BRICK FIELD STUDIOS

Slate tile flooring has become popular for providing a beautiful finishing touch to any refurbished rooms of the house like bathroom and kitchen. This is because this beautiful natural stone is not only waterproof, but it is also very durable. Because of its extraordinary durability it does not require much of maintenance and can easily hide dirt.

When you think flooring, there is certain attributes that you keep in mind, like it should be long-wearing, strong, indestructible and easy to maintain. In this reference slate tile flooring is the best bet. Slate is a metamorphic stone made from sedimentary deposits along river beds. There are many different types of slate. Slate tiles are mostly porous in nature and have a somewhat chalky appearance. For this very reason many people seal their slate tiles with a topical glossy sealer. Glossy sealers not only look beautiful but also protect the porous slate from spills and dust.

These days the market is flooded with different types of tiles. Slate tiles come in a wide range of colors, which adds a style to your floor. It has several advantages like thermal resistance, apart from a rough surface which does not permit falls even when the floor is wet or greasy. It is also durable when installed and cared for properly. Because of its thermal properties, these tiles can also be used to keep rooms cool or warm with circulating systems which run underneath the tile.

Slate tiles can be arranged in a running pattern of large square tiles or the pattern may vary with several different sizes of tiles for more effect. Installation of these tiles is an easy job. A type of tiling cement, known as toweling mastic, is applied to the base of each tile. When that has dried sufficiently, grout is applied between tiles for a perfect finish as well as to seal the tiles together. Some people prefer a coating to bring up a gloss as a finish. Once installed, it’s easy to maintain it and always looks stunning. The colour of slate tiles do not come out and the best part is that it is scratch and scuff-resistant.

A naturally occurring, highly durable slate stone can be cut into many shapes, sizes, thickness and texture to create a extremely beautiful floor designs. Smaller sections can be installed in a way similar to ceramic tile while larger sections create a more intense floor pattern. You can design your floor either with slate tiles cut to your own specifications or opt for the one’s available in market.

A key feature of slate flooring over other natural stones is stain-resistant qualities. Slate is a unique mixture of fossils, sand grains, and crystals. This combined structure prevents liquids from permeating the surface of the stone, thus the floors surface as well, and makes slate flooring an excellent choice for areas where all kinds and types of liquids are a constant factor.

Slate tiles are tough and will easily be installed in dynamic areas of the house. Its stain-resistance and waterproof abilities definitely make it a good flooring choice for inside a home, business or outside patio and driveway. Surely this is one stone that is strong enough to withstand nearly everything, be it earthquakes or breakage.

Slate Tiles are mostly installed in kitchen, counter tops, slabs and sinks. The reason for this is that slate is highly resistant to heat, moisture, stains, spills and scratches. There is added advantage that they are durable, with long lasting beauty. Professional installers opine that, slate tiles are easily installed, but it requires experts or professionals who can carry out the process. The installation process should be done properly and correctly.

When touched, they seem hard and cold but they install radiant heat underneath the tile will eliminate the coldness and becomes a source of warmth.

Slate Tiles are available in variety of colours at the market. According to the requirement of the house owner, the colors and designs are to be chosen. There’s also one more point that should be kept in mind that the thickness of it varies from tile to tile. Therefore, while selecting the slate tile surely consult any professional or any expert. Their advice will prove to be fruitful in this respect.

Even though slate tiles are full of qualities, yet they are relatively inexpensive to purchase.

Ceramic tile is formed with the help of clays and other natural materials. During the formation process, the special clays are mined from the earth, shaped, coloured and then fired in kilns. Traditional ceramic tile can be naturally coloured and left unglazed like terra cotta, or they can have coloured or highly designed surfaces which can be glazed (finished with a glass surface) either in a high gloss or matte finish. Most ceramic tile has either a red or white body colouration underneath the glazed, coloured top layer.

Porcelain tile is an advanced form of ceramic tile and widely popular among home-owners. These tiles are composed of fine porcelain clays and fired at much higher temperatures than ceramic tiles. Due to this process porcelain tile become denser, less porous, much harder and less prone to moisture and stain absorption than ceramic tiles. For these reasons, most porcelain tiles work well for both indoor and outdoor installations. Porcelain tiles are also harder to cut due to their hardness and density.

