Floors & Ceilings

In a normal floor tiling project, you'll divide the room into four even squares and lay out the tile starting at the middle, where the squares meet, to ensure that any partial cuts at the walls...

Changing pre-existing grout color is a simple process that, when executed well, can produce impressive results. The process involves using a stain that penetrates color pigment into the grout,...

Mosaic tiles are very small tiles -- generally smaller than 2 inches across, and as small as 1/2 inch. They come pre-mounted in groups of one or two square feet, set on mesh backing or other...

Stone flooring can mean anything from marble to granite to slate to travertine to several others. The common factor is that these are tiles cut out from stone, rather than shaped from clay or clay...

DuraCeramic flooring is a floor covering produced by the Congoleum Corporation. It is sold in sheets consisting of four individual tiles that are connected at the factory to form a single unit....

The tile selection isn't the only important decision when tackling a tiling project. The grout color also makes a big impact on the look of the finished tile surface. Grout serves more than just...

A ceramic tile floor is easy to install, available in a variety of colors and styles and affordable in comparison to porcelain or stone tiles. Ceramic is easier to cut than most tile types--all...

Granite is a natural stone product that is used for creating countertops and floor tiles. Because it is made from stone, granite flooring is incredibly strong and durable. It is fairly expensive...

Installing very large tiles---18 inches or wider---is the same as installing any other size of tile, except you need to lay an extra-strong, flat underlayment. The most vulnerable position for a...

In new porcelain tile installations or when new grout is being applied, it is recommended that you apply a penetrating sealer that impregnates the grout with polymers in order to prevent staining...

Laying your floor tiles in a diagonal pattern, rather than the more standard square rows, makes the floor more interesting, and creates the visual illusion of more space. It also requires more...

Installing natural stone tile (marble, slate, granite and others) is a similar process to laying a clay-based tile like ceramic or porcelain, but with some important differences. Stone is more apt...

Painting concrete floors is a great way to inexpensively update kitchen or garage flooring. When determining whether or not to paint concrete flooring, make sure that you have enough time to let...

Cleaning black and white tile follows the same rules as cleaning any other colored tile. While cleaning floors may not be fun, it is a necessary step to maintaining a clean and healthy home....

Tile has been one of the most commonly used flooring materials throughout history, and concrete has been and remains the dominant foundation type, so it would only make sense that these two...

Tile has been a popular flooring material throughout history, and has grown to be among the most commonly used today. The technology of tile application has come a long way in this time but...

Saltillo tile is a popular flooring option for homes designed with an old Mexican style. The tiles can offer a rustic look and feel while also providing a durable floor surface. These tiles can be...

As there are many types of thinset adhesive available for laying ceramic tile, choose a mortar that will make the rest of the job easier. Use gray thinset if your tiles are dark or you plan to use...

The look of porcelain or marble tile in a room can be charming but very expensive. An alternative to the cost of laying real tiles is to create faux tile floors over a wooden floor. It's possible...

Ceramic tiles can match the décor of any room because they are available in a variety of colors, patterns and sizes. They are durable, able to withstand daily use and, apart from occasional...

Laying porcelain tile on a concrete floor on your own is a job that requires planning and preparation. Installing tile on your own is much less expensive than hiring a professional, and if you do...

Porcelain tile is similar to ceramic and is manufactured the same way. The key difference is that porcelain tile is manufactured using more highly purified materials. Porcelain tile is a great...

You have probably seen Saltillo tiles in a kitchen or living room and noticed how unique each individual tile is. Saltillo tiles are made in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico by hand, so each tile has...

So you hate your old black and white linoleum floor, but you aren't sure what you want to do about replacing it. Satillo Mexican tiles are reddish-orange terracotta tiles that are so unique due to...

Saltillo tiles are handmade clay tiles that come from Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. They can give your home or patio a stylish, southwestern feel with a pastoral quality. Due to their handmade...

Tile flooring has been around for thousands of years--as have some individual tile floors, which says something about their durability. In addition to stength and stability, tile floors are the...

