Category Archives: Tiling

Tile — The Heart of Stone

There’s nothing quite like natural stone, particularly when it comes to tiling. Unlike ceramic, which is melded together to form a shape, stone is quarried out of the ground in one great slab. It’s something beautiful that Mother Nature has made, and reluctantly surrendered, then shaped into specific sizes. 

Granite, marble, slate, travertine and limestone all fit into this category and have been used traditionally for thousands of years. Each has its own unique qualities (marble is renowned for its timeless beauty, granite for its hardness and slate for its durability), but unlike their composite ceramic cousins are more expensive. 

The pedigree of floor tiles, stone boasts a high price tag and, befitting of its elevated status, can be temperamental. Stone is more difficult to lay and requires regular sealing, but its luxurious finish is often the choice of a high-end interior designer

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Floor tiles – Cementing the issue

Tiles make a great choice when it comes to covering floors — they’re stylish, durable and in general, pretty easy to maintain. In the past, we’ve tended to think of tiles as purely for kitchens and bathrooms. However these days, we’re copying our Continental cousins and using tiles in almost every room. But with so much choice on offer, it can sometimes be daunting knowing which tile is right for you. After all, tiles come in different shapes, sizes and materials and they’re not born equal. 

It can be easy to get tiles confused – ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, cement and encaustic tiles, particularly as they can look similar. But much of their difference depends on their components and how they’re manufactured. 

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