Author: sk

The new Windows 8 operating system is receiving a bit of a facelift, at least where it concerns the start screen. The new start screen will provide access to programs via tiles rather than icons. To open a particular program the user will click tiles. Tiles are different from icons in that they can also include a display of real-time information. A tile can be used to access email services while displaying the number of new emails waiting to be viewed. The technology behind the tiles provides the potential to be very large, a quality which lends itself to touch screen devices. As touch based mobile devices become ubiquitous, developing software and other applications to look, feel, and behave best in the mobile environment has to be included in Microsoft’s long-term plans. Full sized monitors will also benefit from metro-style applications.

Metro Tiles

Metro-style apps will continue to include support for the full use of a keyboard and mouse but also fully support touch based monitors. Metro-style apps are perfect for touch based devices but work similarly well with traditional Windows interfaces, provided the screen on your given device has a resolution of at least 1024×768. Microsoft is attempting to keep Windows relevant to traditional desktop computer users and the growing number of mobile users, both in the home setting or the world of business computing. Transitioning from classic Windows applications to new metro-style applications will leave Microsoft in the position to cater to a wide range of consumer markets and Microsoft designed the new OS to communicate seamlessly to further aid in transition to Windows 8.

With the release of Windows 8 Microsoft is clearly indicating their interest in mobile technology. Windows 7 was under utilized by mobile device manufacturers in large part because it was not particularly well designed for use with touch screen devices. Window 8 and metro-style apps have been designed to work best in a touch screen environment. Classic Windows applications will remain functional with Windows 8 but they do not represent the direction Microsoft is moving, indeed they may have no choice but to move. Due simply to consumer demands for touch based devices and touch based applications, availability of both have sky rocketed this year and sales of said devices are poised to repeat recent growth in the next twelve months.

Windows 7 will be fully supported for the foreseeable future but there can be no mistaking the shift in Microsoft’s overall computing strategy to include wholehearted interest in mobile technology. Classic Windows application development is not disappearing overnight or in the near future but metro-style apps aren’t going anywhere either and they look to be fully integrated into Microsoft’s vision of computing for the next generation.

It is considered as one of the easiest and most affordable tiling methods – Mosaic Floor Pattern Tiles can easily be used for practically any home surface. If you want to provide your home a special look and unique atmosphere then you should consider using these unique panels. Learn more about innovative ideas that will easily enable you to quickly and easily decorate any surface at home or in the office.

Patterned Tiles

The shortest way to describe this unique tiling method is the following: Mosaic Floor Pattern Tiles redecoration is actually based on a collection of seamless decorative natural stones manually and carefully attached onto a mesh backing of 12″ by 12″ size. It seems like in recent years the South East Asian stone tiles have gained an increasing popularity among home-makers, especially in the USA. If you think of it you can easily decorate any surface and any room setting: Bath walls, shower bases & backsplashes, kitchen backsplash, countertops, patios, pool surfaces, decks, and fireplaces.

Important benefits

Let’s examine what is in it for us and how it can easily enable you to redesign any surface at home:

* Impervious to water and other liquids.

* Can be used for virtually unlimited applications at home, in the office, in restaurants, hotels, etc.

* Quick & easy installation that doesn’t require any special skills or professional background.

Quick Tips!

* Laminate the stones with a sealer prior to installation – it’ll protect it from liquids, dirt and detergents transforming it even more durable.

* Don’t rush! – make a plan; make sure you know how to install these panels, even make a small trial first just to see that you can handle it with no problem.

* If this is the first time you install these tiles, it is recommended to learn from other’s experience – there are plenty of forums and demonstrational videos on the internet where you can find useful information about first time installation.

We could list many other important great advantages provided by this easy diy method simply because it is versatile like no other tiling method available today.

Conclusions

It enables you to decorate your home just the way you always wanted it to be, moreover, Mosaic Floor Pattern Tiles technique requires just minimal effort on your side. As mentioned earlier installation is quite easy, however, it is advised to keep the above advices just before you start installing.

