BY WEVONNEDA MINIS
The Post and Courier
Limestone. Granite. Porcelain. Glass. Bronze. Nickel. Crackled. Hammered. Riveted. Pressed. Sculpted. Beadboard. Checkerboard. Squared. Planked.
Whether handmade or manufactured, if it's tile, it's in style.
Tile manufacturers and distributors attribute its increasing popularity to a strong renovation and building trend, says Janet Arden, editor of Tile Dealer Magazine, published by the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association.
"There is a trend toward higher-rent, more upscale decorating and more upscale amenities, and tile is one of those things (supporting that trend). In addition, HGTV has delivered a lot more ideas to the consumer, and consumers are looking for more."
They are finding tile with finishes that give them the look of wallpaper, Arden says. They are finding tile with textured looks, such as those that resemble tweed. And they are finding tile that is designed to look like wood.
Most homeowners still choose tile for surfaces such as floors, walls and counters in kitchens and baths because it's easy to maintain, the experts say. But more people are beginning to use them on fireplace surrounds, shelves, tables and vanities for the same reason. And in addition to practical uses, homeowners are starting to use antique, handmade, hand-painted and vintage tiles around doors and on stair risers, as has been the custom in other cultures for centuries.
"Few people would install the basic 4-by-4 tile without a trim tile or something that would be more decorative or add more design," Arden says.
Amy Inlow of Palmetto Tile Distributors on Johns Island agrees.
Homeowners seldom ask for the basic 4-inch-square tile, says Inlow, an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers. While some may want that size, it's rare that they will want the beige or white ones that once were almost synonymous with the word "tile."
These days, more than half of Inlow's customers are opting for glass or stone tile, she says. "Glass is serene-looking, yet vibrant and alive," Inlow says.
Those characteristics, plus the availability of glass tile in hard-to-find colors, make it an attractive option. The hue that ultimately is achieved with glass will be influenced by the color of thin-set mortar and
grout the homeowner uses.
Stone tiles such as granite and
marble are popular because owners want more natural elements in their homes, says Inlow. Natural stones can be polished, honed, tumbled or chiseled to get the look and feel that a homeowner wants.
Some homeowners also opt for porcelain because manufacturers now can use it to make tile that looks very much like stone, she says. The main advantages of porcelain are that it is more durable than stone and does not have to be sealed to prevent staining.
Subway tiles also are hugely popular, Inlow says. They are especially sought-after among those seeking a retro look in their homes, and the tiles come in almost every material and color that other tiles come in. Most can be bought in the traditional 3-by-6-inch size, and many also are available in the 4-by-8-inch dimension. The edges can be flat, beveled or pillowed.
The way that individual homeowners use tiles to achieve an earthy look, spa feel or retro design can vary greatly, says Trudy Mercy Brown of Melcer Tile in North Charleston.
Tile is a design element with endless possibilities, says Brown, an allied member of the ASID.
"We have some people who hand-make tiles and can custom color them, duplicate a pattern or repeat a motif. It is just totally up to your imagination."
In addition, tile manufacturers that work with ceramic and porcelain have come a long way, Brown says. They now make tile that has the look and feel of fabric. They also make tile planks that are up to 15 inches long.
"Tile can greatly increase the value of your house and last as long as you want, but it is not inexpensive," Brown says.
The average middle-class homeowner will spend about $5 a square foot for tile, but many homeowners spend up to $35 a square foot.
Factors that affect the price of tile include the material used to make it, whether it is plain or has a pattern and the size. Smaller tiles cost more because manufacturers have to make more cuts to produce them.
But homeowners don't need to spend a lot of money to get a custom look.
"Accents are an economical way," she says. "Homeowners can use different sizes of moderately priced tile, change the color of tiles for a couple of rows or even change the direction that some of the tiles are running in."
A lot more people are using tile in living and dining rooms, says Gary Free, a flooring specialist at the Home Depot in West Ashley. The number of homeowners using tile floors in every room slowly is increasing.
While a lot of people hire someone to tile, some take on the simpler jobs themselves, says Free, who teaches the store's tiling class to customers.
Most homeowners can save a significant amount of money by installing the tile themselves, Free says. Homeowners can save $500 to $800 in labor by tiling a bathtub surround themselves.
Those who take Free's class in tiling and do the job themselves have about a 70 percent success rate, he says. He suggests that homeowners take the class even if they are unsure they want to do the tiling. Taking the class will enable them to understand the steps an installer should take and why.
Sometimes it's best to leave tiling to a professional, Free says.
If a homeowner chooses
marble or granite tile and is very particular, he might want to hire someone to do the job, he says. That's because floors on which
marble or granite are installed should be perfectly level. If not, everything reflected in the tile will be skewed, and the tile could crack over time.
A professional should be able to spot any problems with the floor and correct them so that objects reflected in the tile are as clear as they would be if reflected in a lake, he says. A homeowner, on the other hand, might not notice a problem until it is too late.
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 | | Marble | MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS
This standard includes general information on the characteristics
and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems
associated with the material.
INTRODUCTION
Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite
(CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of
limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic
processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone
with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite
porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high
polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and
sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially
polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects
of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed,
is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is
readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the
actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the
acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds
react differently with marble and produce various by-products,
which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability
of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine
the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration.
Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the
other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid
attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the
brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red,
yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition.
TYPICAL USES
Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for
outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture
it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative
features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is
used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of
exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the
feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not
the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage
to which marble is susceptible. | |  |
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