Tile Drilling Tip

Bob Schmidt shows you a simple tip that will help you from dulling drill-bits during drilling of hard tile.

How to Clean Grout

It may not be the most glamorous job, but scrubbing grout leaves your tile looking brand new. Watch how to properly clean grout.

Tiling Complete

Written with the DIYer in mind, this all-encompassing manual takes a head-on approach to every home tiling situation--except those best left for the pros. Loaded with photos and laid out in an intuitive, accessible format, Tiling Complete makes it a snap for even the most hesitant of novices to get the job done right the first time. The authors begin with a thoughtful introduction and move to tile styles and shapes, tools, preparation and installation, plus grouting, sealing and caulking. There is a complete project section and a stress-reducing chapter on Problems and Troubleshooting. Also included are tips on maintenance and repair so that the finished product will shine for years to come.

Available at Amazon.com.

Ceramic Tile

Don talks about the advantages to using ceramic tile in your home, and goes through a few of the options for tile.

Contemporary Stone & Tile Design Magazine (Free Subscription)

Contemporary Stone & Tile Design promotes the benefits of natural stone and ceramic tile to a readership of architects, interior designers, specifiers and consumers.

Every quarter, our pages feature a wealth of architectural photography depicting stone in a variety of applications -- from residential kitchens and bathrooms to major commercial projects. Practical tips and commentary on stone and tile design are included, featuring interviews with architects and designers from the world's leading firms.

Get your FREE subscription!

How to Grout Tile

Customize your kitchen or bathroom with your favorite tile. Learn how to grout tile to get professional-looking results.

Easy Tile Entrance

Karen Schmidt shows you a tile to carpet transition for an entryway. If you're interested in tile, this is an easy first project.

Making and Installing Handmade Tiles

With more than 70,000 copies sold, Lark's Handmade Tiles and its beautiful ideas have delighted crafters everywhere, and whetted their appetites for more. They'll find just what they're looking for in these dozen ceramic tile projects, which include everything from trivets to tabletops to stepping stones. The wealth of practical, visually breathtaking information covered here includes everything from design and formation through decoration and site installation, making this manual an absolute must in every ceramics and home improvement library. Find out about basic tools and materials, glaze application, and techniques for making slab tiles. Get the lowdown on mosaics, and stamped, carved, and inlaid designs. With these techniques, even beginning crafters can start working fast, and move on to simple stair risers, a kitchen backsplash, and an exquisite window surround.

Available at Amazon.com.

Ceramic Tile Trend: Big and Beautiful

The history of ceramic tiles can be traced back to the 11th Century from Spanish and Arabic cultural influences. Many historic homes, palaces and mosques are filled with beautiful tile work known for style and functionality. Today, ceramic tiles are used in homes for these same reasons and one of the top trends is large, eye-catching tiles.

Large-sized tiles are the hottest look in ceramic tiles right now. Bigger is sometimes much better when it comes to design, because large tiles provide a more desirable pattern and are created with a technical process that allows the tiles to lay more evenly once installed. Homeowners are no longer looking at traditional tiles that measure 12 by 16-inches. Large tiles in sizes of 32 by 32-inches are being found in rooms throughout residential homes.

“Larger sized tiles are a great way to add visual interest to a room,” says Nancy Bohnett, Academic Director of Interior Design for The Art Institute of Las Vegas. “They come in a variety of styles so you can customize to your home’s character and are used to incorporate creative design in traditional and unconventional spaces.”

There are many advantages of large tiles. Because of their size, there are fewer grout lines to clean. Tile is a very hygienic option as well, and is often used in medical facilities. The larger size provides ample area for stylish ceramic design that adds to the décor of any home.

Large tiles are now popping up all over the world, used in many ways, be it on the floor or the wall. These tiles are developed primarily in porcelain stoneware and come in a variety of styles and designs. Some tiles are created to look like other materials, such as slate, metal, linen and leather.

Using tiles as wall coverings is a popular option in many homes. With endless design flexibility, they can be used in a myriad of extremely interesting ways. Because of the way the large tiles are created, they tend to have a more even surface creating a clean and smooth look.

Architects, interior designers and urban landscapists all see creative potential in these tiles. Many homeowners are seeing this potential as well. One trend is to use these tiles in transitional spaces, meaning those spaces which transition from inside to outside. For example, they are great to tie together an enclosed sunroom with an extended outdoor patio.

Large tiles can be used in traditional situations, such as for the kitchen or bath, but have gained popularity in some unconventional situations, like the family room or laundry area. Tiles are being installed over beds as headboards, around mirrors in bathrooms, as a frame for a fireplace and in designs on walls. Choose a tile with a design pattern or use one that mimics another material for a truly unique look.

Due to their size, it is recommended that large tiles be installed by professionals who have extensive knowledge of ceramic tiles and the various installation techniques. Before installing the tiles the surface should first be leveled with appropriate products.

