Ceramics have existed for thousands of years, and a common use of ceramics both in the past and today is creating tiles. Some tiles are found in public works such as subway tile walls or a municipal swimming pool, while other tiles are used in more private projects. In the home, a modern homeowner has many choices for tiles, ranging from shower tiles to glass tile bathroom arrays and backsplash tiles in their kitchen. Meanwhile, swimming pool tile design is highly varied, and some aspects of swimming pool tile design is standard while other designs may be customized for taste. Some American homeowners have their very own small swimming pool in the back yard, and contractors may be hired to install fine swimming pool tile design and create an attractive place to swim. What is there to know about modern swimming pool tile design and other tiles for the home, or elsewhere?
Tiles Today
Tiles are an old concept, but they are essential and can be found nearly anywhere. Sometimes, glass or colored small tiles are assembled to create mosaic art or other designs, such as the famed mosaic illustrations of the Byzantine Empire. Meanwhile, in the early 1900s, New York City pioneered the use of subway tile walls, and this proved to be an effective innovation. These tiles reflected light effectively to keep these underground areas better lit, and they are attractive, tough, and easy to clean. Such tiles are used today as well. Of course, tiles are also used in bathrooms, swimming pools, and other areas where a tough, waterproof, smooth surface is needed, and this makes for a large industry. As of 2017, for example, Americans consumed close to 3.05 billion square feet of ceramic tiles, and in that same year, the United States shipped (including exports) some 975 million square feet of ceramic tiles. And from the time span of 2009 to 2018, the total value of the ceramic floor and wall shipments of the United States was expected to grow substantially. Some tiles are used for public pools or subways, others are used for private work such as a home pool or the kitchen or bathroom. This calls for the right contractors.
Tile Improvement in the Home
Many modern American homes make use of tiles, such as for floor or backsplash tiles in the kitchen or walls and floors in bathrooms. And if a private property has a backyard swimming pool, then it too will have plenty of tiles. Installing or repairing tiles may be difficult for some homeowners, so instead they will call upon the right contractors who can handle this.
Pool contractors, for example, may be found online in a homeowner’s area online, and many pool contractor teams may have their very own website. Online, a team of contractors may have videos, images, and articles showcasing their work, and a homeowner may choose from among several contractor crews to hire. Once on the job, these pool contractors may help the homeowner come up with innovative swimming pool tile design, or simply repair and replace the existing tiles in other cases. Such workers will first drain the pool, then use tools to remove damaged tiles and worn out plaster. Dry, rough plaster should be removed along with faulty tiles. Now, the workers may put down fresh plaster coats, and new tiles as needed. This may also be done to change the look of a pool and add new colors or patterns for the tiles, such as water level tiles, tiles on the steps, or anything else. Contractors may also be asked to put in festive, colorful tile mosaics with water and ocean-themed designs on the pool’s walls or floor.
During remodeling of a kitchen or bathroom, there may be some tile experts on the contractor team who can get to work. A remodeled old bathroom may have its toilet, tub, or sink replaced, and old tiles may also be scraped off and removed en masse. Then, at the homeowner’s directions, new tiles can be assembled to make the bathroom look fresh and new. Something similar can be done with the kitchen’s backsplash tiles; that is, the tiles right above the counter. Such tiles may have festive and colorful patterns for aesthetics.