Atlas Concord MarvelDream 004 09 Ultramarine-Bianco Diamonds

Atlas Concord MarvelDream 004 09 Ultramarine-Bianco Diamonds

A little info on Red Body and White Body Tiles

What is a red body tile?

Red body tiles are a type of vitrified ceramic made of is red clay that is coated with ceramic glaze, usually vitreous glaze, to make it more abrasion resistant.

What is a body tile?

Tiles designated for bathroom floor and interior walls are commonly a white body tile.  A white body tile is comprised of white clay that is somewhat porous. It is more absorbent than porcelain, so it should always be used inside instead of outdoors.

Is porcelain or ceramic tile better?

The answer to that depends on the application.  How durable does the installation need to be?  Bathroom floor take a look at ceramic options first.  Need something for the patio or at the front door begin with Porcelain!

Which is better white ceramic or red body tile?

White body tiles lie somewhere between red body and porcelain. The lack of colour in the body allows lighter glazes to really pop, but the (relative) lack of hardness means they’re only ever suitable as wall coverings. Key points include: Better colour definition than red body, especially with lighter glazes.

What’s the difference between color body and through body tile?

Color-body is different in that the bisque is dyed in a similar color to the glaze. During manufacturing, a pigment is added to the tile body prior to glazing to ensure that it will match the surface.

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Wedi Wet Room System

Fundo Primo Shower Kit

„The wedi wet room system in a box.“

Product information

Wedi Waterproof Shower Systems can help with the construction of 100 % waterproof and mold proof showers. Weid Fundo Primo Shower Systems are easy to install and open up a whole new world of design possibilities for showers, wet areas and baths. Wedi shower systems blend the traditional values of design flexibility and robustness while offering the added benefits that come with state of the art material and manufacturing technologies.

Used in combination with wedi Building Panels on walls, our shower bases offer an excellent alternative to traditional installation methods. The modular system character is defined through an interlocking system and installation methodology using wedi‘s „Z-Notch connections“. These are channels in at the perimeter of wedi shower bases into which wedi building panels and other components lock and seal. These channels are minimum 1/2“ wide and a minimum of 3/8“ deep, but may otherwise be modified to fit field conditions and accommodate a tight fit between parts and wedi joint sealant in between. No more presloping, pan liner cracks or membrane pin holes, clogged drain weepholes and mold growth. Plus, reduce the traditional installation time and down times for a full shower floor preparation for tiling from 2 – 3 days to now 30 minutes. Fundo is available as point drain, linear drain or special floor level shower systems. Once installed it is a tough floor element with no sponginess which is known to be a characteristic to many foams and especially EPS or expanded polystyrene foams. On wedi: put up a ladder, walk on it, work on it. You may also drop a tool without inflicting irreparable damage..

• Safe transport in a box
• Perfectly matched
• Complete peace of mind for installers and end users

Content of wedi Fundo Primo Shower Kit:
- 1 wedi Fundo Pan
- wedi building panel to cover up to (3) 80" walls
- 1 drain assembly
- 1 full foam curb
- wedi Joint sealant
- fasteners
- wedi putty knife
- includes wedi installation DVD

Cork Flooring

If you are looking for a renewable flooring option that comes from a sustainable source maybe its time to consider Cork.  Thats right the bark of the cork tree is harvested from a living tree every nine years and the tree is not harmed in the process!  Some brands of Cork floors contain cork from rececyled wine corks.

Cork is sound absorbent, it absorbs impacts, and has a high resistance to wear.  Cork's resilience gives users a floor that is comfortable to walk on causing less stress to the back and feet. Users can have a floor that is comfortable to walk on causing less stress to the back and feet.

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What countertop is in fashion right now?

Granite was the undisputed heavyweight champ a few years ago, but quartz seems to be the next contender. So what makes quartz so special? Quartz is non-porous and nonabsorbent engineered surface that does not need sealing, it is scratch resistant, its almost maintenance free, it has a higher impact resistance than granite and marble. It easy to see why this material has been gaining in popularity. Quartz is an Aabundant natural resource and is usually a by product from mining other minerals

Manufactures like caesarstone have incorporated green practicies from the start. 97% of the water used in processing is filtered and recycled. CaesarStone can contribute toward a green building project earning LEED points. CaesarStone Countertops also can boast being the ability to be "koshered" for Passover, from mile to meat.

Does my granite need more sealant?

Q: How do I know if my granite countertop needs sealant?
A: Place a couple drops of water on the countertop. If the water stays beaded up like the water on the hood of a brand new BMW then no additional sealant is needed. If the water appears to soak in the stone and the area you placed the water takes on a damp appearance contact your local countertop specialist so they can assist you with this problem.

Not all tiles are created equally

Have you heard the terms “Nonvitreous” or “Semivitreous”?

Your tile selection goes beyond color and size! Not all ceramic tiles absorb the same amount of water. “Nonvitreous” is the term for tiles that absorb the most water, and this type of tile should be avoided for showers, tubs and sink countertops. “Semivitreous” tiles are rated for low absorption, and can be used for splash areas. Glazed porcelain tiles are an example of a tile that will absorb no moisture at all. Porcelain tiles with proper installation have a long life in the shower .  Good tile coupled with proper waterproofing eliminates worries of water seeping behind the tile and rotting the wall beneath it.

