Floor Tile Territory
Ceramic tiles are appreciated for their decorative quality, but they are also practical and functional. As a means of decoration the tile is unsurpassable for quality and purity of color, which when dimmed by accumulated layers of grime needs little more than a wipe of a cloth to restore its original lustrous condition.
What Is Ceramic Tile?
It's a mixture of clays which has been shaped and fired at high temperatures. The hardened slab which results from this process may then be glazed or decorated or it may be left untreated. Ceramic tiles have been produced for centuries and there are many ancient examples of the art which attest to their timeless beauty and durability.
Italian Style
Italy is the world's largest producer and exporter of ceramic tile with about 400 ceramic tile factories throughout the country. Most of the tile manufactured in Italy is glazed which afford an almost infinite variety of colors and decoration.
Sizes
The typical Italian tile measures 8 inches square. However, tile dimensions range from sizes as small as 4" to as large as 24". Twelve inch tiles have become the preferred size for floors. In addition to squares and rectangles there is a wide selection of shapes, which can be used by themselves or combined with others to create an infinite variety of patterns.
Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted by permission HouseNet, Inc.