Tiles are manufactured in different types such as glazed, matt, or glossy. These tiles must withstand bad exterior applications such as being used in a fireplace or freeze weather.
If your room needs a strong visual impact, there’s an easy way to light things up: a tiled fireplace. Of course, the obvious purpose.
of the tiling isn’t a new idea, but there are more tiling options than ever and endlessly creative ways to use them, so we’ve put together some ideas and suggestions for your home.
Just a decorative fireplace or a fireplace that no longer works? No fireplace at all? Your design dreams don’t have to be in vain:
you also have many options. For installation inspiration, be sure to check out our tile book: click on the fireplace tab to spark your imagination.
A fireplace is a design space to be optimized, with multiple areas to place the tiles. Most key tiles will work on these surfaces but remember: to be sure to read the product specifications and materials guide for each product. For your options, see our tiles suitable for fireplaces.
After all, you are playing with fire. This is the largest wall space that surrounds the fireplace itself: it can be recessed or convex, and it can even be created by simply using tiles to define the physical boundaries of the fireplace. Simply put: this is the territory of the top tiles.
The “face” of the firebox is the front of the firebox facing outward – usually with the firebox on top – effectively framing the firebox.
This gives you a great design opportunity to create a focal point, usually by contrasting the environment with a second material (we recommend… more tiles).
Since this space is usually smaller than the surrounding space, you have the option of expanding the color and pattern a bit to create a clear focal point. We love the look of cement tile on the face, be it the pattern, color, or texture. Decoration tip:
To paint patterned cement tiles for your fireplace, consider using a cardboard template and laying out the tiles starting from the center. The shelf above the fireplace.
Tile tones and textures are often underutilized opportunities. We love to see tile used in unexpected places, and a fireplace fits the bill. Take a more subtle approach and cover the mantel with your wraparound tile for an overall look, or use another tile as a standout shelf.
For a seamless look, Emily Henderson used the same Belgian terracotta replica to create a beautiful fireplace. Photography: Sarah Tramp.
A fire pit is a fire-rated area on the floor or decking around and in front of the fire pit that defines the overall footprint of the fire pit.
This area gives you one of two options. If your hearth is flush with the ground, you can either bring the floor tiles up to the hearth (caution:
do not use wood or other non-fire resistant floor coverings: bad embers can cause irreparable damage, and, fire) or use the Contrasting Floor Tiles piece to outline the fireplace.
Or, if your fireplace is raised, you have a clean slate to add color or pattern, since that’s the focal point just like the face (hey, why not combine them?).
The hearth is the inside of the fireplace itself. If you have a working fireplace, never use our tiles in it. We do not supply tiles for working fireplaces:
specific fire protection materials are required and must be purchased elsewhere. However, if you have a non-functional or purely decorative fireplace, the design possibilities are endless.
Some states and urban areas are banning or restricting wood burning in fireplaces and stoves, making alternative fuel fireplaces more common than ever.
Ethanol gas and electric fireplaces emit much less heat, offering more design options for those concerned about overheating.
As always, refer to the product description to make sure the tile you choose is up to the task and doesn’t smoke (literally).
For those who don’t have a fireplace at all, today’s wall-mounted and freestanding stoves and fireplaces can still provide you with the fireplace of your dreams.
Likewise, the addition of a wood or pellet stove provides the same hot spot for tiling. Why not create a fireplace or an entourage for these? Try one that extends to the ceiling for cohesion, drama, and instant soul.
Different tiles for exterior applications
Different sorts of tiles can be used for exterior applications. These tiles must withstand bad weather conditions. The joy of owning a home lies in being able to create a comfortable and safe living environment.
Now, more than ever, our living spaces are not limited to the roof above us but include many outdoor spaces for you to enjoy. Whether you want to read quietly by the patio fireplace or frolic by the pool, tile can help you create an enviable outdoor living space.
Outdoor living spaces can include porches, patios, fire pits or fireplaces, swimming pools, walkways, garden areas, rooftop patios, and/or outdoor kitchens.
The versatility of tile makes each of these outdoor living areas functional and stylish. Outdoor surfaces must be more “weather-resistant” than indoor surfaces.
Your outdoor living area may be exposed to extreme temperatures, wet or dry conditions, rain, snow, moisture from sprinklers and drip pots, splashes from a swimming pool or jacuzzi, and more. Your outdoor surface materials must be able to withstand a variety of conditions, not just once, but repeatedly over the years.
DurabilityTile stands up to the outdoor elements with unmatched durability. Tile will serve you for decades, even in the face of everyday threats, including animals, yard debris, outdoor furniture, high traffic, and weather, including scratches, dents, stains, abrasion, water, fading, and flame resistance.
Anti-slip optionTile offers a non-slip option for outdoor wet conditions, whether you’re a walkway wet with garden hoses, a patio wet with a summer shower, or a pool area with intermittent splashes of belly slippers.
Freeze-thaw cycle resistance
For climates that experience freeze-thaw cycles, tiles have the answer! Many times, including tile and quarry tiles, can withstand the damaging effects of extreme outdoor conditions and are ideal for outdoor living areas in cold climates.
flame retardancy
If your lifestyle includes an outdoor kitchen or fireplace, flame retardancy will be your number one consideration. Tile is non-flammable and will not smoke, burn, melt or release toxic fumes when in contact with flames. In the unfortunate event of a fire, tiles can even reduce the spread of flames and possibly provide an escape route.
low maintenance
The benefits of low maintenance make tile the material of choice for outdoor use:
Stain Resistant: Spills, leaves and muddy paw prints won’t stain your tiles.
