Posts filed under ‘bathroom’
How to Install Tile to Bathroom Showers
There are ten(10) easy steps to installing Tile in Bathroom Showers. Please use this blog as a guideline for your project.
1. Demolition/Preparedness: Upon the completion of demolition of the old tile, install a cement backer board in the shower area. In most cases you would have a professional install the shower membrane and shower pan appropriate for the space.
(Photo Source: Apartment Therapy.com)
2. Selecting Tile Size: Most contractors use two types of standard bathroom tile sizes, 2×2″ or 2×4″ tiles, which come on pre-spaced on mats. On the ceiling and floor of the shower, its best to use 2×2″ tiles and on shower walls its best to use 2×4″ tiles. Before you decide what you want where, start setting the tiles, and in the process take some measurements and see how the tiles will all lay out. After you set the tiles, begin to dry lay the tile panels, including any decorative borders, to see the way it’s going to set vertically on the wall. This allows you to see how many panels can fit, where you need to make cuts and where you should start setting. Lastly, you’ll need to get an accurate measurement, space out exactly how you will set the panels and after dry laying each segment, determine the best place to start setting tiles working from bottom to top.
3. Starter Board Introduction: Use a starter board as a straight edge whenever you do a vertical tile installation to ensure that each of the panels are straight and level. (Keeping the tiles straight and level makes the job look clean and level, which become key selling points down the line). You’ll want to screw the starter board directly into the cement board and remove it after completing a series of panels, after which you’ll then make sure the board is level before starting to set panels along this edge.
Once the board is level you’ll next use a notched trowel to spread the thinset which creates a suction to hold the stone in place as the mortar dries. Place the panel onto the thinset using the starter as a guide. Use a level to make sure tiles are straight. Once in place, push the tiles evenly into the thinset. Use your hands or a grout float to apply pressure. Without pressure the tiles have a chance to skew and slide. Wipe the tiles with water and a clean sponge as you set them, checking each row so that they are level before you set the next one.
4. Getting Around the Shower Door: When it comes to working around the door you’ll want to measure the width of the shower walls on either side of the door. Next you’ll, dry lay the panels and measure them to see where you need to make cuts. Set the tile panels on the side walls with thinset, similar to the way you had done so for the back wall by using the starter board. Clean the tiles with a sponge and water as you work. At the corner where there are gaps, fill in the spaces with the previously cut tiles.
5. Making Wet Saw Cuts: Once you finish setting the panels and making sure they are level, make cuts for the edges of the walls. Use a wet saw to prevent tile from breaking or splitting. Mark the tiles with a pencil where cuts are needed. Hold the piece firmly in place and gently slide it under the wet saw blade.
(Photo Source: How To Specialist.com)
6. Use A Sanding Stone to Smooth The Edges Out: Most of the cut pieces will have a straight edge that will contrast with the tumbled marble look of the tiles when set against the exposed edge of the shower wall.In order to prevent this from happening, use a sanding stone to soften the edge, rendering a tumbled look. After that, you’ll set these cut pieces individually along the edge, using the same thinset as before, making sure the pieces line up straight with the outside edge.
7. Creating A Border: Most contractors tend to create a decorative 3″ to 4″ mosaic border at the top of the shower walls between the second and third panel from the top, in an effort to add some visual (and very creative) context to the project. Because the border tiles tend to be thicker than the other tiles, you’re going to apply a thinner layer of thinset.
(Photo Source: WeddingBee.com)
8. Finishing Up Your Tile Sets: When you’re almost finished setting the tiles on all sides of the shower with thinset, you’ll want to check back over your work. If you find that you’ve applied too much thinset and it begins to come through the joints, simply a screwdriver and scrape the excess thinset out, wiping clean the area of any excess with a wet sponge. Be sure to complete this before the extra thinset dries, if you aren’t on top of it you’ll have a difficult time removing it and most likely it will not match the color of the grout.
9. Finishing Up The Shower Floor: One of the last things to do is to finish setting the shower floor with thinset. The shower floors are tiled with the 2×2″ tiles and setting the floor tiles is the same as the walls: you’ll thinset on the floor, and then slide tiles into place and pat them down with the rubber grout float. If the floor has been poured perfectly, you don’t have to worry about the pitch because all of that work has been completed for you already. When it comes to the angled tiles around the drain, you will need to use a special tool to get the right shape. Mark the tile where you need to cut it. Use a tile nipper and chip away at the mark, and although a bit time consuming the tile nipper does a great job.
