Look for a tile that is fully rectified with sharp, full-cornered edges, for an easy installation and a clean, tight grout joint (the sealed area between the tiles). For higher quality, choose a tile with a full body, which means that the color is the same throughout the body of the tile, not just on the top layer. In an area of heavy wear, a full body tile will look better as it ages and will withstand chipping. When choosing a finish, it can be tempting to pick a satiny, shiny surface, but for safety, it is better to find a tile with a slip resistant surface, such as a calibrated, or raised, surface.
Like the looks of limestone and granite but don’t want to pay the high cost? Check out porcelain instead. Tile manufacturers have developed porcelain tile that looks identical to real stone, but is much more affordable. Each large format porcelain tile is lighter than real stone and can be more easily installed in the same areas as limestone or granite, but with the benefit of added durability. Italian tile manufacturer Cotto d’Este offers the Buxy series, named for the extraordinary beauty of a rare limestone found in the small village of Buxy in Burgundy, France. It has a unique stone-like pattern that cannot be duplicated from tile to tile.
For a natural and traditional look, the rustic hues of the Oxide series from Ilva S.A., Argentinean manufacturers of porcelain and ceramic tile, come in chrome, iron and tin colors, inspired by Argentina’s flowing landscapes. To spice up any room, try laying the tiles in an off-centered, brick-like or perpendicular fashion to create movement and a natural stone appearance. Many manufacturers, like Ilva, also offer landscape-inspired tile in mosaic form, or small uniquely cut pieces that can be laid out in a random medley to enjoy all of the colors in the series.
Carie Schelfhaudt works as public relations coordinator for Communicators International, Inc., a marketing communications firm in the heart of the Old Port, where she helps numerous clients in the tile and stone industries. She can be contacted at cschelfhaudt@yahoo.com0.