| Ceramic floor tile is a great choice for many | | | | |
| types of rooms. It comes in a large variety | | | | If you do want to try it yourself, take your |
| of styles and sizes and is durable and easy | | | | time. Measure your floor precisely and map |
| to clean. | | | | off the exact middle, then lay your tile out |
| | | | in advance to see what it might look like. |
| When choosing tile for your room, be sure to | | | | You can buy little plastic tile spacers that |
| pick a size that goes well with the | | | | you put between each one so that you can be |
| dimensions of the room. A large room will | | | | sure they are spaced evenly. Since no room |
| look too busy with small sized tiles. Large | | | | is a perfect square, you will eventually have |
| sized tiles will overwhelm a small room. | | | | to cut some tiles to fit around appliances or |
| Tiles come in sizes ranging from 1" to 2 feet | | | | jogs in the shape of the room. Make sure you |
| so you should be able to find a size that | | | | have the right equipment for this and the job |
| looks nice in your space. | | | | will go much smoother. |
| | | | |
| Also, you should consider your decor before | | | | Once you have the tile in place, put in the |
| choosing your tile. If you have a formal | | | | grout as per the manufacturers instructions |
| looking space then a polished marble tile | | | | and seal accordingly. It helps to buy a good |
| might look great. If you have decor with a | | | | quality grout and sealer and will be well |
| southwestern, Mexican or Italian flair then a | | | | worth the added expense in the long run. |
| rustic natural looking tile is best. A | | | | |
| smooth, polished type of tile will be | | | | Tile Maintenance |
| slippery when it gets wet so you might not | | | | |
| want to install that in a entry room or | | | | Ceramic tile is one the easiest types of |
| bathroom. Also, tile gets very cold so if | | | | floors to clean and when properly cared for |
| you are installing it in a basement, you | | | | will maintain their shiny, new appearance for |
| better invest in a warm pair of slippers. | | | | years to come. To clean your tile you don't |
| | | | need anything fancy - just water and a floor |
| Don't forget to select a grout that | | | | cleaning product. Vacuum the floor first |
| compliments your tile. A dark colored grout | | | | then use a sponge or mop to apply the cleaner |
| is best as a white grout will tend to get | | | | and water mixture. Rinse off with water and |
| dirty looking very quickly. | | | | let dry. |
| | | | |
| Tile Installation | | | | Other than that your ceramic tile does not |
| | | | need much care. You will have to be careful |
| Installing ceramic tile is not too difficult, | | | | about dropping heavy objects on it |
| but if you've never done it before and aren't | | | | particularly in the kitchen where heavy pots |
| very handy to begin with you might be better | | | | can slip and fall. If your tile does become |
| off with a professional. There's nothing | | | | cracked or chipped it will be very difficult |
| worse than spending a bundle on tile only to | | | | to replace it without having to dig up the |
| have it look crappy because you didn't | | | | rest of the floor so tread carefully on your |
| install it right! | | | | new ceramic tile floor. |