10. Applying The Grout: When the tile has set, mix the grout for the shower walls. Use a mix of 75 percent sanded grout and 25 percent non-sanded grout, both of which are available at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s. Sanded grout, which in most cases, is difficult to get into small joints, can be mixed non-sanded grout, since the non-sanded grout helps thin out the sanded grout, so it can be applied a bit more easily on walls.
Lastly, you’ll want to use a rubber float to apply the grout by starting at the bottom and work your way up, keeping the float at an angle to the joints. Once all the joints in a section are filled, let them dry for a little while (20-30 minutes), then wipe the grout off the surface with a sponge and clean water.Once the tiles have been cleaned allow them several hours to set and dry.
Your finished product should look something like this:
POWDERING THE POWDER ROOM
Half bathrooms can be a challenge for any homeowner, how to add style and organization along with functionality! Powder rooms typically will serve not only your family but also any guests that arrive to your home. With a few simple tips and ideas you can take your powder room from boring to amazing!
ORGANIZATION
A small space DEMANDS organization in order for it to function as the space it needs to be. Organization comes in many forms, but in the powder room one of the most under-utilized space is above the toilet. Use the vertical space for storage and you will be able to maintain organization in a small area. There are large variety of bathroom accessories such as towel racks, towel bars and rings, towel shelves and racks and even robe hooks that can make organization and functionality work in a powder room.
BE BOLD
This small space can handle a variety of colors and textures. Choose carefully but have fun. Wallpaper or dark colors tiles will go in small spaces. If you choose a patterned wall paper, ensure that the rest of the items in the bathroom are simple with clean lines. While the pattern will look fabulous, overwhelming this small space with too much character can happen quickly.
HARDWARE
Choose funky or sleek but this is an area where you can splurge and really bring some style and flash into the powder room. Since the only hardware you will be installing is on the sink like toilet paper, toothbrush holders, and soap dishes be creative! Using bold drawer knobs and handles can also be worked in your small powder room to give you more sylish effects.
LIGHTING
Instead of a boring flush overhead light, choose something daring. Flank the mirror with two lights or choose a small chandelier to add style. Lighting will make or break your space so take your time in this choice!
SPACE SAVING SINK AND FUN MIRROR
www,hgtv.com
One of the most important items in the powder room is going to be the sink and mirror. Choosing a sink that fits the space correctly is important. Storage space can also be found in the sink if you choose a vanity over a pedestal sink. A funky mirror can also really make the space unique and one of a kind. A pedestal sink will add the illusion of space due to the fact that it is not bulky like a full vanity. The mirror in this picture also adds some style and charm to the small space.
Powder rooms can add charm and uniqueness to your home with a few simple steps! Explore ideas and be bold in your choices, for a couple hundred of dollars your powder room can be completely revamped andreinvented to fit your individual style.
Celebrate Earth Day!
Earth Day has been celebrated since 1970 and has grown in popularity from an environmental movement that only hippies cared about to a global movement to save and clean up the Earth. Trees are planted, parks cleaned up, green is made “cool” for one specific day. Citizens of the world give up time and energy to help make the Earth a little more beautiful.
Globally the green movement is taking effect and at Plumbtile.com we are making an effort to offer products that are not only stylish and durable, but also green.
Hangrohe is a product that is offered at Plumbtile that not only offers green products but has also made green manufacturing plants to help the environment. Founded and based in Germany, the environmental standards for this company are extremely stringent. Earth Day is something that should be celebrated daily, what a better way than ensuring that products used in your home and office are manufactured green and help to reduce waste.
Want to find a cost efficient way to go green in your house? Install a Duravit low flow toilet 
to minimize the amount of water wasted when using the bathroom. In the 1980s, Duravit had already harmonized the geometry of the body of the toilet with the flushing volume and reduced the amount of water consumed by its toilets to six liters as opposed to the nine or more liters that were standard at the time. Thanks to ongoing research and development, Duravit is today able to offer toilets that flush hygienically using just six, four and a half or even less water (see Dual Flush). At international level, Duravit offers toilets that also flush efficiently with a low flushing volume and that carry the “EPA WaterSense High Efficiency Flushing” label.
Who says that luxury and green can’t go together?? Graff products are not only ergonomically efficient but bring luxury and class to your home. Choosing green products does not mean giving up style. Style can be found and used in the best ways, by saving the Earth and meeting all of your design standards!
American Standard is another great company really thinking about the environment. Save money and more than 33,000 gallons a year simply by installing water efficient American Standard toilets, showers and faucets. American Standard is a proud recipient of the WaterSense® Partner of the Year Award for 2012 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Their commitment is to pioneer water-saving solutions and educating people across the country about protecting the earth’s water source. American Standard WaterSense certified products offers water savings of 20 percent or more. You can conserve water without sacrificing style or performance.
