Saturday, July 24th, 2010
If you are considering tiling the rooms in your house, then the best option is to go for marble stone and slate stone tiles. These natural stone tiles have been one of the best tile materials and has been used by people from many centuries. From the historic age marble stone and slate stone tiles has remained popular; in fact there is no difference in the quality of natural stones available now and before. The only difference is that there is lot of variety available in the market. Moreover, the prices of this stones have fallen drastically as there are many natural stone suppliers leading to intense competition among them.
Use of Marble Tiles in Home
Marble stones add to the beauty of your house by giving it an elegant and stylish look. Tiles are used in flooring the rooms throughout the houses. They are also used in kitchens, bathrooms, entry ways and countertops. Benefits of using marble stones in the house are that it is easy to clean and is durable. From the day it is installed in your house it assures you everlasting beauty to your house. Another advantage of using marble stones is that it is easy to maintain; it can be cleaned easily by using detergent soap. If it is cleaned regularly it will stay attractive and appealing to the eyes.
Moreover, you can choose from different patterns and colors. There are many marble exporters and wholesalers who deliver high quality designer tiles to cover the flooring of your house. These marble exporters also provide unique designs which they embed on the surface of marble tiles to add to the beauty of the house.
Besides, using as a flooring material, marble slabs are being used in the kitchen as well. Marble countertops give perfect look to your kitchen thereby adding beauty to your house. Natural stone suppliers provide different colors and varieties in marble countertops.
Other popular places where marble stones and tiles are used are in construction of temples, churches, hotels and government buildings. White marble has been in use since ancient time. Taj Mahal is the perfect example of historical monument made of white marble.
Use of slate stone tiles in home
If you want to install tiles on your pool, bathroom, terrace or porch then the perfect option is to go for natural stone tiles. It comes in different colors and textures; even when wet it would not get slippery as it has a rough finish. It is known for its durability and versatility and is very easy to maintain. Moreover, these tiles are not expensive as there are many slate stone tiles exporters or slate stone tiles wholesalers leading to high competition among them. The best part of these slate stone tiles wholesalers and suppliers is that they have websites too. So you need not go from store to store; in fact you can search the kind of tile you want on the internet and place the order online from the convenience of your home. Moreover, slate stones tiles in India are cheaper in India; therefore slate stone tiles exporters or slate stone tiles wholesalers are catering large number of clients in the international market.
Alex John works with Akar Marble Industries that offers vivid collection of marble in various shades as white, red, white etc. Company exports exclusive range of Granite, Slate stone, Sandstones, Bidasar, Stone Fire Place, Quartzite, Limestone to countries such as U.S.A., Australia, Japan, Canada etc.
Posted in Tile Articles | No Comments »
Saturday, June 12th, 2010
The next time our highly plasticized world starts getting you down and you feel an urge to commune with nature, slip off your shoes and walk barefoot on a floor made from natural stone.
Chances are, no matter what type or quality of stone tiles you have used for flooring, it will feel wonderfully cool during the hot summer months and retain warmth during the colder winter months.
Apart from its natural beauty, natural stone also contains no toxins or chemicals which can cause allergies.
But like all natural products, the qualities and features of various stones differ dramatically, so if you want to choose natural stone tiles for your flooring you need to consult an expert to find out which stones work most effectively where.
Let's have a look at how you can incorporate natural stone indoors as a feature.
Slate Tiles
The beauty of slate is in the rich diversity of colours and its durability.
Each piece of slate tiling is like an individual work of art with its variations in tone and texture, ranging from pale greys and pinks to intense greens and blacks. When laid properly in a large space, these variations give a feeling of continuity and tonal flow – much like a painting.
Alternatively, individual slate tiles or small groups can be used to offset or complement a plain stone tile like sandstone on the walls or floors. For example, a cream coloured sandstone with overtones of pink can be highlighted with a small grouping of slate tiles with deeper splashes of pinks and blues, placed on the diagonal .
Like most natural stone products, a sealant improves the quality and durability of slate so it is easy to maintain, easy to keep clean, resistant to chemical spills, won't fade and is impermeable to water.
Sandstone Tiles
Sandstone is a generic name given to a type of natural stone that contains quartzite – the inclusion of quartzite is the only characteristic the various types of sandstone share. Sandstone is obtained from quarries all over the world, so the qualities of sandstone are unique to the region where they are sourced.
Although most designers and homeowners use sandstone for outdoor paving and around traditional chlorinated pool areas, it blends beautifully indoors, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. Sandstone is slip resistant and impervious to water (although poor quality sandstone doesn't possess these important qualities).
Sandstone is an incredibly versatile product and is used extensively by architects and designers because of its durability, fire resistance and thermal qualities. Sandstone is generally pale in colour, so it effectively enhances the feeling of light and space when used indoors, particularly in large open plan rooms.
Designers often use a darker natural stone tile like bluestone or quartzite to break up large sections of sandstone or to define a particular area. This effect can look stunning with a little creativity and imagination.
