Archive for July, 2011

Many of us dream of one day leaving our suburban home or city pad behind to start a new life in the country. The lure of having the great outdoors on your doorstep and escaping the pressures of modern life can make the tranquillity of a rural setting appear highly attractive. So if you’re seriously considering becoming a country bumpkin then barn conversions offer you the ideal structure in which to implement your creative plans. A well executed barn conversion can also prove profitable in the long run as the original property can often be attained for below the market value. Converting a barn in to a home can be a long and expensive process so the choice of wall and flooring material can make it all worthwhile if it provides the wow factor you were hoping for. Natural stone tiles are a perfect option for barn conversions as their rustic qualities complement the location superbly.

Travertine tiles are an outstanding choice for barn conversions as they are naturally beautiful and provide a traditional country aesthetic. Open plan barn conversions look particularly stunning when travertine tiles are installed throughout as the colour accentuates light and space. Light stone travertine tiles and multi travertine tiles are two superb options from tilesporcelain.co.uk that are sure to enhance your interior design decor.

Slate is another natural stone tile that will look majestic in a barn conversion. Slate is a popular choice for the interior and exterior of properties and will therefore work well in this environment. It provides a truly original and quirky look as no two slate tiles are the same. Multi slate tiles from tilesporcelain.co.uk will add class and sophistication to your barn conversion.

The light colour of Limestone will invigorate your home, providing your interior design theme with a sense of elegance and serenity. Any natural light exposure in your barn conversion will be maximised by limestone tiles. The Antalyia White Limestone tile from tilesporcelain.co.uk is an exceptional choice.

More and more of us are now opting to build our own home. A great satisfaction and sense of achievement is fulfilled when a successful self build is seen through from start to finish. Furthermore, you are entitled to reclaim the VAT paid on certain goods during the self build. There is however plenty to think about before, during and after the project. When planning the build you need to take into consideration; location, budget, surrounding properties, local planning authorities, environment, wildlife, vehicle and pedestrian access and your own day to day living requirements along with a host of other issues. Once you’ve managed to get over all of these hurdles then construction on your new home can begin. When the building is complete and you’re pleased with the outcome, one of the most important aspects of the whole process is awaiting you in the form of the interior and exterior design. This is what will transform your house into a home and it is imperative you use the appropriate wall and flooring options to meet the criteria and correlate with the design of the self build. Also, unless you are a builder or have a great knowledge of the construction industry then this is the point in the process where you will have the most individual input. Tiles are an outstanding wall and flooring option and by making the right choices you will ensure that aesthetic beauty and durability will be key features within your home design.

Manufactured porcelain tiles are a popular choice in self build properties. They are affordable and with the variety of styles, colours and designs available it is possible to create almost any look in your home. They are particularly suitable for a conventional self build which has similar dimensions and natural light exposure to that of the regular home. Tilesporcelain.co.uk has a range of quality porcelain tiles including the Tuscany Black porcelain tile and the Light Cream porcelain tile.

For innovative self build’s such as homes that incorporate an open plan design, balconies, swimming pools, wet rooms, games rooms and extensive patios then natural stone tiles are an exceptional choice that will enhance the interior and exterior of your home immensely.

Slate tiles are ideally suited to open plan designs. The natural beauty and rustic quirkiness of slate will provide your home with a truly breathtaking look. No two slate tiles are the same in colour or design so for expansive areas, throughout; living rooms, dining areas, kitchens and conservatories slate tiles will accentuate originality. Tiles like the multi slate and Grey Black from tilesporcelain.co.uk are stunning choices for a self build interior design theme.

Travertine tiles help to produce outstanding wet rooms, stylistic bathrooms, and authentic swimming pool surrounds. It is non slip, and once sealed is very practical and safe in these areas as well as providing your living space with considerable natural beauty. Light stone travertine tiles and French chipped travertine tiles from tilesporcelain.co.uk are superb options for the aforementioned applications.

Coronation Street is Britain’s longest running soap and after over half a century on our screens it was deemed necessary for a replica makeover to the most famous house overlooking those familiar cobbles. Number one, Coronation Street – currently the humble abode of Ken and Deidre Barlow – was showcased in the ideal home exhibition in March of this year. Property expert and TV presenter, George Clarke made some unique additions to the revamp which included using eco friendly tiles on the floors. One of the key features of these particular tiles is that they absorb CO2 and convert it into oxygen by means of daylight and artificial light.

As a nation we are constantly being encouraged and reminded to ‘go green’ when possible, and eco friendly tiles offer the homeowner this option. Some of these tiles feature 100% recycled content and others incorporate pre-consumer wastage or the residue of TV and computer monitors. It is an innovative concept that is destined to really take off in coming years as the demand to reserve our planet for future generations becomes even greater.

Followers of golf would no doubt have been glued to their televisions over the weekend as likeable Irishman Darren Clarke won the first major of his career, by clinching the ‘The Open’ at Sandwich. With Clarke’s fellow countryman Rory McIlroy taking the golfing world by storm in recent months and Englishmen Luke Donald and Lee Westwood ranked at first and second in the world respectively, British golf is going through somewhat of a golden period.

At this point you may be asking yourself, what has golf got to do with tiles? Well it may surprise you to know that the two are in fact very closely linked. Some years ago a group of keen golfers within the tile industry formed the Tile Industry Golf Society, which has now amassed over 70 members. TIGS hold a number of tournaments around the UK every year.

TIGS are part of The Tile Association, which promotes professionalism and professional standards in the tile industry. To become a member of The Tile Association, companies are stringently checked for financial, technical and service standards. Tiles porcelain Ltd is a proud member of the Tile Association, offering the highest quality porcelain, quartz, granite, travertine, marble, slate and ceramic tiles at wholesale prices.

