5 Best Backsplashes Ideas

Posted on January 24, 2023 by Tile Lover

5 Best Backsplash Ideas

Backsplashes are an easy and cost-effective way to decorate a niche.

Are you looking for ways to fill a niche around your garden or in your house? Somewhere you can contemplate the beauty of tiles incorporated into your personal environment, enhancing your style. With little ingenuity and planning, you can make it simple and cost-effective or detailed and elaborate.

Start with the space and then figure out your color scheme. Telling a story with color is a great way to add harmony to your surrounding.

Tile backsplashes are great for kitchens, in the bathrooms either in the shower or bathtub walls, outdoors in a barbeque area, pool area, or free-standing fountain, and a space – like a fireplace – around your outdoor kitchen – would be nice to be set on a wall indoors or outdoors. One of the most luxurious ways to show off your backsplash is as a carpet for your outdoor patio. This is another traditional way of showing off your decorative tiles as seen in the Adamsons House, and other traditionally styled Spanish homes.

As you look at some of the backsplash ideas presented you might be inspired to come up with the perfect decoration for your home or office space.

1. Reproductions ~ Peacock Mural

One of our most popular used as a backsplash is small and easy to fit into any niche. But you can also go big, really big, with spillways, add water, and make it into a fountain. There are murals that are reproductions from the tile cultures of California in the 20s and 30s, sometimes referred to as Malibu Tiles or even Spanish Tiles as their influence comes from Spain and North Africa tile art – a lot of which are from that era. They are specific styles and can be re-interpreted into more modern patterns of traditional.

2. Custom Murals

Create your own custom mural for your space and tell your design story your way. Your colors, your space, your idea!

Here we are talking about a blank space, this idea may be more suited to those who have a strong sense of design and can build an idea either from a clipping or any small design, or be able to draw out the design itself. You can also give us your idea, we can draw it out and help it come to life. When budget is not necessarily an issue this is a great option and will give you the exclusivity and style you may desire.

3. Build a Mural Using Growth Tiles

Growth tiles are like the old Moroccan tiles that continue to expand and compound on the design as you add on pieces.

These can create interesting patterns that can be customized to suit your space.

Adding a border and other details can help you create the perfect story.

There are many designs to pick from, or you can bring your own.

You can then color the tile according to your color scheme, with one tile to color this is both cost-effective and easier to coordinate.

This way very easily you can also add some dimension to the backsplash by adding a custom border.

4. Create your Own Pattern and Design

Using any number of tiles, with a border and field tiles you can create your own custom idea.

These can be made to fit within your area, and the tiles can be cut to the exact shape needed.

This is the most flexible and the most affordable version to build your backsplash. You can pick field tiles with a splash of pattern to create interest, using different sizes of field tiles will create interest

5. Small and Simple

Growth tiles are like the old Moroccan tiles that continue to expand and compound on the design as you add on pieces.

These can create interesting patterns that can be customized to suit your space.

Adding a border and other details can help you create the perfect story.

There are many designs to pick from, or you can bring your own.

You can then color the tile according to your color scheme, with one tile to color this is both cost-effective and easier to coordinate.

This way very easily you can also add some dimension to the backsplash by adding a custom border.

(Ask us about our over-run tiles or seconds we have on hand for further savings)

Ceramic Tile vs. Porcelain Tile

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Ellyse T

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain is made from ‘China
clay’ or refined clay and are fired at very high temperatures – therefore it is technically also ceramic. The properties of this clay give it translucence and hardness making porcelain tiles very strong and able to withstand environmental stress! Porcelain is a more refined and dense type of ceramic tile

There are several differences
between these two bases that we often use for our
hand-painted ceramic tiles.

The argument for porcelain:

1. Porcelain tiles are much denser and as such have less shrinkage than quarry tiles. They
absorb less than 0.03%

2. Porcelain tiles are more impermeable to water, acidsand dirt, and are suitable for busy areas as it is easy to clean.

3. Porcelain tiles are not sensitive to the sun rays or to changes in temperature: constant exposure to solar rays does not alter the color. Especially when glazed tiles will not fade.

4. Porcelain tiles are frost/freeze proof and fireproof, and with a very low probability of cracking. They do
however, have a tendency to chip

5. Porcelain tiles are more expensive

Quarry Tile

Quarry tile is a hard and durable ceramic tile – similar to porcelain but made in a different way using natural quarried ingredients are grounded together and extruded in tile
form.