Unglazed porcelain tile is homogeneous in terms of its through-body colouration. The colour goes all the way through from top to bottom, so scratches or dings are less obvious and contain better slip-resistance. Glazed porcelain tiles may or may not have the same colouration from top to bottom because of the top glazed layer. Glazed porcelain tiles assist seal the microscopic pores therefore are easier to maintain than unglazed tiles. Because porcelain can be prepared to resemble stone, it is sometimes a better alternative than Mother Nature’s natural products simply because it’s less porous and less prone to cracking.

On the contrary, not all ceramic or porcelain tiles are ideal for all residential and non-residential areas. Tile products generally are wear-rated from low to high. A large number of manufacturers worldwide do meet international standards. Because all tiles are not rated for taking floor traffic, it’s essential for consumers to choose a tile appropriate for their project.

Regardless of whether you select ceramic tile or porcelain tile for your decorating project you will find both types of tiles offer a variety of shapes and sizes in field tiles as well as some border and accent tiles. This will help you to obtain an almost unlimited amount of decorating options by mixing and matching different field tile sizes and shapes along with borders and accent tiles to really add pizzazz and charm to your decoration.

Rectified tile requires to be explained, because it is becoming more famous. Rectified tile is usually described incorrectly and is confusing for tile buyers; it is simply tile that has been grinded or sawed after firing to achieve a more exact tile size. A huge variety of tiles will vary slightly in size after being fired (both porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles it is up to 1.5% variation). By grinding or sawing the tiles after firing the manufacturer hopes to minimize the size variations from tile to tile. Although, at this time there are no set ANSI standards set for what the minimum variations are allowed for rectified tiles, it is strictly up to the tile manufacturer.

Of all the tiles that we use in our house of floor tiles are probably the most vulnerable tiles. They are different from many of the other flooring surfaces. When your floor tiles leave the factory, they have been through a barrage of treatments. In their initial stage as molten clay, aluminum powder may have been added to strengthen the tiles. Next, they may have been treated with a glaze to add a layer of protection and enhance their appearance. From there, your tiles were fired to immensely high temperatures, essentially cooking the tile, and further sealing the glaze. Finally, your tile is treated to a sealer which will protect it, both in transit to your home and then again once it’s set in place in your home.

After all these steps it’s your responsibility to look maintenance of these tiles and prolong their life. The companies have done their part and took every step to ensure that your floor tiles keep looking the best for times to come. A solution of mild soap and water applied the surface of the tile on a regular basis is generally enough to keep your floor clean and looking its best. But from time to time, depending on the level of household traffic, it may be necessary to spruce your floor up with a few readily available treatments. There are ways to ensure that your floor tiles lasts for long in good condition, although it is impossible to avoid wear and tear that comes with time. This article is about some of the tips that can help you protect your floor tiles :

1) Stains – These are the biggest problem with floor tiles. Stains from kitchen mishaps or dirt from shoes can imbed themselves in pores of your tiles and can make them look ugly. There are many household cleaners that make the claim about removing stains from your tiles, but most of them not even come near to time honored method of diluted muriatic acid.

Dilute the acid to a 60/40 acid/water solution and carefully remove the stains. Eye protection masks and heavy gloves are imperative.

2) Be very careful when moving anything heavy over floor tiles. This can break your tiles and make them look ugly. Avoid dropping something heavy on tiles too.

3) Be very careful with ceramic floor tiles and avoid using acidic or alkaline cleaner. These kinds of cleaners can lessen the gloss of your tiles. Avoid using soap and vinegar too for similar reasons.

4) Although a bit costly lamination or protective coating can be used to protect the floor tiles. They help floor tiles against weathering, cracking, oil, chemicals and other moisture.

5) If tiling yourself make sure that you handle tiles properly. Improper handling may cause it to break and you might get hurt.

