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Out-of-plumb walls, slanting ceilings, pipes, bump-outs and jogs all make tiling a bathroom a challenge. Because tiles are often square, they frequently serve to emphasize strange angles in a room, particularly in smaller spaces such as bathrooms. A careful tile layout, however, can often help to mask or minimize these odd angles, rather than calling attention to them.
With cuts, expansion joints and baseboard moldings, many homeowners struggle with tiling the perimeter of the room. The area where the floor tile meets the wall, whether the wall is tiled or not, has several special needs. Address them before you even begin laying the tile to create a successful, balanced floor tile installation.
Any whirlpool or air-jet-style bathtub requires an access panel as part of the installation. The access panel lets you get to the motor and electrical lines if there should ever be a problem, without having to remove the tub. Most access panels are installed in an adjacent room to the tub, but sometimes they are built right into the tub deck. If the tub deck is tiled, tile the access panel to match. The key to a successful installation of tile on an access panel involves making sure your tile lines and your access panel edges match.
Removing and replacing one bathroom tile shouldn't monopolize all of your time and resources. Remove and replace one bathroom tile with help from an expert with over 25 years of experience in all mediums of construction in this free video clip.
Replacing bath wall tile is a simple project that you can undertake quite successfully with the right tools. Replace bath wall tile with help from an expert with over 25 years of experience in all mediums of construction in this free video clip.
Changing the size of a tile on the "Start" screen in Windows 8 is a great way to really personalize your computer and make it your own. Change the size of a tile on the "Start" screen in Windows 8 with help from your friends at eHow Tech in this free video clip.
You can regrout bathroom tiles on your own quickly and easily so long as you have access to the right tools. Learn to regrout tile joins with help from an experienced construction professional in this free video clip.
Cleaning natural stone tiles requires you to keep a few very important things in mind. Learn how to clean natural stone tiles with help from the building manager at the Living Light Community Center in this free video clip.
Tile work can reinforce the design theme, whether it's historic or modern, while providing a durable, water-resistant surface. Bullnose tile brings a finished edge to tile work, and a variety of design options are available to use the edge for aesthetic effect. Texture, color and line can be emphasized with the use of bullnose tiles, adding flair to the tile work.
Unless you are buying a newly constructed home, there is a good chance that the porcelain tile pattern on your floor has been discontinued. Manufacturers produce tile lines for a few years and then replace them with new styles. If you purchased the tile yourself, then you do not have as much detective work as a homeowner who doesn’t know the manufacturer, pattern name or year of production.
Tumbled porcelain tile has a rugged appearance that mimics stone. The uneven edges and pitted surface of the tile give it an aged look, but dirt can get trapped in the nooks and crannies on the surface. The tile is durable, and it's used on walls, floors and counters. There are commercial cleaners made specifically for use on porcelain tile with a glazed or unglazed surface. However, you can make a vinegar-based cleaner to use on either surface. In any case, choose cleaners that have a neutral pH. Such cleaners aren't acidic, and their pH value is 7 or lower.
Glaze or gloss, a protective and decorative finish, is baked onto ceramic and terracotta tiles at very high temperatures, until it forms an upper layer. However, you may need to rough up or remove the glaze if you want to repaint the tiles, or if you prefer the natural look of tile in areas where moisture resistance is not a problem. Paint applies better to a rough, porous surface than one that is smooth and glossy. With proper tools, you can easily remove the glossy finish from flooring tiles.
Framing a bathroom wall does offer more challenges than a traditional interior wall frame because you must take into account any piping and electrical outlets that will be installed in the wall. You should have these areas clearly marked in your building plan and be able to adjust you wall frame to go around the plumbing and electrical work that is in place. If you are building it new, the work will be put in before you install the drywall.
Persistent moisture or flooding in a basement can lead to structural damage, can destroy materials kept in the area and may raise health concerns. In many situations, addressing the water problem by altering the surrounding landscape or installing an exterior drain system is the preferred way to deal with the moisture. However, circumstances may limit the type of work that can be done on the exterior, calling for the implementation of an interior system. Properly-installed drain tiles will effectively capture and contain water and direct it to a sump pump.