1. Quarry tiles offer a look that is more natural than porcelain, with more variations,
and provide a warm and more traditional look. These variations make it a great choice for
commercial use as stains and

2. Quarry tiles are great for wet surfaces as their natural rough texture offers slip resistance

3. Quarry tile is an excellent choice for commercial spaces due to its texture and easy maintenance.

4. Unglazed quarry tiles must be sealed to keep them from staining.

5. Quarry tiles absorb very little moisture 0.03%-0.05% just above ‘impervious’ and thus are great options for frost/freeze conditions – with added glaze and firing this will decrease the level of absorption

Tiles Used for Freeze and Frost Areas –
Especially Pool Tiles

Ceramic quarry tiles tend to
expand more with temperature and can show some sensitivity in areas where there
are variable changes in the temperature. These types of tiles are also
more porous than porcelain tile depending on the process of manufacture.

Most are concerned when it
comes to swimming pools. If, you have a swimming pool let’s say in Chicago;
without maintenance, you may find that this type of base is more likely to
crack. Meaning once has to empty the pool during the winter months then the
tiles will reliably stay in good condition until the spring/summer months.

Tiles Used in Mild Temperature Areas

In places where the temperature
and weather variations are similar to Los Angeles, ceramic tiles have been
used in fountains and swimming pools with no problems for years as long as
there is no trauma to the tiles.

For high traffic areas…we may
recommend that porcelain or thicker quarry tile is used just because these
tiles have less shrinkage due to their denseness – especially in areas where
there are variables in temperature – heat to frost/freeze; and because these
tiles tend to be more durable and will need less upkeep in the years to come.

In terms of coloring, porcelain
with a white background gives some colors more brilliant light whereas the
quarry tiles with rust ground coloring can give more warmth to the coloring.
But in all cases, we have to reformulate our glaze to look as good on porcelain
as they do on clay.

Specs for Clay Ceramic Tiles (Sima)

Specs for Porcelain Tiles:

Porcelain or Quarry tile?

While there are dense quarry tiles for your job in any temperature here are the differences

Quarry Tile

TEST RESULTS
ASTM# Result
Water Absorption C373 < 3.0%
Breaking Strength C648 > 350 lbs
Scratch Hardness MOHS 7.0
Chemical Resistance C650 Resistant

Application

High Traffic Areas, Pools (denser quarry tile good for freeze/frost temps), wall tiles, kitchen and bathroom tiles - and commercial

Porcelain Tile

TEST RESULTS
Water Absorption C373 < 0.5%
Breaking Strength > 425 lbs
Chemical Resistance YES

Frost Resistance YES

Application

High Traffic Areas, Pools (needed in freeze/frost temps), wall tiles, kitchen and bathroom tiles - and commercial

Check out the recent Redfin article we were featured in:

Posted on September 5, 2021 by Tile Lover

22 Gorgeous and Unique Tile Ideas to Brighten Up Your Home

Interior design fans will know that even as trends come and go, tile remains a top versatile decor element that can breathe life into any space in a home, especially if you go beyond tile’s go-to spot on a bathroom floor. And as much as we love tried-and-true subway tile, with so many unique color schemes and patterns to choose from, there’s nothing like a vibrant tile design to showcase your personality in a space.

Whether you’re looking to refresh a kitchen backsplash or add some flair to your entryway, we’ve got you covered. Redfin reached out to us and other tile experts from Tucson, AZ, all the way to Markham, ON, for unique tile ideas that you can incorporate into your home interior. Here’s our tip on how you can mix things up and create a one-of-a-kind look in your home.

7 Color Field Pool Tiles Randomly Installed

Pool Wall Tiles with Custom WaterLine Pool Tiles

Pool Fountain Mural & Water Line Tiles

Getting Started with Your Custom Tiles Order

Posted on October 13, 2019 by Tile Lover

Custom tiles can enhance your living area with beauty and style that is reflective of who you are.

Once you decide on tiles, the first thing after you have decided on the type of tile art or design you would like on your tiles is to figure out what size you will need.

A tile setter, or your contractor or designer can help you figure out how many tiles you need for each space you have. Once you know the square footage of the space where your custom tiles will be installed you will need to know what size tiles you would like to use.

Custom tiles can enhance your living area with beauty and style that is reflective of who you are.

Once you decide on tiles, the first thing after you have decided on the type of tile art or design you would like on your tiles is to figure out what size you will need.

Easily figure out how many tiles you need for your square footage

Chair -Rails

Typically, the size is determined by the look that you are trying to achieve, the type of space and area you are tiling and how the space breaks up into the specific tile size. That is, 6×6. 4×4, etc.

