From the Floors Up

Bath Tile Design Idea

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This use of tile on the wall in this powder room is referred to as wainscoting. Wainscoting can be higher up the wall than this, but in this case it only goes to about chair rail height. It can include tile that is larger, smaller, in different patterns, different styles and more.

This tile does a great job of giving this small bathroom some personality and interest. The particular texture of this tile is its best feature. Not only does this tile install look fantastic, but it serves a purpose as well! The tile serves as a sink splash as well as wall protection.

Because this tile stops below the chair rail it allows a different texture and wall surface to be installed above the chair rail. In this case, the wall above the chair rail is darker than the bottom half of the wall. This keeps a small room from feeling smaller with all of the walls being dark.

Also worth noting, the style and elegance of the toilet and sink. The lines of these fixtures compliments the beauty of the tile on the wall. Also, notice the toilet paper holder is the same finish as the hardware on the other fixtures. It’s all in the details…..

Dal Tile Launches Custom Tile Cutting Service

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Dallas, TX, July 25, 2009–Dal-Tile has launched a customized cutting service that allows any Daltile or American Olean ceramic or porcelain floor tile to be custom ordered in linear and rectangular sizes, ranging from a minimum of 2” wide to a maximum of 24” long. With the launch, a core assortment of products from top-selling collections in a variety of popular sizes is being offered with a short lead-time. Any of the brands’ other ceramic or porcelain floor tiles can be special ordered.

The service, called Linear Options under the Daltile brand and Linear Express for American Olean, uses the company’s automated cutting equipment to create the custom sizes at the Dallas factory. Tiles can be specified with straight or beveled edges so that all four sides have the same visual appearance. In preparation for the launch of this service, Dal-Tile has made significant investments in new equipment and space at its manufacturing facilities.

“Before our linear-cutting service, anyone looking for linear shapes and rectangular sizes were either limited to a handful of collections that offered those options premade or they had to have the tiles cut down at the job site by their installer. Now, any Daltile or American Olean rectified porcelain tile or glazed floor tile can be ordered in popular linear and rectangular sizes, making the design options virtually endless,” said Lori Kirk-Rolley, senior marketing director for Daltile.  “And since the custom cuts are done at the factory, the quality of the cuts is more consistent and higher quality than doing it by hand.  Additionally, we’re helping reduce labor costs at the jobsite by removing this extra step in the installation process.”

The core assortment of products were selected from many popular porcelain tile collections and are being offered in a range sizes with a three-week lead time, including floor tiles from Daltile’s City View (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Concrete Connection (3 ¼” x 20”), Metal Effects (3 ¼” x 20”), Fabrique (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Monticito (6” x 18”), Veranda (3 ¼” x 20”) and Vibe (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”) collections and American Olean’s St. Germain (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Avenue One (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”), Nouveau (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”) and Ultra Tech (2” x 24”, 4” x 24”, 6” x 24”) collections. However, any ceramic floor tile, including these core offerings, can be custom cut to any size within the minimum width (2”) and maximum length (24”) limits, with lead times to be determined at the time of the order.

Shower Tile Design

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This photo shows a gorgeous well designed shower, but what makes it so pleasing to the eye? Let’s take a look at some of the design features of this shower and reveal what makes it such a beautiful shower.

  • A darker stone tile is used around the perimeter to create a frame / border
  • The darker tile border creates a patterned design without making the shower design too busy
  • The field tile installation is simple  as not to compete with the shower fixtures
  • The shower door is frameless allowing all of the tile in the shower to be seen and enjoyed
  • The knee walls have been covered with chiseled stack stone for more detail and texture than plain sheet rock
  • The shower fixtures are in a complimentary finish to the stone color (even the hinges on the shower door coordinate!)

This shower is a great example of how to use simple and neutral tile choices to create a well designed shower with a natural, timeless look and feel.

Not being able to see some of the other details of the bathroom and shower it makes me wonder…..What’s on the shower floor? A complimentary mosaic? The same darker stone as the border? Could the mirrors be outlined or framed in the darker accent tile? What’s on the bathroom floor? A combination of the two tiles in the shower? Something with more texture and color range?  Is there a tub in the room with the chiseled stack stone on the tub front? Oh, the possibilities with tile and stone!

This photo features Chiseled Ready Stack in Spring Moss MS8 from Dal Tile.

Outdoor Tile – Reader Question

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Question:

I found a tile that I absolutely love for my kitchen and living area. How do I know if I can use that same tile outside for my outdoor kitchen? What should I consider when shopping for outdoor tile?

Answer:

Great question! Not all tiles are suitable for outdoor use, but there are many tiles that are acceptable for outdoor use.  Typically, you want to use a porcelain tile or natural stone product outside. The key is the water absorption rate. You want to make sure the absorption rate is 0.5% or less. Most tiles will let you know either on the label or the box if they can be used outside.

Another consideration is how much traffic the tile will receive. For this you want to look for the tile’s PEI rating.

The rating system is as follows:

  • PEI Class 1 Rating (No foot traffic) – Recommended for wall use in residential and commercial applications only.
  • PEI Class 2 Rating (Light traffic) – Recommended for both wall use and bathroom floor applications only.
  • PEI Class 3 Rating (Light to moderate traffic) – Recommended for countertops,  walls and floors where normal foot traffic is expected.
  • PEI Class 4 Rating (Moderate to heavy traffic) – Recommended for all residential applications as well as medium commercial and light institutional.
  • PEI Class 5 Rating (Heavy to extra heavy traffic) – Recommended for all residential as well as heavy commercial and institutional applications.

When installing tile outside, you will also want to consider the finish on the tile. The more texture a tile has the more slip resistant it will be.

Lastly, keep maintenance in mind. Tiles with more modeling and color range will do a better job of hiding dirt that can accumulate on outdoor tiles.

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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