Selecting the right FLOOR TILE Travertine is a type of limestone that is a byproduct of hot springs from all over the world. At formation, the minerals in travertine are mixed giving each collection unique patterns and character, perfect for a one-of-a-kind travertine floor for your home. Ceramic tile is manufactured through the process of heating and cooling natural clay and minerals. To achieve the desired look and feel, ceramic floor tiles come in a wide array of colors, sizes, shapes, textures, and finishes at The Tile Shop. Porcelain is manufactured tile from natural clay. Porcelain tile is created by heating more refined clay to higher temperatures creating a denser floor tile that can be used indoors and outdoors. Available in a variety of textures, colors and sizes making it a perfect choice for any style. Shop Our Exclusive Tile Collections The fastest growing category in tile comes in both ceramic and porcelain. This wood like tile mimics the warmth and feel of natural wood but is much easier to maintain and more durable than natural wood.
Our wood look tile can fit any design style. Slate is a metamorphic rock found across the globe. Our collections showcase a rich color palette that ranges from copper to red, navy to sage and tan to black. This fine grained floor tile can be used both indoors and outdoors. Marble is a highly durable stone that exists in almost every color due to the variability of component minerals. Marble tile can have multiple finishes from polished to honed and brushed to tumbled, this classic floor tile is fit for any room in your home. Stay warm & cozy all year long Granite is an igneous rock; a result of the cooling and solidification of lava or magma. Granite floor tile is distinguished by its small flecks at the surface yet varies in its richness of color and visual depth, making each stone a masterpiece of nature. Pebble and Stone Mosaic tile bring the beauty of nature indoors. The natural tones and unique shape of each floor tile can provide character to a shower or powder room floor.
Your one-of-a-kind floor will be the new focal point of the room. Onyx is a softer stone and has a transparent quality that doesn't exist in any other stone. Onyx tile is best suited for indoor floors, counter tops, and in medium to light traffic areas. This smooth texture and earth shade tones are sure to stand out in your home. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock with a natural, yet elegant appearance. It comes in many different colors and textures. Tremendously durable and versatile, it is suitable for both commercial and residential applications and can be used indoors or out.Carrara White 4 in. x 12 in. Bologna Chiaro 3 in. x 6 in. Tumbled Travertine Floor and Wall Tile (1 sq. ft. / case) Natural Stone Collection Mongolian Spring 12 in. x 24 in. Slate Flagstone Floor and Wall Tile (13.5 sq. ft. / case) Honey 12 in. x 12 in. Polished Onyx Floor and Wall Tile (5 sq. ft. / case) Montauk Blue 12 in. x 12 in. Ivory 12 in. x 12 in. Honed Travertine Floor and Wall Tile (5 sq. ft. / case)
Natural Stone Collection California Gold 12 in. x 12 in. Slate Floor and Wall Tile (10 sq. ft. / case) Ivory 3 in. x 6 in. Honed Travertine Floor and Wall Tile (1 sq. ft. / case) Blue Pearl 12 in. x 12 in. Polished Granite Wall Tile (10 sq. ft. / case) Tropic Brown 18 in. x 31 in. Polished Granite Floor and Wall Tile (7.75 sq. ft. / case) Chiaro 6 in. x 6 in. Remove the tile and begin with a clean and level substrate. Use a hammer gun with a chisel bit to make it easier. Apply pressure along the outside edges as you break up the tiles to help them break. As you demo, place the tip of the hammer gun along the grooves of the tile joints. This helps the tiles crack more easily. Use industrial strength trash bags to clean up the broken tiles. If you're working off a concrete base, you need to remove the old thinset to get a smooth and level subfloor before setting the tile. To remove the thinset run the hammer drill along the old thinset line. Use a heavy duty vacuum cleaner to clean up.
When selecting tile, you have a lot of options so choose what works best for you. The material choosen for this room is a natural limestone 12x12 inch tile. Measure the area where you will be setting the tile. This will help determine how many full squares are needed and how many will have to be cut. When setting the tile, make sure the full squares are in the most noticeable area while the cut squares are along the wall or steps. To mix the thinset, put the paddle mixer in an empty bucket. Pour the thinset in the bucket and slowly add water. Mix the thinset until it is the consistency of pancake batter. Let it false set for five minutes, and mix again. Set the full 12x12 tiles first. Once these have dried, set the cut tiles along the edges. Apply the thinset first with the smooth end of the trowel, and follow with the notched side. Work small sections at a time. Before setting limestone tiles, dampen the back of the tile with a grout sponge and clean water.
Doing this keeps the tile from absorbing the moisture out of the thinset too quickly and slows the setting time, thus strengthening the bond between the tile and thinset. Spread a good amount of thinset on the floor to make up for any irregularities. Adding or taking away thinset will ensure that all the tiles are evenly set. Set the first tile in a corner, and move on to the next one (Image 1). Keep the joints small when working with natural stone tile. Use a toothpick to space the joints or just eye it (Image 2). Smaller joints will emphasize the stonework rather than the joint size. As you work, pay attention to the color and patterns of the tiles. Mixing them will greatly enhance the appearance of the floor. Set all of the full tiles (leaving space for the tiles that will be cut along the edge) and allow them to dry. If the area you're working in is the only entryway into the house, you may need to work in sections. There will be areas along the edges or near trim where tiles will have to be cut to size.
Measure and mark the cuts on each tile individually, leaving room for joint spacing on either side. Use a straight edge to mark the cuts and double check the measurements before cutting them. Use a wet saw with a masonry blade to cut the limestone. Cut all of the tiles first, then dry set them to make sure they fit. For more detailed cuts, use a grinder with a diamond blade. Once the cuts are finished, apply the thinset to the floor, or to the back of the tile if you need to be more precise. Then set the tiles. Wipe the face of the tiles with a wet sponge as you work to remove excess thinset before it dries. Allow the tiles to dry fully. Once the tiles have dried, thoroughly clean them with water and seal them with a penetrating stone sealer. Spray the sealer onto the tiles and wipe off the excess. Limestone is a porous stone and the sealer will protect it from staining, especially when you begin to grout. Pick a grout color that complements the tile you have chosen.