6) Sub floors usually help floor tiles lasting longer by preventing them from loosing and breaking.

7) Remember to clean stains immediately to prevent them from setting into the tile flooring.

I hope this article is clear some basic doubts about floor tile maintenance.

Natural stones are one of the most valuable gifts that nature has given to all mankind. They are commonly used as counter tops and flooring material. They come in a variety of shades and colors – be it sandstone, limestone, marble, granite, quartzite and slate stone.

When it comes to choosing, there are a range of options of the stones available in the market today. Most stones are durable, and scratch and stain resistant.

The concept of using nature stones in the construction of household and commercial projects is not a new idea. As they are supposed to be 4,500 years old when they were used as the primary building material. They were used in one of the world’s seven wonders, known as the Giza plateau pyramids of Egypt. The world’s greatest enigmas, Stonehenge also has their existence. They could be seen in pre-historic monuments and palaces using as a good stable floor. That’s the reason that nature stones have their own unique identity and have been in use as of now.

They are mostly used as a flooring material. The people mostly use them to give their floor a luxurious look. Today, there are a countless number of manufacturers who offer stone flooring in a wide variety of colors and textures. These stones have built-in durability and suitability for different conditions. If you are going to buy a flooring material, you can consider this as it is the only flooring material that has really improved with the passing time. That’s why the floors of pre-historic monuments and houses still look exceptionally modern.

Whether it is modern looking flooring or a traditional one, you can easily keep the floor neat and clean. Natural stone come from the rock, which are of three types: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. Marble and slate are the examples of metamorphic stone. The example of igneous stone is granite. Limestone and Travertine are the examples of sedimentary stone.

Natural stones are available in the market in unique and different finishes, colors, shapes and sizes that include Natural Stone Mosaics, Natural Stone Tiles and Travertine Mosaics. The most popular shapes of natural stone are single tiles and multiple tiles. Natural stones are also available in random sizes, etc.

The maintenance of natural stone flooring is very easy and trouble-free. Therefore, natural stone flooring is considered to be the sustainable choice for everyone.

The tiling project fails to add durability, if you use a wrong tile adhesive. Its binding force is responsible for the cohesiveness between the base and the tiles. You can find different variety of adhesives in the market. Each of them is effective but their application depends upon the tile you use, surface on which it is installed and how you install them.

Some tile adhesives are pre-mixed while some need to be prepared. However, it is better to prepare it according to your requirements. This saves your money as you mix the ingredients as per your tile requirement. Thinset mortar is a popular adhesive used for floor installation. You can use them in areas that are exposed to water or heat. You can find them in Grey and white color.

To prepare the thinset adhesive, pour some water or liquid additive in the bucket. Add the powder into it. Start mixing the solution with help of a margin trowel. Mix it evenly and continuously to prepare a thick adhesive. You can also use a ｽ inch drill, if you have the one at your disposal. It lets you prepare an adhesive that’s strong and durable.

If you are using a drill to prepare the tile adhesive, then run it at slow speed. This prevents trapping of air inside the mixture. Stir it till the mixture becomes hard. Make sure that the paste doesn’t drip when you put it on the trowel. However, make sure that the paste is smooth and applicable. A good adhesive ensures that your installations serve you for a long time.

After mixing allow the paste to slake. Keep it untouched for 10 minutes. This ensures that the water seeps inside the dried chunk of powder. Allow the paste to activate for few minutes. After 10 minutes, stir the tile adhesive and use it for the installation process.

So, prepare the adhesive yourself and add durability to your floorings.

We spend at least an hour in our bathroom. Our everyday activities start with a refreshing bath in the most private place of the house. While bathing, you take special care of your cleanliness. Have you ever thought of your bathroom floor tiles? Don’t you think they need a replacement? I am sure, they do. Bathing is all the more pleasure, if your surroundings are neat, clean and hygienic.

