 10 in our standard colorway of Cana Green and Suede remains very popular. The patterns generally work well in homes with contemporary architecture styles especially when utilizing a simple two or three-color palette.

Geo 10 Cement Tile

However, we have seen Geo 10 used in a residential application with the classic black and white in one bath and the Indian Red and white used in a different bathroom for the same home.

Geo 10 Cement Tile

Geo 9 in Indian Red and White will be used in the entry for a new bar opening in Chicago this fall.

Geo 9 Cement Tile

There are certainly a variety of styles and designs in the cement tile samples and installations we’ve seen recently. But, I think you get the sense that people are not afraid to try tiles with bright colors. And, there is definitely a design trend to use the classic geometric patterns in simple, easy-to-use colors like white, black, and red.

Curious? Take a look at our Geometric cement tile patterns and see if there is something that catches your eye.

What do you think of geometric patterns and bright colors in cement tile? How would you use brightly colored pattern tiles or geometric patterns in your kitchen, bath, or dinning room?

Moroccan Tile: In a Class of Its Own

Countries with colorful histories have always provided a deep-rooted fascination to outsiders because of their culture, traditions, food, and most importantly, the art produced within the country. It’s through this art that we, the current generation, are allowed to take a brief glimpse through the artist’s mind and eyes of what was seen, felt, and experienced at the time.

A central 10-point star is the beginning point of this expanding zillij pattern
Image Source: Ceramics Today via Saudi Aramco World. Photo Credits: Peter Sanders/Saudi Aramco World/PADIA.

But what if an art or art form remains unchanged through the centuries? Moroccan art and architecture has been steadily experiencing a renewed interest thanks to talented, visionary designer and architects. But for this post, I would like to focus on just one of these art forms -- the mesmerizing forms, colors and shapes of Moroccan tile, Zillij (also spelled as Zellige or Zellij).

The 17th-century Nejjarine Fountain, retiled and repaired by two generations of master zlayjis of the Benslimane family.
Image Source: Ceramics Today via Saudi Aramco World. Photo Credits: Peter Sanders/Saudi Aramco World/PADIA.

Zillij: Handmade through the Generations

When the Moors conquered Spain in 711 A.D., they introduced various forms of art and artistic techniques, including a unique custom of painted ceramics, called Zillij. As defined by Islamic law, which prohibits the depiction or likeness of living things, Zillij uses only geometric shapes, straight lines and vibrant colors.

These handmade creations can be seen adorning every palace, museum, home, street, mosque, fountain, wall, walkway, and so on.  It’s not only an art form; it’s an essential building material.

Zillij patterns, including a taqshir calligraphic border, at the Attarine madrasa (Islamic school), built in 1325.
Image Source: Ceramics Today via Saudi Aramco World. Photo Credits: Peter Sanders/Saudi Aramco World/PADIA.

Throughout its handmade history, Moroccan Zillij has been created by master craftsmen called “Maalam Ferach.” From an early age, pupils would study their craft under the tutelage of a master. Often times, techniques were handed down from one generation to the next within the male members of the family.

With the guidance of their mentors, the pupils would learn the essential, but laborious, task of baking clay, meticulously hand-cutting each piece, and then painting the pieces with painstaking accuracy. According to the authors of “Zillij: The Art of Moroccan Ceramics,” authors, John Hedgecoe and Samar Damluji, “Zillij mirrors the genius of the Moroccan craftsman, his feelings, values and commitment, reflecting his inspirations, spiritual and material composition.”

Zillij, or tilework of Morocco.Image Source: Ceramics Today via Saudi Aramco World. Photo Credits: Peter Sanders/Saudi Aramco World/PADIA.

The authors further go on to say, “Zillij has been employed in Morocco since the earliest times, as may be seen from the mosaic pavements of the old city of Walili (Volubilis). The Arab influx introduced, amongst other arts, the Zillij inspired by the Persian cut tile, al qishani, which still adorn the domes, mausoleums, and madrasahs [school] of Iranian cities like Isfahan. Zillij, however, was adapted to specific Moroccan and Andalusi characteristics that nearly obscured the trace of Persian origin.”

Handmade cement tile inspired by Moroccan patterns. "Fez" by Avente Tile.

With such attention to detail fostered by years of discipline and learning, it’s no wonder the long-lasting beauty and versatility of Zillij has remained popular amongst those who truly admire craftsmanship with the added touch of the exotic. A wonderful blog to follow for all things Moroccan is My Marrakesh. It’s written by author, designer and photographer, Maryam Montague.

How would you use Moroccan tile? Where have you traveled and seen Moroccan influences in tile and architecture?  

By Arpi Nalbandian, Tileometry

Focus on Romana Cement Tile | August 2012

Project Pick:
Romana Cement Tile for Kitchen Backsplash

Avente Tile customer Constance Zaytoun recently designed and oversaw the remodeling of her Chelsea, NY, kitchen that included a cement tile backsplash to be envied. She and her husband, Marc Weitz, embarked on a journey about a year ago to make their humble Chelsea kitchen into nothing short of stunning! They had a vision, a goal and a budget, and they achieved just about everything they had wanted to with their project.

Constance says, "It was pretty darn exciting to see the tile up on the walls! There were many folks who were concerned that these thick cement tiles would not work on a wall, and I am so grateful that they were wrong. The Polk Gold molding frames the Romana pattern and gives some added dimension beside that high wall of tile. Given that the Romana tile was the one element that pulled together all of our design choices, it was ironic that it was the very last thing to be installed and so wonderful to see our vision finally fulfilled in its entirety."