Choosing a floor is just like choosing the right pair of shoes.

When you buy a pair of shoes you think about what you need them for and what kind of outfit to wear with them. I know most people think what shoes go with what outfit, but dammit I am a proud impulse shopper. 

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What size grout joint should I use?

It's your tile and your room, Do what you like! Do listen to the advice of your installer ,but at the end of the day you are the person that has to live with the installation. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and the decision on both tile and grout width should be made by the owner.

CERAMIC TILE INSTITUTE OF AMERICA, INC. says,"If recommend widths are wanted consider the following":

Decorative handcrafted tile 3/8 to 1/2 inch.

Mounted, handcrafted tile in 3 x 3 and 4 x 4 as mounted, 1/4 inch.

Glazed wall tile, as dictated by the lugs or 1/16 inch.

Ceramic mosaic tile as mounted, usually 1/16 inch.

Quarry tile and paver tile 1/4 inch.

Large sized of precision made tile, such as 24 x 24 inches, 3/16 to 1/4 inch.

Large sizes of handcrafted tile 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

Marble tile and granite tile 1/16 inch minimum and 3/16 inch maximum.

Why natural stone is a good option.

Bespoke home design. Stone can be as unique as snowflakes not two pieces are alike and it is a material that offers beauty only seen in Mother Nature. With today’s higher activity level in the home and with the emphasis on personal style and self-expression, material choices become more important in performance, functionality and maintenance.

It is durable and timeless. Natural stone is timeless. Its durability insures that your selection will last a lifetime. Stone is resistant to many of the wearing effects of weather, light, scratching and staining. Granite is the preferred choice for kitchen countertops, floors and other heavily used surfaces. Formed by volcanic activity, granite is one of the hardest and least porous stones you can use for a countertop. Not affected by citric acid, coffee, tea, alcohol or wine, granite is nearly impossible to scratch.

It is affordable. Because of  advancements in the process of quarrying and shipping stone, it is now more affordable than ever. Natural stone is available in a multitude of colors and patterns and affordable for most any budget.

It’s hygienic and eco-friendly. Granite resists heat and is one of the most bacteria-resistant surfaces. With proper cleaning and sealing, granite will keep its lasting beauty. Natural stone is considered to be a “green” and environmentally friendly building material.

It's can increase property value. In a study of materials for kitchen countertops by Consumer Reports magazine, granite had the highest number of “excellent” ratings of any surface. As an investment, homeowners recover almost 100% of their remodeling costs at resale when using natural stone as compared to other materials.

I think they forgot to install a drain?

I was wrong the drain is there I just did not see it.  I did not realize this shower has one of those linear drains.  You know the drain that’s in those trendy Aloft and Element Hotels.  Well it’s not only fashionable and luxurious it’s functional also.  Trench drains are superior to traditional drains for several reasons they install easily and take half the time it would take to install a traditional center drain system. 

When installing linear tile shower drains, the height can be adjusted to fit the unique needs of your project, making it easier for even novice DIY enthusiasts to install the system in their tile shower installation or wet room shower.

Another advantage of our trench drains for showers is that they are of universal design, meaning they can be used in an area that both able-bodied and handicapped persons can use with the same ease. If you have someone in your family who is bound to a wheelchair, the linear drain shower design creates barrier free showers for a bathroom making it easier to roll a wheelchair straight to the showers.

Top-of-the-line bathtub replacement shower pans make it easy to install a rear drain shower, low profile shower or other type of specialty shower conversion. Instead of relying on a center drain to carry water away from the floor, the shower conversion kit allows the design of a custom shower base that drains water through side outlet shower drains or back outlet with no penetration.

Apart from the obvious advantages of the design in creating handicap showers, the installation of the linear drains is also easier than the traditional center drain system. For contractors and developers, this makes building a wheelchair accessible shower easier on the budget and takes less time.

Liquid Membrane Waterproofing FYI

Liquid Membrane may be a little trickier to install properly than originally thought.  Most liquid membranes have very specific wet film thickness requirements and require that product be gauged to ensure thickness is correct. Drying results in shrinkage up to 50%, so proper gauging is critical. Additionally, most liquid membranes require a fabric at all up turns, corners, etc. These requirements make liquid membranes susceptible to installer variables and errors.

A WET Film Gauge should always be used to ensure the Liquid Membrane is installed to manufactures specs. Flood Testing should also be performed to identify any leaks and allow for repair. Liquid membranes generally require several days for curing before the pan can be filled with water. Since production schedules are generally short, flood testing is often not performed.

Wet Film Gauge

A Wet Film Gauge is used to precisely measure wet film coatings that have been sprayed, brushed or dipped on a smooth surface. To use a wet film gauge the gauge user would place gauge into the wet coating so that it touches the substrate and then remove it to observe the teeth. User should know approximately, what the thickness of the applied coating is, in order to use the correct side of the comb. 

The Marble On the floor looks Wet.

I was at the Gaylord Hotel located in the National Harbor Washington, DC. I thought the floor there was absolutely gorgeous, the contrast of the colors and the depth of the gloss. The floor looks wet in person. The picture does not do it justice. I just wanted to share this. Looks like I need to revisit my marble tile care guide. How do they keep the floor so shiny and have hundreds of people walk on if daily?