| Putting in ceramic tile is one of the many ways to | | | | leveled. This means you will need to have an under |
| improve the feel and overall look of your home. In | | | | layer that is designed for tile. Do not use wood or |
| addition to providing a fresh, clean look, they also | | | | gypsum board for this as they allow moisture to get |
| come in a variety of colors and designs to | | | | in under the tile and the job will never be quite 'right'. |
| compliment your home. While the kitchen is the most | | | | This is a very common mistake. |
| popular place to find ceramic tile, the bathroom is also | | | | After the floor has been leveled and prepped, you |
| a common area. Either way, the ceramic tile will | | | | are ready to install. Pick out a corner and start laying |
| provide color and sophistication. | | | | down tile. Mark the areas to make sure you are |
| Selecting The Right Ceramic Tiles For Your House | | | | putting them in the right place, this is especially |
| It is important that you look around and do some | | | | important when adding accent pieces. Now you are |
| comparative shopping. You will want to do this | | | | ready to start placing the tiles. |
| because there are so many different colors, patterns, | | | | Use spacers to ensure even spaces throughout the |
| textures, materials and sizes available. You don't want | | | | job. You don't want to have a ¼" joint width |
| to get the wrong tile for you room. Unlike carpet, if | | | | on one tile only to have a ½" joint on another. |
| you don't get quite the right color, it will be costly | | | | If you are laying very small tiles or some boarders, |
| and difficult to change your mind once installed. You | | | | they will come on webbing so you can just lay them, |
| want to make sure you strike the right balance for | | | | without worrying about the joint. |
| your room. The wrong tile could completely throw | | | | A tool that you are going to want with you on the |
| off the whole room and redecoration project. | | | | job is a pair of snipers. This will be for when you are |
| Size is a very important factor in selecting tiles for | | | | going under counters or other areas where you will |
| your room. A lot will depend on the size of the room | | | | not be using a full piece of tile. |
| itself. Smaller spaces do better with smaller tile. | | | | Once the ceramic tiles are placed, you will need to |
| Mosaics will do well in a more confined space such as | | | | wait for the mortar to set. Refer to the instructions |
| bathroom, while larger rooms can handle a 12"x12" tile. | | | | on the bucket. This will usually take 12-18 hours. After |
| Also, you can choose a theme to go with the decor, | | | | the mortar has dried and the tiles are set, it is time |
| such as ducks or fish for your bathroom. Others may | | | | to grout. If this is your fist tile job, make sure you |
| use flowers. Still others will stay with a solid color and | | | | get enough grout for the whole job. Again, gout |
| may opt to add a couple of accent pieces. | | | | comes in dye lots and you don't want to start with |
| The kitchen is also a great place to carry a theme. | | | | one shade of gray and end with another. |
| Apples or geese are generally used to convey a | | | | All you need to do is apply the grout according to |
| sense of home and tradition. You can use utensil | | | | the manufacturer's directions. Be very liberal with |
| designs and have accent pieces that would be forks, | | | | your application. You can always take off if there is |
| knifes, spoon, pots, pans and the like. Again, you | | | | too much, but it is very difficult to go back and add |
| may also choose to stay with a solid color and | | | | more. Be sure you wipe off any grout that gets on |
| maybe put in a couple of accent pieces. | | | | the tile while it is moist, before it has a chance to |
| Ceramic Tiles Installation | | | | harden. Trying to remove dried grout may damage |
| After you have picked out and purchased your | | | | the ceramic tiles. |
| ceramic tiles, the next very important step is to | | | | Where Can You Buy Ceramic Tiles |
| make sure it gets installed properly. Doing otherwise | | | | It is recommended that you take your time when |
| will be a waste of money, time and effort. It will | | | | you purchase your ceramic tiles. Make sure you are |
| inherently lead to disappointment. When your tile | | | | buying from a reliable source. Also, be sure to order |
| arrives at the job-site, open every box. You are | | | | all your materials at the start of the job. It is better |
| checking to make sure the tiles are flawless and | | | | to buy too much than not enough. Make sure there |
| undamaged. | | | | is a fair return policy just in case you have WAY too |
| Also, check the tile, box to box, for matching dye | | | | much for your job. Ask the store to direct you to |
| lots. Because ceramic tiles are done in lots and are | | | | the correct ceramic tile for your application. If you |
| dyed, you may get differing colors and patterns. | | | | are putting tiles in the bathroom, maybe you want |
| Generally speaking, as long as the dye lots are only | | | | something with a non-skid finish. |
| up to six numbers different, you should be fine. For | | | | Summary: |
| example, if the first dye lot is AO-619, than AO-620 | | | | When it comes to adding a clean style to your home, |
| to AO-615 should be ok. But AO-746 may not be. | | | | ceramic tile is one of the most cost effective |
| Also, make sure they are all the size you ordered. | | | | options. With a wide variety of styles, shapes, colors |
| After you have determined the tiles are suitable, the | | | | and designs, there is something for everyone. |
| area you are installing will have to be prepped and | | | | |