Tile is an important design element of our Florida homes. Early mud and clay tiles date back 7000 years. Today, most tiles found in the home are of porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone.

Manufacturers (even artisan tile makers) develop clay recipes. Once formed, drying of tiles is very important to prevent cracking and warping. When dry, a glaze is applied and the tiles are fired in special ovens some as hot as 2000 degrees.

Ceramic tiles are the most cost effective. The tile is easier for installers to cut because they are not as hard. There are also more color options. The tiles can be painted or glazed.

24" floor tiles are accented with a circular mosaic tile "area rug"

Porcelain tile has greater strength then ceramic and is more impervious. This makes it suitable for inte-rior and exterior applications. And it is 30% harder then natural stone. Usually, porcelain tile color goes clear through.

Granite and marble are popular natural stone alternatives to ceramic and porcelain tiles. One will see more variance in the design of stone. For these, stone is cut and polished in different dimensions.

Over the years, we have seen many changes in the industry. In the 1950's when tile became common in American bathrooms, they were generally small and square. Today's tiles have grown bigger - a lot bigger. Homeowners can choose designs of 24" x 24" or 32" x 32" in size. Rectangular shapes are currently popular, as are wood and stone designs.

Wood look rectangular tiles offer care-free upkeep.

The majority of our homeowners select 24" porcelain tiles, although travertine is another favorite. We will be using some of the newest styles in our new model.