Category: Stone Tiles

The Key Bathroom Tile Trends To Consider In 2021

Posted on by Stone Tile Emporium
Black Slate Rectangular Wall Tiles In Kitchen

If your bathroom has seen better days, 2021 could be the year to finally do something about it.

After all, there’s nothing worse than having to wash and clean yourself in an area you don’t feel as comfortable in as you used to – sometimes you simply have to say enough is enough and do something about it.

However, when it comes to redesigning your bathroom, choosing the right tiles to use can be a difficult decision for many. This is not only because of how frequently trends come and go, but also due to the huge number of designs there are available to choose from.

So, with this in mind, we thought we’d help make the decision process easier for you. Join us as we run through four of 2021’s most popular tile trends, highlighting the key ones to think about if you’re planning on redesigning your bathroom later this year.

1. Subway Tiles

While some people may think the traditional design of subway designs may be boring, 2021 looks to be the year they’re brought back into fashion.

This is due to the new range of sizes they are fast-becoming available in – much thicker, longer and larger than we have seen before.

These styles, combined with a contrasting grout colour, can now transform dull into delightful, especially when installed in such a way to create a unique pattern or mosaic pattern within the bathroom.

2. Hexagonal Tiles

While on the topic of unusually shaped tiles, hexagonal porcelain tiles are becoming more and more popular with consumers around the UK.

Therefore, if you’re keen on giving your bathroom a bit more of a geometric pattern, hexagonal-shaped tiles can do exactly that, creating a truly unique look in your bathroom.

Whether you choose to use them on the floor of your shower or on a standalone wall, these tiles provide an abundance of choice over the style you want to achieve for your bathroom.

You could even go one step further by combining an array of differently coloured tiles to create elaborate accents in tune with your bathroom’s overall colour scheme.

3. Matte Tiles

Another type of tile which appears to have significantly grown in popularity in recent times is the matte tile. These tiles offer a soft but highly powerful style that won’t look too overwhelming in a bathroom, like some glossy ceramics can.

And, while they may be slightly duller in appearance, they more than make up for it in the practicality of their design, with water stains invisible on them when they are installed correctly.

This, in turn, makes them to ideal choice for flooring in the bathroom, especially if you have a lot of room to play with.

4. Graphic Patterns

Retro is officially back.

More and more people are now investing in graphic patterns for their bathroom tiles, utilising a range of colours, patterns and designs to really show off their space.

Victorian tiles, for instance, offer homeowners the creative freedom to put their imagination to use and come up with bold designs truly unique to their own home.

What’s more, these patterns are being seen on both ceramic and porcelain-style tiles, enabling you to control just how glossy or bold you want your designs to come across.

Final Thoughts…

If you’re still feeling a little stuck on which bathroom tiles is right for you, don’t worry – our team here at The Stone Tile Emporium are always on hand to help.

Simply contact us at your earliest convenience and we’ll be able to answer any questions you may have, before helping you identify the best tiles to suit both your personal and budgetary requirements.

Ca Pietra Encaustic Floor Tiles

Posted on by Stone Tile Emporium

En caustic tiles, in which the pattern on the surface is created by using different colours of clay, first appeared in Europe in the late 19th century.

This is Ca’ Pietra’s first ever collection of hand-made decorative tiles made using the ‘encaustic’ technique with cement in which the pattern is inlaid into the body of the tile, so that the design and colour remain over a longer period of time even with extensive wear.

These are different from ceramic tiles in the way that they are created. Ceramic tiles are made such that surface pattern is the product of the finishing glaze printed on the surface and not the actual tile itself. Whereas with these, the pattern continues throughout the depth of the tile and as a result wears much better. Contact us today or visit our shop in Reigate for more information.

Could Robots Help Us With Tiling In The Next Few Years?

Posted on by Stone Tile Emporium

Once you’ve got hold of your natural stone tiles from our broad selection here at the Stone Tile Emporium, you might either be looking forward to or dreading the prospect of having to actually install them. Whatever your views are on this type of DIY, the National Development Minister in Singapore believes that robots could make tiling floors “four times as efficient”.

