Laying Ceramic Tile

Laying ceramic tile is an art perfected by practice. Following are several basic steps to understand before laying ceramic tile for your next project.

There is no more beautiful or practical floor than ceramic tile. Especially in kitchens, bathrooms and foyers ceramic tile is a perfect choice for floors. The same principles apply whether you're laying ceramic tiles for counter tops, walls or shower floor pans too.

The Base.

The base for ceramic tile can be several materials including linoleum, concrete, sometimes sound wood or even old tile. It must be level, clean and somewhat rigid. Walls and sometimes floors often use a cement backer board for a base.

Laying Out A Ceramic Tile Project.

Layout of a tile job includes finding the center of the room. Close attention should be given to how the tiles will run out at the walls or other obstructions. Lay some of the tile on the floor to plan the appearance of the job. Then strike lines parallel and perpendicular to the walls as reference marks.

Plan for cutting of tiles where necessary. You will need tile nippers and a saw, preferably a wet saw.

Thin-set Adhesive.

The adhesive, or thin-set, is mixed and applied to a small area at a time. This prevents the adhesive from setting up too soon. Especially if you're going to be doing some cutting and fitting, you'll mix and apply only a small amount at a time.

Laying the Ceramic Tiles.

The thin-set is spread with a tile trowel which forms ridges in the thin-set to control the amount of adhesive applied. When you lay ceramic tile pay close attention to getting the joints even. There's some art in getting the tile laid evenly. Those tiles have to be straight and level!

Grouting Ceramic Tile.

After the tiles have set for 24 -48 hours, you may install grout .

Grout comes in a variety of colors. Mix the grout with water making sure to mix well to avoid lumps. Don't want lumpy grout, do we? Apply grout with a rubber trowel.

Clean the grout from the tiles after about 30 minutes. Clean about an hour later a second time.

After 24 hours drying time, the tiled area is ready for use! Laying ceramic tile produces a long-lasting product.

Laying ceramic tile is a skill you can learn and get just the kind of results you want!

Laying ceramic tile and need more guidance? I know exactly how it is.

Laying ceramic tile is a mysterious process if you can't see it done.

Visit InstallingCeramicTile.Net and clear up the mystery.

Get your questions answered about your ceramic tile project.

Al Bullington enjoys ceramic tile from his home in the country.

Create A Spa Atmosphere In Your Master Bathroom With Accents And Accessories

People spend time at spas in order to feel better when they leave than they did when they arrived. Whether the point of the spa visit is getting a much needed massage to reduce muscle tension brought on by injury or the stresses of daily life, getting a facial that leaves your skin glowing or getting a manicure that makes the skin 1110on your hands feel unbelievably soft as it makes your nails look gorgeous, all spa visits leave you feeling relaxed and happy.

Though you probably don't employ a massage therapist, aesthetician or manicurist in your home, you can still create the soothing spa atmosphere of peaceful relaxation and well being in your master bath using accessories and dcor accents instead of major renovations. The towel racks, mirrors, soaps and sundries you choose can make a world of difference.

Here are a few design tips to help you get started in creating a spa ambience in your home's bathroom:

Choose graceful towel racks big enough to hold body sheet type bath towels without looking crowded. Wrought iron towel racks with a shelf on the top are particularly nice as you can use the shelf to hold and display scented aromatherapy candles and potpourri that add to the spa feeling.

Don't hide bath necessities such as soaps and body lotions under the sink or in the medicine cabinet. Instead, unwrap soaps and store them in a large, pretty, clear glass jar.

Instead of merely folding clean towels and washcloths and tucking them away, roll them and store them in a large, flattish basket.

Use antiques to create charming storage: An old three-drawer chest or freestanding repurposed jam cupboard-especially when painted the same color as the bathroom walls can hold a lot of hair dryers, curlers, cosmetics and whatever else you need. The overall effect is supposed to be charismatic and personal.

Include some greenery to increase a sense of well being. A dark green plant looks great anywhere, and photographs of flowers and landscapes contribute additional notes of serenity. Ferns love steam and moisture and they thrive in a bathroom setting, as long as you have ample natural light to allow them to grow.

Use candles lavishly-nothing says "elegant spa" more than candles! Set candles of all sizes along the edges of your tub. Light them while bathing for a relaxing bath experience.

Listen carefully. Invest in a small CD player and several CDs of soft music and natural sounds such as gentle rain or ocean waves. Listening to soothing music while getting ready for work can help to start a day that runs smoothly; listening to soothing music during an evening bath can take the edge off one that didn't. Many specialty retailers sell "Spa Sounds" music on compact disc.

Use bath salts and body oils every day. Why deny yourself these pleasures except when you go to a day spa? You deserve the feel good benefits that scented bath salts, botanical bath soaks, body lotions and oils provide on an everyday basis, not just once in a while! Many spas now sell the same products you enjoy during spa treatments for home use as well, and buying them for home use will truly make you feel your bath is a luxurious spa!

As with any spa you visit, it is the personal touches and ambiance that make it special and memorable. The same rules apply in your own master bathroom. Choose items you love, and pieces of furniture that add to that spa feeling and you cannot go too far wrong.

Jessica Ackerman is the head author at Wall Dcor and Home Accents - visit to explore exceptional metal wall hangings and research modern wall candle sconces.

For more of her articles on EzineArticles.com, see this interesting article on how to decorate and maximize work space.

Jessica Ackerman is a popular contributor at http://www.walldecorandhomeaccents.com

Leverage Your Contractor's Contacts

Another value that contractors can bring to the table is their existing arrangements with their materials suppliers.

Typically, many specialty materials stores will offer one retail price to the weekend renovation warrior and a lower price to the every day contractor. In some cases, these reduced contractor prices can be based on the volume of business a contractor brings to the materials supplier.

