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Showing posts with label glass tile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label glass tile. Show all posts

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Natural Slate & Glass Tile Bathroom Installation

Natural Slate & Glass Tile Bathroom Installation

Natural stone slate tile is a very beautiful multi-color material that is not really a contemporary look but an all natural look. So it wouldn't seem that it would mix well with a modern contemporary glass tile look. But surprisingly, the slate tile installation job shown below turned out to be a very wonderful look.

Natural Slate Tile for Flooring can be installed over wood or cement if the floor is dry and stable.

With 6 x 6 slate outside and a glass centerpiece on the walls and 12 x 12 slate on the floor, it became a amazing look in this bathroom. It became a one of a kind look with the flair of the glass and the natural look of the slate I actually loved the look. I hope this may give you some unique ideas for your own bathroom. Thanks for reading.
6 x 6 slate tile stone

6 x 6  natural slate border with glass field

6x6 slate and glass tile shower

6 x 6 slate corner meeting glass tile

front of tub with glass tile

front of tub with glass tile

back wall close up of glass tile

back wall close up of glass tile

12 x 12 slate bathroom floor

12 x 12 slate bathroom floor




Friday, December 25, 2015

Do it Yourself [DIY] Backsplash Secret Techhniques

A tile backsplash is one of the quickest easiest ways to improve your kitchen without spending an arm and a leg to get it done. There are certain pointers and techniques that I've learned over 30+ years of tile installation that will make the job more manageable.


The first consideration is the tile you pick out;  it makes all the difference in the world. Remember a kitchen backsplash is a "right in your face" kind of tile installation . You will see it many times each day and it's the first thing seen by anyone who ever goes into your kitchen, Make sure you pick out a tile that  compliments your  décor. If you plan on doing the [DIY] tile yourself it's probably a good idea to keep it simple.


There are some extraordinary glass tiles available at Home Depot or Lowes for great prices or online.  Be aware If you shop at a tile store the designers there tend to market/push more intricate tiles and more complicated iinstallation designs. As you add to the intricacy of the design then you also add to the complication of the installation. Subway tile is about the easiest installation out there and some pencil strips of color  all along on top of a  row of tile is a nice simple custom installation yet still uncomplicated. 4 inch by 4 inch tile in squares with some deco tiles added in also is a non complicated colorful installation. Each of these tile installations require no spacers because they are self spacing tile and use unsanded  grout. Glass mosaic tile has some complications in cutting the material and it would be advantageous to pick out a glass tile that will require at least cutting as possible. 1/2 inch squares or 1 inch squares usually fall close enough to corners and under cabinets that little cutting is necessary . When installing a backsplash I would recommend using Thinset concrete and not a adhesive because of clean up and grouting issues. Just remember thin set is concrete and  ALWAYS wash it off your tile before it dries or tomorrow you will need a chisel.


There  is a secret I am about to share with you now about glass tile installation that makes all the difference in the world because of the nature of the material. Some glass tile is transparent and you can see right through it. Other types of glass tile are  very,  very thin and it is impossible to thinset the tile to the wall without getting thinset in all the joints of the
and hampering grout coverage.


The info I am about to give you I have NEVER shared publicly before and Is a method I figured out on my own some years ago.  When installing glass tile I always  use unsanded grout  and I get a shade darker grout than what I want as a finished color. NOW here it is:

Using white thinset mix the grout color into your thinset and color your thinset to your grout color the ratio would be about 2 parts thinset to 1 part grout .



You could also do this with acrylic paint coloring your thinset to the desired grout color. Then your transparent tile shows behind the tile and any thinset bleeding through the joints  with thin tile will cover with grout. I've been installing glass tile in this manner for many years and have had great success as you can see below .

Marble Mosaic Picture Framed Backsplash
Marble Mosaic Picture Framed Backsplash

6”by 6” Tile Picture Frame | Hand Cut 3” dots

6”by 6” Tile Picture Frame | Hand Cut 3” dots

Pencil Trim Marble Picture Around Marble Mosaic

Pencil Trim Marble Picture Around Marble Mosaic



Glass Subway Tile with Diamond Design

Glass Subway Tile with Diamond Design

Flower Marble Backsplash Behind Stove

Flower Marble Backsplash Behind Stove

Glass and Marble Tile Backsplash

Glass and Marble Tile Backsplash

4 by 4 Tile with Glass Tile Mosaic Tile

4 by 4 Tile with Glass Tile Mosaic Tile

Custom Glass Tile Countertops with Colored Thinset

Custom Glass Tile Countertops with Colored Thinset

 Rainbow Glass Mosaic Tile

Rainbow Glass Mosaic Tile


Flower Design Marble Tile Backsplash

Flower Design Marble Tile Backsplash

3 ft by 6 inch Tile with Design Strip Custom Backsplash
3 ft by 6 inch Tile with Design Strip Custom Backsplash