Celebrate this Earth Day by doing something great for the Environment. Chose a product that will help to bring style to your home and reduce waste in the process. Visit Plumbtile and shop for your favorite green products.
How to install A Tile Backsplash
For a homeowner, there is nothing more satisfying then to walk in to a room, and see a beautiful finished home improvement project. A project, that you, the homeowner, completed yourself.
Fed up with looking at that same old tired paint on the wall? Want something beautiful; elegant that’s also easy to clean? Install a tile backsplash, a backsplash that makes your kitchen or bathroom look fresh and new.
Plumbtile.com: Interstyle Arctiglass Glass Tile
Follow these simple steps to achieve the desired effects, without paying a professional to do it.
If your countertop is tiled, plan the layout so the backsplash grout veins line up with the countertop grout veins. If you don’t have a tiled countertop, start the first tile in the center of the base of the backsplash.
Step 1
Turn off the power to electrical outlets in the area where you’re working. Remove electrical outlet covers.
Step 2
Clean the area with warm water and allow to dry.
Step 3
Apply the manufacturer’s recommended adhesive with a notched trowel. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle and spread a very thin layer. Work in small 3-foot-by-3-foot areas to prevent the adhesive from drying out.
Step 4
Lay the first tile in the center at the base of the backsplash. Position the tile using a slight twisting motion. Use a level to make sure the tile is square. Place a spacer on each corner of the first tile. Cut one end of the spacers off in order to fit them between the countertop and the bottom of the tile. Push the spacers into the adhesive.
Step 5
Working out from the first tile, continue laying the tiles in a row, flush to the spacers. Wipe off any excess adhesive that oozes up between the tiles. Leave enough space to fill in with grout. Occasionally check to make sure the tiles are level. After one row is complete, begin with the next row and follow the same pattern. Apply adhesive as needed.
Step 6
If you need to cut tiles, score the tiles with a tile cutter. Don’t score the area of the tiles that will show. Use tile nippers or a saw to cut away the area carefully.
Step 7
When you place the tiles around an outlet, be sure the outlet cover hides the tile edges. Continue tiling as usual.
Step 8
When you’ve laid all the tiles, wipe off any excess adhesive with a damp cloth. Use a rounded stick to clean between the tiles.
Step 9
Allow the adhesive to set according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After the adhesive sets, remove the spacers.
Step 10
Mix the grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Since grout may irritate eyes and skin, wear safety goggles and latex gloves. Apply the grout using a rubber float. Spread the grout diagonally at a 45-degree angle across the tiles, packing the grout between the tiles. Wipe off the excess grout with a damp sponge when the grout becomes firm.
Step 11
Shape the grout joints using a rounded stick. Clean the tiles again and smooth the joints with a damp sponge.
Step 12
After the grout dries and a haze forms, wipe off the tiles and shine them with a clean cloth.
Step 13
Replace the electrical outlets and switches. You’ll need longer screws to replace the outlet covers. Use 1-1/4-inch to 1-5/8-inch screws with plastic washers behind the outlet to bring the outlet flush with the tile.
***If you have to cut tile, mark the proposed cut on the glazed side of the tile corners. Don’t mark on the clay side. The ink can be absorbed and bleed through to the other side.
Follow these tips for installing tile countertops or backsplash and your kitchen or bathroom will have a whole new look and appeal!
Plumbtile.com: Tile Showcase
Turn Your Outdated Bathroom To Green!
With a few easy steps and updates, you can turn your old and outdated bathroom into a new and environmentally green one. There are many ideas and products you can add to your bathroom to make it an Eco-Friendly part of your home. In return, you will dramatically reduce water, reduce the chance of mold and mildew, and do your part in preserving our environment.
Toilet: Using a two level flush systems can assist with reducing water wastage. The dual flush uses one for liquid waste, by using less than a gallon, and one for the solid waste. By 
installing and using a high efficiency toilet, you can save you an average of $100 a year, which is about $2000 over the lifetime of the toilet. Some city municipalities offer incentives to home owners who purchase high efficiency toilets. They can range anywhere from $25 to $175. By changing your water- devouring toilet to a high efficiency toilet, it can save you money and reduce the usage of water for the environment.
Showerheads: With constant droughts, reducing water is a must. A typical shower consumes up to 25 gallons of water, while each household uses an average of 100 gallons of water a day total. By changing your showerhead to a low-flow fixture, you will reduce the amount of water you use, but not the pressure. Low flow showerheads offer many unique features such as flow adjusting dials and pause buttons.