Shampoo and soap niches are sometimes referred to as inserts. Inserts are recessed areas in the shower where the shampoo and soap can be tucked away. A tile bathroom shelf insert is created during the preparation phase for the ceramic tile for the shower, after the backer board is installed. The tile is installed after the fact to cover the niche and create the finished insert that blends in with the overall shower tile pattern.
Asphalt emulsion is a mixture of asphalt and petroleum solvents commonly used to secure vinyl composite tile to concrete or plywood substrate. A little elbow grease will lift vinyl composite tiles from the underlying substrate. Removing the tar-like substance requires patience and a strong solvent. Before you get started on this big project, have the asphalt emulsion and vinyl composite tiles tested if they are of unknown origin. Both substances were once commonly made from asbestos.
Self-stick primer, more commonly known as self-stick tile primer, is the substance used on sub-floor to provide a good sticking surface for self-stick tiles. Self-stick tiles are those with an adhesive backing so that using additional adhesive is unnecessary. Instead, a protective film is peeled off the back of the tile to expose the adhesive, and then the tile is stuck into place and pressed to ensure proper adhesion.
Translated from Italian, "pasta bianca" means "white body" and is used to describe a kind of tile that is manufactured mostly in Italy. Pasta bianca tiles are popular in home decorating worldwide. They are called pâte blanche in France, weissscherben in Germany, and white body tiles in America. The name comes from the pale ground color of the tile body, called a bisque or a biscuit, which is usually a light gray or beige. These tiles can be given a clear glaze to let the natural colors show, or they can be glazed with various colors, designs and finishes.
Limestone is a natural material often used in kitchen and bathroom decor. Limestone is favored by installers for its long lasting, stain resistant qualities. It is favored by homeowners for its rich appearance and go-with-anything style. Kitchen backsplashes can be constructed of many different materials, from painted wood, to marble. If you plan on installing a limestone tile backsplash in your kitchen, there are some great ideas to consider.
While limestone tiles can create a classy look in any kitchen, bathroom or entry way, adding an inlay can do even more to provide a customized look to the area. A limestone inlay may greatly increase the aesthetics of any given area, and they can be found in a variety of styles to complement any home decor.
A convenient way to cut tile is with a rotary tool featuring an appropriate tile attachment. The attachment consists of a height-adjustable base featuring a drill bit that is designed to drill and cut tile material. Place an access panel over the hole in the tile so that you can reenter it as needed. Specialized access panels, which are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, feature clips that secure them to the wall. Due to its clip feature, you can install an access panel on any wall without adding bracing or installing hardware.
Hardibacker is a cement-based building material typically used in bathrooms and kitchens as a subsurface for tile on floors, countertops and walls. It is durable, easy to work with and relatively inexpensive. Hardibacker comes in 3-by-5-foot sheets that must usually be cut to accommodate pipes, faucets, light switches and sockets, and other fixtures on a bathroom wall. Installing Hardibacker requires a bit of strength because of it weight, but it can be done by a competent do-it-yourselfer.
Vinyl tile is a popular flooring material for bathrooms, kitchens, entryways and basements. It is one of the least expensive flooring materials and is less than one-eighth of an inch thick. Because it's so thin, building a stud wall on vinyl tile is just like building a wall on a plywood subfloor or concrete slab. It requires basic carpentry skills and minimal tools and materials. A do-it-yourselfer working alone can build a wall, but a helper will make the job much easier. Laying out the wall before you begin nailing will help you avoid mistakes and yield the best results.
Removing and replacing bathroom tile is costly and time-consuming, but there are several ways to cover and protect the existing tile. Painting is the most common method because it is the cheapest and easiest way to cover the tile. Some alternative ways may be better depending on the bathroom environment, its projected traffic, and your budget.
Ceiling tile manufacturers have improved the look of traditional acoustical tiles by adding some upscale shapes, textures and decorative finishes and several sizes to your choices. Dropped ceiling tiles add an additional layer of texture to your room design and at a low cost, when compared to materials such as wood and metal.
