Showing posts with label marble tiles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marble tiles. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Marble Tiles: Know How They Are Made?

Marble is the best material that can be used to create unique architectural designs. These tiles are usually used in the residential areas like fireplaces, bathrooms, countertops on kitchen, hallways of the home and many other places. Marble tile is a remarkable material. These tiles cannot be imitated.

Are you interested to know about how these marble tiles are made? Here is the answer for you which will help you understand the process. Marble is a metamorphic rock and it has many characteristics which indicate its stages of development. It is formed usually from the process of re-crystallization by which different elements of rock like fossil material and other minerals combine under pressure and heat resulting to form this marble.

The process of re-crystallization of the tile helps creating aesthetic and unique designs to the surface of the marble. There are virulets which run along the slab of marble. These virulets have different designs and patterns. No 2 marble slabs or tile can have same design and pattern. It is the virulets that make each and every marble tile a unique one.

Each of the marble has different color and size. It is the mineral content in the stone which determines the color of marble. The sizes of marble vary in accordance to its use. Whatever size they are cut to, they always have a design pattern that is left by virulets on them.

So, marble is formed from combination of different elements. After it is formed, it is quarried and utilized to form marble tiles. It is these marble tiles which are used to beautify the homes. Marble accentuates the décor of the home and adds a touch of sophistication and class wherever used. This material is quarried usually in great amounts and sizes. It gets separated from bordering rock which it is linked to by cutting off the big rock chunks of marble.

After marble rock is removed, it is placed in some nearby mills to get it sized. It is usually the larger slabs of marble that are cut off first. This process of cutting down marble continues till you reach smaller tiles of marble. The marble tiles which are smaller in size are used for wall tile and flooring tile in the homes.

For giving the small marble tiles an antique and worn out look, the marble tiles undergo the process of tumbling with sand in the large drum. At this period, the tiles of marble chips off its corners and edges slightly. This gives the tile a round look. The tile now with chipped off corners and sand in a tumbling drum is processed to get the ultimate look which is known as tumbled marble.

After the completion of all these processes they are being polished. This gives the marble a sophisticated and elegant look. However, while checking out the marbles if any faults or cracks are being noticed, they get immediately filled up by pigmented resins because if this is not done then the tile will get much more damaged in future.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Where To Purchase Marble Tile?

Marble is considered as one of the best materials for decorating the houses and the office. Marble floorings can add more beauty to your house. It is the most trusted material for wall tiles and floorings. These beautiful tiles can be installed in the kitchen, drawing room, bathroom, foyers an even in the outside walls. Marbles can look great if installed in living rooms. These tiles are available in the market in different designs, patterns, colors, sizes and shapes. One needs to choose the marbles that match the color of their house wall, as it will look gorgeous.

There are many online marble stores that have a huge collection of marble floors with different designs and patterns. In some stores, consumers can also get advice on what kind of marbles they need to select to decorate their houses. Marble floors can be available in the market in different prices. One can select the costly as well as the cheaper marbles for decorating their homes.

You can find various kinds of marbles in the online stores. The colors and designs of some of these marbles are really beautiful and amazing. One can get honed, tumbled or polished marble tiles or floors from the stores. To get more floor traction one can install honed marble tiles. On the other hand, polished tiles can add more beauty and elegance to your house. But these floors can be dangerous when wet. So, you need to be cautious. Bath mats should be placed in order to avoid any accident. Tumble marble can give a rustic look to your house. It has also become one of the popular options. People are showing interest in installing these kinds of tiles to decorate their houses.

It becomes difficult to choose a marble floor from the internet, as there are so many online marble stores. So, it is better to seek advice from long time manufacturers or dealers and industry experts before purchasing marble tiles or floorings. They can inform you about the best online marble stores and can also help you to purchase these materials at affordable prices. So, to save your wallet, you can take the advice of the industry experts.

Authorities of the MIA (Marble Institute of America) can also help you to select the right kind of marble floorings for your home or office. You can get reliable advice and consultation from them. One can check out the details from the office website of this association. Consumers can get valuable advice and tips on tile care and cleaning and maintaining. They can also help you to find reputed, reliable and authentic marble dealers and contractors. The FCICA (Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association) can also help the consumers in selecting the marbles for their homes. People can get more information about the marble tiles and floors from another reputed organization, named NCTA (National Tile Contractors Association). They give valuable tips and advice to the consumers in selecting the marble floors and tiles for their houses and offices.

