Rebel's Tile Portfolio...

A tile installation is an exciting project because of how much it allows the homeowner to be creative and add a personal touch to the job at hand. Watching your vision take shape will help level some of the sting of what you'll have to put up with during the installation phases. However, whether your tile project is a new floor, entryway, countertop, backsplash, shower, bathroom or other project, knowing ahead of time what to expect while your tile installation is in progress makes a world of difference in being able to weather the inconveniences that are a part of this process.

General Tile Advice...

Gets messy

A tiling project is the same as any other major home improvement project in that you'll need to resign yourself to the dirt, dust, and noise that comes along with it. Laying tile entails the removal of the previous flooring, sanding installation of a new substrate; the application of mortar and then grout during later phases of installation; and the use of power tools along the way. Remember that while nobody enjoys these inconveniences in their immediate living space, they are necessary steps towards a beautiful and long lasting tiling project. As we are professionals, we use tarps, temporary plastic walls and other techniques to keep the dust to a minimum. 

Flooring

If your project involves laying tile as flooring material there's some specific things you'll want to prepare for. First and foremost is the fact that the space being tiled will be off limits to you for the duration of the project, but especially during the time immediately after the tiles are laid and the grout is applied. Plan to stay off of the floor for anywhere from 3 hours to 48 hours, depending on the mortar used, after the tiles are laid to be sure the mortar has dried and set. It's also a good idea to make sure the newly tiled area is off limits to children and pets until that critical curing time has passed.

Countertops, Showers and Baths

Since you don't typically walk on these surfaces, there is less of a risk of damaging them after installation. Still, all the same rules apply when it comes to leaving them alone until the mortar dries and the grout is set. Additionally, because of the added risk of damage that comes along with these projects' proximity to water, it's important that you refrain from running any source of water until you are sure everything is dry and has been given a green light. If your mortar gets wet before it cures, it will increase the drying time, delaying the project and increasing the likelihood of cracking or other damage to your tiles later on.

A Final Note on Kitchens and Bathroom

Because many tiling projects impact these two important areas of your home, and because the nature of tile installation requires you to keep off or away from the project until it's completely set, it's important that you expect, and plan for, having limited access to these important areas of your home. If you only have one bath in your house you might consider taking a short vacation, making arrangements with a neighbor to use their facilities or stay in a motel for a night until the project is finished. We also can plan the project times to coordinate with you so that you will only be without the toilet for as little as 3 hours. For kitchens, you'll want to anticipate when the area is off limits and plan to eat out or order pizzas for a few days until the tile is ready to be used. As with the bathroom we can get you back in your kitchen in as little as 3 hours.

The term "mosaic" actually refers the process of using lots of small tiles together to create greater designs and surfaces. While mosaic is certainly a time consuming and meticulous process, the almost unlimited materials to choose from and the boundless design possibilities of the art make it one of the most versatile, popular, and stunning tiling options available to any homeowner. From backsplashes to poolside tile murals, to tabletops and mirrors, mosaic tile is tough stuff to beat.

Pick Your Poison

When we say mosaic tile comes in just about any material you can imagine, we mean it. It is available in stainless steel, copper, ceramic, porcelain, stone, pebble, cork, and glass mosaic tile, among others. Keep in mind that this is just the starter list, and there are a lot of other options within each category. If there's a material out there you're after, chances are there's a tile manufactured to fit the bill.

All the Colors in the Rainbow

Add to that list of materials the fact that porcelain, ceramic, and glass mosaic tile come in pretty much any color you can think of, along with a few more, and you can see there's an almost limitless range of looks to choose from. In fact, because of their small size and intricate finish and color variations, even steel, stone, pebble and cork come in an endless number of variations.

Why Am I Supposed to Be Excited about All This?

Simple. Because the fun of mosaic tile is combining all these different colors, materials, shades, textures and finishes to create a stunning greater whole. Interspersing glass mosaic tile in with a ceramic background will light up your pool area. Alternating polished stainless steel with buffed copper behind your kitchen sink will turn heads. And combining multiple colors into a single tiling project can transform a wall, floor, shower or bath from a boring, monotone into a cornucopia of color and festive feeling! Mosaic has the potential to move beyond great looking tile, and to become a work of art. The limits to your imagination are the only things standing in your way.

Mosaic Tile...

Talk to a Pro

Because mosaic tile has such incredible potential, this is one tiling project you at least want to consult with a professional about before things get rolling. They will be able to open your mind to the wealth of possibilities available to you. And, as always, don't shy away from hiring an expert to do the work for you. When it comes to mosaic design, you're not just hiring a craftsman, you're hiring an artist as well. Committing to someone who is practiced and comfortable getting the most out of mosaic design is a sure way to get a finished product that takes your breath away! If you decide to go this route be sure to hire a contractor experienced in this type of tile setting, and ask to see some examples of previous work. We have 100’s of pictures and many, many references. Remember, you want to get the most out of your mosaic tile. Hiring someone who knows what they're doing is key to making that happen.

Tilling Ideas...

Backsplash

Backsplash tile is a unique little design function that caught hold a number of years ago and is a true nexus between design and function. While bathrooms are great places for just such a design, kitchen backsplash tile is a perfect way to keep water and foods off of your walls while also tying together the color pallet that carries the design flow between rooms.

Color Tie-Ins

Let's say that you have a painting that hangs above the fireplace in the living room that is full of deep reds and purples. In order to show off this piece of artwork, you have toned-down the colors in the living room, choosing khakis and creams. However, your living room flows right into the kitchen and you don't want those warm, vibrant colors in the painting to be forgotten when people are in there.

The problem with the kitchen is that you have these awesome Maple cabinets, black granite counters, and black appliances. There is barely any wall to paint. This is the perfect spot for kitchen backsplash tile. Here you can find some tile that matches those great colors from the painting, which will maintain the flow of color and anchor the painting to the kitchen, despite it being a room away. This, of course, is a very specific example, but you get the point.

Kitchen Backsplash Tile

Once you have those colors and shapes selected, now you get to enjoy the function of backsplash tile. If you have chosen a more expensive material for your countertops, like granite, solid surface, or engineered stone, you will find that it is much less expensive to forgo the backsplash with those materials and use tile for backsplash instead.

There are a few different designs that people have had us install that make this functional design even more design-centric. A few have had us stair-step the tile a few feet out from the sink. This way you do not have to tile the entire wall, and it makes for good closure to this effort. It is common for us to design patterns making the backsplash into a tile mosaic, and having the design itself flourish rather than be subdued. 

Backsplashes and Wainscoting are probably the best opportunity for a dramatic impact!  From subtle ties to rich luxurious senses, to dramatic WOW’s, this area really makes the difference!   

It's Really Up to You Don't feel that this type of functional design is limited only to kitchen backslash tile. Use this in the bathroom, the laundry room, around passage ways or windows, even around the hose outside if you like. Also, don't feel limited by what others have done. We have hundreds of photos of past projects to help you make a decision on your patterns and tile selection.  This is the fun stuff!  We like to work with you to help design new and original patterns as well.