1. Price

The cheapest option is a low quality laminate floor. A thin, non water-resistant mounting board with no grooved edges is the cheapest to produce. It is an excellent option for those on the tightest of budgets, perhaps for a landlord refurbishing a rental property, or used as a quick and easy method to tidy up a shed or garage.

Moving up in price is where wood effect tiles have a distinct advantage. Engineered or solid timber flooring has a retail price corresponding to the manufacturing costs attendant to the species of wood in question. A rare species will command a much higher premium than common indigenous varieties. Walnut from Brazil or cypress from Australia will typically be at the higher end of the spectrum when compared to locally milled oak or birch.

A tile factory can replicate any of these woods, exotic or otherwise, without a movement in price. All the characteristics of real planks can be represented with incredible accuracy, but for a fraction of the cost of the genuine article. Add that to the fact that it costs no more to produce a wider plank in ceramic, compared to real wood, and the savings begin to mount up.

When it comes to cost, far more often than not, the best value can be found in floor tiles.

2. Style

Many choices exist for timber flooring, but that number is a hundredfold greater for ceramic and porcelain wood effect tiles. The ranges available are limited only by the imagination of the tile designers. A local stockist might have four, five or even ten oaks to choose from, and they may all look similar.

By comparison, a tile manufacturer could produce, for example:

• a slightly darker version of oak which is simply not available in real wood
• a distressed look
• a reclaimed appearance
• a paint effect oak
• a non-slip finish
• a style with less blemishes
• a rustic effect replete with knots
• a purple finish to mimic dyed wood
• an inlaid effect

Practically anything can be designed, and all in the same price bracket. And like timber, there are a multitude of different sizes and plank lengths available. When it comes to styles, the world of tiles covers everything offered by nature, in addition to anything within the bounds of the designers’ imagination.

It is a testament to the technology available in the modern era, now that inkjet printing has replaced the older screen printing, that no design or pattern is beyond the reach of a factory’s creative team. While the print is astonishingly lifelike, so too is the texture achieved on the surface of the tile. It is now very difficult, if not impossible, to tell the difference between wood and wood effect tiles with the naked eye.

3. Installation Costs

Laminates lead the way in terms of cost efficiency. Not too challenging for the average DIY person, they usually sit on a foam underlay and click together. Orientated correctly, trimmed neatly at the walls, and finished with a narrow beading if necessary – the job is straightforward.

If tiling, then doing so on a concrete or screed floor is the simplest option, and therefore the cheapest form of tile installation. If the floor needs some preparatory work, such as levelling out, this work will be needed for both ceramic and wooden floors. However, one would expect a tiler to be significantly quicker than a carpenter thereafter. The wooden planks need to be glued down, and to each other, as well as being cut to shape. Laying a natural wood floor is usually more expensive than floor tiles.

When tiling over joists or old floor boards, it is recommended that a backing board is installed first. This is because if tiling over sheets of ply or the floor boards themselves, the initial shrinkage of the sheets plus regular expansion and contraction with fluctuations in heat will cause movement. Floor tiles will be secured to these surfaces, and are not designed to tolerate such movement.

When installing timber over existing floorboards, the installer must ensure that they are solid, and that the new floor lines up perpendicularly to the old floor. If this is not possible, then the installer must sheet the floor out first. Alternatively, batons must be fixed to the floor first, and then sheeted.

Another consideration which must to be taken into account is the climate. Floor tiles can be laid the day they arrive. With timber, there are recommended moisture parameters for both the substrate and the new planks themselves, which must be adhered to. It is highly recommended that new wood be stored in the room in which it is to be installed for one week prior to fitting, so that it can acclimatise to the ambient temperature of its surroundings.

After all preparation work is carried out, the bill at that point is roughly the same for timber or wood effect tiles. However, the final installation cost will be cheaper if floor tiles are chosen.

4. Wear, Tear, and Maintenance

Natural wood is often finished with a lacquer or oil on the surface. This will wear over time through everyday use. The higher the level of traffic, the quicker this happens. Unfortunately, it only occurs on the part of the floor where walking occurs, which makes the deterioration all the more obvious.

Moving furniture, dragged toys, the toenails of large dogs, high heels etc. will all dent or scrape the surface of wood. It can fade too, more so in the areas that are subject to the most sunlight, something that will not happen with tiles.