Faucets: Federal law requires new faucets not to exceed 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm). However, older faucets can flow at rates as high as 3 to 7 gpm. Changing your outdated faucets to a better performing, and water-efficient fixtures will help you save water, energy, 
and money while still receiving an adequate flow. By simply trading in your old faucets for a new energy preforming faucet, an average household can reduce its water consumption by 500 gallons each year. Using of sensor faucets are a great way for reducing water consumption in your household. This “hands-free” technology acts as a sensor to start the flow of water automatically and with ease. The sensors’ detects your presence, and robotically shuts off within seconds once you remove your hands.
Tiles: Go green with your tiles. You can choose earthy cork, clean ceramic, or recycled glass tiles for your bathroom floor and walls. The use of heavy-duty marble for your baseboard will give your bathroom a sturdy but eco-friendly finish. When sealing your tiles be sure to use nontoxic grout and grout sealer.
Ventilation: Restoring the bathroom’s ventilation can hinder mold and mildew development. Start with installing a noiseless fan that is fitting for your bathroom size, and vent it to the outside. Consider more than one fan if the bathroom is large. Most updated bathroom fans have timers or humidity-sensing switches to guarantee that the fan runs long enough after a bath or shower.
Water Heaters: If a water heater needs substituting, pick a high-efficiency type and consider a tankless heater or a hot-water circulation option if the main water heater is not directly near your bathroom.
The fundamentals of turning your bathroom eco-friendly managing water flow and choosing long-lasting materials that are made to handle the wear and tear of a moist and highly usable area. In return, you will be doing your share in improving our environment while keeping some cash in your pocket.
Think Big With Your Small Bathroom
Dissatisfied with not having adequate storage in your small bathroom? Not happy with the dark lighting? Or just tired of feeling claustrophobic? Then it is time to create a functional and delightful bath even if it is small.
Creating an illusion that your bathroom is bigger starts with factors such as bathroom fixtures, colors, lighting, storage and accessories. You can make a splash with a few minor alterations.
Bathroom fixtures: One way to give your small bathroom room is to go with a wall-mounted washbasin with a wooden shelf underneath to hold supplies, and a towel bar. Or a petite vanity style sinks with a single drawer and a place where you can have baskets underneath to hold bathroom content. Even wall mounted toilets, can give you the extra space needed in your tiny bathroom. These compact commode tanks is hidden inside the 2×6 stud wall, allowing for 9 inches of extra space in the center of the room. Or get space in a small square bath by positioning the vanity sink in a corner.
Storage for your bathroom items: To store bathroom items without taking up much space is to install floor to ceiling cabinets, or built-in cabinets using open shelves, closed doors or both. Also the use of medicine cabinets for additional storage is a great way to store your essentials that can eliminate shelves or cabinet spaces.
Illumination : Use a glass shower wall or door to eliminate the visual barrier of a shower curtain or doors giving your compact bathroom look and feel more roomier. Other tricks you can do that will give a bigger impression is to use lighting around large bathroom mirrors illuminating any reflection. Mirrors reflect the style and substance of any room.
Lighting it up: Make your small bathroom light up! Using shower lights , wall mounted lights to overhead hanging lights will bring functionality and brightness to any size bathrooms. Also add skylights to bring in natural light if a window is not present in your bathroom.
Tile it right: Create attention by setting focal points in compact spaces. Using glass tiles or marble mosaic tiles can create a shimmering backdrop behind sinks, Create a colorful pattern or use rich tones to add warmth and create balance. Make an illusion of a higher ceiling. Wood moldings,wallpaper borders, and tile designs placed where the walls and ceiling meet will also provide a splash of color and help naturally draw the eye upward.
Making a big splash in your tiny bath by treating it with chic fixtures and alluring finishes. Look to colorful fabrics like glass or mosaic tiles, updated fixtures with space saving ones, and storage spaces to help your tiny bath bubble with greatness.
Green Mondays: New Eco-friendly Materials
At Plumbtile, we like to research about the newest trends and news about green living and design. It is our advocacy to spread awareness about using sustainable, recyclable, and eco-friendly materials for the home.
ThisOldHouse came up with a list of new interior materials that are on trend and in the market. Here are some of them:
LEATHER TILES
Even luxurious leather gets thrown away; scraps from furniture, shoe, car seat, and other tanneries eventually make their way to landfills.
The naturally sound-absorbent tiles install like cork or vinyl (preglued tiles are available). For care and upkeep of floor tiles, use a damp mop to clean them; wax them three times a year, or use a topical sealer once every five to 10 years. Wall tiles do not need wax or additional maintenance.
