|
|
 |
|
Tile Work
|
The renovation revelation: Top tile trends for today's renovations
|
(ARA) - Slow recovery or not, you're ready to renovate -- you just
can't live with your ugly, old energy-inefficient kitchen anymore. And
stepping into your bathroom makes you feel like you walked through a
time warp.
More Americans will continue to choose remodeling the homes they're
already in over moving into new construction in 2010, real estate
experts predict. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders
foresees "decent growth" for the renovation industry in the coming
year, according to the association's National Outlook report. And
kitchens and baths continue to top the list of the rooms both current
homeowners and potential buyers most want to update.
When renovating your home for the long run, it makes sense to choose
materials that offer outstanding design flexibility, affordability,
durability and eco-friendliness. Ceramic
tile continues to be a favorite choice of savvy designers,
builders and homeowners seeking those qualities for home renovations.
So what are the hot trends in ceramic tile for 2010? The Ceramic Tile
Manufacturers Association of Spain, which represents Tile of Spain
branded manufacturers, offers insight into what's new and hot in this
timeless building material:
Green is still great
Homeowners continue to demand more eco-friendly, sustainable building
practices and materials for both renovations and new construction.
Ceramic tile meets the demand for green renovation materials, with
eco-friendly qualities such as:
* Manufacturers have improved production methods to be more
environmentally responsible.
* Ceramic
tile aids in heat retention.
* It's naturally resistant to bacteria.
* Tile does not require cleaning with harsh chemicals or solvents, so
fewer toxic elements are flushed into the ecosystem.
* It doesn't release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other gases
into your home's atmosphere.
Slim is in
Tile is getting thinner. You can now buy ceramic tile in thicknesses of
just 3, 4, 5 and 6 millimeters. Slimmer tile means it's easier to
handle, cut and lay, so installation is faster. And you can apply it
directly over old tile, eliminating the hassle of removing old tile and
reducing the construction waste sent to landfills. Plus, because the
tile is lighter and slimmer, it works well for walls and other vertical
applications.
Get quotes from local service providers
|
|
|
|
Additionally, a slim tile means green building benefits such as maximum
energy savings, and a decrease in the amount of raw materials used and
carbon dioxide emitted during manufacturing. Lighter weight also means
less environmental impact during shipping, and less adhesive mortar is
required to lay the tile.
The best form of flattery
Advances in digital printing technology allow ceramic tile to imitate
almost any finish. You can now find ceramic tile that mimics the look
of some of the most popular types of stone and wood flooring, including
marble, slate, granite, classic parquet, exotic woods - even
distressed, reclaimed and weathered planks. When it comes to renovating
a kitchen or bath, ceramic tile is a great way to get the look of stone
or wood without the expense and inconveniences of special maintenance.
Imagine the look of wood in high-traffic, high-humidity areas without
the risk of warping, scratching or staining. Wood and water don't mix
well, so until the advent of wood-look ceramic tile, renovating
homeowners had to forego the warmth and beauty of wood in areas where
the material might be exposed to water, including kitchens, baths and
pool surrounds.
Bright on color, big on texture
Glossy tiles, with surfaces that feature both gloss and matte patterns,
are enjoying new interest from designers and homeowners. Metallic
patinas are also prized. As more Americans strive to shed recession
blues, bright colors are on the rise. Pantone just announced that
turquoise is the color of the year. Whether it's the color of the day
or the year, you can find it in tile. If you want a more soothing
sensation from your tile, you can create calming effects with
polychrome color combinations of cream, gray, white and camel. For more
ideas on renovating with ceramic
tile, visit www.spaintiles.info.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
|
|
|
|