So, why don’t you replace your floor tiles? These days you have several tiling options that are unique, attractive and affordable. Some good choices for bathroom tiles are given below:

1. Ceramic Tiles: They are popular due to their stain and water resistant feature. These tiles are easy to cut and install. Several homemakers conduct a DIY ( Do-it-yourself) project for their households. Their variety and versatility are an extensive feature that acts beneficial for interior designers. They come in textured and glazed form. However, glazed ceramic tiles work best with bathroom applications.
2. Glass Tiles: Earlier, these tiles were used as a back splash or shower wall tile. Nowadays, they are also used as floor tiles. It’s an appropriate choice for people who look for a versatile tile material. It is readily available at the tile retail shops at affordable prices. You can also install beautiful mosaic patterns in your bathroom.
3. Stone Tiles: These natural tiles are a hit, when it comes to a long lasting tile feature. Their longevity signifies its strength and durability as a floor tile. It withstands high foot traffic and its natural color brings you close to nature. You can install marble, limestone, travertine or sandstone tiles. These tiles open the sky to never-ending range of color, shape, size and texture of bathroom tile.
4. Wooden Tiles: Nowadays, some people also buy wooden tiles. They give a style statement despite their unrealistic ability. These days, some retailers sell wooden tiles made of bamboo that have better moisture resistant properties. However, this material is yet to be accepted as bathroom floor tile.

So, what are you waiting for? Choose the most appropriate floor tiles option and buy them for your bathroom remodeling project.

Tiles come in endless incarnations. There are mosaic tiles, marble tiles, granite tiles, decorative patio tiles, glazed ceramic tiles used in the bathroom, and decorative backsplash tiles that simply adorn the kitchen. While they have distinct identities in their textures, colors, and patterns, they are united in the common bond that all are required to be meticulously cleaned. Anyone, who has any interest in keeping their house neat and clean and spruced up, has to concentrate on regular tile cleaning and grout cleaning.

Tile cleaning and grout cleaning should be done frequently in places like kitchen where sticky remnants of cooking easily get plastered to tiles and accumulate in the grout. Wiping the kitchen tiles daily in the areas most prone to dirt accumulation is the best preemptive way of grout cleaning. Weekly, or at least fortnightly, kitchen tiles should be cleaned with good tile cleaning agents. An effective tile cleaning agent that is available in everybody’s home is vinegar. A mixture of equal amounts of water and vinegar can be splashed on the floor in grimy areas and can be cleaned off after a few minutes. In more grimy areas, especially in the grout, vinegar can be applied directly, without diluting it with water. Lemon juice is also a good grout cleaning agent.

With white tiles, whether on the floor or otherwise, bleach will work as a tile cleaning agent. However, bleach should ideally be avoided on colored tiles. On all types of tiles, it is better to avoid tile cleaning agents with too much chemicals as they may cause the tile to fade in the long run. While buying tile cleaning liquids, check the composition to ensure that they do not contain harsh chemicals. Tile cleaning may not be necessary in the bathroom on a daily basis as in a kitchen. However, a quick cleaning every day will minimize slime build-up so that the weekly or bi-weekly tile cleaning and grout cleaning will become a faster, easy process.

There are floor scrubbers and steam cleaners that will suck the dirt out of the grout and will maintain the tiles sparkling clean. However, even a discarded toothbrush can be used for grout cleaning, especially around shower faucets, around the sink in the kitchen, and on the tiles directly against the cooking range on to which drops of oil and seasonings easily get plastered. It is always best to have small rugs or carpets in areas, which are more prone to accumulation of dirt in the form of cooking residuals, or from garden shoes, or by children’s activities. That will preempt the need for heavy tile cleaning and grout cleaning.

Certified Sustainable Wood 
Murmur ‘furniture’ and it opens up your imagination with vivid pictures of retro and modern furniture in sundry materials. Wood, fabric, steel, glass and processed material like Methacrylate, high-density fiber—the most common being wood—accepted world over for its natural charms. There are options to meet the fancy and demands, and the choices are good for you, for me, good for everyone. Let’s say the world needs trees—they help with the natural balance. They hold the soil together, they cool up the planet surface and they help with the food chain.
 
