Long associated with luxurious designs and classy interiors, porcelain tile offers some amazing decorative options for today's homeowners, but it no longer requires a significant investment to obtain. The increased availability of porcelain tiles hasn't reduced its decorative potential, however, and one of the best ways to spice up an interior with some sophistication and elegance is with porcelain tile.
One of the added benefits of installing porcelain tile over ceramic tile (porcelain tile is essentially a harder version of ceramic tile) is that it's much more durable. Designing new homes and refurbishments with sustainability in mind offers incredible benefit to the environment, and also reduces the likelihood that additional work might be required. When a homeowner chooses to use porcelain tile, it's probably the last time he or she will ever need to update the space for several decades.
Much of the world's porcelain tile comes from places like China, Italy, Turkey, and Spain although there are a few locations that produce tile in smaller numbers such as Australia and Brazil. Common designs for modern tile often include classic mosaic patterns, although large square tiles are also popular for areas like flooring. The decorative options for porcelain tile reach far beyond the installation of a simple backsplash in the kitchen. Design opportunities with porcelain tile exist just about anywhere there is a surface large enough to showcase its durable beauty.
One potentially spectacular application of porcelain tile is around a fireplace. Instead of placing tiles flat upon the wall, however, thin rectangular tiles might be set horizontally atop one another to create an intricate stacking effect. Another terrific way to use porcelain tile is to employ it as a traditional wall covering, and toss in a little extra creativity with the orientation of the tiles. Rather than hanging the tiles so that they look like squares or rectangles, the tiles may be hung at an angle to create a diamond shape. This design will showcase a trendy Art Deco style, especially when the tiles are a vibrant color like royal blue.
When installing porcelain tile, homeowners need to make sure that the right installation procedure is used because porcelain is heavy, dense, and requires a little extra elbow grease for fitting into most spaces. When setting up an appointment with a contractor, it's important to confirm that professional's knowledge of installation standards set by the Tile Contractors Association.
Homeowners also need to be aware of the care required of porcelain tiles since an untreated surface might hold onto stains if a proper sealant hasn't been applied. Manufacturers of modern porcelain tiles often apply a special treatment to the tiles to ensure that the surface is protected from potential staining. One of the innovative treatments available today consists of advanced nanotechnology that protects surfaces like glass, porcelain, and granite. Porcelain tiles offer immense value regarding their hardiness and longevity, and their current popularity in modern decor means that there are endless designs, colors, and styles available for any type of application within or around the home.
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