Improper care can ruin this natural beauty, and though we may think natural stone tile is “hard,” we’re not completely correct. Natural stone tile is porous, meaning that it will absorb anything that’s spilt on it’s surface. Sealing the stone with these steps will keep your messy kids, (let’s face it, their always spilling something,) from damaging it. First, gather a few supplies, including: a cotton cloth, dish washing liquid (be sure they are free of bleaches and dyes,) one bowl of warm water, another bowl with cool water, an old toothbrush, and a drying cloth.

Step One:
First, add a few drops of dish washing liquid to the bowl of warm water you set aside. Get the old toothbrush, or anything you can stir the dish washing liquid into the water with. Now dip the cotton cloth into the water and wring it out thoroughly.

Step Two:
You should begin by wiping off your natural stone tile with circular movements. Keep turning the cloth over continually while in the same spot so as to avoid the stress of creating scratches accidentally with the leftover grime that might be on the natural stone tile.

Step Three:
Next your going to rinse the cloth out in the cool water and then wring it out. Again wipe in circles the area where you started with the cool cotton cloth. This is going to seal even the smallest porous areas in your floor, remove all the soapy residue, and is going to pick up left over dirt from the cotton cloth.

Step Four:
Let the area you were cleaning dry, then go over again in a circular motion with the dry cloth to get rid of water spots.

Four steps is all you need to make your natural stone tile last for many years, and maybe the best part about it is that cleaning it didn’t cost you a dime! Of course you can find products made specifically to restore the look of your floor at flooring companies and at most stores. But just to make your job easier, always pick spills up quickly, but never rubbing them, only blot them, and always sweep the area clean of dirt before beginning these easy steps.

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Type 1: Travertine mosaic.

Travertine, like marble, comes from limestone. So you can expect the properties to be similar to marble. You can’t expose it to highly acidic fluids. Otherwise, the tiles will be damaged. You can also expect the appearance to be rather similar to marble. In fact, Travertine can be more versatile when it comes to textures and colors. You can easily find the type of color and texture that you are looking for. For instance, the tiles can come in ivory, gold or beige. You can also choose to have texture tiles or polished tiles (smooth surfaces) for your bathroom.

Type 2: Marble mosaic.

As mentioned, marble comes from limestone as well. So in many ways, it is similar to Travertine tiles. You can also find polished or tumbled surfaces (tumbled gives a rougher matte look) for marble tiles. Regardless of whether you decide to use marble or Travertine, you will eventually have to make up your mind on the type of tile surface that you want to use. Smooth and matte surfaces can create drastically different looks, mainly due to the fact that a matte tile doesn’t reflect as much light as a polished tile.

To make a decision, you need to be clear about the type of look that you are looking for. Some homeowners prefer to have a brighter looking bathroom. So they choose polished marble mosaic tiles. For example, let’s say you are going for the luxurious look. You want your bathroom to look like it’s built for a king. In this case, you can choose to use marble of Travertine mosaic tiles with a polished surface. You should also choose beige or gold as the primary color. That way, when light gets reflected on the smooth surface, it looks as if the entire bathroom is made from gold!

These are definitely ideas that you can play around with. Remember that you will be spending a lot of time in the bathroom as you use it everyday. So it’s important that you choose a design that you like.

If you are not the kind who enjoys flowery displays, then perhaps you may wish to adopt a more modern approach. Modern designs involve simplicity. You can choose polished black marble tiles, and match them with modern bathroom vanities. The overall look will be one that is simple, clean and classic.

Type 3: Glass mosaic.

Finally, you can choose to have glass mosaic installed. Usually, glass tiles are used for contemporary bathroom designs. They come in many different colors such as grey, brown, beige, and even green. If you don’t like the natural patterns on Travertine or marble, glass would be your best choice.

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Marble comes from limestone, and is extracted using commonly known quarrying methods. It is available in many different parts of the world such as Turkey, France, India, Brazil, China, Spain and the United States. Because marble comes from limestone, you can expect it to have similar characteristics as limestone.

For example, if marble is left unprotected, it can be easily stained by anything that is acidic or alkaline. Fortunately, this problem can be easily overcome by applying a finish, which acts as a protective layer, over the surface of the marble tiles.

The marble tile that you see in the market for bathrooms are actually polished tiles. Polished marble tiles reveal a smooth and sparkling look. In fact, some tiles can be so well polished that you can even see your own reflection in the tile. That is the reason why when you walk into a posh hotel, you get a grand and majestic feeling. The chandelier in the lobby can create interesting effects that you have never seen before.

As a homeowner, you probably don’t need such stunning effects. Simplicity, practicality and affordability will most likely be what you are looking for.

You will come across two sizes – 12″ by 12″ and 18″ by 18″. You may be surprised to learn that using larger tiles cost just about the same as using smaller tiles. The price difference applies when there is a difference in quality, pattern, or country of import. Obviously, marble from China will most likely be more affordable than marble from European countries.

Marble tiles come in interesting patterns and colors. You will come across colors such as crema marfil,emperador dark, lotus beige, honey onyx, or white carrara. The color that you choose depends very much on the overall design of the bathroom, as well as your own personal taste.

Honey colored tiles tend to give a more expensive look because the tiles look golden. Grey will go with almost anything, and white can be used to create a modern and classic look.

Due to the unique characteristics of marble tiles, it is very difficult to duplicate the look. That’s why, after all these years, marble has been able to hold its prices quite well. That means homeowners still like marble tiles very much, and marble is still in demand.

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For instance, it’s helpful to know that both travertine tiles and marble tiles don’t go well with anything that’s acidic or alkaline. That means if you are considering using such materials for your bathroom, you shouldn’t be storing acidic liquids in your bathroom. Sealers will offer a certain degree of protection. But it is still better to avoid having acid liquids come into contact with the stones.

So what is so special about Travertine tiles and why is it gaining popularity with homeowners?

Travertine, after processing, comes in many different colors. You can find tiles in such colors – ivory, beige, walnut or gold. The finishing can be very different too. A finished tile can be matte or shiny. A tile with a polished surface will reflect the most amount of light, while a tile with a matte (textured) surface will reflect the least amount of light. You can use the different surfaces to help you create the look and feel that you want. Here are some tips that you may find useful.

Tip 1: Consider the lighting.

Due to the reflective nature of the tiles, light plays a very important role. The bathroom can become too bright if you have strong lighting, coupled with polished Travertine tiles. If you have strong lights, it’s best to downplay the light a little by installing textured tumbled travertine tiles.

Tip 2: Use different tiles for different purposes.

The surface of the tile can serve practical issues as well. For instance, for floor tiles, many homeowners like matte tiles better as there is more friction. Friction can help prevent unwanted accidents in the bathroom. You don’t want your flooring to be slippery, especially if you are in a hurry during the morning rush! In this case, you can use the polished surface for the construction of your bathroom vanity, and use the textured tiles for the flooring. By mixing the two types of tile, you create a different look, and a more functional bathroom.

Tip 3: Consider the colors.

The surface is just one important element. The other crucial element is the color of the tiles. What color do you think is most appropriate for your bathroom? Remember, you can choose from these colors – gold, beige, white and grey. These are the most common colors. The entire bathroom can be constructed with one single color, or a few colors. It is advisable to keep to just 2 colors. More colors will just complicate the design. Choose matching colors for your tiles and your bathroom vanities and you will get a great looking bathroom!

Learn more about natural stone tiles and travertine tiles – www.homedesignoutletcenter.com