BIO-GLASS
This luminescent material is 100% post-consumer recycled glass that’s heated and compressed to create solid-surfacing slabs. It contains no binders, colorants, fillers, or other admixtures, and has no off-gassing.
Sample shows slight markings from the bottom of a recycled beverage bottle. To enhance the upgrade, lighter colors can be underlit to make agglomeration markings stand out in dramatic fashion.
To find out more about going green and the use of renewable sources and materials, go to http://www.plumbtile.com/go-green.html or call 1-866-758-6284.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Trend Study
Looking to find out what’s hot and what’s not in the world of kitchen and bathroom design? If you are still in the planning stages of your remodel, you might want to check the latest National Kitchen & Bath Association’s trend study: 300 member designers were polled for the latest trends and news about bath and kitchen designs and remodels and below are the results.
Curious to see what’s HOT this season?
GRAY COLOR SCHEMES – that’s right, shades of gray are growing in appeal for both the kitchen and bathroom, and been growing in popularity since 2010.
“Among the overall trends identified for this year, gray color schemes in both kitchens and baths have witnessed a dramatic escalation since 2010, particularly over the past year, according to a written statement about the study. “Used currently in 55 percent of kitchens and 56 percent of bathrooms, shades of gray are growing in appeal, creating chic, sophisticated spaces that many consumers desire.”
The appetite for sleek shades of gray in kitchens and baths might be linked to the colors popularity in fashion over the last few years. NKBA stopped short of linking the color’s popularity to the steamy best-seller “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James.
Despite gray’s recent appeal, white and off-white are still most popular, used in 73 percent of kitchens and 71 percent bathrooms. The neutrals of beige and bone come next in popularity, followed by grays and browns, according to NKBA.
View full article.
QUARTZ – second most popular counter-surface material used in kitchens and baths last year, and is closely gaining popularity to granite on the top spot.
WHITE CABINETS – this is a popular trend for kitchens, it has been a top choice since last year.
GLASS BACKSPLASH – this trend has grown in popularity in the last 3 years, it’s no surprise.
TOUCH-ACTIVATED FAUCETS – at Plumbtile you will find many of these trendy faucets, we love them!
For the complete trends for the bath and kitchen, you can view the full list here. Call 1-866-758-6284 and ask your friendly Plumbtile consultant about the latest trends, they’re always ready to help!
2013 Eco-Friendly Bathroom Trends
In the recent years, green designs have become more popular, not only for buildings, but also for clothes, accessories, houses and even specific areas in people’s homes. Bathrooms, being one of the logical areas of the house to save energy, in this case water, has become one of the more popular places to go green.
Green design has also evolved in the recent years. While before putting a dual-flush toilet was enough to make your bathroom eco-friendly, now you can make every inch of your bathroom energy-efficient and not harm the environment at the same time. They need not be boring too. At Plumbtile, the leader in all things bathroom and kitchen design related products, we have a wide array of green products from tubs, showers, faucets, and even tiles that are that are made from renewable resources that have none to minimal impact on our environment. 
offers contemporary and traditional kitchen and bath designs from the finest brands worldwide. Leading the decorative marketplace since 1978, we provide bathroom & kitchen fixtures, designer hardware, tile & stone products that reflect elegance, luxury, quality & functionality. To know more about these products and brands or advice on how to GO GREEN, call 1-866-758-6284.
The start of 2013 marks another year of green design trends for the bathroom.
- Organic – The past years’ trends concentrated more on functionality. This year, design is going back to the organic sensibilities, using nature-inspired shapes and more renewable or recyclable materials.
- Color – Use of eco-friendly splashes of paint or renewable resourced tiles and accessories will be the trend. All these in bright colors.
- Spa-like – Now more homes will feel more like spas than the usual family bath.
Let’s GO GREEN in 2013!
PlumbTile features the largest collection of premium brand names including Alno, Jado, Hansgrohe, Herbeau, Phylrich, California Faucets, KWC, Newport Brass, Toto, Ginger, Americh & Zuma Tubs, Hastings, Sugatsune, Classic Brass & more.
Happy Weekend!
We at Plumbtile are thankful to our friends and all our loyal customers online. We have extended our Photo Contest promo to give everyone the chance to participate and win. The promo is now extended up to April 15, 2013.
If you haven’t heard about the contest yet, you will be pleased to hear that we are giving out $1000 worth of kitchen and bathroom products!
The rules are very simple. You just have to go to our Facebook fan page and upload a remodeling photo (past or present), and you will get the chance to win.
Tell all you friends! Share this article and spread the word!
Again, thank you from all of us at Plumbtile!