We have been debating over using wood from sustainable harvested forests, sustainably harvested tree farms, and reclaimed wood being the main sources. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and its largest forest certifier, the Rainforest Alliance, is the most widely used standard for sustainable forestry. Relating to the theme, I found a couple of designs that appealed for the right reasons…

The Baltic coffee table rocks for its antique features and green theme. Crafted with harvested Solid Wood-Durian Timber, it goes well with the light hearted and conventional buff alike…the ring-shaped handles on the drawers look great, and the low-slung design demands attention….

Then we have the Tua Glass Doors Media Stand—a unique combo of utility & bygone charms—the furniture retains antique looks in modern form. Intelligent furniture….

Turning away from antique looks, lets focus on contemporary green furniture….the Loft media center, for instance. Designed diligently to store and display, it carries elements of sound architecture to make flawless furniture. Also deserves a mention is the Loft Modern Dining Table with its watertight features that add a contemporary touch to the overalls..

Furniture made with reclaimed materials

A stitch in time saves nine. Wood, as precious as it is, if taken care of, can last for a long time. Remember the legendary wood furniture tales passed on by grannies as it being preserved since long time. I think there is great substance in preserving wood. Why shouldn’t we make good use of all the wood that’s already out there? It’s the right way and many designers are doing a wonderful job out of reclaimed wood.

Reclaimed wood is the wood that usually is retrieved from old furniture, houses and other wooden articles, as also from left over sraps in a factory. Some stuff even comes from the bottom of the riverbed, wooden logs that sink to the bottom while being transported to the sawmill, and even from the bottom of the man-made reservoirs. Either way, furniture made from reclaimed wood is a great example of resource efficiency, but usually comes in shorter supply. The Rainforest Alliance has a Rediscovered Wood Certification label to look for.

Spacify line of AZCAST collection is committed to crafting furniture out of reclaimed material, crafting attractive and useful furniture and goods that are ultimately recyclable themselves; indeed, when an unfinished product is rejected, it is simply recast and used again.

Most of its designs are worth mentioning…the 5-Star Glass Dining Table, for instance. Made from aluminum used in aircraft parts (among other sources) is hand-poured into casts to produce the desired moldings. The clean minimal design hits a cord with furniture buffs as each piece is hand-molded, hand-poured, and hand-finished.

Bamboo—great grass for furniture!

Bamboo is a highly aesthetic grass used to decorate, build and landscape. It represents a family of grasses that range in size from a blade, growing up to many feet, and varying in color from jade green to maroon stripes. It grows incredibly fast and is highly versatile. As a matter of fact, it is the favorite with environmental designers and builders.

The beauty of bamboo lies in its flexibility. It can be flattened into flooring, shaped into furniture, compressed into veneers, sliced up to make window blinds. To get to extremes, you can even build a whole house out of it. Using bamboo in buildings earns architects and builders LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designs) points. Most organic bamboo is grown in China, sometimes grown with few or at best, no pesticides. Because it grows fast, it is much easier to maintain a healthy bamboo forests. This also means it uses a lot of water, however, and harvesting too fast can deplete soil fertility. But for the most part, bamboo is one of the greenest materials around.

In line with the concept, I recently came across Spacify’s Legare furniture and makes it here for all eco-friendly reasons. Made with Birch-plywood, it is worth noting that producing plywood yields 8-10 times more usable wood from a log as against solid lumber. Plywood furniture has greater potential to outlast solid wood furniture. And the energy utilized in converting wood from a raw material to a finished product is minuscule as compared to any other industrial material. Some examples….

The Dante Straight Desk made from 13-ply Baltic Birch Plywood is an FSC-certified 60″ desk offering generous room for storage & study. A stupendous test carried out at Entela Labs showed that the furniture managed to load an incredible 2000 pounds (one ton) of shot bags and weights on Legare’s Corner Desk with no structural damage!

Plywood furniture has been around for a little over 100 years and its manufacturing techniques have been explored by a handful of designers including Aalto, Eames, Danko, and Pfeiffer. The Enrico straight desk goes on to prove just why. The modular design allows you to lock multiple units together to form a single, rigid workspace. The assembly is easy—without screws and bolts.