Top Tips To Buy Marble Tile?

Marble has been trusted by home owners as well as home remodeling experts for wall tiles and flooring. For centuries, men have used marble to decorate their house. Someone who want to use marble for their new home or for their remodeled home might need some tips to select marble tiles. With the appropriate marble tiles, one can give a unique design to their foyers, terraces and living rooms. Read on as we share some great tips with you…

These days, one can find a wide variety of designs on the marble tiles. One can select the color and design of the marble tiles depending on his budget. Marble floor tiles give an elegant look to the house and it can be easily installed with the help of professionals. As marble is quarried in different parts of the world, one can find a large variety of textures and colors in marble. This would help in selecting the tile that suits the theme of the house.

A homeowner can use a honed, tumbled or polished tile depending on his choice. For more floor tractions one can use honed marble tiles. If someone wants to enhance the elegance of the house then he can opt for the polished marble tiles. Someone who has themed his house with a rustic look can opt for tumbled marble tiles. They also help in giving an old world feel to the house.

A person who wants to install the best marble tiles for the houses can take the advice of an industry expert. Marble floor tile dealers who have experience in this field for several years can give valuable suggestion. One should always check the cost effectiveness of the marble tile that he/she purchases. Manufacturers of marble tiles can also provide some assistance in such cases. A person can also get information related to marble selection from the Internet.

After one gets complete idea of the tiles, one should decide his budget. Marble tiles can be used for exterior as well as interior applications. Someone who wants to utilize marble tiles to increase the aesthetic appeal of their home needs to determine the sum that he is ready to invest for the job.

Marble floor tiles are available in varied price range. One can easily find the tile that is within his budget. To get a marble tile within budget, however, one should not compromise with the quality of the tile. Cost effectiveness of the tile should be given importance while selecting the tile, but make sure it is of the right quality as otherwise the whole effect of having a marble tile in your house will be marred.

Marble tiles are available in a wide range of colors. A homeowner should select the tile that matches with the space for which he wants to use the tile. It is not necessary to use the same color and design of marble tiles in all parts of the house. The color of tile for kitchen, living room and bed room can be different. But they should follow a common theme. To purchase the marble tiles for his home one can visit any home improvement store.

Stay Healthy With Marble Tiles

Marble adds a sophisticated touch to the area where it is applied. They can provide years of elegance and affordable functionality with proper care and maintenance. Marble is quite expensive but they can make your building or home look more alluring or grandeur. So if you have luxury living in your mind then go for marble in your house.

Marble has superior natural characteristics. Its excellent appearance is what attracts people the most. Moreover, it is quite easy to install and maintain. These are the reasons why marble is considered to be the most preferred natural stone. They are used in the floors, vanity tops, table tops, bathroom walls, tub decks and showers. This natural stone serves as a great décor item for your home.

Marble is the most effective material to keep away bacteria. No other material is so much effective like marble in keeping away the microscopic germs and bacteria which are injurious to health. So if you use marble in your house, you can be assured of staying healthy.

Marble floor tiles are conductive in keeping particular areas of home free from infestation of pathogens and allergens. This material makes it hard for microscopic germs and bacteria to live in it. The only thing needed for daily maintenance is the cleaning of it with permitted detergent and a clean cloth for the tiles to shine and make look attractive. So, you can stay healthy with marble tiles.

Marble floors provide cool and a relaxed walking surface especially in the areas of house that are humid and hot. This material can maintain the cold temperature of its surrounding areas. Moreover, marble tiles are not required to clean so much because it is moisture resistant and thus shines naturally.

Marble is elegant and its use enhances the personality of the space where it is applied. So, in order to maintain its beauty it is important to take certain steps for its care and maintenance. You can even stay healthy with very little care and maintenance of this natural stone.

It is essential to use trivets under hot kettles, pots and pans because materials like china, ceramics are likely to cause abrasion to these surfaces. Drinks and foods containing acids can dull the surface of the marble. So, you should always be careful while using tomato, citrus etc. Make use of a dry dust mop in order to minimize the amount of dirt, sand and debris that come in contact with these tiles. You can keep floor mats at the entrance point of the house for the same purpose. Always use solution consisting of water and ammonia or non acidic detergent while cleaning a shower or bath with marble tiles. However, daily cleaning of marble tiles is important for its long-term upkeep.