Romana Pattern

Romana Pattern Colorway

Olive Wood

Oxford White

Autumn Eve

Sandy Brown

Polk Gold

See more photos of the kitchen in our prior post A Cement Tile Kitchen Backsplash Makes a Chelsea Remodel, and in our Design Idea Romana Cement Tile Makes for Eye-Popping Backsplash.

Constance also offers cost-effective and time-saving tips in a recent interview I had with her, Secrets of a Successful Kitchen Remodel with Cement Tile.

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Tile Tip

If you are considering cement tiles for a small project, use tiles that are in-stock to save money. Color substitutions, custom colors and patterns can double or triple the cost on small projects. Because a residential backsplash, bath floor or fireplace requires less than 50 square feet, using stocked tiles in standard colorways will save money. The cost of design, color chips, molds, and samples is easier to justify on a large project and will only add 10% to the project.

There's no need to worry. We have hundreds of patterned and solid color cement tiles that will work for any style of decor. We maintain inventory on most Cuban Heritage Patterns, common Heritage Solid Color tiles, most Classic Cement Tile Patterns and common Classic Solid colors. Give us a call to confirm inventory, availability and options.

Considering cement tile for your next home project? Let us help you find some inspiration. Visit our cement tile design ideas.

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Let's Talk Tile!

Subscribe to Tile Talk News and receive our monthly newsletter, Tile Talk. You'll find great design ideas, tile tips, and information about new products. We'll also notify you of special promotions that are only offered to our subscribers.

How and where would you use the Romana cement tile? Or, would you choose a different pattern?

Installing a slate tile floor

For the present project that we are working on Vermont slate tile was chosen for the mudroom entry way as well as the half bathroom that is attached to it.

Now this slate comes in an assortment of sizes so laying out the floor isn't as easy as you would get in a standard tile floor. There really is no pattern and the trick is to vary the sizes and to make sure you break the lines so it keeps the random look.

But let's start at the beginning of the process. We were going to be using Ditra  by Schluter for the layer in between the subfloor and the tile and, to be honest, I have only installed this type of slate once before and it was a long time ago- long before Ditra was around. With that in mind I decided it might be a good idea to see what Schluter had to say on the topic and I'm glad I did. Because slate is a natural stone product it is not as strong as certain other tiles, Schluter said that we needed to add another layer of plywood before we proceeded and so a new layer of 3/8" plywood was added to the 3/4" layer. Once that was done we could proceed.

As you can see the new layer has been attached and now for the layer of thin-set. 

Now for a very important point. This layer of thinset, below the Ditra, can be a Latex P.C mortar but you cannot use this on the layer between the Ditra and the tile or slate. For that layer of thin-set, it must be an unmodified thin-set mortar. Here's the reason- the latex thin-set when sandwiched between the plastic of the Ditra and the above tile may take days or may never dry because there is isn't enough absorption or air flow to cure it.
As you can see we have avoided two potentially huge problems by making sure that we followed the manufacturer's recommendations.

We had already laid out and cut the pieces of Ditra to length and once the thin-set had been applied we adhered the Ditra as you can see below

We are now ready to start laying the slate.

We decided that we would start at the most visible area which was by the entry and entrance into the kitchen. Laying this type of slate is tricky because it's so easy to get into the habit of not looking for lines developing in many directions. As you go along a line develops and then you have to choose what tile pieces to add to break it. It's very much like doing a puzzle but you are making it.

The next step of course is the grout or is it?

Potential problem number three. Slate is a natural stone and you have to seal it before you grout. The sealer is applied and then left to dry for 12 hours. This way, after you apply the grout, it will be easier to clean off the slate and won't stain them.

Slate is not a perfectly flat, smooth surface so cleaning off the grout from the cracks, crevices and irregularities can be a bit of work and even after will require a few additional washings before the finish sealer is applied.

Yet when it is finished, it provides a unique and durable floor.

Cement Tile Stair Treads Provide a Great Look

When considering handmade cement tile for an installation, customers often ask, "How do I finish a stair riser or stair tread with cement tile?" The question most often occurs when we are discussing cement tile trim, molding and finished edges. So when considering an installation for a landing or stairway, I recommend cement tile treads and risers.

Cement Tile Treads and Stair Risers

The cement tile stair tread provides a finished edge or bullnose that covers the riser. Additionally, you'll notice a set of grooves and ridges that provide additional traction to reduce trips and falls. You'll generally find two common cement tile treads for stairs: an 8" and 12" width. It does vary by manufacturer though. I think a drawing really helps, so here's a dimensional cross-section and isometric drawing on an 8" and 12" wide stair tread:

8"x12" Stair Tread Illustration



10"x12" Stair Tread Stair Tread Illustration

Here's a few tips if you decide to use cement tile treads or risers:

1. The tread is only available in solid colors.
   
2. Generally, the tread color should match the solid color used to fill the area outside of the pattern and border.
   
3. Match the height of the cement tile riser to the stair height to avoid cuts. Don't forget the riser is "sandwiched" between the back top of one tread and the front bottom bullnose of another tread.
4. If you are creative, consider patterned cement tiles for the riser; however, you'll probably need to cut the tiles since most stair risers are between 5" and 6" high. This will alter the pattern and create a different and complimentary look.
5. You can also use decorative ceramic tiles or field tile for the stair riser.

Cement Tile Treads - View Looking down Stairwell

Handmade cement tile – whether functional stair treads or decorative tiles - offers both design creativity and functional solutions that you won't find with most other tiles. Let us help you explore the possibilities of cement tile. Take a look at some of Avente's cement tile and concrete tile design ideas and you'll discover your own unique style.

Will you let us know which you love most?