Archive for the ‘Floors’ Category

16 Inch Mosaic Tile Medallions For Sale

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Featured below is a selection of 16 inch mosaic tile medallions that may be used either on the floor or the wall. These tile medallions are smaller than most other medallions available but the patterns are no less impressive and they are very useful for applying to smaller spaces. They are particularly suite for use on table tops as a decorative way to add beauty.

Take a look at the selection of 16” mosaic tile medallions and make a selection to get more information to help you decide whether you would like one for your table, floor or wall.

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16" MARBLE MOSAIC MEDALLION FLOOR WALL TABLE TILE ART
Paypal   US $125.00
Porcelain Tile Compass Rose Mosaic Medallion -Sizes: 12
Porcelain Tile Compass Rose Mosaic Medallion -Sizes: 12",16", 24", 32", 40", 48"
Paypal   US $199.00
16X16 Pompeii Tumbled Mosaic Stone Medallion:Tile,Floor,Tabletop, Wall Art
16X16 Pompeii Tumbled Mosaic Stone Medallion:Tile,Floor,Tabletop, Wall Art
Paypal   US $89.00
DECORATIVE CERAMIC 16 TILES MEDALLION - MOSAIC PANEL WALL MURAL DECOR - NEW
DECORATIVE CERAMIC 16 TILES MEDALLION - MOSAIC PANEL WALL MURAL DECOR - NEW
Paypal   US $145.00
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16"MARBLE MOSAIC MEDALLION FLOOR WALL TABLE TILE
Paypal   US $125.00
HANDMADE 20X16 MURAL MEDALLION GRAPE BACKSPLASH TILE
HANDMADE 20X16 MURAL MEDALLION GRAPE BACKSPLASH TILE
Paypal   US $300.00
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Creating beautiful decorative features on the floor can be done in numerous ways and they will all provide a very effective look to a room in their own way. These small table top mosaic tile patterns provide a great deal of color and interest to a piece of furniture that might otherwise go unnoticed. As well as using them as a furniture decoration they will also be very useful as a wall feature in the kitchen, perhaps for use as a backsplash, or in the bathroom on the floor.

There are many beautiful designs available in these smaller medallion sizes with the intricate patterns simply scaled down. To a certain extent this simply makes the compass point pattern or the fleur de lis stand out even more brilliantly.

A small mosaic tile medallion, usually made of marble tiles, will provide a memorable feature in whatever room you choose to install it. They are available as complete pieces and are relatively simple to integrate into the room.

Marble Medallion Floor Tiles

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

Tiling the floor is a perfectly reasonable way to ensure you get a solid floor that will be durable and will look good for many years. Some of the most attractive types of tiles are slate, granite or marble. There is something about the natural stone tiles that create a strong impression in the room.

A decorative feature that will set off any floor but will look particularly effective in a large entrance hallway is a marble medallion. Marble medallion floor tiles can be made pre-cut and assembled and can provide any room a marvellous focal point that are geometrical and impressive.

In the past a marble medallion floor tile was the mark of a very prosperous family and they were usually found in only the finest houses in the country. The medallions themselves were created by master craftsmen with careful consideration given to the way it was put together and installed. These days, because it is possible to buy these medallions already made in advance they are much cheaper to buy and you might see them in many more homes.

Medallion floor tiles are still the main focal point of the house because it is very hard to miss something so bold and beautiful and they tend to lay the foundation for the way the rest of the home is going to be furnished. It is usually a fine first impression that tends to force the quality of the rest of the decorative features in the house to lift to the same level.

Marble is one of the aesthetically pleasing type of materials to use as a flooring surface and the accompanying marble medallion floor tiles that can be laid in the middle provide the perfect centrepiece.

What we are seeing more of these days is the request for custom made medallions. This is requested, firstly, because it is an affordable option, but secondly, because it is a way of matching the existing look inside the house. If you would rather maintain the same look and want a floor that will do the rest of the decor justice, you will buy a custom made medallion.

In order to fit into all kinds of spaces floor tile medallions are made in a variety of sizes and they can be inlaid into existing floor surfaces with only a little it of trouble.

The perfect way to create a welcoming room is to install a small floor tile medallion. Take a look at the fine selection of floor tile medallions for sale.

What Are Saltillo Tiles?

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

There are a number of very attractive types of natural clay tiles from Mexico. Possibly the most famous of these is Saltillo tiles. Saltillo tiles are clay tiles that are sourced from the Mexican city of Saltillo, Coahuila.

They are rough hewn and natural looking and contain cracks, chipped edges and gouges that are all part of the natural beauty and distinction of the tiles. Saltillo tiles have been made using an old-world traditional style of manufacture by hand that is still carried on today.

These tiles are clay tiles that are available in shades of red, orange or yellow or as manganese Saltillo in which manganese is added to the clay when it is wet and it turns a brown color with the shade changing depending on how much manganese was used.

The Mexican Saltillo tiles are a perfect example of how an object does not have to be precisely made for it to be beautiful or functional. Saltillo tiles are roughly hewn with uneven edges and uneven colors. But it is these imperfections that give the tiles their appeal.

The clay to make the tiles is dug from the earth and water is added to humidify the clay. A couple of different types of tiles can be made depending on the methods chosen by the artisans. The first involves pressing the clay into a wooden frame before turning it out where it cures. The second is to simply carve the tile out of the clay to its desired shape.

After the tiles have been left to dry in the sun they are then kiln-fired for up to 36 hours and then allowed to cool for another 36 hours. The tiles may then either be sealed with an oil-based industrial sealant or left raw in its natural state.