Apart from the positive aspect that you can stay healthy with marble tiles, they are also resistant to wear and tear and are very durable. They also have the advantage of being water-resistant. This is the reason why they are being most preferred for installation in bathroom or any wet areas.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

7 Things You Need To Consider While Selecting a Granite Installation Professional

Granite slabs can add charm to your house and enhance the décor value of your dwelling. However, you have to make sure that the tiles are installed properly to get the perfect look. So, there are certain things that you have to consider while installing granite in your house. If you are thinking of installing it yourself, it is a strict no-no. For, unless you have the skill required to install it correctly, you will spoil the whole show. It is a very difficult task and you don’t want to take risk with your own house.

So, the best way seems to be taking the help of the professionals who know how to bring out the beauty of this incredible stone. However, before hiring professionals, you have to ensure that you are picking up the best in the business.

If that is not the case, it will not only ravage your pocket, but also will stain the impression of your house as well. Therefore you always need to be on your toes to find out the best one. The most effective way to do that is to consider the company judiciously. First of all, you have to find out whether they have the experience required to be reliable.

Another important thing to look out is the reaction of the consumer protection officials. They will tell you whether there are any complaints against the company. At the same time, you should also find out the number and variety of projects that the company has done. This will give you a clear idea about the company. In fact, you can also ask for a port folio to verify the claims.

Comparison is always an effective means to find the best. So, you can create a list of reference and compare the different companies. Each of them will have different proposals. However, you should contact all of them to know their systems well and take the decision.

Another thing that you should ensure while hiring an installation contractor is whether he or she holds a valid license. Along with that you should also ask for the lien waiver. This will ensure that the contractor does not owe money to others. Also, the contractor should have liability insurance so that you get money if any damage is done to your property.

The payment is yet another concern. It is a wise decision to check out the work before the final payment. Also, you can decide for a scheme where you will pay the contractor once certain milestone is achieved. While paying the money avoid paying it in cash.

It is always good to make a clear contract that will take care of certain things. It should clearly describe the works that are to be done. At the same time, it should make a clear statement regarding the warranty of the products and works. The contractor should also take the responsibility to clear off the mess before leaving.

However, the price of the installation may vary according to the company you chose. Still, it is better to hire professionals since they are the best in the business.

Means to Repair Damaged Marble Floors

When you are about to sell your house, you must ensure that you get the best value. Well, the most obvious factor which determines the value of your house is the look that it has. Since it is not a new house, it is natural that there will be certain wear and tears. But, as the owner of the house, the responsibility lies on you to repair the look of it and get back the glory that the house once had.

The marble or granite floor is certainly one place that carries the marks of the years. So, it is always useful to have a close look to them and take the following the steps to get back its lost beauty. This step can enhance the value of your house and allow you to sell the house at a higher price.

To decide the course of action it is essential to understand the present condition of the stone flooring. It is likely that your inspection will find out a dozen of faults. But, fortunately, there are remedies to curb all of them. However, a professional will be the right person to find them out and take the appropriate steps to solve them.

Cracks are common in old marbles. However, there are different suitable filling materials to repair them. Remember, if the cracks are extraordinarily large or very thin; these materials will not be effective to repair them. The only treatment at that point would be to replace the tiles.

The excessive foot traffic on the tiles can create marks as well. The stilettos or high-heeled shoes can create deep marks on the floor. Also, any sharp impact on the floor can result in marks as well. There is a process called grinding that can improve the tiles which have developed deep scars on them. However, they can be totally removed if diamond abrasives are used in the process. Here again, replacing the tiles seems to be the ideal solution.

The deep scratches on the marble can be repaired with the resurfacing. Etchings or dull patches on the marble can be the result of the spills of acidic liquids. A regular polishing is enough to shine away the light etchings. However, if you have deep ones, a resurfacing with the diamond abrasives can get back the lost look.

A point to note is that repairing the marble flooring can consume a lot of time. So, if you are doing it to sell your house, or even for a special occasion, you should start well before the targeted date so that you have plenty of time to spare. Marble has a lot of advantages when used for flooring. They are affordable, stylish, elegant and classy. However, when it comes to replacement, this may not be an easy task and it is better to avoid the situation by regular maintenance of your marble flooring.

You can build up suitable maintenance programs according to your needs. There are professionals who will help you out in this respect. All you have to do is to find out a good service provider and they will take care of the rest.

