Selection of Tiles
Why choose
tiles?
Choosing between the variety of
materials used for wall and floor coverings is not easy.
Designers and internal decorators, architects and consumers
looking for residential solutions as much in line with the
latest fashion trends as with ecological guidelines, are
surrounded by an enormous range of technical and aesthetic
offers.
At
GRACIA INC., you can choose from ceramic, marble, slate,
terracotta, porcelain and mosaic tiles. Each of the above
have its own aesthetic and performance related values. The
most popular tile however, known for its resistance, is the
ceramic tile. A high quality level of productive processing
combined with constant technological research and design
have made this tile a favourite throughout the Irish and
international market.
Where
can I use tiles?
Tiles, due to both their
durable and aesthetic nature, can be used throughout any
home or commercial development for example on floors, walls,
table-tops, kitchens, bathrooms, halls, porches, bedrooms,
dining rooms, conservatories, patios, restaurants, hotels,
shops, motor showrooms and garages.
Which
tiles should I choose?
There is a huge range of tiles
and natural stones available in many colours, shapes and
dimensions. Most tiles appeal to very varied tastes and
diverse uses, however you should always discuss usage with
one of our sales people before deciding on any one.
Does
the quality of tiles vary?
Although there are quality
standards within the tiling industry, this doesn't affect
most homeowners. However, it should be realised, that
although tiles are essentially a lifetime investment, a
quality distinction must be made between floor and wall
tiles. When purchasing floor tiles, always purchase good
quality tiles as in heavy traffic areas, poor quality tiles
are more prone to wear and therefore may need to be replaced
in time. This is not applicable to wall tiles. Any worries
you may have, can be put at rest by contacting your nearest
GRACIA INC. showroom listed in locations.
Tiles Care
GRACIA INC. are
basically a low maintenance product, but some basic rules
need to be followed:
Bathroom, kitchen
and laundry wall tiles need only be cleaned with a mild
detergent or household cleaner. There are really only two
rules to follow:
-
Don't use an
abrasive cleaner such as a powder or gritty cream. These
will cause minute scratches in the surface and make the
tiles harder to clean next time.
-
Clean the tiles
regularly so dirt doesn't build up. Tiles are a great
product, but they don't stay clean by themselves.
A few other points
are:
Be careful of gold
or silver finishes on your tiles. These are very delicate
areas and easily damaged, especially by abrasive cleaners
and scourers.
An important note on
seasonal movement. As the walls of your house move against
each other, the seal between the bath, shower base, basin
and tiles may be broken. This may also occur on the vertical
internal corners. You may have to put a flexible sealant in,
but this can become brittle or come away with age and must
be replaced to ensure moisture doesn't leak through.
This can have
disastrous consequences. This is as much a maintenance job
in a house as repainting timber surfaces. When you see that
the sealant is lifting away, replace it as soon as possible.
To replace it, remove the whole lot, then thoroughly dry the
joints using a hairdryer or similar, wipe the tile faces
clean with a little metholated spirits on a cloth and then
simply reseal.
Maintaining ceramic
floor tiles
The same basic rules
apply to floor tiles. Don't use abrasive cleaners, or any
sort of polishes or additives. They will only build up and
cause problems later. Wash your tiles regularly using hot
clean water with a little neutral (not acidic or alkaline)
soapless household cleaner.
It may be possible
that a very thin film of grout has been left on the surface
of the tiles making them appear dull. In this case.
Make sure you try it out first on a less noticeable area
(behind a door or cupboard for example) to ensure it does
not damage the tile and make sure you rinse the floor
throughly with clean water after treatment.
Tiles can become
scratched by grit, especially highly glazed ones. To
minimise this, ensure a door mat is used just inside any
exterior door. If you have very highly glazed floor tiles in
you bathroom, avoid walking on them with harsh footwear.
One or two tiles in
your floor may become chipped or cracked. Please make sure
you have kept some spares, as tile batches vary in colour
and fashions come and go, so it's very unlikely that you
could ever match your tiles up a few years later. Store them
away in your ceiling space.
Tilling Tips
Ceramic
tiles are one of the most practical building materials ever
made. They have proven their durability and flexibility over
thousands of years.
Floors tiled in ancient Rome are
still in use today. The Romans were prolific users of
ceramics to tile walls, floors and to create magnificent
decorative effects in their palaces and public areas.
However, today there are so many tiles
for so many purposes that it is important that you choose
the right ones for your project.
We can use tiles today in every area of
our homes. Bathrooms, kitchens and laundries are no longer
the sole area of attention. Bedrooms, patios, balconies,
swimming pools, garages, and passage ways all benefit from
being tiled rather than using alternative coverings.
Investment
Ceramic tiles should become an integral part of your home.