Engineered and solid woods can be refinished at this point, but if left too long, they will need to be sanded down first, and that is a large, complex job.

Laminate floors cannot be sanded. Although they can be tougher than their natural counterparts, once they have worn through, that is the end of them, and they will need to be replaced.

Wood effect floor tiles, once fitted, require no maintenance other than a quick mop. Unless there has been a catastrophic spillage of something significant, such as tar or oil, even grout is not likely to tarnish. And even if it does, there are many cheap, easy to apply, restorative cleaners available on the market, which will bring grout up as good as new.

5. Water Damage

With wood, a lot of damage can be caused by a small flood from a domestic appliance, or even incorrect mopping and cleaning. As a natural product, moisture can be absorbed from the atmosphere or from standing water. This will cause planks to expand and buckle under the ensuing pressure, or warp out of shape. Splitting, discolouration, and rot can result.

To clean a wooden floor, it is not recommended to dump a bucket of water out into the centre, and then spread it around to get the job done. The water will seep between the joints, and the timbers can sustain irreparable damage.

Some laminates are mounted on water-resistant boards, which are ideal for bathroom or shower areas instead of natural wood.

All wall and floor tiles, by comparison, are manufactured to handle water.

Wood Effect Tiles

The reasons above explain the migration to ceramic or porcelain wood effect tiles from authentic woods. While there are lesser factors to consider, such as suitability to underfloor heating, the above are the five main driving forces.

Whether you’re building new, remodeling, or just looking for a big change, flooring is an important part of every room and can make a huge impact on your living space. In the world of floors, there are more choices than you may expect. Three of the most popular floor covering options these days are wood, tile, and carpet. Let’s explore the installation and removal of each of these to help you make the best decision for your space.

Wood flooring

Wood flooring is available in both solid and engineered varieties. Solid wood flooring planks are milled from a single piece of timber, while engineered planks are made by combining two or more pieces of timber in layers. These are available in many different woods including cherry, oak, or mahogany, as well as the very popular bamboo. With the exception of special situations such as unusual sub-flooring or an intricate parquet design, most wood flooring is installed by a tongue-and-groove method. The planks are specially designed to fit tightly together, and can be installed rather quickly and with minimum fuss. Both solid and engineered wood planks can be glued directly to the subfloor, but engineered planks can also be “floated.” In such cases, the flooring is not directly attached to the subfloor, which allows the floor some room to adapt, such as to increasing humidity. Wood flooring will typically require some kind of sealant such as oil or polyurethane.

Removal of a wood floor obviously depends on how it was installed. A very old wood floor may have been nailed down (not a common practice now) and all those nails will need to be removed. A glued-down floor will be particularly difficult since each piece of wood will need to be removed individually. If you’re removing a wood floor, a floating installation is your friend – they’re definitely the easiest to remove.

Tile

Tiles for flooring are available in a few options: ceramic and stone are popular, but there are also cheaper vinyl options for the budget-conscious. Tiles are available in a number of standardized sizes and shapes, and can be mixed and matched to create the style you’re envisioning, from an intricate mosaic to a checkerboard, to a simple traditional grid. They’re also available in a huge variety of colors. Vinyl tiles are available with a handy peel-and-stick option, making installation (on a scrupulously cleaned and leveled subfloor) quick and easy for a skilled worker. Traditional forms of tile need to be laid out carefully, using spacers to ensure an even layout, and when the design is complete, grout is applied between them to solidify the flooring. When the excess grout is removed and the entire floor allowed to set and harden, you have a lovely floor, ready to stand the test of time.

Wood Tiles can be a pain to remove, since they’re individually adhered in place. Industrial-grade removers and solvents will generally be required.

Carpet

Carpeting is a textile product, and there are infinite variations of it. From cut-pile to needle felted to berber to knotted-pile to tufted and from nylon to wool to acrylic to polyester to polypropylene, there’s a texture and material to suit even the most sensitive feet. Tufted nylon is the most common, though. A quick trip to a home improvement store will provide ample opportunity to see and feel a host of options of texture and material, as well as color. Generally, carpets are all installed by the same method. A special padding is laid over the subfloor and then the carpet is stretched tightly using special tools, and tacked down all around the room. No special care is needed except for an occasional vacuuming. Carpet shows age and wear and will need to be replaced in time.

