Natural Stone

Tile can be a beautiful choice for decorating your walls. A distinct choice, the texture and dimensionality of tile makes it an automatic attention grabber.Wall tile is generally thinner than floor tile, and has a less durable finish, because it doesn’t have to stand up to the pressure of constantly being walked on. This means that it is generally more delicate than flooring material, but is also easier to cut and work with. Floor tile can be used in most wall tile applications, with the only difference being that it is slightly heavier.

One of the most important things to know about wall tile is the grade of the material you are getting. Grade one material should be perfect and square. Grade two material may be slightly irregular, and or have minor surface defects such as scratches. Grade three material is completely irregular.

Another important thing to know about your walls tiles is their water absorption level. Non-vitreous or semi-vitreous materials are very absorbent, and need to be sealed against moisture to prevent mildew. Vitreous materials are slightly resistant, but may still need to be sealed after the initial installation, especially if they are going in a wet area such as a kitchen or bathroom. Impervious materials are often resistant enough to water that they will not require sealing.

Sealers are most often sold by tile retailers. They are applied during the installation, and they are designed to clog the pores in the material. Some sealers will change the look of a tile, so test before you apply. The sealer can be re-applied regularly if needed, or to maintain the look of the stone.

If you are installing the tile outdoors, you should also be aware of its frost resistance rating.

One of the challenges when tiling a wall is that corners of the tile often end up exposed. These can be covered up using decorative borders. A border can make a wall design look finished, and allows you to frame the tile in whatever color you want, whether it be contrasting or complimentary.

Trim pieces often bull nose, or round off, connecting a counter or tile design to the wall seamlessly. Listellos on the other hand are generally made of thicker tile which extends out into the room, creating a clear border.

One of the major differences between installing wall tile and flooring tile is that the material may tend to slip down the wall. Battens are devices which can be used to secure the tile and stop slippage.

How much you pay for wall tile will depend entirely on the material you are using. Some wall tiles are less expensive than flooring tiles because they are thinner and less durable. However, since wall tiles don’t have to handle as much wear and tear, some people choose expensive delicate materials for these applications.

Tiles come in almost any shape and size, and can be made from almost any material you can think of. This allows you to get really creative with any wall tile design you work on.

To purchase rustic, natural slate, or elegant marble tile for your walls or floors, visit http://pebbleZ.com/stone