The Bice Peninsula adds that extra bit of deep handy desk space and is great for two-way meetings. The 31″ Peninsula adds approx 31″ of deep, end-cap width to an existing desk. The asymmetric panels are reversible, allowing left/right-hand unit to be attached to either side any desk or to an extension.

The Zita Modern Media Stand is a modular design flaunting four 8-high bays for audio/video components. The top can hold Plasmas/LCDs up to 50 cm in size. For surround sound systems, the center divider is recessed to allow a small center-channel speaker to be ideally placed under the TV and it has storage for more than 120 DVDs or 170 CDs on its four outer shelves.

Recyclable and disassemblable

The world would look so much better, and us, we would feel a little more at ease with green furniture speaking the universal language of eco-friendliness. The concept gains popularity for its equanimity and practicality, FSC certified furniture rings for its obvious implications on mother earth. Means products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, an international organization established to develop guidelines and certification processes for ecologically sustainable forestry.

Some examples of these products would be ones that can be easily disassembled, arranged, and recycled once they have lived their lives. Concrete furniture is out of fashion, in this context, and it means furniture that can’t be separated, may not be very inspiring. If it can’t be easily disassembled it’s probably a sign it can’t be repaired easily.

For obvious reasons, we need to take a close look at the recyclable furniture we wish to buy. Is it robust, easy to assemble & most important—is it certified? Spacify’s Legare collection looks smart and I would like to highlight a few models…

The norms being set, I like the Lucia Designer Extension Desk for its easy looks, easy assembly, practicality and robustness. Made with 3-Ply Baltic Birch Plywood, the Panels are asymmetric and reversible and the Bridges are designed to pull two desks together to make larger workspaces for two or more users. And yes, its really easy to get together….

Lia Office Corner Desk deserves a mention to
o. The corner desk is available in two dimensions; and holds it there; Entela Labs showed that the furniture managed to load an incredible 2000 pounds (one ton) of shot bags and weights with no structural damage! Adjustable shelving holds up to three 12″ shelves and three 24″ shelves. Great design….less fuss…its FSCfied as well…

Low-toxicity furniture
 
Have you ever noticed new furniture or car with its peculiar odor—it’s what they call off gassing, emanation of volatile matter of any kind from materials into habitable areas. It’s not relatively new; when you buy a piece of furniture and set it down, it tends to off gas which is all right if the materials used are non-synthetic. Some synthetic materials are toxic and can be linked to birth defects, and even cancer.

If your house is well insulated, toxins tend to circulate in the air and can be harmful. If you have children around and even pets that lick as a habit, it can be dangerous. One good idea while buying furniture is to check for ”Green guard certification”. It will ensure that you bring home low-toxicity furniture.

Also, try to explore naturally treated furniture with natural wood finishes, or biologically tanned leather and organic cotton. Here are some fine examples of green grade furniture,
Lectern Table Mobile Base is indoor air quality Certified® by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute under the GREENGUARD Standard for Low Emitting Products. The metal mobile Base is a well-structured creation while top is made of smooth wood and is noteworthy for its unusual shape and fine edge all around. Meets or exceeds ANSI/BIFMA standards soft edge options protects the user (as well as the furniture) from damage.

Team Table X-Base with metal pedestal and wood veneers top makes a style statement, made available in four Surface/Edge colors. It is designed to meet ANSI/BIFMA standards; soft edge options protect the user (as well as the furniture) from damage. Wood fiber core and veneer surface are 100% post-industrial recycle content.

Jack Solo Office Table is right for tight spaces. The standard design with black modesty panel is intuitive to use and comes with four braking casters for mobility and control. The ADA compatible design has Single activation lever for flip-flop motion located under work surface.

These videos & pictures are taken by some of www.justmorocco.com customers. These videos are showing some of the bathroom tile made in Morocco, some of them show an after remodeling a bathroom & a shower into a moroccan bathroom style with moroccan tiles , sinks and camel bone mirrors…please visit us at www.justmorocco.com or you cn visit us also at http