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8 Glass Tile Backsplash Design Ideas
Are you redoing your kitchen or bathroom space? If so, you probably haven't overlooked the fact that you need cabinetry, countertops, and lighting fixtures. But have you given any thought to what glass backsplash you want to add to the room? Adding a backsplash is a great way to create finishing touches in your space! Read on to learn about different backsplash options you can!
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Should I Seal My Tile?
Humans have been using stone tiles to enhance their homes as early as the year 4,000 BC! With such a long history, it’s no wonder there are so many beautiful tiles to choose from. Whether you choose natural stone tiles or ceramic, it is important to protect your investment. Sealing your tile can act as an extra layer of protection from everyday usage. But do you need to use a tile sealer? Read on to find out if you should take this extra step in keeping your tile job looking fresh! Do Both Tile and Grout Need a Sealer? Understanding the difference between sealing grout and tile is important. Grout should always be sealed because it is very porous. Doing this will leave your grout much easier to keep clean. Sealing Tiles Sealing your tiles is a separate step from sealing your grout. Taking the time to seal your tiles will protect your tiles against dirt and water. Though, not all tiles need a sealer. It is a personal preference whether you want to seal your tiles or not. Some stone tiles are not very porous and won’t need extra protection. Some tiles require more protection from spills and dirt. Stone tiles that come with a honed finish from the factory do not need a sealer. Untreated, raw stone tiles arranged on a mesh backing can benefit from a sealer. It can enhance the color, give them a wet look, and add a subtle sheen. How Do I Know if My Tiles Need a Tile Sealer? Needing a sealer is dependent upon the type of tile you have. There are two main types of tile; ceramic or porcelain and natural stone (marble, limestone, granite). Each type of tile will have different needs, so you may want to test a small area with your sealer before applying it to all your tile to make sure you are happy with the results. Ceramic and porcelain tiles do not typically need a sealer. These tiles already have a protective coating because they are kiln-fired. You may want to add a light coat to fill in any micro pores still present, though. Natural stone tiles need a penetrating sealant for proper sealing. Natural stone tiles are porous and will absorb spills and dirt over time. Applying a sealer will keep them looking new for longer. Unsealed stone is more prone to absorb impurities over time (soap and dirt buildup). A sealer adds another layer of protection to the stone tiles. How and When Do I Seal my Tile? Taking the time to seal your tile will keep your investment protected longer. The steps to achieve sealed tile are simple! When Do I Seal My Tile? Porous tile needs a sealer before grouting. This will protect your new tiles from scratches and spills during grouting. It is even more ideal to seal your tiles before they get installed. This will add extra protection from mortar stains. It is not always possible to seal tiles before installation, and that is okay. Porous tiles, however, will need to be sealed before grouting. Grout will stain many types of tiles, so they need protection. After the grout has cured, it is important to apply a second coat of sealer. This will not only seal the grout but add an extra layer of protection to your tiles. It will also re-seal any spots of sealer that wore off during grouting. How Do I Seal My Tile? Applying sealer to protect your tile from scratches and stains is easy! Choosing the best tile sealer for your tile will make the process quick and easy. The density and porosity of the stone will decide how much sealer the tiles need. Some may need more and others less. Penetrating Sealer A penetrating sealer is best on porous tiles. This type of sealer keeps the tile protected from debris and stains while allowing the tile to breathe. It is absorbed by the tile instead of sitting on the surface. Topical Sealer Topical sealer sits on top of tiles and can enhance their appearance. This type of sealer creates a protective film on the tile. Topical sealers need reapplication more often than penetrating sealers. Solvent-Based Sealer This type of sealer is best for ceramic and porcelain tile. It protects the tile from breaks and scratches. It is more effective at coating and less porous tiles. Water-Based Sealer Water-based sealers are another type used on porous natural stone tiles. The pores absorb the sealer, and the tiles are enhanced by it. Application First, remove all dust and debris from the tiles you are sealing. Be sure to remove all dirt that may be hiding in corners! Mop your tiles with a solution of soap and warm water to remove any grime or oils. After your tile is clean, you will want to rinse it with fresh water. Allow your tile to dry for at least six hours or overnight. Fill up a spray bottle with your tile sealer and start spraying your tile floors. After the floor sealer has sat for five minutes you will remove the excess sealer with a damp sponge. Apply multiple coats depending on your preference and the stone you used. Wait thirty minutes between coats, wipe between, and reapply. Do I Need to Reapply Sealer? In short, yes, tiles need a sealer about once a year. An easy test if your tiles need another coat of sealer is to put a bit of water on them. If the water absorbs into the tile, it is time for another round of floor or wall sealer. Higher traffic areas will need more frequent tile seal applications. Tile walls and low-traffic areas may only need a sealer reapplication every other year. Take On That Tile Project Are you looking to seal existing tiles or have a new tile project in mind? Sealing your tile adds an extra layer of protection to your investment. It is the first line of defense against spills and dirt and will allow for less maintenance. Are you feeling inspired to tackle your tiling project? We have a generous selection of mosaic and porcelain tiles for you to choose from!