Careful selection will enhance and protect your home and add
to its capital value. Consider your tiling as a long term
investment, even though it is an economical exercise.
Beware
Unfortunately there are a lot of people who do not care what
sort of tiles you buy, as long as they sell them to you. At
GRACIA INC. Tiles you will find that we would rather lose
the sale than sell you the wrong tiles. We figure that our
reputation is too important to risk, and aside from that we
believe in our obligation to each and every one of our
clients.
Always make sure that the tiles you
have selected are suitable for the area. Check the wear
rating. Check that your tiles are suitable for a wet area if
some resistance to slip is necessary.
Guarantee
Consider the value of a guaranteed quality product. At
GRACIA INC. Tiles all our tiles are guaranteed for 10 years. All
GRACIA INC. Tiles are correctly fixed with our recommended
adhesives.
Tilers
Tilers should know their trade and nearly all of them do.
They may not, however, be up with the latest technical
developments so if what your tiler tells you contradicts
what a tile merchant tells you, don't automatically believe
one or the other - please seek a third opinion.
Skid Resistance
Almost any flooring can become slippery when wet, and
ceramic tiles are no exception. Surface dust can also
contribute to this. Floor mats help in both circumstances.
Tiles with a skid resistant surface on
a floor can reduce this tendency, but the advantages are
offset by a rough surface being more difficult to clean.
How Much Should I Pay For My Tiles?
Always ensure that you buy the best quality products
available. Tiles last for a long time and the few money
saved on inferior product will haunt you much longer than
the satisfaction of saving a few money.
Sure there are bargains, and we would
encourage you to consider them, but if there is only a
relatively small difference in the final cost, it is worth
paying that little bit more to get what you want.
Design Hints
Tiles can alter the
character of a room, bathrooms and can be used to create a
unique effect. Color selection is important. Light colors
will brighten up an area, but may sometimes require more
cleaning. These colors may show dirt marks. Often light
colors will enhance a small room and give the illusion of
greater size and make a room more friendly.
Dark tiles can look stunning.
The darker shades can create a rich and luxurious feel to
any room, but again, the darker the color the more some
soiling will show between cleaning.
Darker tiles can give an air of
class and intimacy. As with any material, darker tiles may
show some marks more easily than lighter ones.
Highly Glazed reflective
finishes on ceramic tiles can achieve a distinctive and
modern feel to an area. Always show caution to make sure
that these tiles are suitable for the traffic flow of the
area. Shiny tiles often scratch more easily.
Small tiles can make a small
room seem larger. But, large tiles in a small room when
chosen and laid effectively can also achieve this.
Understated, plain tiles will reduce the busy effect of a
cluttered room, and patterned tiles can create interest in a
plain area.
Some glazed tiles are glossy,
others are matt. The final choice is up to you. All glazed
tiles are low maintenance, but the glossier ones can show
marks more. They also need some care when they are laid in
conditions where they could be scratched by abrasive dirt or
sand. A good doormat is important especially if they are
close to an external door.
Using neutral tones with tiles
will enable you to dress up the area with furniture and
fittings. The tiles then can become the "canvas" on which
you design your room. Although neutral tones are always in
vogue, nothing is impossible with tiles.
"Don't limit yourself by being
too cautious".
Tiles Cleaning
Ceramic tiles are basically a low
maintenance product, but some simple rules need to be
followed.
As with any product, tiles may
be damaged due to abuse or misuse. Clean the tiles regularly
so that dirt doesn't build up. Tiles are a great product,
but they don't stay clean by themselves.
Always keep your tiles clean - the trapped dirt can be very
abrasive. This sand and gritty dirt can damage any tiled
surface.
Stiletto heels, spiked shoes and not using rubber stoppers
under furniture will all contribute to damage.
Always use a mat or rug at the entrance to doorways.
Vacuum your floors regularly. Clean tiles with a damp cloth
or mop and take care to use only a little detergent.
Tiles in kitchens, laundries and bathrooms need only be
cleaned with a mild, neutral, soapless household cleaner,
but only ever a few drops mixed in a bucket of warm water.
Never use an abrasive cleaner such as powder or gritty
cream. These will cause minute scratches in the surface and
make the tiles harder to clean the next time.
It is not necessary to use acids or strong chemicals on
tiles. A drop of vinegar in the bucket can be a very useful
cleaning agent.
Never use polishes or additives on a glazed tile. It is
unnecessary and will leave a build-up that will only attract
more dirt.
Always take special care of gold and silver finishes. These
are delicate and easily damaged and never use bleach on
these finishes.
Further information on sealers and finishes on terracotta or
slate is located in our Adhesives Guide or contact your
nearest NBK Tiles store for advice.
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