Carpet removal is a relatively simple process of pulling up the tacks and rolling up the carpet and padding. It can be a filthy process though, due to the amount of dirt that can filter down through the fibers. Carpet tiles are becoming popular, especially for commercial spaces. They are affixed with glue and are designed to be easily removed.

Much has changed in the last few decades in almost every sector of life like with architectural designs and building materials, floor and wall surfaces and the fittings. Contemporary people want everything to be eye-catching as if part of a television show! In terms of colors, the bright and the lustrous are preferred. Some do opt for minimalist designs that contrast blacks and whites in a sterile setting.

Herringbone and chevron are quite similar and very popular. The difference is rectangles and angles. Besides architecture and tile designs, the herringbone pattern is found in jewelry, clothing, wallpaper and several others.

Floor and wall design options

Perhaps for hundreds of years since the Middle Ages, floors were restricted in terms of patterns. The usual flooring was made up of cement and of a few fixed shades. The only alternatives were marble or other forms of natural stone that only the privileged class could afford. Wood also served for excellent flooring, especially in areas where it was found in ample quantity like in forested areas. Wooden floors continue to be loved, but natural wood is costly and prone to decay amidst water.

In love with designer options, it is only natural that a variety of patterns are artistically sketched on the tiles through technology. A variety of surfaces may be printed through inkjet technology like copies of cement, cloth, greenery, oceans, wood, and stone on porcelains. Such surface textures appear very real indeed and it is hard to tell the difference!

Among squares and rectangles, triangles and basketweave patterns and so many others, the herringbone design or the skeleton of the fish is very popular. Complex abstract designs are also in vogue like the natural appearances found on marble surfaces. Imitations of ethnic symbols like the different Asian and African cultures and their dresses and headgear, lamp, temple and building designs are marketed too.

The basic herringbone pattern is replicated in a great variety of shapes and designs, proportions and colors. The crisscrossing design is found in many forms and colors, on various materials in aesthetic shapes. The interiors particularly need to be rather glossy and environments that use marble look rather lavish. The herringbone or the crisscrossing pattern may be used on a variety of materials is preferred. Choices of colors are endless, whether it is plain colors or a mosaic of shades and materials. Matte or glazed surface textures present another choice.

An abundance of flooring materials

Similar tile materials may be installed on floors and walls, though high traffic areas like business floors should go in for something durable like natural stone. Care needs to be taken to make sure that the sealing is done initially and repeated regularly if required. Wet and moisture-prone areas would avoid natural wood and any porous materials that would gradually lead to decay. Wood cannot be used in wet areas, though wood look porcelains would be fine.

What about blends of glass, metal, and stone to create exotic effects? Even glass tiles fill the interior with light and color! Natural stone mosaics too would harm the heart and amaze the vision with the play of colors and light and shade. The materials could be as light and breezy or dark and mysterious as desired.

Herringbone Tiles

The fishbone pattern created to perfection with sturdy wood like oak. The strips are fitted together to create that triangular effect. Genuine wood floors may be rather uncommon in view of the cost factor but some do swear by it in aristocratic homes. A few families always followed that noble heritage of wooden floors and will not give it up. Colors and shades could differ, depending upon the variety of wood being used, from almost whites to grays and browns, richly polished and insulating against heat and cold.

With a diversity of picturesque names and shades, the herringbone flooring tiles available online is mind-blowing! Choices would be infinitely complex indeed, but consensus must be reached by the family or office group. The trick is to select two or three designs and then set up borders or accents, blending or contrasting colors and designs for a rich effect.

It’s not that difficult to customize and install ceramic wall tile in your bathroom. A little patience and dedication will get you a long way when installing that dream ceramic tile bathroom wall you’ve always wanted to have.

