Friday, May 30, 2008
How to Install Coralina Tiles in 4 Easy Steps
Coralina tile provides a beautiful, long lasting wall that's easy to take care of and is almost impossible to mark or stain. You can install wall tiles literally any place you want to be able to enjoy their beauty, but the obvious locations are in outdoor kitchens (as backsplashes or countertops) and in bathrooms and showers. Although most people think a coralina wall is difficult to install, the reality is it's not beyond the range of a handy DIY'er who is willing to spend some time understanding the process and take his time installing the wall.
Here's what you'll need:
• Coralina tiles
• Cement board or green drywall
• Galvanized cement board screws
• Fiberglass tape
• Level
• Pencil
• Tile adhesive
• Notched trowel
• Tile cutter (rented)
• Tile nippers
• Grout
• Rubber float
• Sponge
• Buckets of clear water
• Utility knife
• Silicon caulk
Preparing the Wall
Coralina tiles can be installed directly on drywall, plaster, or if they are in moist areas, onto "green" drywall or even better cement backer board. Green drywall is specifically designed for use in bathrooms. It's as easy (or as hard) to work with as ordinary drywall, but it's specially formulated to resist moisture. Its best use is in a kitchen or bathroom where the environment will get moist, but not where it will actually be exposed to water.
Cement backer board is actually made from a fiberglass mesh and Portland cement, so moisture won't bother it at all. It is available in 1/2 and 5/8-inch thick sheets (similar to drywall), and is usually sold in 32 or 36-inch wide panels 5 or 8 feet long. Cement board is cut the same way as ordinary drywall - score it with a utility knife and then snap it at the line. It's installed by screwing it to the underlying studs; place the screws about 6 inches apart and use special galvanized screws that won't rust. The seams are finished by taping with special fiberglass seaming tape. Cement board is the best thing to use in a shower installation and even makes sense if you are installing a backsplash close to a sink.
Laying Out Your Tile Pattern
Find the center of your wall and use a carpenter's level to mark intersecting plumb (vertical) and level (horizontal) lines. Dry fit the first row of coralina tiles starting at the center and working your way to the ends of the wall. You want the coralina tiles at both row ends to be approximately the same size, so you may have to adjust your vertical reference line to make them match up.
Installing the Tile
Starting in the center, on one side of your reference line, apply a coat of tile setting adhesive to an area about 3' by 3' square. Take care not to cover your lines. Spread the adhesive with the smooth side of your notched trowel and then go over it with the notched side to create ridges in the adhesive.
Firmly press each coralina tile in place and give it a slight twisting motion to be sure it makes good contact with the adhesive. As you work your way along, place tile spacers on all four sides of each tile, so your grout lines will be consistent. Take your time and work on the wall in three square foot sections.
At the end of a row or around fixtures, you'll probably need to cut some tiles. A rented ceramic tile cutter is the easiest way to make your straight cuts. Using this tool, score the cut line on a full tile and then snap the tile along the scribed line. Smooth the edge with 80 grit sandpaper (the edge of a cut coralina tile is very sharp).
Cutting irregular shaped tiles or around obstructions will require using "tile nippers." These are a heavy duty hand tool that you use to "nip" or bite off little pieces of a tile, one at a time, until you have cut the needed shape.
Grouting
After the coralina tiles have all been installed and the adhesive has set up (probably overnight), it's time to grout the tiles. Depending on the width of your grout lines, you will need to choose either sanded or unsanded grout. If the spaces between the tiles are bigger than 1/8", use sanded grout. (Sanded grout actually contains sand particles that help make the grout joint stronger.)
Remove all your tile spacers and mix the grout following manufacturer's directions (it should end up with a peanut butter-like consistency). If you're grouting in a bathroom or kitchen area, be sure your grout includes a waterproofing agent.
Using a rubber float, apply the grout at a 45-degree angle to the grout lines.
Press firmly; you want to get grout all the way down to the bottom of the seams. Work in your 3' x 3' areas to be sure you get uniform coverage of all the grout lines. Wipe off any excess grout with a wet sponge and clear water.
Friday, May 23, 2008
7 Artsy Ways to Make Your Landscaping Stand Out Using Natural Stones
• Patio floors/walls
Friday, May 16, 2008
How to build a dry creek bed river rocks
Difficulty: Average
• Landscaper's paint
Friday, May 9, 2008
How to Select The Best Travertine For Your Next Project
Do your research! Ask questions of the experts the salespeople, local paver installers such as Larry’s Cap Rock & Stone, owners of travertine pavers, and other sources. They can help you make an informed purchase. Knowledge is the best means of achieving the results you want.
Consider where you wish to install your travertine pavers; what kind of conditions will it need to be able to withstand? Foot traffic and moisture levels should be the most obvious considerations, as well as any spillage or staining problems that may arise from your young children or pets.
With the location in mind, think about the issue of finish. This should help you to choose the kind of finish that would be the most suitable. Tumbled or brushed travertine pavers may answer the slip-resistance question. But honed or polished may meet your visual requirements. Weigh the pros and cons, always balancing visuals with practicality.
Choose an appropriate sealer. This is an important step regardless of which type of travertine paver you choose. Consult the experts your local retailers of stone products can help with this on which products are best for your particular choice in travertine paver. As always, follow the instructions on any the labels of any products you do buy to make sure you get the results you are after.
When you finally get your travertine, expect there to be slight color variances. Despite the fact that there has already been a selection process for color variation, travertine tile is still a natural product with varying degree of mineral deposits from tile to tile. But you can use this to your advantage. Open all boxes and try a dry run using all of the tiles in your batch. Be creative!
A travertine paver installation links your interior or exterior with a architectural tradition that goes back thousands of years, as well a linking it to an ongoing tradition likely to last for thousands more!
Larry’s Cap Rock & Stone offers travertine tile and pavers. They offer subtle yet rich tones to any interior or exterior, as well as a level of long-lasting durability which makes it a reliable material as well as a decorative one.
Friday, May 2, 2008
We offer a large selection of beach pebbles for your next pond or garden project. Amazing and inspiring Mexican beach pebbles
We offer a large selection of beach pebbles for your next pond or garden project. Amazing and inspiring Mexican beach pebbles, pebble tile, and river pebbles to compliment your home.
Our collection of beach pebbles is one of the largest in the Southeast. Whether you are looking for black Mexican beach pebbles, earth toned pebbles or vibrant color pebbles, Larry's Cap Rock and Stone has a product that is right for your project.
Beach pebbles provide a finished look for your landscape project and offer protection for foliage. Larry’s Cap Rock & Stone offers a wide variety of beach pebbles, gravels, and pebble tile both from domestic and imported sources. Our beach pebbles typically range from ½ inch to 5 inch. However, we are happy to special order sizes not reflected in our catalog. Our signature line transforms any landscape into a visual indulgence.
• Most competitive beach pebble prices in southeast United States
• Most diverse selection of beach pebbles available in Florida
• First Quality: We don’t stock commercial quality.
• Safety: Natural stone is non-skid even when wet
• Environmentally friendly through water use reduction
• Beach pebbles available for immediate shipment
• Family owned & operated with integrity & honesty
Please note that due to variations in PC monitors it is best to make your selection based on actual samples or after conversing with one of our skilled sales professionals about your color specification needs.
All beach pebbles come in a variety of sizes ranging from 1/2 inch to 7 inches. Please specify the sizes you need when ordering.