Saturday, May 22nd, 2010
Since ages, granite stone has been used as a building material for kitchen and bathrooms. Its durability and stain resistant property is a welcome treat for homemakers who aim at maintaining the beauty of their rooms. However, the latest cutting, shaping and finishing properties of the natural stone has made them applicable in various household applications.
Hence, the granite tiles can be utilized for the given below applications.
You can construct a beautiful edge to edge granite counter top with help of the natural stone. This tiling material is cost effective and meets the need of people who install the tiles themselves or appoint a professional tiler for the job.
You can also use glazed granite tiles to decorate your floorings. You can maintain the shine and shimmer of these tiles by conducting repeated cleanliness regimes. However, if you wish to revamp your bathrooms, then you can use a honed granite tile due to its water resistant properties.
You can also render a stunning look to your fireplace by installing natural stone tiles near the edges. You can purchase a honed granite tile to add rustic feel to your fireplaces.
You can also add a royal feel to your bathrooms by installing granite tiles near the Jacuzzi, bathtub or walk-in shower. It is truly amazing to be surrounded by the naturalist designs while taking a shower in a bathroom enclosure.
The latest finishing techniques have increased the application of the natural stone as a kitchen sink. You can find various designs of drop-in vanity sinks or counter top vessel sink that adds all the more beauty to your kitchen surroundings.
The granite tiles are an excellent choice for outdoor decorations. You can purchase honed tiles to design a pool or hot tub. These tiles have higher durability than the glazed tiles.
So, purchase this natural stone to add enormous appeal to your household surroundings
Jason Colling is a renowned writer, who has written articles on various interior designing techniques related to floor decor. His articles focus on various uses of porcelain tiles , natural stone , kitchen tiles and adhesives.
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Monday, April 26th, 2010
Natural stone is a beautiful housing material that has some amazing characteristics and unique properties that stands among other housing materials. Installing a natural stone into a new home whether its granite, limestone, or sandstone adds beauty and value to your home. However, maintaining the natural beauty of this wise and timeless sustainable choice of experts requires a strong bond and commitment from the homeowners.
Natural stone on floors offers a touch of class and elegance or a realistic look to an outdoor and indoors. No matter where you wanted to install it, there is a type of natural stone that fits the place and suits your style. From solid marbles to a blocks of limestone or a cut of granite, natural stone provides durable beauty and class.
Natural stone is different from artificial stone due to its varied design pattern and texture. Every stone have its unique size and shape thus they differ from each other. However, you can utilized their variations by creating a unique pattern to create a unique look for your flooring. Below are some ideas on how to install natural stone flooring.
First, you should prepare the area where you would like to install the natural stone. Measure the area and arrange the tiles in a pleasing pattern to picture out how your project will look like when finished. Make sure that the tile surfaces are evenly distributed, and the surface should not have dents or spots to evenly place the tiles. You can use a plywood or water-resistant backer board to create a well uniform leveled base. You should also determine the style and pattern of the floor layout. If you are bored of the regular check designs, then you can cut the tiles diagonally and combine different colors and patterns to create a unique look for your floors.
Second, purchase a grout that is specifically made for a stone that you choose. Because different stones retain moisture at various rates and because the surfaces vary from rough with holes to glass smooth, it is very important to choose the correct grout.
Third, you can begin laying your natural stone tiles and you can use a straight chalk lines on the sub floor as guides. Keep in mind that the last tiles will be uneven so plan to install them in a place not frequently seen. You can use a rubber trowel, a sponge or your hands covered in heavy duty rubber gloves to apply the grout. Clean grout haze after the stone has set for an hour. Use fresh water and a clean, damp sponge. Wipe the area several times, until no haze is left.
If the tiling surface is uneven, you can even it out by adding a cement layer on the top. Make sure that the surface is free from dust. This ensures that there are no air-gaps between the surface and natural stone during the installation process. Hence, you'll be able to prepare a floor or wall tile that renders it service for a long time without posing any maintenance issues.
Lastly, spray the natural stone with a fine mist of water after letting the project set for one day. Spray for three days. After three days, apply stone sealer.