Use of Marble in Landscape Architecture

Marble is certainly a wonder of the nature. This is one stone that has always blended variety with elegance. No wonder therefore, that marble is considered as one of the greatest stones when it comes to the landscape architecture. In fact, the use of marble is not restricted to any specific genre. Marble is used in the sculpture as well as in the home decoration.

Marble has a unique sense of royalty in it. So, whenever the guests steps in your house, they fall in love with the elegance of the marble floorings and decorations. One of the greatest things with marble is its variety. It is a natural stone and there is no practical limit regarding the texture and color of the marble. In fact, each marble is naturally different from another piece. So, you always have a wide array of color and variety to choose from.

Another interesting aspect of marble is that the impurities enhance the strength of the variety. These impurities are added when the stone was processed. Also the mixed grain marbles are stronger than the single colored ones.

Marble adds style and elegance to any and every spot in the house. It can be used in floors, wall panels and wall niches. The use of marble in mantel or wall niches can transform them in to the center of attraction in the house. Marble can also impart a whole new dimension to the décor of the house in a different way. There are different statues and busts crafted in black marble. Few of them will certainly enhance the charm of the room.

On the other hand, for the decoration of the outdoors, a garden bench made of marble can be placed just by the side of a marble statue. This will certainly add class to the entire scene. The statues can be replicas of the ancient Greek and Roman sculptures that are preserved in the museums. Marble fountains can be a good option for decoration both in and outside the house. The statues can be placed by the swimming pool, lawn, garden or small fountain pond. To enhance the elegance of the indoors, you can always use the marble columns.

Marble is very useful to make the bases for the tables. Thus, a glass top along with the table base or marble column can create an elegant ambience in the house. Again, the shorter bases can be used to showcase statues. A marble base can also be mounted on the inlaid coffee tables to maximize the beauty. To add a different dimension to the interior decoration, you can always keep a decorative vase. Again, the marble inlay panels can add brilliance to the home.

Along with different range of colors, marble also comes in different finishes. Naturally, with marble, you have a better choice to suit the style of the house. However, if you have an old set of marble that has turned dull; you can add some putty powder and rub it well on the stone with damp cloth. There are materials specifically made for this purpose as well.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Marble Beyond Floors

People use various types of materials to decorate and build various parts of their house. Those who prefer the eco friendly and natural ingredients often resort to stones like granite and marble. Marble is loved by many homeowners for its elegant looks and appeal. It can be flawlessly polished and looks awesome on the floors and walls of a house. However, it can be used in other parts of the house as well.

There are some people who do not pay adequate attention while decorating their kitchen. The marble tiles are ideal for use in kitchen. It gives the kitchen a clean and elegant look. The marble tiles come in a plethora of designs and colors. Therefore, a person gets plenty of choices to pick a tile that gels with the color scheme used in his interior. It would be a good idea to use tiles that have contrasting colors. It will give the kitchen a cozy ambience and make it look snazzy.

As the marble tiles can be polished a person can use them in his living room as well. Its use on the wall of the living room will give the place a warm ambience. For the people who have a creative and experimental mindset there are choices in marbles. They can make a mural from marble to showcase in the porch. It is not a difficult process at all. To enhance the aesthetic appeal of a mural a person needs a bit of imagination and should be willing to do experimentation. To make it one can buy a marble or several variants of stones. This will make the mural personalized and add to its visual appeal.

Marble tile can also be used in the bedroom of a house. While a bedroom is meant for private use the incorporation of marble on its wall will transform the look of the room. It will make the room stand out among the others. Apart from use in decorating the walls and floors of a house mobile tiles can also be used to make certain furniture and accessories that people use frequently. For instance, a person can keep a garden table that has a marble top in the garden of his house. The coffee tables kept in the living rooms can be decorated with marble tabletops. If a person has a private swimming pool in his house he can adorn its sides with marble tiles as well. Effective use of marble tiles van for sure accentuate the décor of his house.

The look of a dining table can be enhanced greatly with marbles. A person can experiment by using the marbles in the legs of the tables. This in fact creates a nice contrasting effect when used with woods. A marble tile pot can be considered by people who have a veranda in their house. There are numerous ways to enhance the looks of a house with marbles. Marble tiles can be purchased in several hardware stores and their variety is adequate for the homeowners.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The Benefits of Buying Marble Granite Tiles

Granite is a material that is liked by a lot of homeowners and they use it in areas like bathroom and kitchens. It has a stylish look and adds to the elegance of the interior of a house. Besides, it lasts for a long time if proper maintenance is taken by the users. The variety in color and pattern of the tiles is awesome. Its heat resistant nature also makes it ideal for the kitchens.