Using spacers for a tiling job in your bathroom helps keep the gaps between the tiles uniform and consistent. Spacers are useful whether you're installing tile on the walls around the bathroom or on the floor of the room. While no specific rule about the best size of the spacers exists, spacers measuring 1/8 inch are suitable.
Beautiful and easily maintained, porcelain tile is a common and practical choice in modern home decor. The standard thickness for porcelain tile is similar to that of ceramic tiles, with porcelain tile available in a slightly thicker version. Porcelain tile is sold by square footage. Make sure your room or area measurements are accurate to purchase sufficient tile.
Travertine is a strong stone formed from deposits of calcium carbonate found by streams and river beds. Epoxy resins can be used to fix both superficial and major cracks and breakage in travertine tiles. However, improper cleaning and care of the repair site can cause cracks in the resin itself, leading many to start from scratch. Instead of replacing the resin, you can fix the crack yourself to create a strong, seamless final appearance. It's extremely important, for safety reasons, to wear rubber gloves and a respirator while working with the travertine resin.
Saltillo tiles are porous clay tiles that should be sealed when they are installed. Along with a sealer, a protective coating such as floor wax might have been applied, possibly on more than one occasion. The sealer and protective coating can wear over time and make the floor dull. To restore the glaze to the tile, you must use a chemical stripper to remove as much of the previous tile treatment as necessary. After the old glazing is removed, you then apply a new coating of sealer to reglaze it.
Bathroom tiles grouted with epoxy can become weathered and can peel up if the tiles and epoxy are not sealed properly. Professional tilers and craftsmen can seal the epoxy bathroom tiles using tiling glaze, but hiring a professional may not be in your budget. Save money by reglazing the epoxy bathroom tiles yourself using a few basic materials and tools purchased inexpensively from any hardware supply store. This enables you to save your flooring and your pocketbook at the same time.
A new floor installation can be expensive. Many homeowners choose to do the work themselves to avoid the costs of hiring a professional. Peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are durable and easy to install. There are two different methods suitable for installing self-adhesive vinyl tiles over concrete.
When it comes to using natural building products, such as rocks and stone tiles, there are a few rules that need to be followed. While you can use rocks and stones to cover the walls and floors of your shower, it takes a significant amount of physical effort and skill. In addition, special upkeep is required to ensure the rocks and mortar are protected, plus additional installation steps are required to protect your home from water damage.
Porcelain tiles are basically ceramic tiles that come in glazed or unglazed finishes. Porcelain offers minimal water absorption, which can make these tiles useful in floor and wall installations. When the tiles are mounted initially, they must be connected to the wall or ground with a bonding agent of a certain strength for a secure attachment.
A tile floor, countertop or even a few decorative tiles as a back splash add a warm and elegant look to your home. Although larger stone tiles are sold individually, smaller stone tiles come in 12-inch squares of stiff mesh. This helps keep the tiles evenly spaced to make it easier to cover a large area in less time than it would take to lay the tiles individually. However, if you need to replace a tile that has come loose or want to make your own pattern, you'll have to remove the tiles from the mesh backing.
River rocks create eye-catching placemats for home decor. Their natural colors, varied shapes, smooth feel and light-catching luster make them an appealing material to enhance a green, natural or eclectic decor style. Making river rock placemats gives you an inexpensive way to decorate your table with natural materials that blend well with any color scheme. River rocks protect the table from scratches and hot plates, as long as you make river rock placemats on a solid, not mesh, mat to avoid the risk of scratches.
Over time, the hose that connects to your bathroom fan vent clogs up with moist dust and dirt. This causes the fan to not work as effectively as it should and requires replacement of the vent hose. Some bathroom fan vents mount to the wall close to the ceiling. These units normally have a rigid pipe that protrudes above the attic for the vent hose connection. When replacing the bathroom wall vent hose, it is a good idea to remove the old one and measure it to ensure you purchase the proper length.
If you installed peel and stick tile flooring in your home, you may be concerned about the lines where the tiles butt up against each other. This is where moisture can sometimes seep into the flooring under the tiles. Many tile manufacturers, therefore, often suggest sealing the seams. Even if the manufacturer of your tiles does not, it is something you should consider to avoid possible water damage.