If ever you are not sure about your installation abilities, you can seek professional help for your natural stone installation.
Peter Sams is a webmaster that optimizes Realstone.co.uk, which is one of the largest suppliers of Natural Stone, Sandstone, Limestone, and Granite in the UK.
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
When purchasing stone tiles there are many different points to consider. The first would be the size of the tile. Stone tiles come in a large multitude of sizes and this is one of the first things you should consider, what are the ideal sizes for your area and do you require just one size of stone tile or several in order to create a pattern. Also consider the depth of the stone tiles you are looking to purchase. The depths of stone tiles commonly vary between 10mm and 20mm and normally the larger the size, the thicker the depth.
When considering the type of material to use, as well as thinking about the kind of look you are aiming to achieve it is important to consider the practicalities in regards to the environment the stone tiles are being used in. Do you require a hard wearing tile, a tile which can withstand frost and do you require a tile which can be cut easily enough for awkward laying areas.
Another important aspect to consider is the finish of the material. There are two common finishes for stone tiles, polished and natural. A polished effect gives the tile a high-gloss reflective finish and this is common in marble and granite stone tiles. A natural finish gives the tile a matt, non-glossy finish, this is common in limestone tiles and also makes the tiles less slippery under foot compared to polished material. Most stone tiles have a honed finish which is a term used to describe how the face of stone is ground down to the same level, where as some stone tiles (often slates and sandstone) can have a riven finish which is where the surface is left with its natural riven texture. The edges of natural stone tiles can be sharp or softened, again this varies with the material.
When dealing with a natural stone vendor, it is important to ensure that the stone tiles you purchase all come from the same quarried batch, if they are all to be laid in the same area. It also a good idea to check the companies back ground and history in order to avoid dealing with a business which may not supply with you with consistently high quality material.
To help you choose the perfect stone tiles for your project, order a free sample from the comprehensive selection at UK Tiles.
You can also get some great tips by following the UK Tiles Blog.
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Monday, March 15th, 2010
Natural stone wall and floor tiles can add subtle elegance and make stunning features in your home. These materials were once the preserve of kings, but due to the modernisation of manufacturing processes in recent decades these materials now offer practical, affordable and luxurious solutions for walling and flooring. The four most popular kinds of interior stone tiles are Limestone, Granite, Travertine and Marble.
Limestone is a sedimentary stone which is commonly quarried and used in the UK as a building material, although limestone tiles are imported from many areas worldwide, predominantly India, Israel and Turkey. Limestone Tiles are one of the softest stone tiles and should not be used in any area which receives heavy traffic. The colours of Limestone tiles are mainly earthy tones of greens, blues, greys, creams, beiges and dark browns, Limestone is also a popular stone tile for bathroom areas.
Granite is an igneous rock which can be found all over the world including most of mainland Europe, but granite stone tiles are predominantly imported from India and China. Granite is known for having varying colours and patterns within each variation of the material and it is also known to provide stunning black tiles. Granite stone tiles are often used in contemporary, luxurious environments but they are also being more commonly used in kitchens, where the owner wishes to match their stone tile floor to their kitchen countertops.
Travertine is actually another form of Limestone, but due to its distinctive appearance and nature of the material it is commonly regarded as a unique material. Travertine tiles come in a variety of dark and light, beige and yellow tones. They are also produced to several different finishes including honed, filled, unfilled and tumbled. Travertine tiles have become very popular in recent years for residential kitchens and bathrooms.
Marble starts life as Limestone which is then crystallised by immense heat and pressure. Marble tiles come in a multitude of colours and patterns which are created from the minerals and chemical elements in the stone. Some of the most popular marble tiles are white, many of which originate from Carrara in Italy. Marble tiles are one of the hardest wearing stone tiles and are commonly used in commercial areas such as shopping centres and corporate offices. They are also popular in high-end residential developments which require classical apparel.
To help you choose the perfect stone tiles for your project, order a free sample from the comprehensive selection at UK Tiles.
You can also get some great tips by following the UK Tiles Blog.
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