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Top 9 Bathroom Tile Ideas for 2022
In terms of home decoration and renovation, the bathroom is one of the first areas people focus on. As such, how you design your bathroom walls and flooring can influence the rest of the home. Do you opt for a brighter tile for a cleaner look or a darker color to provide a more elegant aesthetic? Is a simple pattern more your style, or would you prefer the tile to mimic some other type of material? Here are some of the top bathroom tile ideas you'll see in 2022. 1. Gray Bathroom Tile Idea Gray is one of the safest bathroom tile ideas to opt for, as it creates a neat and calming environment. There are many tones you can choose from, so you'll want to be careful not to try to match another color and fail. When in doubt, go for a strong contrast. The Aosta wall mosaic is one option that goes great as a kitchen backsplash or as a wall accent. Each sheet is comprised of glass, natural stone, and chrome dividing chips with a mesh backing. 2. White Bathroom Tile Idea The color white helps to create a sense of cleanliness and simplicity. It's a great option if you like seeing a clean bathroom. White bathroom floor tiles also go well with just about any other decoration or color scheme. If you want an off-white flooring that resembles wood, check out the Ikon Birch Wood Look. It resembles Birchwood but is made out of rectified porcelain. As such, you can expect this option to have both slip and water resistance. 3. White and Black Bathroom Tile Idea A monochromatic color scheme helps to make a space pop without the need for any bright colors. You can use a black and white bathroom tile with white walls to make the room more interesting. There's also the option of having your tile tie together other black and white accents throughout your bathroom. The Andria Backsplash is a small format glass tile that comes with alternating white, black, and chrome tile chips. It makes for a great backsplash on your bathroom wall and cleans easily. 4. Natural Stone Idea Natural stone flooring provides a look of luxury and quality to any room it's in. In some cases, homeowners can expect to pay over $40 per square foot for specialty marble. However, there are some more affordable options without breaking the bank. Bianco Pietra is a mosaic tile made up of various shapes and sizes of natural flat stone. It has a smooth finish and a high-quality mesh for a seamless interlocking design. Use it on your accent walls as well as your shower's floor and walls. 5. Brick Idea Brick patterns are often used to help give a room a more rural and manmade aesthetic. However, that doesn't mean you're sacrificing elegance by installing some in your bathroom. For example, Astoria Bricks feature glass natural stone with accent glass chips. The colors and glass help to capture light and brighten up an area. They're suitable for walls in wet areas due to their materials. 6. Circles Idea When most people think of circles, they imagine a polka dot pattern. However, there are some patterns of tile that come with a varying array of ovals. A circular stone or glass tile pattern can end up looking more like natural stones, which aren't cut into perfect rectangles and squares in the wild. The Black Hearts Marble tile is one option made up of a mix of black, white, and gray marble stone cut into rounded triangles. 7. Hexagon Idea Hexagonal, or honeycomb, patterns add a cool, sleek aesthetic to any space they're in. They provide a distinct look apart from other more common patterns, such as checkers or stripes. Use them as an accent piece on your bathroom wall or to spice up your flooring. The Azulejo Hexagon is a great hexagon tile wall accent that comes with blue and white motifs. It's made of recycled glass to resemble the famous Azulejo tiles of the Mediterranean. 8. Porcelain Tile Idea When considering a tile material, porcelain always makes for a good choice. It's made from dense clay and fired at a higher temperature to create a more durable tile than ceramic. You can also expect porcelain to resist water better. It's strong and resistant to wear and tear. You can put it on floors and walls in any room. The only drawback is that porcelain will cost more and isn't DIY-friendly. However, it will last longer than other options. Check out our Equipe Tile collection 9. Wood Vinyl Idea Wood adds a lot of warmth and texture to any room. It's one of the most desired materials for your floor for good reason. However, it doesn't always hold up to moisture unless you opt for the pricier options. Luxury vinyl flooring can help scratch that itch to add wood by mimicking its appearance. It's waterproof, stain and scratch-resistant, and extra durable. Pick Your Bathroom Tiles for 2022 The bathroom tile ideas you go for can influence its overall style and aesthetic. Black and white can give your bathroom a sleek and sophisticated appearance. A splash of color can liven up the space, though. Mosaics4You has over ten years of experience in the tile industry. We have mosaics, porcelain tile, luxury vinyl flooring, and more. Contact us to learn about our inventory or ask any questions.
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8 Different Types of Tile
Tiles are suitable for any room in the house and any budget - whether you're looking for a classic, high-end design or cut-price floor tiles to give a hallway or kitchen a budget makeover, tiles provide the answer. Read on to discover more about the incredible selection of tile options that mosaics4you provide. From porcelain to metal, natural stone, glass, ceramic and mosaic options, our range is sure to include a choice that will work for you.
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9 Tips for Choosing Shower Floor Tiles
Are you in the process of renovating your bathroom? Read here for nine amazing tips for choosing shower floor tiles that you're sure to love.
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