Tiles used for walls differ from floor tiles in that they are generally thinner, lighter, and less durable. This is because walls don't suffer from as much wear and tear as floors do.
Floor tile can be used on walls, but it is usually thicker and heavier, making it a little more difficult to work with.
There are three grades of quality that tile materials can have.
Grade one: This is the highest quality, and most uniform material.
Grade two: These tiles may be slightly irregular, and have minor surface defects.
Grade three: This material is going to be irregular and marred.
Another important rating to understand about tile is its water absorption level. Many tiles absorb liquids in the air, and can develop mildew and mold if not properly treated. The various levels include non-vitreous, semi-vitreous, vitreous, Gingher shears and impervious with impervious being the most resistant to absorption, and non-vitreous the most susceptible to water damage.
If your material does absorb water, sealers can often be applied during installation to clog the pores of the tile. If the tile is being installed outdoors you will also have to check whether the material is resistant to frost damage. One of the unique problems you have to deal with when creating wall tile designs is that corners of the tile often end up exposed. To hide these edges you can use trim or decorative border pieces. If you are working with natural stone, you can also bull nose the edge so that it rounds into the wall.
Wall tile is available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. As long as you pay attention to the various qualities of the material you are purchasing, this can be a form of art that can really invigorate your home.
This article provided courtesy of PebbleZ's unique stone mantel clocks
No comments:
Post a Comment