Tile Talk with Carri
I am the newest member of the Clay Squared to Infinity showroom. I graduated from a National Kitchen and Bath Association certified kitchen and bath design school. I then worked for a high end tile and plumbing showroom for 2 years doing sales and helping customers design their tile projects. Last year I started by own business, Array Kitchen and Bath Design.
I've been at Clay Squared to Infinity since August 2009 working in the showroom helping customers design their tile projects. With my design knowledge I can not only design based on your style and vision but with an eye to how the workings of a kitchen or bath might affect your tile project. I can do this work in the showroom or you can higher my design services to come to your home and bring your project to another level with help from basic organization to full kitchen and bath design including hand drawn floor plans, elevations and mechanical plans if needed, product selection and project management. I will also be writing each month on topics regarding tile, from basics such as sizes and color to how, where and why to use tile. You'll find that the topics for tile are endless.
Standard Sizes & Trim
Do you ever wonder what we're talking about when we say things like "field tile" and "bullnose"? Tile has it's own terms and standards. I'm going to break it down into five groups that will give you an understanding of basic terms and sizes for tile.
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Sizes
Standard sizes beginning with 1 x1, 2 x 2, 3 x 3, 4 x 4, 6 x 6, 12 x 12, then 1 x 2, 2 x 4, 2 x 6, 3 x 6 (all in inches). Many tile makers will make any size, rectangular or square, in between. The thickness of these tiles is usually ¼" or 3/8". These sizes and shapes are often referred to as field tiles, the tiles that make-up a majority of an area covered with tile. They are generally sold by the square foot. |
Decorative
Liners, which can be flat, pencil (rounded), quarter round can be a variety of heights, ½" 1" in height and generally 6" long. The thickness of the tile will also vary with the style.
Chair rails, which are just like their wooden counterparts and come in a variety of heights, thickness and designs, generally 6" in length. Decorative pieces are generally sold by the piece.
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Carved/Medallion
1" x 1" up 8" x 8", sometimes larger, and any size in between. Designed with actual images like flowers, animals, architectural and historic designs. These are used sparingly and will often be built-up with liners and/or chair rails like a frame to make them more prominent or sparsely placed throughout the field tile. These are also sold by the piece.
Finishing Pieces
Bullnose, rounded edge on one or two sides for when the tile does not end butted up to a doorframe or cabinet. Base coves, mud caps and many other pieces that are used for corner, connecting tile walls to tile floors and many, many other pieces. These are also sold by the piece.
Other Shapes - Circles, Triangles, Rhomboids.
These are just some of the "standards" of shapes, sizes and special pieces used in handmade tile. At Clay Squared to Infinity Josh is always happy to make that special piece so everything fits just right or if you have an idea of your own.
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