Differences Between Glass Subway Tile & Ceramic

Jan 5

Posted by TileGuy in Subway Tile | No Comments

The utilization of subway tiles for your kitchen design has become highly regarded today. The first kind of material was the ceramic subway tile. Train tile originates as early as the 1900’s when a rectangle formed tile was employed in the tube methods of Manhattan. This easy design aspect gained acceptance over time and is a generally used design in numerous tile projects. Offered in an array of colours and finishes, ceramic tile train may be used as either a contemporary feel or maybe a country feel depending on the decoration of the remainder of the house. Since the late 1990’s glass tile has been a popular choice for buyers and builders alike. The choice of glass subway tile has risen due to the brilliance in color that it offers. The coloring is more vibrant than that of ceramic. When light, whether or not it’s daylight or interior lighting, the reflection of color and lucidity is what the customer likes. The Glass Subway Tiles and be used inside and outside, kitchen backsplashes, shower walls and even in a pool setting. The installation of glass tiles has some do it yourselfer’s concerned.

Cutting glass isn’t as straightforward as cutting ceramic, however with a wet saw it cuts that concern in half. Employing a wet saw will give you the clean cut you require for installation. The neatest thing to do is when installing the tile in a train pattern, ensure after you cut the tile to ease the cut edge with an exceedingly fine grit sand paper or steel wool. After you cut and ease the cut edge, on the exposed ends of your design turn the cut edge to the interior so you have got a factory edge on all exposed ends. The home and garden shows have made glass tile very talked-about and more purchasers are trending towards the employment of glass in their designs. The standard 3″ x 6″ size has been the basis, however makers are introducing new sizes constantly. A new size of 4″ x 12″ will add the design talent you could be looking for in your design!

Tiling the Mantle of a Fireplace

Dec 8

Posted by TileGuy in Howto, Subway Tile | No Comments

Black Subway Tile Fireplace

Adding subway tile to a fireplace can give it that brick look with a unique flare. The subway tiles can be installed over wood, brick or marble and is a relatively easy project.

Tools and Materials:

  • Drop cloths
  • Sander and sandpaper
  • Thin set with acrylic additive
  • Trowel and Float
  • Spacers
  • Grout Sealer
  • Applicator brush
  • Rags
  • Sponge

Step 1

To get your fireplace mantel for the tile, you will need to sand its exterior, whether wood, marble or brick. The sanding will put off a lot of dust,  so if possible, remove all furnishings from the area. If you are not able to remove them, you will want to cover furniture with drop cloths and place cloths around the floor at the base of your fireplace.

Step 2

If you will be tiling a wooden or marble fireplace mantel, sand the surface with sandpaper that is thirty grit. If you are tiling over brick, gently use a grinder to remove any dirt and loose material and to roughen the surface of the brick so mortar will adhere. In all cases make sure to vacuum the dust after sanding or grinding, and wipe down the surface with rags.

Step 3

You will want to verify the layout, pattern and spacing of your tile by placing it over the mantel in the design you plan to use. Doing this will alert you to any changes, cuts or need for more tile before you begin mixing mortar.

Step 4

Thin set is the mortar used to attach the tiles to the fireplace mantel surface. Mix according to manufacturers directions, using the acrylic additive in place of the water for added strength. After mixing, let the mortar rest for about 10 minutes.

Step 5

Working from the center of the fireplace mantel out toward the edges, start laying mortar with your trowel, spreading it to ¼ inch thickness on the mantel. Lay the tile, applying your spacers as you work. Press the tile firmly into the mortar. Allow the tiles to set for 24 hours before continuing. Remove the spacers.

Step 6

Mix your grout, following package directions, and allow to sit for 10 minutes prior to grouting the tile. Use a float to apply the grout evenly, working it into the spaces between the tiles. After grout is applied, wipe the tiles with a damp sponge to remove excess. Allow the grout to cure for 3 days, or per package instructions.

Step 7

Use grout sealer to seal your tiles and grout. Apply with an applicator brush and allow to dry completely before using your newly tiled fireplace mantel surface.

Article source: http://www.doityourself.com

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Picking The Right Bathroom Tile

Dec 2

Posted by TileGuy in Bathroom Tile | No Comments

Picking the correct bathroom tiles is a very important decisions to get an elegant look for your bathroom.  According to market studies, there are 2 rooms in the house wide which return you a positive return on your investments, the kitchen and the bathroom.  Being a guest in a new home, you are always eager to have a look at the bathroom and kitchen. The style and the choice of the bathroom tiles can put your house at the top or at the bottom if done wrong. You have multiple options to select the tiling for your dream bathroom.

Ceramic Tiles may be the most economical choice for majority of house owners. These ceramic tiles are very cost effective but not without their problems. You need to use cation while finalizing a choice for ceramic tiles as some of the ceramic tiles are slippery and may not be suitable for bathroom.  These type of tiles can be damaged very easily if you get cheap ones and are very susceptible to water damage.

Glass tiles are pieces of glass in uniform shape. They are more durable than ceramic tiles when you buy ones with the right thickness. You may also use these tiles in kitchens. Glass kitchen are more reliable than any other tiles because the glass tiles are moisture resistance.

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Advantages of Glass Subway Tile over Ceramic

Dec 1

Posted by TileGuy in Subway Tile | No Comments

Although Subway Tile has been around since the early 1900’s over the past few decades a transition in style has been occurring from ceramic tile to glass subway tile.  This change has been driven by the strong advantages of glass as a building material.

The first key reason that glass is superior is the visual; glass offers a depth and clarity that ceramic tile cannot match.  The brilliant colors of glass subway tile cannot be replicated even by the finest ceramic tile.

Another key advantage is the durability of glass.  Glass is much more impervious to moisture which makes glass subway tile an ideal building material for wet areas such as bathroom and showers.

Last but not least is that glass subway tile is much more renewable and safer for the environment.  Glass subway tile is made from recycled material and the process to create them is very energy efficient when compared to making ceramic tile.

If you have made the decision to install subway tile you should definitely go with glass as it will be a timeless addition to any décor and will last for many years to come!  Due to advances in manufacturing glass subway tile is far superior to ceramic and is also easily affordable for any homeowner looking to change the appearance of any room for the better!

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What Are Subway Tiles

Nov 22

Posted by TileGuy in Subway Tile | No Comments

Subway tiles have been popular ever since the the early 1900’s when New York used them to decorate the walls of their subway stations.  The tiles are still wildly popular today and have evolved from the ceramic that they were once made in, to now being made out of dazzling beautiful glass.  The richness of colors you can get from glass subway tile just can’t be beat.

Subway tiles can be bought in almost any size and configuration, though the most popular is a 3″x6″ in either a brick layered style or in a lined up pattern.  When buying subway tile you should look for tiles that are 8mm thick, this gives you a much better depth of color and strength of tile.

The great thing about glass tiles now becoming more popular than ceramic is the way they handle water.  The old ceramic style of tile would degrade over time from water and would start to wear quickly.  Glass subway tile does not have this problem as it is impervious to water which makes it ideal use for bathroom, kitchens, and pools.  In the kitchen subway tile is often used as a kitchen backsplash.  A tile backsplash will give a very beautiful and unique look to your kitchen, while being practical at the same time in protecting your walls from water damage.

The vivid colors that you can get out of the crystal glass subway tiles is all the buzz of popular interior designers these days, and is a cheap way to transform any kitchen, bathroom or pool into a stunning area.  For my projects I get all my glass subway tile from Subway Tile Outlet.

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