One of the appealing aspects of using Saltillo tiles is that the colors within the tiles seem to swirl around and through the depth of the tile.

These tiles are the original terra cotta building materials that have been used for centuries as an attractive hard surface. They will suit any Mediterranean style home and are attractive tiles that will last forever if maintained properly.

The tiles are highly porous and will soak in liquid very easily. As a protective measure they should be sealed so that the moisture from the grout is not absorbed straight into the tile. If it is not sealed it will stain easily and you will find it difficult to get the tile to bond with the mortar. A way in which people go about getting the tile to bond properly is to soak the tile in water until it has absorbed as much as it can and then laying the tiles. The tiles make a good indoor use and can also be used in outdoor situations as long as the area is frost-free.

Another very popular type of tile that originates in Mexico are Talavera tiles.

Porcelain, Ceramic and Slate Floor Tiles

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

Trying to figure out the difference between certain types of floor tiles can be a little confusing for those who have not dealt with them much before. You will see or hear tiles referred to either as ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles and be wondering what the difference is and what type of tile will best suit your particular needs. Before buying a floor tile you should first understand what makes a ceramic tile different to a porcelain tile.

Tiles that are classified as ceramic tiles are made from predominantly clay and are kiln-fired. Of these tiles you can break them down further into what are referred to as porcelain and non-porcelain tiles.

Porcelain tiles are made from a dust pressed method using porcelain clays giving you a tile that is fine grained and particularly dense. This type of tile will have a sharply formed face and will have a smooth surface. The qualities of porcelain tiles are that they will have a much lower water absorption rate than a non-porcelain tile. Glazed porcelain tiles are hard wearing and resistant to damage making them a suitable tile for outdoors and for applications that involve traffic ranging from light to the heaviest commercial traffic.

Non-porcelain tiles are also the type of tiles that are referred to as ceramic tiles and they are the types of tiles that are finished with a glaze that provides the tiles with their colors and a patterned appearance. You may find non-porcelain tiles available as wall or floor tiles. They are suitable for light to moderate traffic but they have a relatively high water absorption rate and are prone to wear and chipping because they are softer than porcelain tiles. Most non-porcelain tiles are suitable only for indoor use.

You may hear of the term full-body tiles and wonder what this means. It means that the color of the tile has been baked completely through the tile which means that no matter how much the tile wears, the color will still be maintained. A full-body tile might be used instead of a glazed tile in which the color or pattern is applied to the surface of the tile.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles can also be made to look like slate tiles. They are baked to give the rough and beautifully patterned appearance of slate but they have the durability and lower absorption rate that you require from a functioning tile floor.

Ceramic tiles are different in nature to slate tiles and consequently they will be used for different applications. Also, different care requirements will apply.

A natural slate tile floor needs some special maintenance done to it to ensure it lasts for a long time. Slate is a porous material and so the absorption rate is quite high. An option is to seal the slate to give it an appearance that is shiny or matte, it will also reduce the amount of moisture that will be absorbed. Different types of slate will have a different level of density which will also affect its durability and, consequently, the amount of work that should be put into protecting it.

An outstanding type of tile that is worth considering is the Mexican Talavera tile. For a floor that you want to look as expensive as possible you might also consider buying a floor tile medallion.

Can A Stair Runner Be Used In The Hallway?

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

Runner rugs come in two different styles, standard runners that you will use for the hallway and stair runners. The two different types of runner rugs are made differently and are two distinctly different types of rugs. However, you can get away with using a hallway runner as a stair runner if that’s the way you wish to use it.

A standard runner rug is essentially just a rug that has been made in a long rectangular shape. They are made with a border on all four sides just like a regular area rug. For the most part the runner rug is used as a hallway rug rather than on stairs. When they are woven, runner rugs are usually finished with bound ends that are serged or whipped along the two side lengths.

Most stair runners, on the other hand, are woven as continuous roll runners and may be woven using one of a number of different weaving processes using a narrow loom. The narrow loom allows the runner to be finished with woven selvedges so that the rug will not fray. The main point about buying a stair runner is that, because it has been made in a long continuous roll it can be cut to the perfect size for your stairs. The last thing you need is a seam partway up the stairs because one runner wasn’t long enough to do the job.

When buying a runner rug to be used as a stair runner you are going to have to take into consideration the way the rug is going to be laid on the stairs and the effect it will have on the length.

Runner rugs are available in different materials. You can choose from synthetic or wool runners or it is also possible to buy runner rugs made from a combination of both. It will really come down to the color and design that most appeals to you and then the price will differ depending on the material with which the rug is made.

One of the factors that is very important when deciding on a runner rug to use as a stair runner as opposed to a hall runner is that it must be a durable rug. A stair runner is going to be subject to some heavy traffic because the feet tend to hit the ground harder when ascending and descending stairs. For this reason you will be more likely to use a synthetic or synthetic/wool blend for your stair runner. The pile of a stair runner should be denser as well which is also key to the durability it will exhibit.

One of the differences you might consider when placing your runner rugs in either the hall or on the stairs is the accessory you will use with each. A hallway runner should be laid down with a strong rug pad to keep it from slipping about and a stair runner can be anchored with stair rods to ensure that the rug is kept nicely secured.

The bottom line is, if you were wondering whether a stair runner can be used in a hallway then the answer is yes by all means use the stair runner in the hallway. Make sure the ends of the stair runner have been properly finished and bound to ensure there is no fraying.

Take a look at the selection of runner rugs for sale or, for something a little more casual, check out the range of bamboo runner rugs.