Limestone flooring provides an elegant flooring type that is softer than granite. Crushed limestone can be made into tile in a composite form. This composite is versatile and can be used in combination with a variety of subfloors. Wood, concrete, cement backer board and specially designed underlayments can be placed under the limestone flooring to provide a base for the crushed limestone tiles to adhere to.
A charming little mid-20th century ranch home that’s well within budget may have a large patio for cookouts and a commodious family room with lots of shelves for collections of digital versatile discs (DVDs) and video games. It even may have a half-bathroom off the kitchen for guests. The bedrooms are a bit small, but the deal-breaker is the master bathroom and its bilious pink plastic tiles. Whether pink or a different color, 4-inch square plastic bathroom tiles were in use by the end of the 1940s.
Uneven Sheetrock can occur for a variety of reasons including natural house settling and poor installation techniques. If you plan to tile over Sheetrock, the surface must be perfectly level. If you don't plan to cover it, having an uneven Sheetrock panel in the bathroom is simply unsightly. This is a simple fix though that can be completed in just a few hours.
Very few bathrooms don’t use any tiling in the decor. Tiled walls have a practical function as well as a decorative purpose since they are quick to clean and water won’t damage them. The style and height of tiling in a bathroom is a matter of personal preference as well as practical application although the cost of tiles may also be a determining factor as you decide on the height of the tiles.
Every construction material comes with its strengths and weaknesses. One such material, concrete, appears in numerous applications throughout homes, buildings and myriad other structures, from bridges to dams to seawalls. Protecting a material against its own weaknesses helps ensure the longest possible life for that material. One means of protecting concrete roof tiles, sometimes erroneously referred to as cement roof tiles, entails the application of a liquid-applied waterproofing material.
Travertine is a heavy building stone that’s been used in construction for centuries. Travertine is sold as floor, wall and counter tile, and as outdoor paving blocks. Travertine comes in striated earth colors of ivory, golden yellow, tan, beige, gray, dark red and brown. The color depends on what organic material was incorporated in the travertine during its formation.
Traditional quarry tiles, a type of ceramic tile, are unglazed. Unlike porcelain or glazed ceramic tiles, quarry tiles aren't generally available in a wide selection of colors. The primary choice for the customer is between red or gray quarry tiles. Quarry tiles also come in standard sizes, fitting its no-nonsense uses.
Waterproof membranes are important for tile installations because they protect the substrate and other materials behind the tile installation from water damage. Since cement naturally breathes moisture in and out -- not to mention that exterior conditions expose the tile to rain and weather -- water protection is critical. A couple of membrane systems work well with exterior settings.
Flat roofs have their advantages and disadvantages, and require the right types of roofing materials to avoid problems down the road. On one hand, the flatter the roof, the easier it is to build. On the other hand, the flatter the roof, the greater the chance for leaks. To tackle flat roof jobs, homeowners and professionals often turn to either peel and stick or roll down roofing materials. The size of the job and the experience of the installer often dictate which material is used.
A basement may be plagued by standing water or persistent dampness as a result of seasonal flooding, a high water table, poor exterior drainage or other factors. Several exterior or interior drainage systems can be implemented to provide relief. Although a drain system installed inside a basement, by its very nature, does not render the basement waterproof, a properly installed drain tile system will capture water and direct it below the basement floor to prevent water from entering the basement proper.
Polishing limestone floor tile can help give it that smooth, shiny look. Polish limestone floor tile with help from the president of a home design company in this free video clip.
You don't have to hire an outside company if you just want to clean limestone tile. Clean limestone tile with help from the president of a home design company in this free video clip.
Give your bathroom or kitchen a sleek and striking look with a subway tile backsplash. Subway tile is rectangular-shaped tile that resembles, as the name suggests, the tile often used on the walls of subway stations. This tile ranges from simple, solid-colored porcelain to more elaborate multicolored glass. No matter what your taste, there is likely a type of subway tile that will suit it. If you want to create a subway tile backsplash, instead of hiring a contractor, you can do the job yourself with a little patience and time, and some basic supplies.