Before you begin to install ceramic wall tile, get your tiling tools together. You will need the following tools for this project: A tape measure, a tile cutter and a pair of tile nippers and a pair of pliers, tile spacers, sandpaper, a trowel (preferably notched) and a rubber grout float. To install ceramic wall tile on your bathroom walls properly, you will also need a strong setting material like tiling thinset mortar, or any of a wide selection of tile adhesives. You will also need tiling grout for filling in the gaps between your tiles. Make sure to match your setting material color with your grout.

A bucket, rags and sponges will also be needed for cleaning your tiles of excess grout and other debris, after you’re all done. And don’t start to install ceramic wall tile without these essentials: You will also need a pair of safety glasses, heavy leather gloves, and long-sleeved work clothes (broken shards, and other debris can cause nasty cuts, if you are not careful). Ready to start on your dream ceramic bathroom wall? Follow the tiling instructions below and make your ceramic tiled bathroom wall and start tiling!

You can begin by finding the center of your wall. Use a carpenter’s level, or long pieces of plumb to mark intersecting vertical and horizontal lines. These will be your reference lines for your tiling work. Where both lines intersect is the starting point for your first row of ceramic tiles. From that point, you may then be able to working your way to both ends of your bathroom wall. Make regular checks when you install ceramic wall tile, so that your tiling work is consistent and does run up or down in a slanting direction.

There are two types of bathroom walls you may be working on. One is the common concrete wall, and the other is a special type of called a green drywall. A green drywall is specifically designed for use in bathrooms and showers because it is designed to resist moisture intrusion. Be sure that you clean your walls of dust and debris, as well as repair cracks and fill in gaps and holes. Roughen up or scarify your wall so that your tiling mortar has some grip for bonding. That way, when you begin to install ceramic wall tile on your walls, you won’t have a problem with your tiling mortar or bonding material.

You may now start installing ceramic wall tile once the walls are laid out. Start at your reference lines’ intersection point. Apply a coat of tiling thinset mortar. Place your tile over it and press the tile down firmly in place. Give it a twisting motion to set it in place. Stop pressing when you feel your tile has set and is no longer wobbly. Duplicate this procedure with the rest of your ceramic tiles. To get a consistent tiling, place tile spacers on all the spaces between your ceramic bathroom tiles. Don’t forget to check your work every now and then.

You may not need to use the entire tile as you finish up the end of the row. Use a tile cutter to get your tile under the right size. Then, smoothen the cut edge with sandpaper. Be careful: The edge of a cut ceramic bathroom tile is very sharp. For irregular, use your tile nippers. First draw an outline of the irregular and etch a line along it. Then, use your tile nipper to break off the unusable edges, until you have required shape. Do this a little at a time, so you can control your tile nipping. Don’t forget to sand the edges over.

Once you’re done tiling the bathroom wall, leave it to set, overnight, at the very least, or twenty-four hours, at the most. After this setting period, it’s time to lay in your grout. There are two main kinds of grout: Sanded or unsanded grout. Sanded grout is a mixture of cement, water and fine sand. Unsanded grout is any of a wide selection of polymer-based and epoxy resin adhesive grout used to install ceramic wall tile. If your tile spaces are more than an eighth of an inch wide, use sanded grout. For smaller tile spaces, use unsanded grout. Start by map out your bathroom wall and work one section at a time. To maximize your grout application, angle your rubber grout float and press down firmly as you spread it over the tile spaces. Check for pockets of air. Dab these spaces with more grout lining by using the edges of your grout float. Use a damp sponge to wipe off any excess grout. Rinse your sponge regularly so you can get a cleaner and better finish. Let your grout dry for a day and then take a dry piece of cloth and clean and buff your tiles.

Before you know it, you’re done! Follow these instruction on how install ceramic wall tiles, and don’t forget that ceramic tiling takes some dedication and patience. Take your time and don’t rush your work. When you install ceramic wall tile, the key is consistency and patience. Ceramic tiles that have been rushed will ruin your bathroom’s overall look. A bathroom wall with ceramic tiles that run in haphazard inconsistent zigzag lines is not a beautiful thing to look at. And worse, it would only mean that you lack enthusiasm for what you’re doing and that you haven’t given it your effort.