Unlimited in color and shape, tile lends itself to highly creative custom installations for just about any surface of your home. It’s very cleanable, durable and hypoallergenic, and it lasts virtually forever with proper care. (Early Roman specimens still grace many historic places and appear like new.)
Aside from their timeless, natural beauty, tiles technically are any piece of clay mixture or stone used for decorative, sometimes structural purposes. Stone pieces are also known as tiles.
Knowing tiles’ differences will make you a savvy shopper.
Ceramic tile, the most familiar, usually is a shaped clay body, fired at high temperature, often finished with a glass-based glaze. Terra cotta is a form of unglazed tile. Ceramic tiles mostly are used indoors and strength-rated for walls, floors, etc.
Porcelain is a form of ceramic tile with a homogenous color throughout the body and fired at very high temperatures. Glazed or unglazed, porcelain is tough enough for indoor or outdoor use and can be made to resemble stone.
Mosaics are very small ceramic, glass or metal tiles usually 1- to 2-inches square, often applied to a mesh backing. They provide a very textured look and the opportunity for very artistic designs, even in small spaces.
Natural Stone tiles are as the name implies. They can be fragile and may require a sealer.
Decoratives are complementary or specialty-decorated tiles. They can be stone, glass or metal. Decoratives are painted with designs or scenes, then glazed. Complementary tiles can be used as trim, as with a chair rail. Use one as an inset or several in a special design.
Listellos are a form of small decorative tile, typically rectangular with carved or molded 3D designs. They are excellent for the kitchen, where you can create a special statement or that unique custom look to complement your floor.
Format is simply the size and shape of your flat pieces in a variety of geometrics. As American homes get bigger, so does the format. Up to 20 inches is popular.
Layout is your installation pattern. Start with herringbone, running bond, hopscotch, weaves, diamonds or insets, or go totally creative. This is another place we, as an independent retailer, really shine! Let us help you create something special, with our design skills and signature craftsmanship.
© Copyright Sonna and Company 2006
Aside from their timeless, natural beauty, tiles technically are any piece of clay mixture or stone used for decorative, sometimes structural purposes. Stone pieces are also known as tiles.
Knowing tiles’ differences will make you a savvy shopper.
Ceramic tile, the most familiar, usually is a shaped clay body, fired at high temperature, often finished with a glass-based glaze. Terra cotta is a form of unglazed tile. Ceramic tiles mostly are used indoors and strength-rated for walls, floors, etc.
Porcelain is a form of ceramic tile with a homogenous color throughout the body and fired at very high temperatures. Glazed or unglazed, porcelain is tough enough for indoor or outdoor use and can be made to resemble stone.
Mosaics are very small ceramic, glass or metal tiles usually 1- to 2-inches square, often applied to a mesh backing. They provide a very textured look and the opportunity for very artistic designs, even in small spaces.
Natural Stone tiles are as the name implies. They can be fragile and may require a sealer.
Decoratives are complementary or specialty-decorated tiles. They can be stone, glass or metal. Decoratives are painted with designs or scenes, then glazed. Complementary tiles can be used as trim, as with a chair rail. Use one as an inset or several in a special design.
Listellos are a form of small decorative tile, typically rectangular with carved or molded 3D designs. They are excellent for the kitchen, where you can create a special statement or that unique custom look to complement your floor.
Format is simply the size and shape of your flat pieces in a variety of geometrics. As American homes get bigger, so does the format. Up to 20 inches is popular.
Layout is your installation pattern. Start with herringbone, running bond, hopscotch, weaves, diamonds or insets, or go totally creative. This is another place we, as an independent retailer, really shine! Let us help you create something special, with our design skills and signature craftsmanship.
© Copyright Sonna and Company 2006