Take our new en suite. We knew that we wanted the floor to be tiled, as well as the bathtub enclosure and of course the shower stall. So, our primary contractor told us he could get us contractor pricing by just mentioning his name at a certain local ceramic tile store. We went to the store, said 'Bruce sent us' to which the store manager said 'Bruce who?" :-), to which we replied 'You know, Bruce XXXX, the tall, handsome, good looking, super honest, renovator"...to which the store manager said 'Ah, yes, that Bruce!'.

So, we choose our tile, and when we went to pay for the tiles, grout, etc., there it was...20% Contractor's discount right on the invoice. And, this is not a unique situation. Building materials suppliers live and die on volume. Individual contractors are going to buy more than an individual home owner. So, the suppliers will encourage the contract to do business with them by offering contractors lower prices than the general public.

Yes, you still need to do your own homework. Still comparison shop. Go to at leat one more supply store that you pick out (not one from your contractor). You do need to ensure that the store to which your contractor sent you does not have inflated prices, does not have a limited selection, and so on.

In our case, it turned out that our contractor's preferred tile store was one that we has prior dealings with.

Isn't it nice when there is a happy ending?

To see more of our home renovation adventures and what we have learned, simply go to our blog, Daily Home Renovation Tips, at the link below.

http://dailyhomerenotips.com/

Finding Fantastic House Renovation Ideas

If you want to renovate your home then it can be confusing where exactly to start. Some home renovation projects are extremely difficult and can be very scary! There are a few things that you must think about when planning any home renovation project. The most important thing is to educate yourself so you are able to carry out the tasks correctly. You will have to put a lot of effort into renovating your home, so you will want to make sure you are able to do it properly.

Flooring

Flooring in your home is very important, but it is also pretty expensive. Improving the flooring in your home is a very good way to improve the overall look of your home. Replacing with a high quality floor can make your home worth much more and also make it much more desirable if you came to sell it.

There are lots of different options that you can use when updating your flooring, two of the most popular options are hardwood flooring and using carpets. Almost everybody has a different opinion of what would work best in their own house. You can find numerous different types and colors of flooring which will work with any theme and color scheme.

Updating floors isn't really that difficult, it's much easier than say changing kitchen cabinets. I would suggest sticking to snap together engineered hardwood flooring as it's much easier.

Windows and Doors

Another way to greatly improve your home is to renew the windows and doors in your home. The windows, doors and floors are very important to prospective buyers because they think that it is a lot of work to change them. You should also treat replacing windows and doors as an investment, after all by replacing them with double glazed windows you should be able to save money on your heating costs. This saving will be most noticeable during the winter months.

It is very important to make sure your windows are kept in tip top condition. One of the best investments you could make is actually replacing your windows. Windows are often59B overlooked when considering home renovation projects, however they are very important. Your house will look much more appealing from the outside which should make it much easier to sell should you want to.

There are a number of different replacement window options that you can consider, including:

- Wood
- Vinyl
- Aluminum

All of these are very popular and durable, most places offer reasonable prices. You must be prepared to shop around in order to find the best buy.

If you don't feel confident enough to replace the windows yourself then don't hesitate to call in the professionals!

The collaborator Jack Blacksmith is very passionate about news relating to bay window curtains and storm protection. His contributions on garden replacement windows can be discovered on his webpage and also other online publications.

Your Basement Bar Idea

Designing a basement bar idea is one of the most desirable things you, as a house owner, can do for your den. Especially when you got lots of friends who like to party on weekends, you can have your basement as an alternative venue. Even for just the simple joy of hanging out, the basement is a perfect spot.

What makes a basement more enjoyable to hangout with is when you know people like it too. Having an idea and turning it into a reality is one thing that gives you that sense of fulfillment. The conversation doesn't seem to end. Here are some things you need to set it up.

1. Sink. Install your sink in a corner near your plumbing system. This is will make it 5B4easier to install. Since all ends of the plumbing system in your house leads to the basement, might as well set up your mini bar there. Your wet bar is where you wash stuff or drain all excessive spills into the sink.

2. Liquor shelves. Having a liquor shelf in your basement bar is essential since you'll be serving drinks in the room. Place your liquor shelf in an area where the temperature is consistent. This will help as most of the wine and other liquor types are temperature regulated. A basement bar idea can never be complete without this.

3. Keg, cooler, and a refrigerator. Consider installing a beer keg shelf under your bar if you're thinking about serving beer. It's safe and it's easy to manage. Some bar units have a built-in keg cabinet. An alternative to the beer keg is a cooler to put your beer bottles in. However, coolers can also be messy after the party. If you don't like coolers or keg, put a mini ref in your basement bar. But these are also must haves for a basement bar.

4. The bar. Obviously, a basement bar can't be without the bar! You have a choice of building your own. Some carpentry skills and a little time in your weekend schedule is what you basically need. This is most practical when your budget is tight. However, if cash is not a concern, buy one. There are a lot of different types of bars that suits your basement bar idea to choose from.

5. A bartender. Add an experien5ABced bartender to your basement bar. However, this can add to your overhead cost. If you have a friend who knows how to mix concoctions, send him in. But if you don't, the next best option is to study this art of mixing drinks. The fun part is when the party begins. Having this is your plan completes your basement bar idea.

Some basement bars can be quite a well-designed that they don't even look like basement at all. The designs are so good you might think it's a bar in a hotel restaurant. The point is that all you need is a good and clear vision of how your bar should look like. Your basement bar idea is your key to make it happen. When it's done you'll be the envy of your friends and neighborhood.

Hunting for a basement bar idea? Discover the best tips on basement remodeling ideas from the best sources on the web.