In a blog post back in May, Khaw Boon Wan stated that he felt tiling was “one of the most labour-intensive processes in construction” and it could be enhanced and improved with the inclusion of robotics. With many companies based in East Asia looking into the prospect of incorporating robots into their industrial work, tiling could be the next on the list.

So how would robots actually carry out the tiling job? Mr Wan went on to explain that robots could carry out the labour-intensive aspects of the job, whilst we as humans could contribute by carrying out higher-precision tasks such as grouting or cutting odd-sized tiles. Researchers at the Singapore-Eth Centre Future Cities Laboratory believe that robots could potentially lay tiles two or three times faster than humans.

The questions is, should these robots become commercially available, could they benefit anything other than open plan living spaces with large surface areas? We are interested to get your feedback on this interesting story, so have your say in the comments section below.

Can’t Find Your Perfect Tile? – Why You Should Consider The Exciting Alternative of Glass Mosaics

Posted on by Stone Tile Emporium

Glass mosaics are an excellent choice of tile for anyone who wants something a little more flamboyant, although not so much to dampen the clean appearance of any modern kitchen or bathroom space.

One of the biggest pluses associated with glass mosaics is that they aren’t likely to fade out of fashion or look particularly dated in the next few decades or so. They work extremely well with any modern interior design, so you can rest assured that a preference for glass mosaics will work in your favour should you choose to sell in the future.

Choosing glass mosaics takes time and should include plenty of consideration for your preferred colour, design and shape. Here at the Stone Tile Emporium, we have a wide range of glass mosaic options available to suit a variety of interior design preferences, such as Contemporary Chic or Iridescent Pearl.

Every type of glass mosaic we have offers a unique blend of colours and themes, giving you an alternative to the standard features of natural stone tiling. If there’s anything that could potentially become dated in future with glass mosaics, it’s likely to be the shape. Rectangular tiles in general may fade away in time but we’re always on top of the latest design trends here at the Stone Tile Emporium.

So should you go with glass mosaics for your home? It’s an easy yes in our opinion, as you get all sorts of exciting features that this kind of tiling is associated with, all of which are capable of lighting up both traditional and modern living spaces.

To learn more about our glass mosaics here at the Stone Tile Emporium, contact us today on 01737 210125. We look forward to hearing from you.

3 Design Ideas to Achieve a Luxurious Contemporary Bathroom

Posted on by Stone Tile Emporium

Porcelanosa Wall and Floor Tiles Hero Image

We’re all after that luxurious finish when it comes to tiling, whether it’s a contemporary home or something a little more antique. However, achieving luxury in a contemporary home can be quite tough, especially with so much to compete with in the market. Here are a few luxury stone flooring ideas that might give your contemporary kitchen or bathroom the sparkle it needs to reach new heights.

Glamour

Original Style Artworks Baroque Blue Bathroom Wall Tiles

Glamour and contemporary go hand-in-hand, so going for something that dazzles or sparkles could work particularly well. Once the mirror effect of your shiny stone tile attracts the natural light of your bathroom, it creates a shimmering atmosphere that compliments any modern bathroom design.

Urban Chic

Urban chic is really growing in popularity. The slate flooring effect means that bathrooms and kitchens are now adopting a unique design that compliments the idea of natural stone. With the addition of some exposed brickwork and wooden cabinets or furnishings, you could create a beautifully luxurious urban environment in your bathroom without substantial expenditure.

Scandinavian

Original Style Earthworks Tumbled Marble Beige Floor And Wall Tiles In Bathroom

The Scandinavian effect incorporates plenty of wooden features as well as cubic furnishings and no short amount of natural light. With the addition of some naturals tone tiles, you can create a spa-like atmosphere that lives up to the demands of luxurious contemporary bathrooms. A touch of the outdoors, such as plant life, shells or stones will also work really well here.

For more information on our wide range of slate tiles and more, get in touch with us today or visit our shop in Reigate, and we’ll take you through our unrivalled collection of natural stone.

Designers flawless lines

Posted on by Stone Tile Emporium

The Stone Tile Emporium specialises in tile installation, and can carry out work both inside and outside your property.

This stunning work below was completed by one of our professional fitters for a designer’s new house. The client was interested in having matching stone in the same style throughout the downstairs of his property, which would then continue out to form a patio.