Saltillo tiles are thick, unglazed, typically handmade floor or wall tiles that are extremely porous. It is wise to apply at least one coat of penetrating grout and tile sealer to these tiles...

Tile is one of the most durable and long-lasting floor coverings on the market. It is strong enough to withstand years of foot traffic, and is resistant to both fire and moisture. In order for...

Whether to put ceramic tile in before or after cabinet installation is a debated topic among professional tile setters and do-it-yourself floor gurus. It's an issue that has no definitive answer;...

Brick pavers are available in a range of thicknesses. Thin pieces of brick can be used to cover indoor or outdoor floor surfaces. They are made from fired clay, just like traditional building...

The Armstrong Stone Collection is a variety of laminate flooring designed to resemble solid stone flooring like marble, granite or sandstone. This material costs just a fraction of the price of...

There are several popular finishes for stairs. If you decide that tile is the way to go, you can do the tile work yourself. All you need are a few tools and a few hours of time to completely...

If you have a room in your home that has a ceramic tile floor, there are many good reasons to also have tile molding. Ceramic tile molding is attractive in kitchens and bathrooms, creates visual...

Tile trim molding is a classic old way of trimming out a floor, but one that is seldom seen today except in bathrooms. In a typical application, bullnose tiles (meaning, they have one edge rounded...

Birch is a hardwood with a wide variety of grain patterns. Red birch grows in eastern Appalachia, south to the northern edges of Georgia and Mississippi, and in the Adirondack. It is a common,...

When you lay tile, it is always in a pattern. Even when all of the tiles are identical, they are still patterned in a grid across the floor. You can also lay out the design, or use a printed...

Marble tile can be installed over existing ceramic tile provided the ceramic tile is in good condition and has a relatively flat surface. One problem when tiling over existing flooring is caused...

Homeowners who are interested in improving the appearance and value of their home often choose to install ceramic tile on their indoor stairways. Easy to clean, durable and water resistant,...

Normally, laying ceramic tile directly over wood is something you want to avoid. Wood can move, "bounce'' and absorb moisture, which can crack your grout and tiles. Still, if applying a top layer...

Hard tile generally should be laid over an underlayment of cement board, to provide a strong, immobile base, but there are exceptions. If you want to avoid raising the floor level very much (and...

Ceramic tile is a strong and beautiful flooring option. Once it is laid it is virtually unmovable and indestructable. Diagonal tile floors can be laid using two colors of tile to create a checker...

Laying tile in a pattern is a great way to add visual dimension to your rooms over all look and feel and choosing the right tile pattern layout is the first step in your tile project. In order to...

Even with the wide variety of flooring materials available, traditional glazed tile remains the best choice for bathrooms. It's moisture-resistant, easy to clean and comes in just about any style...

A tile floor provides tough protection and a classic look to any floor. It's especially useful in bathrooms and kitchens because it stands up to moisture and heat and is easy to clean. When laying...

If you're up to the challenge of tiling your own kitchen or bathroom floor, there are many different tiles choices to choose from. According to some home improvement experts, ceramic tile is one...

Tile is a great choice to cover almost any floor in the house. In kitchens and bathrooms, it is almost the only choice, because of its durability, ease of cleaning and moisture-resistance. There...

Diagonal tile work can expand a room visually when on the floor and add dramatic accents to shower walls and bathtub surrounds. Often, tiling on the diagonal can seem daunting, especially for a...

The classic way to lay marble tiles is with very thin grout lines--1/16 inch instead of the usual 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch--so that the marble takes on the look of one solid slab instead of a...

Concrete tiles are a tougher, more versatile alternative to ceramic, terra cotta and other types of tile. Concrete tile makers offer a number of varieties, many of which look nothing like...

Installing ceramic tile over a wood floor can improve the look of your kitchen or bathroom. Ceramic tiles provide a durable floor surface that is easy to clean and maintain. Tiles are available in...