The Loop Newspaper - Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide

Deco tiles have grown in popularity as interior designers have been moving away from adding texture and excitement to a home through dated wallpaper. Deco tile helps to generate a unique, artistic appeal and allows for a more permanent option with sharper edges, more versatility, and higher quality. There are unlimited options when it comes to increasing the beauty of your home with deco tile. Common applications are kitchen backsplashes, floor to ceiling shower walls for a spa-inspired effect, bold and playful laundry or bathroom floors, swimming pools, exterior walls, and much more. It is suitable for all residential and most commercial floor and wall applications.

Stockdale Tile and Flooring Center carries many types of deco tile through several companies, among them Elysium, Soho Studit Corp, Lungarno, and Glazzio. Stockdale Tile carries deco tiles made from the following materials: glass, mosaic, porcelain, ceramic, and marble.

The advantages of these five types of deco tiles are as follows:

Glass is stain resistant, which makes it a great alternative to natural stone. Red wines and acidic foods, like lemon and vinegar, are easy to clean up without leaving any permanent staining. Glass deco tile also offers a clean and minimalistic aesthetic appeal. The only potential drawback is that glass will chip easily along the edges, which is why it is not recommended for high traffic areas, like kitchen and bathroom floors, but lends itself better to smaller applications, like gently used table tops or desks, around fireplaces, or as a backsplash.

Mosaic deco tiles come in so many different shapes, sizes, colors, and styles that they give customers unique creative opportunities. Mosaic tiles work best on wall applications such as accents, but we recommend that they be used sparingly, as mosaic can look dated quickly. It is important to consider the space in which the tile will be installed when choosing it.

Ceramic tile is one of the most common types of tile found in homes as it is suitable for many applications. It is quite durable, making it perfect for any room in the home with many, many applications. It is also easy to install, comes in hundreds of styles, and is very affordable. As a consumer, be sure you understand the difference between glazed and unglazed. Unglazed gives a more artistic, rustic finish, while glazed ceramic tiles provide enhanced protection for floors.

The second most common type of tile is porcelain, which differs from ceramic tile. The appeal of porcelain is that it can emulate natural stone, brick, or wood, without any of the maintenance. Porcelain tile offers the same elegant finish without any of the upkeep or weathering. It is an all-purpose tile that comes in a variety of designs, colors, and styles, which allows for a lot of design versatility. It is perfect for outdoors, for it will not freeze, fade, or crack. Common applications for porcelain tile are bath, kitchen, high traffic areas and backsplashes. As installation can be tricky, it is imperative to have the porcelain tiles installed by professionals.

Marble tile adds an instant touch of elegance and refinement, although it is quite expensive. Laying down marble tiles immediately upgrades the space, delivering texture and depth because it is usually patterned or veined. No piece is the same. Marble does, however, require a lot of upkeep to keep it looking pristine and, as with any stone, marble tile is prone to scratches and stains in addition to being difficult to keep clean. It is best used in low traffic areas unless a sealant is applied. Most homeowners avoid using marble as countertops and instead use it for decorative features such as shower floors, columns and backsplashes. Using the marble tile in smaller applications is kind to your budget as well.

The knowledgeable sales staff at the three Stockdale Tile and Floor Centers stores are available to help you with any of your redecorating or remodeling needs for your home or commercial space. The stores are located in Bakersfield, Visalia and Tehachapi. Contact the Tehachapi store at (661) 771-7229 or them at 20700 South Street.