EASY TO CLEAN: When a mess happens, the tile can usually be cleaned with just a wipe with water – no harsh chemicals (or runoff that could damage vegetation)!
Scratch Resistant: Patio furniture, outdoor toys, and sports equipment, plant pots, and grills, oh my gosh – enjoy the outdoors without worrying about damaging your tiles.
Mildew-proof: The tiles are made of natural materials that are not conducive to the growth of mildew.
Unlimited Design Possibilities
Advances in manufacturing technology allow for an unlimited number of designs, including tile styles in textures and sizes.
You can even design your spec tile panels to create an original look for your outdoor space. Because tiles can be installed in many different outdoor spaces (read on for our top ideas), you can coordinate your look with a “series” of tile options designed to work together.
For example, choose a consistent style for your tiled patios and outdoor tiled feature walls, or combine different tile designs to contrast or complement.
Having a beautiful outdoor space will inspire you to get outside to soak up some sunlight, but first, make sure your outdoor surface materials can withstand the light.
Tile will not fade or discolor in sunlight – your designs will continue to look great for years to come. (On the other hand, you should probably wear some sunscreen!)
Environmentally friendlyTile is one of the greenest design choices for outdoor living spaces, allowing you to build with nature without harming it.
The first is that tiles do not introduce harmful substances or toxins into the earth – no plastic-based materials, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or formaldehyde.
Materials used to make tiles are typically sourced within 500 miles of a manufacturing facility, significantly reducing emissions and energy associated with long-distance transportation.
The durability of tile allows it to be passed down from generation to generation, and because tile is made from natural materials, it can often be used as a cleaning filler at the end of its useful life.
Glazed tiles for freeze weather
Selecting the proper tiles for freeze weather is a challenging decision. Some believe unglazed tiles can be better than glazed ones.
When it’s cold outside, home is where you stay inside. Here, it’s warm, comfortable, and safe…unless you have to spend all your time fixing floors. Finding the right floor for cold weather can be difficult. Other flooring materials, such as quartz tiles, are too fragile to handle different weather conditions:
low temperatures often cause wood floors to shrink, causing gaps between floors, while laminate and vinyl floors become brittle in colder climates.
However, you can always rely on tile floors. Tiles are easy to use and come in a variety of varieties, colors, and designs. Tile is also versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces. It’s inexpensive, easy to maintain, and durable.
Here are some tiles that are great for the cold:
Ceramic products. This fired clay brick is freeze and water-resistant to prevent damage from moisture. It’s sturdy, so there’s not much to worry about other than occasional maintenance.
The unglazed variant of the tile also prevents slipping, especially if the area is wet. It is very popular and available in most places.
porcelain. This tile is most suggested for cold temperatures. It is the most moisture-resistant tile type with an ideal absorption rate of 0.5% to prevent water damage. Since porcelain has a rougher texture than ceramic, it is one of the best materials for accident prevention and can even be used for outdoor floors.
slate. This stone tile is one of the hardest flooring materials around. Slate can handle all types of weather, is beautiful, and is very durable as a natural stone product.
That’s why it’s a great choice for outdoor flooring. For indoors, slate tiles are effective at retaining heat, so if you have underfloor heating, slate tiles help dissipate heat and warm the surrounding environment. Slate is one of the most popular flooring options today.
granite. Granite tiles are undoubtedly durable. It has a low moisture absorption rate (which is why granite tiles are best installed in bathrooms), so moisture damage from cold is minimal at best. It also looks beautiful and its color is often imitated by other materials.
Travertine. Favored for its appearance, this simple but elegant stone tile is one of the most commonly used structures today. Travertine tiles will not crack or become brittle, even in freezing conditions.
Always check the label to make sure the tiles you get are freeze-proof. You should also check the absorption rate – 0.5% or less is ideal for tile so you don’t get moisture damage from rain and snow.
When you have the right floor, you can curl up in the comfort of your home and enjoy the cold weather. When working in cold weather, it is important to consider four key temperatures: water temperature, powder temperature, ambient temperature, and surface temperature.
Low temperatures for any of these four parameters will inhibit the curing of the product. Once a critically low temperature is reached, the cement curing reaction stops, which can lead to site failure.
Make sure the powder temperature is between 50-80°F before mixing. If possible, store the bag in a conditioned space. The powder is about 78-86% of the final weight, which means that cold powder can cause artificially extended working hours.
Plan your work as much as possible to avoid ambient temperatures below 50ºF. Low temperatures amid establishment can for all time influence bond strength.
This may mean using tents and/or heater protection if in an unconditioned space. Once the unit temperature drops below the desired temperature, the cement stops curing, permanently damaging the unit.
Consider using a quick setup product. Since they complete the final setup faster, the installation is less likely to suffer from temperature fluctuations.
Pay attention to your water temperature. If necessary, bring the water to room temperature (50-80ºF) before mixing.
If reusing the bucket, be sure to remove any residual product from it before starting to mix. Cross-contaminated cement-based products can affect product working time and performance.
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