The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER) is a private organization whose primary objective is to support Spain’s ceramic tile manufacturers and the industry as a whole by stewarding and promoting the Tile of Spain brand worldwide.

For more information visit www.spaintiles.info or call (305) 446-4387.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Diamond Cuts With Tile Saws

In this free video clip, learn about safely using a tile saw, and how to do a diamond cut with a tile saw.

Right Angle Cuts With Tile Saw

In this video, learn about safely using a tile saw, and how to do a right angle cut with a tile saw.

How to Cut Ceramic Tile

Tim Carter, of http://AsktheBuilder.com, demonstrates a simple way to cut a circle out of the center of a piece of ceramic tile.

How to Make a Tile Design for Kitchen Counter Tops

Learn how to choose and lay out your own original countertop tile design in your kitchen in this free online DIY home improvement video.

The Outdoor Shower: Creative design ideas for backyard living

Showering outdoors after a day of playing in the surf, digging in the garden, or taking a daylong bike ride is the ultimate in summer relaxation.

Designer/builder Ethan Fierro celebrates the creativity and whimsical inspiration of summer with this collection of original outdoor shower designs he’s uncovered from coast to coast. He offers dozens of examples for homeowners to choose from, all pictured in stunning color photographs, ranging from the simple showerhead on the side of the cottage, to semi-detached and freestanding structures. Accompanying text describes the design and material elements involved in each example.

Beginning with the basics, Fierro includes an overview of basic plumbing and structural requirements, along with suggestions for incorporating a wide range of building materials, including stone, wood, metal, frosted glass blocks, earth, concrete, tile, stucco, and landscape vegetation. His plans are environmentally sound and mindful of cost-saving techniques, with ideas for repurposing found and recycled materials.

Fierro exhibits his own inspired aesthetic in the final chapter with illustrated plans for six fantasy showers, including a tree house, a vineenclosed frame, a stained-glass nautilus, and an underground cavity with a hole for sky-viewing. The Outdoor Shower will set free the inner spirit—and the inner builder—of any summer-home owner.

Available at Amazon.com.

Ceramic Tile Repair Options

Tim Carter, of AsktheBuilder.com, demonstrates a clever trick to repair a cracked ceramic floor tile.

Hometime: How-To Guide to Ceramic Tile

Hometime's Dean Johnson takes you through the steps of installing tile floors, walls, and countertops. He also gives recommendations on underlayment, adhesives, and tools.

In addition, you'll get detailed guidelines for how to layout tile, how to mix mortars and grouts, and how to finish and protect tile.

Topics Coved on the DVD include:

• Prepping Floors
• Underlayment
• Floor Layout
• Setting Floors
• Cuts and Trim
• Grouting
• Tub Underlayment
• Setting Tub Tile
• Countertops

Available at Amazon.com.

The Complete Guide to Flooring

The Complete Guide to Flooring is the only truly comprehensive flooring book available, combining information on using flooring as a design element with complete step-by-step instructions for installing virtually any type of flooring-classic standards to the newest materials. The book covers ceramic tile, terrazo, natural stone, terra cotta, hardwood, wood laminate, floating plank, carpet, vinyl sheet, resilient tiles, cork, carpet tiles, leather, and the new plastic laminates. In addition, readers will learn how to repair problems with all types of flooring, how to soundproof and insulate floors, how to refinish hardwood floors, and how to create decorative paint finishes on wood floors. Flooring is one of the most visible finish surfaces in a home, and serves to unify the entire interior design. With this in mind, The Complete Guide to Flooring opens with an exciting idea section that shows the many ways in which flooring can enhance the appearance and function of a home. Following this is a chapter that introduces all types of flooring, discussing their merits and limitations. Next, a planning section shows all the preliminary steps-measuring, removing old flooring, evaluating and repairing the subfloor, estimating and ordering flooring. Then comes the heart of the book-complete instructions on how to install all types of flooring, with complete, easy-to-understand, step-by-step details. With no aspect of home flooring left unexamined, The Complete Guide to Flooring is destined to become a home improvement classic.

Available at Amazon.com.

Tile Design

Tile design can be complicated and difficult, but with these tips from AsktheDecorator.com host Meghan Carter, you'll produce stunning tile designs. Toss out your pencil and paper, this tile design method is done at actual size to eliminate errors and miscalculations due to grout lines. The time you spend creating your tile patterns and tile designs will be well worth it if you follow Meghan's advice.

How to Repair a Cracked Tile

Learn how to replace a cracked tile.

Installing Tile on a Wood Floor

Installing ceramic tile or slate on a wood floor is a great project. This AsktheBuilder.com video shows you how to install tile using screws to prep the subfloor and polyurethane to keep the wood from swelling.