Tile comes in many forms, is incredibly versatile and adds a stunning look to any room in your home. You can use tile for your floor, walls, backsplashes and counters. Your options in tile are virtually endless! You can choose from ceramic, porcelain, stone, metal or glass. As far as formats go, there are tiny mosaics to 20-inch tiles or larger. There are geometric shapes to consider – squares, rectangles, diamonds and ovals! And there are textures – smooth, nubby and textured, and finishes – matte, semi and high gloss!
You can discover all the looks of tile at your Abbey Carpet & Tile Showroom. Your Abbey Expert will work with you to help you create a beautiful work of art for your home.
The Basics of Tile Not only is tile gorgeous but it’s also very practical. Tile is basically an inert surface of fired (baked) clay, metal or stone. It’s easy to keep clean and tends to retard the growth of fungus, mold and mildew.
How Do You Choose? Choosing new tile — for a floor, a countertop, a backsplash, a wall — can involve literally dozens of decisions. Do you want Stone? Ceramic? Glass? Metal? Do you want 3” x 6" or 4 ½” x 4 ½"? Do you want beveled or straight edge? What color? Do you want a pattern or bold graphics?
Selecting tile requires careful consideration because of the initial cost and the complexity of changing it. When you begin the selection process, you should first consider your lifestyle. Is it casual or formal?
Then consider the environment. Are you doing your whole house or just one room? Your Abbey Expert will work with you to select the perfect look for you and your lifestyle.
The size of the tile will help determine the feeling of spaciousness. One trend, especially in larger homes, is fewer grout lines. This gives a more solid, less broken-up or separated look. You’ll find tiles in large formats such as 16” x16”, 18” x 18”, 20” x 20” and some are even 24” x 24”! There’s now a format called “rectified tile” which means that the tile is installed with no grout lines. This presents a sleek and modern look.
Your tile floor can be a focal point or a backdrop. Whatever you choose, it’s an architectural statement that will last for years.
Not every tile is rated for everyday use. Your Abbey Expert can help guide you in your choice. Most manufacturers identify a tile’s durability. The higher the number, the higher the wear rating. But durability has very little to do with price.
