The Many Sides of Tile
by: Liz Roberts

Tile has been gracing homes for 3,000 years. It still serves the same purpose it did in ancient times, to decorate and enliven a room. Homeowners today have much more options than their ancestors. They can also choose to install tiling themselves or hire a contractor. Before doing any of this, it pays to be savvy about this holdover from the era of the Caesars.

Homeowners should know their options when they are considering retiling the kitchen or bath. According to Alessandro Lauriello, a sales manager at Italian Tile Corp in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, ceramic tile is the most popular used in remodeling jobs today. It can last thirty-five years or longer and comes in a variety of styles and colors. Marble patterns are big in bathrooms, especially the rose and white shades. Mosaic tiles are another choice. These multicolored blocks come in several patterns and are sure to liven up any bath or kitchen wall. The newest tiles are now being cast in bronze. These bring warmth to any wall and give it a Roman feel. Pricing can be anywhere from $4.50 to $9 per square foot.

Floor tiles are also going through some fascinating trends right now as well. Homeowners can install porcelain slate and wood tiles. These look exactly like black slate and well worn wood. It is hard to tell the difference between them and the real thing. Mr. Lauriello points out that porcelain wood tiles have been big in Europe for some time and are just entering homes here in the States. These have been manufactured for European homeowners who want the look of oak or pine flooring but can’t have them because of wood’s scarcity overseas.

Once the style has been selected, it’s time to look into the actual quality. Check to see if the tiles or their box has STD or 1st stamped on them. STD means standard and the tile is of an average quality. It is not superior and will not last as long as tiles stamped with 1st on them. Always look for the 1st embossing. This means the tiles are one hundred percent first quality and that they are durable. These will not chip or scratch over the years along with holding up to years of wear and tear. Another important point to remember is the glaze on the tiles’ surfaces. Some dealers will try to sell ones with a silica or glass glaze. These will most certainly get damaged even within the first few months of installation.

Where the tile is manufactured is also very significant. Italy and Spain are the foremost manufacturers, leading the world in tile making. Turkey and South America are also providing different tiles and distributing them in larger do it yourself stores. When purchasing tile, always check or ask about the country of origin. Most homeowners usually buy Italian or Spanish tile because they know these are from true craftsmen.

The next step is installing the tiles.

Some homeowners who are not skilled with renovations should opt for hiring a tile installer. This type of contractor can retile a 200’ bathroom within a four to five day period. The finished look is professional, without any misshapen tiles or sloppy workmanship.

However some people find tiling relaxing and fun. Be sure to remember to wear safety goggles because dust and tile fragments can get into the eyes.

Make sure to use the proper backing or underlayment as base for the tiles.

Lay out the tile as it is desired on the wall or the floor. If they’re not laid out correctly there will be very thin tiles (which means cutting them to almost the width of magic markers) on the end of every row. Poor alignment looks sloppy and takes away from the overall effect.

Also make sure the mastic, which holds the tiles to the walls, is waterproof. Epoxy adhesives can also be used but their drying times will be difficult to control. Always read the manufacturers instructions for drying times, there should be enough mortar spread for thirty to forty minutes work. Spread the adhesives on the wall using the flat side of the trowel. Then flip it over so that the notched side can create wide grooves (this should be done at a forty-five degree angle) to create a patchwork look.

Set the first tile along one side of the vertical and horizontal working lines, using a gentle twisting motion to set it into place. Lay the tiles row by row, making sure the rows are in alignment with the previous ones. Then tap with a rubber mallet and a block of padded wood for a more secure fit.

Most standard tiles have small lugs on their sides which act as spacers. These areas will be covered by grout. Grout is a powdered mixture and water, similar to cement which is used to fill in the spaces between the tiles. It should be applied with a rubber faced float or squeegee. The mixture should be forced into the joints so that there are no gaps or bubbles. The excess grout can be diagonally wiped off with the float or squeegee. Then use a clean sponge to wipe away any remaining grout.

Let the tiles dry. A hazy film will appear on the tiles and can be wiped away with a soft cloth. Regularly clean the new tiling and grout with a white wine vinegar and water solution.

Once the tile has been installed it is a long lasting gift to both the house and owner. It is a decorative touch that will last for years, thanks to its’ durability and beauty. New tiling is definitely a home improvement well worth the effort and cost.

For more tile information call Alessandro Lauriello of Italian Tile Import Corp, Elmwood Park, New Jersey at 1-201-796-0722

Also special thanks to Karla Sellick of Total Home Improvement of Red Bank , New Jersey for her help.