Teardrop Glass Tile  Cut at Every Straight Edge

Teardrop Glass Tile  Cut at Every Straight Edge

Glass Tile Fireplace With Colored Thinset Used to Grout this 90 sq ft of Tile

Glass Tile Fireplace With Colored Thinset Used to Grout this 90 sq ft of Tile

Glass Tile Centered Backsplash with Travertine Border

Glass Tile Centered Backsplash with Travertine Border

Glass and Travertine with Marble Pencil Border with 45 Degree Angle Cut

Glass and Travertine with Marble Pencil Border with 45 Degree Angle Cut

 Mother of Pearl Glass Backsplash

Mother of Pearl Glass Backsplash

Rainbow Multi-Color 1” Glass Mosaic Tile

Rainbow Multi-Color 1” Glass Mosaic Tile

I hope this info on backsplashes has been helpful to you and as always I'm here to field any questions you have to help you out   thanks  Chris


Wednesday, March 11, 2015

How to Install Kitchen Tile Backsplash

How to Install a Kitchen Tile Backsplash : Rooms : Home & Garden Television - http://pinterest.com/pin/573364596285652899/?s=3&m=blogger

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Tile Installtion FAQ: Sanded Grout or Un-Sanded Grout?

Tile Installation and Tile Repair 

Most Frequently Asked Questions from Consumers:

  From Newly Forming FAQ on Tile Installation, Tile Repairs & All Things Tile Related:

Many people have asked me over the years which grout to use in their house particular to their tile installation. There is a simple answer to every question. Always use sanded grout whenever possible.
The industry standard states that un-sanded grout be used on grout joints 1/8  or less and sanded grout is used on grout joints 1/8 and larger up to 1/2 inch. So 1/8 inch grout joints can have sanded or unsanded (non sanded) grout applications. The reason sanded grout is always the best option in my opinion and experience is because it is undoubtedly much stronger and longer lasting. The reason being the sand in the grout acts like the gravel in concrete and binds the concrete together and keeps it from cracking. Unsanded grout doesn't have this binding strength and cracks and chips out over the long term and from my experiences doesn't last as long as a sanded grout. Some applications require a un-sanded grout when joints are too small for sanded grout to penetrate or in instances when sanded grout may scratch the installation material. Such materials as Marble, Travertine and soapstone are easily scratched and a sanded grout is not applicable [according to the manufacturer].  But anytime there is a choice between SANDED AND UNSANDED  grout, and sanded can be used, it would be advantageous to use the SANDED GROUT  whenever possible.

Below are pictures of examples installed this past week in Manchester MA of both sanded and sanded grout applications. As well as glass and 'metal mosaic tile that manufacturers recommend be installed with unsanded grout  But  I will explain how and why I used sanded grout for the installation.

Glass tile can be easily scratched when sanded grout is applied with a grout float especially when applied by an unskilled tilesetter. Manufactures recommend using the unsanded grout to install their product. But if sanded grout is applied with the hands and not a hard rubber float sanded grout can be used without scratching the tile giving the installation the long lasting strength that I would prefer in my home .
The advantage of  a UNSANDED  grout is that the finished product has a smooth finished  grout line, clean and smooth to the touch. Sanded grout ends up being rough like sandpaper to the touch.

I always try to bring my customers the highest quality installations at the most economical price , and for DIY and consumer readers with tile questions/concerns here on this blog I have the same philosophy; to bring my readers the information of options for both quality, longevity and economics

This is my opinion only based on years of tile experience. But other tile installation professionals may have different responses based on their training and experiences, so I welcome any to share their thoughts here with my readers. I want this to be a place where people can get help. 

Feel free any time to ask questions and inquires and I will do my best to help anyone in any country regarding any tile situation where my opinion can help you in making the best decision for your job. I realize my opinions are based on my experience, training and perceptions, so other professional tile installers may have different, not necessarily right or wrong just different than mine, so consider it one man's  make to make the best decision about your job  thanks.

