Penny tile: Something a little different

While surfing the internet, I came across an article in The Sun about a father and son in the UK who were covering their garage floor with thousands of pennies to create a penny tile mosaic.

Even though this would end up being a very labour intensive install (the father and son have spent a month tiling half the floor so far) this mosaic floor looks like it will be quite an amazing floor when it is all done. The two men, have collected over $1000 CDN in pennies either donated or purchased. They then soaked roughly half of the pennies in Coca-Cola to clean them up and make them shine. The pennies were installed in a pattern to create the two-tone effect. When the evening sun streams in through the windows, the floor shines. What a garage!

They will likely cover the floor in a lacquer or epoxy to keep the bright ones looking good, and make the floor a little more durable.

In another article from the same news paper, a barber had used pennies to cover the floor in his shop. He estimates that it took around 200 man hours to complete the project. However, this floor made this particular shop the most extravagant of the four shops he owns.

Take a look at the photos below, and if you are looking for something similar for your next project give us a call and we would be happy to discuss making this a reality in your home or business.

Read the full article.

Tile trends for 2018

Once upon a time, tiles were mostly used for their functional benefits (resistance to water, durability, low maintenance). Today, however, the sky is the limit for the designs that are possible and the aesthetic impact tile can create. Manufacturers have really pushed the limits on what is possible to provide really unique styles for today’s spaces.

As we enter 2018 full steam ahead, we thought we would bring to attention some of the tiles that seem to be the most popular right now and for the foreseeable future.

Stone/wood imitation tile: With the technology almost perfected to digitally copy and recreate an existing surface, many manufacturers have selected wood or stone and recreated them in porcelain. In both instances, you get a recreation that is almost identical to the real thing without having to put up with any of the potential drawbacks of the original material. You can have a wood-look tile in your bathroom without worrying about moisture, or a white marble in your kitchen without worrying about spilling any red wine. 

Terrazzo tiles: Terrazzo is typically a blend of marble chips and an epoxy or cementitious resin. The tile (which was once a mainstream commercial floor covering for its durability and unique look) has started to make a comeback. However, with a bit of a twist. Rather than being poured in place, they are now available as a tile, allowing for a simpler installation and an overall less expensive product. As well the modern reincarnation sometimes has bits of glass or soft metals inserted into the mix to create special designs.

Terracotta tiles: Nightmares of 1970’s kitchens may be floating through your head when you think of Terracotta. However the modern reincarnation of this material is used in fun shapes as well as with with a variety of glazes. These unique colours and textures help give your space a classical look.

Geometric designs: Most tiles have tended to be square or rectangular in shape. A couple of years ago, penny round mosaics became popular. This was followed by hexagonal tiles that seem to be everywhere and have started a new direction in tile design. Breaking up the traditional tile grid seems to be the name of the game these days. Whether you choose a hexagon tile, or install a rectangular tile in a herringbone pattern. Breaking away from the standard tile grid is one way to create a unique look for your space.

Porcelain tile vs. ceramic tile

Many customers ask us what the difference is between ceramic and porcelain tiles. It can be fairly confusing when buying tile, as the characteristics of these two types of tile are fairly similar. However, there are some important differences.

Porcelain and ceramic tile are both technically “ceramic” tile.  All ceramic tiles are made from a clay mixture that is formed with extreme pressure and then fired. Tile that is rated porcelain uses a denser clay, has been formed under greater pressure and is fired at a higher temperature. These slight differences create a tile that is stronger and impervious to moisture.

Ceramic and some porcelain tiles have a glaze on one face of the visible layer of the tile. This is a protective surface that creates the coloured, patterned and durable wear layer. Some glazes are more durable than others. To tell how durable a glaze is (and the tile in general) check the tile’s PEI rating or the manufacturer’s suggested use. PEI ratings go 1 through 5, where 1 is the least scratch and wear resistant, and 5 being the most scratch and wear resistant. Most porcelain tile have a PEI rating of 4 or higher. Where as ceramic tiles can be as low as a 1, but can range up to 3.  Un-glazed porcelain, or “through body” porcelain does not have a PEI rating as it does not have a glaze. However, it is generally accepted that it is able to withstand heavy traffic. Through body, porcelain also has the advantage of being the same colour from front to back. This means that a chip is less likely to be noticed. In contrast, glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles typically have a body that is a different colour than the glaze.

As ceramic and porcelain tile is fired and then cooled, the tiles can fluctuate in size, similar to when you bake a cookie. Most tile is left as-is after cooling.  As the tiles are installed, the different sizes are taken into account - this is the reason grout joint-sizing can sometimes fluctuate. However another option is “rectified’ tile. In this process, the tiles are either cut or ground down after they are baked to ensure that each piece is exactly the same size. This option is available in both ceramic and porcelain tiles and allows for tighter grout joints.

All the advantages of porcelain tile do come with a flip side: cost. Typically, the overall cost for a porcelain tile will be more expensive than ceramic tile. Both in material cost and installation cost, ceramic tile is less expensive than porcelain. However when selecting your tile, price shouldn’t be the only factor. The full intended use of the space needs to be considered before a final decision is made.