Bluestone
Nothing beats bluestone for its incredible strength and versatility. Not only that, bluestone is an aesthetically beautiful natural stone that is grey in colour but with subtle variation in tone. Surface treatment options make it versatile for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Bluestone with a polished surface has a refined luster under any lighting. Honed bluestone is a softer, low sheen option popular for both indoor floors and walls. Bluestone with a flamed finish is a natural outdoor paving stone.
The best quality bluestone is being used extensively indoors in kitchens, living areas and hallways because it is virtually impervious to water and has a stain resistance. The dark grey tones of bluestone effectively hide dirt, making it a busy homeowner's dream natural stone surface.
Cutting edge designers are now incorporating bluestone into high traffic areas because of its durability and toughness and also because it is so easy to maintain. Nowadays you will see bluestone in honed and polished form used extensively in wine bars, restaurants, hotel lobbies and up-market retail outlets.
Outdoors the natural stone tile of choice is flamed bluestone because of its non-slip characteristics, to say nothing of its luxurious appeal. Garden designers are increasingly using the grey/black tones of bluestone to offset water features and pool surrounds.
The Appeal of Natural Stone
From the sleek lines of steel and glass used in contemporary architecture to the soft decorative features of a federation style home, the inclusion of natural stone complements any environment.
Imagine a stacked stone water feature made with blue-grey slate inside a glass covered portico at the entrance to an architectural masterpiece, or the soft colours of sandstone laid in the entry of an old inner city terrace, or an expansive family room floor tiled in the earthy, ambient tones of limestone.
Natural stone is…well…natural and it glows with life, no matter how or where it's used. In a world burdened by the effects of toxic chemicals and products, doesn't it feel good to experience the look and feel of something that you know has been created by nature? Natural stone was here long before we were and will still be around long after we're gone.
Bellstone is a specialist supplier of premium quality natural stone tiles, pavers & roofing slate to architects, landscape architects, builders, renovators and retailers. Our products are independently tested for quality & durability. For more information or to view our products, visit Outdoor Pavers
Posted in Tile Articles | No Comments »
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
Slate tiles are one of the most versatile coverings and can be used for floor and wall and in almost every aspect of the home. A whole room can be lined with natural slate tiles. You can even cover furniture with it. It looks just beautiful on bars, tables, and countertops. Even home decor products such as slate wall clocks, coasters, trivets, and chessboards can be made with slate. But why use natural slate tiles?
Most other natural stone tiles are expensive due to the difficult quarrying processes and also the cost of importing. Slate however, is one of the most economical materials used for slate tiles. Even imported slate tiles can usually be purchased for less then orders of quartzite or marble
There are a wide variety of slate tiles from around the world where you can find it in almost any color, size, and shape you could want. It is available in a variety of finishes including a rough clefted surface, a smooth polished look, or a soft honed finish.
Natural slate tiles are very durable and resistant. Looking after slate tiles is generally easy, only requiring different levels of treatment depending on its use. Floors made of slate tiles will obviously get the most physical abuse. The natural properties of slate make it highly resistant to the pressures of even the busiest of locations. Floors covered with slate tiles require an initial treatment of chemical penetrating sealer after installation usually about three coats. An optional chemical finish that will seal its pores can also be applied. Cleaning can then be as simple as using soap and water.
Countertops covered with slate tiles should be treated in the same way, with extra care given to areas that are used more often. Walls and backsplashes require even less care, and home furnishings don't need any at all, although some chemical treatments may be applied to bring out the natural colors in the stone.
Being highly durable, slate tiles can be used in basements, kitchens, walkways, indoors, outdoors, and almost anywhere without much physical harm coming to it. While it can be chipped or cracked, it is a tough material that can stand against most abuse. As long as it is installed properly with the necessary chemical treatments, there is no reason for you to ever have to replace it.
Slate forms within the earth in giant veins that run dimensionally through the ground. It is extracted in the form of enormous slabs, which contain random colors tones and hues whose properties depend on the various chemicals which were present during its formation. These markings create an enormous natural landscape within the stone.
This also makes slate tiles come in almost any color range, and slate tiles can be found imported from countries around the world. The nature of any lot of slate tiles is seasonal, bearing a distinct look which makes it slightly different from the stones quarried at any other time. This means that this natural stone is unique across a variety of characteristics, making your use completely custom to you.
Beautify your home with slate tiles and see the difference. You can find more information about all types of natural stone tiles at "Natural Stone".
Posted in Tile Articles | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
Can you use normal Ceramic quick dry Floor adhesive for Slate floor tiles ? Its about half the price of the Natural stone equivalent and I have an area of 40sq Meters to lay. The reputable place I bought them from said I could, but I want to be doubly sure.
Most of the sub-surface is floor screed with a portion of Marine ply covering 5 sq meters.
Posted in Tile Questions | 2 Comments »