Here is a handy calculator to figure out the amount of tiles you would need for the most common sizes:

If this is a DIY project then carefully measure the space you have and using this calculator figure out how many pieces you will need. Typically, decorative tiles are ordered per piece and field tiles are ordered per square feet.

Consider any trims you might need to give your project a nice finished look and not leaving any hard edges.

Custom tiles can enhance your living area with beauty and style that is reflective of who you are.

Once you decide on tiles, the first thing after you have decided on the type of tile art or design you would like on your tiles is to figure out what size you will need.

3 Steps to Picking Your Ceramic Art Tile.

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Tile Lover

When deciding what ceramic tile to install into your house, there are 3 steps that will make the process much easier to give an excellent result for years to come.

These are surface, color, and design, all very dependent on each other and can vary in degrees of importance. Here will start with the surface:

1. Surfaces When thinking of art tiles that will be glazed, first decide where they are to be used. Once the space is pinpointed, this should decide whether to use a mat or satin/gloss finish on the tiles. Matt finish is excellent for surfaces that do not require constant cleaning or are not immersed in water, such as flooring, backsplashes, and wall applications. Pool lines, bathroom tiles (especially in the shower), and fountain tiles in the water should have. The reason is mainly for sanitation purposes (and ultimately, how it looks and lasts). Gloss or stain is easy to clean, whereas the matt finish is porous and absorbs liquid (and dirt), making it hard to keep clean. Remember that using matt and gloss or satin together on one tile can create a lovely effect that adds a particular dimension. 2. Color

Moorish/Islamic Tile Gloss and Satin

While color can also be affected by the type of glaze finish… matt, gloss or satin, or combinations, it is essential to pick your colors based on your specific needs. Factoring in the application, the type of house design, and the surrounding color story or lack thereof is an important bird’s eye view. As is the direction of the architect, designer, or your desires. While modern tiles use muted coloring and strongly emphasize black, Malibu or traditional tiles have specific color stories, as in the greens, blues, and some earth tones with a pop color such as gold or red. 3. Design The design is tied in with the color and can be enhanced by choice of color or, conversely, muted. Here you would make your decisions based on the style of the house, where the tiles will be used as

Majolica Tile Style (Portuguese )

well as the specific look you, your designer, or your architect are trying to achieve. The softer majolica look, the Malibu/traditional Spanish tile look, the color washed out cement tile look, or molded pieces that give a more Victorian look. There is nothing as lasting an imprint as a ceramic glazed tile; we can see the persistence in history where people have used them to continue to improve and beautify the look and feel of their surroundings. Enjoy the process; it’s fun!

History of Ceramic Tiles

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Ce·ram·i·cist

Throughout history we see the desire man has had to create a space that has beauty and that reflects the traditions, ideas and philosophy that he/she has.

The earliest paint workshop was discovered Circa 100,000 BCE in South Africa where early man started mixing colors to beautify himself and his surroundings. Later details of cave paintings and figurative art started coming to fruition.

http://www.historyofinformation.com/images/3693%20Large.jpg

Detail of the “Panel of Hands” from the El Castillo Cave (Photo Courtesy of the University of Bristol).

Ceramic tiles have been in existence for 4000 years..and along with pottery, have had an essential role in helping us discover many, many civilizations and traditions from ancient times long gone.

The exciting thing about pottery (along with tiles) is that “as one archeologist put it, pottery may be easy to break, but it’s hard to destroy.”

For hundreds of years, layer upon layer of debris and trash from past civilizations all over the earth, each showing us the characteristics and ways of life of the people who discarded them. How they produced these, how they presented them, and the colors and types of glazes they used all help us to understand the indelible styles different civilizations used to portray their art, their style, and their ideas.

For example, see here a paragraph I found in historical literature.

“Some beautiful Syrian tiles painted with undulating flowers and patterns in the Chinese style decorate to this day the early 15th-century tomb of al-Tawrizi, in Damascus. More extraordinary, the same—or very similar—tiles are found in the Murad II mosque at Adrianople, on the modern frontier between Greece and Turkey. This mosque was built by the Ottoman Turks in 1433, and the striking resemblance between its tiles and those in Damascus suggests that imported Syrian craftsmen almost certainly made them.”

In any case, from the research done so far, it seems that the earliest tiles that were found are form roof tiles in the third millennium, which is a period of time that began on January 1, 2001, and ended on December 31, 3000, of the Gregorian calendar. This eventually brought in the need for stone walls which could be the only support offered to a heavy tiles roof.