Our team was able to create seamless lines by joining the two sections. This beautiful look provides an elegant running flow out through the large glass doors.

designers house

Our installation service

This is a fantastic example of the brilliant work that our installation team can produce for you. Our team of experienced and knowledgeable tilers and stone fitters would be delighted to help you with your stone tile project.

We have expertise working with virtually every type of tile, ranging from ceramic and porcelain through to stunning natural stone. Additionally, we can provide electric underfloor heating and a range of other services to ensure that you get the perfect tile flooring.

To learn more about the range of tiles we provide, as well as our high-quality fitting service, please get in touch with the team at The Stone Tile Emporium today.

Tiling FAQ – Week 1

Posted on by Stone Tile Emporium

Marble Tiles Gallery Image - Original Style Earthworks Viano White polished marble and Nero Polished Marble

We’ve all experienced the ups and downs of carrying out DIY work and installing new stone flooring or wall tiling is probably one of the most common DIY jobs that you’ll come across. There are always questions that need answering when tiling, so we’ve decided to put together a few FAQ’s for those of you who are seeking out some helpful tiling advice or information. Three questions will be answered each week, so keep an eye on our blog over the coming weeks!

Q. Is it safe to drill through my bathroom tile installation?

A. Yes. However, it all comes down to what your tiles are made from. If they are thin and ceramic, a cheap drill bit is all you need to carry out the job. Porcelain tiles on the other hand require small diamond drill bits and can be much more difficult to start.

Q. Can tiles stick to plywood?

A. Plywood is quite a common bathroom material, though it must be thick enough to not be affected by regular changes in temperature. You will need a latex based bonding solution rather than standard PVA solutions to get tiles to stick to Plywood.

Q. Do I have to seal my natural stone tiling?

A. Yes. Natural stone isn’t porous so you’ll have to carry out a grouting procedure. Once the grout has been left to dry, it should become waterproof. Grouting doesn’t have a significant effect on the look of your natural stone tiles, so don’t worry too much about this.

Tiling FAQ – Week 2

Posted on by Stone Tile Emporium

Our tiling FAQ continues into week 2, where we focus on some of the more basic aspects of tiling for those who are carrying out their first ever stone tile project. Sometimes the most obvious questions bring about the most useful results!

Q. How do I work out exactly how many tiles I need?

A. To work out the exact number of tiles you need for your designated tiling space, multiply the height by the width of your wall space to get a measurement in square metres. Then find out the measurement of your chosen individual tiles and divide the surface area of your tiling space by that of your chosen tile.

Q. How can I get a neat and organised row of tiles?

A. It’s important to have tiles of equal size to have a perfectly symmetrical set of wall tiles. Place cut tiles of equal size at both ends of your row, using a spirit level to make sure you have them in line. After marking out the positions on the wall, use a batten to trial your row of tiles, putting spaces in between each one. Mark out the tile positions and gaps along the batten and use this as a gauge.

Q. How can I make sure the spaces between the tiles are even?

A. You can make the space between each tile even by putting plastic tile spacers between each one. Try to make sure that each spacer is pushed as far in as possible so they can also be grouted over. Try not to leave any marks on the tiling in the process.

How Does Natural Stone Get Its Colour?

Posted on by Stone Tile Emporium

We’re lucky enough to work in an industry here at the Stone Tile Emporium that provides us with all kinds of questions regarding the origin of natural stone and its characteristics.

It’s fascinating to learn more about the origin of natural stone, especially when you consider that the majority of stone flooring is the result of millions of years of compression beneath the earth’s surface.

For example, the colour in natural stone tiles derives from all kinds of organic matter and minerals. So how exactly does natural stone get its distinct colour and pattern variations?

The colour of natural stone is dependent on the minerals and organic matter present. For instance, red marble is given its colour from a high presence of iron, whilst green marble gets its colour from serpentine.

You can easily identify various minerals in natural stone by carrying out some research on the specific colours you get from all the different minerals present in stone. This can help you locate the perfect colour for your interior design plan.

So what should you know about minerals in order to maintain a tiles natural look? There are some stone tiles that gradually fade over time when exposed to sunlight, such as marble tiling.

Marble is sensitive to ultraviolet light and will subsequently lose its deep, shiny dark colour over time. You can bring the colour back by polishing or honing the stone every now and then.

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