Chris
   
Broke joint floor tile  with a 3/16 grout joint with sanded grout

1 inch hexagon marble which can be easily scratched by sanded grout using a rubber float
I hand grouted with sanded grout for strength

2 inch hexagon marble tile with a dot
easily scratched by sanded grout using a rubber float
hand grouted with sanded grout for strength
broke joint floor tile using a 3/16 grout joint and sanded grout

glass and metal mosaic tile recommended to use unsanded grout to prevent scratching
If hand  grouted carefully sanded grout can be used for strength  

glass and metal mosaic tile recommended to use unsanded grout to prevent scratching
If hand  grouted carefully sanded grout can be used for strength  

Sunday, April 8, 2012

backsplashes,tile installers and timelines

 Just the other day I had the experience of meeting someone who had a local tile man(to remain unnamed Who I know personally) replace 6 tiles in their kitchen. The homeowner  had already removed the old tile, then supplied the new tile. And even then this tile guy charged them $500 for the repair. Now I hear this all the time and understand that all folks value their time differently. But fair is fair and real is real And in my real world If I charged this kind of price for what I could do in one hour I really would have a hard time sleeping at night. Now I know that in this economy some guys need to get as much as they can for their work and it works for them
  In another instance  a customer from Peabody called me about his 30 sq ft glass back splash , I asked him a few questions gave him a list of materials and a $350 labor quote  right on the phone. He was immediately skeptical asked about my experience and checked my web site as we spoke. He booked the job with me on the spot after we agreed on the price and the day I could get there.After we had made the deal he shared with me the following;      The cheapest price he had gotten so far was $750
and everyone had said it would take 3 days. I had already committed to a day to complete his job and
to the $350 price and was very happy with the terms. When the day came to do his job the actual job took me the day to complete and now his customer referral is on my web site and a picture of his backslash as well.The short time it took me to do the job was in some ways due to 34 years of  tile experience  and also the quotes he received were based on time lines of  the installers involved. The value and time lines of all installers vary and they all have different ideas of how to do business. So your best bet when looking to get tile installed is to shop installers carefully and consider all factors before making a commitment .



Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Honest ethical contractor behavior

Ive just left Craigslist where on a regular basis my postings are flagged by competitors. The same thing happens on bulletin boards around my home town and the North shore. My ads ,flyers and cards are removed on a daily basis by other tile contractors  who cant stand reasonably priced competition. Some of my competitors dont like the fact that I put out there prices, free advice and even offer to give my customers advice on how to do it themselves. The fact that I offer a premium installations at a affordable price, Do one job at a time, and offer personalized  service  doesn't sit well with my local tile installers. But you see I am a working man myself and have had the experience of needing something done and not being in the position financially to have it done. My  web site reflects my "In your shoes" mentality by never collecting and selling my web visitor information  and my "ask Chris" section allows anyone to ask a question and get a educated answer about their tile installation any time and for any reason  even if doing it themselves. I have been getting allot of international traffic over the last year, and people from France, Australia and parts of Europe have been visiting. The most important thing to Me at tileexcellence.com Is not to make money (although I have bills like everybody else) but to share and help as many people as possible with my years of experience. So in conclusion where ever you are and whatever the job.  I invite you to Get a second opinion before you commit to a price on your tile job or If doing it yourself from someone who will give you a honest straight up answer with no thought of what will I get from it. And if you live in the Boston North Area give me a call and I can get you all the info you need to Make your  tile, marble, or custom Job all it can be thanks   Chris

Friday, December 31, 2010

Tile Installation- Time Vs. Price

Hello,

First of all, let me apologize. I'm new to all this technology stuff, but I guess my "Welcome to Our Blog" post was supposed to come before I shared stories. However, I thought the following information might be helpful, and save some people some money, so it took priority. I'll try and post the first entry, but we'll see. Hang in there with me folks!

So, onto the information I wanted to share. I wanted to share some insight with people out there that need tile work done. Unfortunately, many people within the industry are out to get as much as they can for installation jobs. One of the most common ways to increase the charges for the installation is to drag the job out. Here's a good example I recently came across.

I recently installed a kitchen backsplash where the customer had gotten several estimates and done his research. Quotes were anywhere from $500-$750.00. Time frames varied from 2-4 days. As soon as I talked to him on the phone, I knew this was an installation that would take me a matter of hours. So, I priced the installation accordingly, which happened to be considerably lower than the above mentioned estimates because I knew through my 30+ years experience, that the job would take only half a day-and it would be flawless.

After our phone conversation, the potential customer checked out pictures of my work and references on my website, http://www.tileexcellence.com/  and quickly  scheduled the job. The bottom line here is, there are installers out there who will drag out the job to justify the price or are too inexperienced to do the job in a reasonable time frame, thus charging more. To save yourself from this situation, be sure to get three or more quotes for any installation and get references.  Check out their work if you can.

Tile Excellence, Inc. did the job in about 1/2 a day, and it costs the customer only $350.00 in labor. To see this project, before and after, and/or to see what Scott from Wakefield had to say about his new backsplash and the quality of the work, click here to visit our customer testimonial page.

Next blog post, I'll talk about hardyboard vs. durock. Stay tuned, and send me your questions or share your experience. Thanks.

-Chris
Owner, Operator
Tile Excellence, Inc.
Gloucester, MA
http://www.tileexcellence.com/
tile_excellence@yahoo.com
(978) 471-9127

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