Owing to its advantages, a lot of people are opting for replacing their ceramic countertops with granite made ones. Elegant look and durability are the two factors which make granite a perfect choice for users. However large granite slabs are still quite expensive and the steep price can act as a deterrent for the budget conscious buyers. Keep in mind there is an alternative for people who like granite but cannot buy it owing to the high cost.

Instead of buying the expensive marble granite slabs they can choose the marble granite tiles. The latter has a lower price tag. There is no difference in quality. The tiles are acquired from the large granite slabs. But their size is reduced by cutting and hence they can be installed without any difficulty. This makes it a perfect choice for homeowners who are looking forward to spruce the décor of their house.

As a matter of fact, the Granite slabs are acquired from the huge boulder-like chunks of granite. They are quarried in various regions of the world. Thereafter, these chunks are taken to the processing plants where they are polished and refined. A lot of these processing plants are situated in Verona, Italy. There the chunks are cut in to large slabs and the countertops are designed from the resultant shapes. The Marble granite tiles are also derived from similar rocks. But the workshops cut them directly into smaller tiles. After that, the tiles are sent to the granite dealers and retailers worldwide.

A person can save a lot of money by choosing the marble granite tiles over large granite slabs. But the installation of the tiles also requires some additional expense. On the contrary, installing the slabs are easier and less time consuming since there is a single piece to install. The marble granite tiles require the use of special glue for installation.

As far as design is concerned the buyers have limited choice in the granite tiles. They come pre cut to sizes and shapes. Cutting them to fit the corners of the room might prove to be a daunting task as granite is a hard stone. On the contrary, shaping a large granite slab according to the buyer’s requirement is easier. The cutting is performed at the workshop.

In fact both the choices have their advantages and drawbacks. It actually boils down to the individual financial circumstances of a buyer. The type of design a person likes also plays a role in the selection. No matter whether a person buys the slabs or tiles the quality will be the same. To retain their shine and quality the buyers need to perform basic maintenance and cleaning tasks periodically.

Tips To Achieve the Perfect Marble Installation

The proper installation of marble is certainly a big issue. While a perfect installation can give a brilliant look to your house, a faulty one might ruin the effort. So, it is always useful to know the tips before going for the installation of marble in your house.

One of the greatest things about the installation of marble tiles is that the entire process is easy. So, one can do it by himself. This will not only save the expense of installation, but will also give you a good option to spend the time in the weekend.

But to do it like an expert, you have to do what the experts do – research. However, once you complete that, you have to prepare the floor to install the marble on it. The most important factor for a successful installation is a dry, clean and level surface. Once you have that type of surface, the tiles will not crack.

Another important thing with the marble tiles is to ensure that the floor is strong. Otherwise, the floor will not be able to hold the weight of the marbles. In case you are not quite sure, you can jump on the floor. If you can feel it, there is need to strengthen the floor; otherwise it is absolutely alright and can be fitted with the marble.

It is also necessary to remove the baseboard and cut through the casing of the door. Later you can always paint the baseboards and bring them back; or better still, you buy a new baseboard that suits your new floor.

Planning is important for an effective installation of the marble tiles. It is a good idea to do a preview so that you are certain that you are not running short of the tiles. In fact, there should be some extra pieces of tiles just in case of emergency. The center of the layout should be identified and the installation should start from this point. While planning, make sure that you are not stepping on the tiles to lay others. To make sure that the process is planned properly, you can make the plan it out on paper as well.

However, before all this starts, it is important to pay attention to the color of the marble while buying the thinset. The light colored marble has a transparent look and so choosing the wrong shade of thinset will spoil the effort. While mixing the thinset, it is good to use cold water. Spread the thinset in an area that you can cover within 15 minutes. Maintain the level of the thinset through the project.

Spacers should be used to keep the tiles aligned and the space between the tiles equal. After the installation is complete, the entire thing should be left overnight to dry up. Now, you can grout the tiles with color matching the tiles. However, it is good to use un-sanded grout.

Next, the spacers should be removed and the thinset attached with it should be cleaned. Add some grout on the tiles with the help of the grout float and spread them with it. While doing this, you should ensure that the cracks are filled with the grout. After waiting for a while, you can wipe off the tiles with a damp sponge. After that the grout should be sealed.

Now, your marble tiles are ready to walk on.