Major Tile wholesalers and retailers will bid for big jobs that are up for commercial tender. The company that is commissioning the project will use a quantity surveyor to outline the type and amount of tiles, and whichever bid is deemed to be the closest matched to the specified requirements will win the contract. Tilesporcelain.co.uk has won a number of lucrative contracts through the process of commercial tendering.

Wholesalers generally offer more competitive prices in comparison to retailers which gives them a greater chance of securing a contract when it comes up for commercial tender.

As a tile wholesaler tilesporcelain.co.uk sources tiles directly from reputable quarries all over the world. This cuts out the middle man and means we can supply large quantities of quality tiles to the commercial sector at wholesale prices. Tilesporcelain.co.uk distributes tiles to locations all over the UK. This full service approach makes the ordering and collection process quick and convenient for the client. . You can view our quality range of Quartz, Granite, Porcelain, Marble, Travertine, slate and Ceramic floor and wall tiles online at tilesporcelain.co.uk.

When the ancient Romans began to create majestic interiors and exquisite art with mosaics they probably couldn’t have imagined that over 2000 years would pass, and these tiles would still be much loved in contemporary design themes. The Romans famously used mosaics in their state of the art public baths, and even today bathrooms are where these tiles are most commonly utilised. Mosaics accentuate elegance and intricacy, creating a stunning aesthetic. Tilesporcelain.co.uk has a quality range of mosaics from both manufactured and natural stone tiles.

The traditional form of mosaic is marble and it is still the most popular mosaic tile on the market. They can be used for a feature on a wall or floor in your bathroom or even as an all-over effect in a wet room. The matt finish Sicily beige green marble tile is an exceptional choice for your bathroom design.

Manufactured Quartz tiles now have an outstanding range of mosaics. The sparkling quartz adds glamour to the unique detail of mosaic to create a beautiful bathroom option. Quartz also offers many practical advantages in the bathroom as they are non porous and unlike natural stone, do not need to be sealed once installed. Quartz Baby Pink mosaic tiles from tilesporcelain.co.uk will transform any bathroom design with glamour and style.

Sometimes mosaic tiles can provide a room with an ambiance and originality that conventional tiles cannot. The absolute black granite mosaic tile from tilesporcelain.co.uk is one of the finest examples of mosaic tiles on the market. It combines the spectacular look of granite mosaic with the hard wearing, durable properties, making it ideal for installation within a bathroom.

There are now just 379 days to go before London hosts the 2012 Olympic Games. By the end of the construction process building costs are predicted to exceed £9 billion.

Construction companies are commissioned work through a process of commercial tendering in which they bid for lucrative contracts. One of the biggest and most expensive individual projects is the construction of the London Aquatics Centre which will host a range of events, including; swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and water polo. Quantity surveyors from the winning bid team determine the cost of materials before a further process of commercial tendering commences, as companies bid to win the contract to supply these. This substantial project required 180,000 ceramic tiles for the three separate swimming pools within the Aquatics centre.

Tilesporcelain.co.uk has a range of quality ceramic tiles for both large and small commercial projects, such as; the Matt Finish Pompei Ivory Cream tile and The Premium Brown tile.

The sport and leisure industry has continued to grow despite these times of economic austerity. More people are joining gyms and health clubs than ever before as government campaigns aimed at transforming a nation of couch potatoes in to fitness fanatics appears to be working. The recession and subsequent lack of job opportunities has resulted in people having more time to partake in sport and leisure activities. The sport and leisure sector accounts for nearly 30% of total consumer spending in the UK, and with the nation currently gripped by the fever of the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games it shows no signs of slowing down.

The requirement for more leisure facilities has led to an increase in the construction, renovation and extension of sports centres up and down the country. Large quantities of tiles have been utilised for such projects. The vastness of the leisure industry and the functions it facilitates means it requires a versatile and eclectic range of wall and flooring options and that’s what makes tiles the ideal choice. Tiles are a safe, practical and durable option, thus meeting the strict health and safety guidelines imposed by the Sport and Leisure industry’s governing body.

Tilesporcelain.co.uk has supplied tiles for a variety of facilities within the sport and leisure industry, including; swimming pools, gyms, entrance foyers and office rooms. Tiles like the Super White Porcelain tile and the Torino Black Ceramic tile are excellent choices for application in these situations.

We are often told that life’s too short and that we should live for the moment by grasping every opportunity with both hands. If you’re an advocator of this philosophy then you are likely to opt for a contemporary interior design theme as your choice of home decor. If you get an exhilarating thrill from living each day as if it’s your last, and are constantly striving to be at the height of fashion, innovation and originality then Quartz and Granite tiles are guaranteed to suit your needs and desires.

Quartz is very much the tile of the moment. Its sparkly aesthetic prompts comparisons with the breathtaking night sky. If you thrive on spontaneity and impulse then you are sure to appreciate quartz. If quartz were a person it would be the life and soul of the party – the first one to arrive and the last one to leave! It would show off its beauty at every opportunity and be outspoken, outgoing and most definitely out of this world! Tilesporcelain.co.uk has a quality range of quartz tiles, from the stunning Quartz Midnight Black to the magical Quartz Sapphire Blue.

Refinement is a characteristic admired and revered by many. Granite has an aesthetic quality and contemporary look to rival that of quartz but doesn’t feel the need to go and tell everybody about it. Instead, it’s of the opinion that actions speak louder than words, and is assured by the fact that class and sophistication will never go out of fashion. So if you want to develop a modern style that will stand the test of time then natural stone granite is the perfect choice for you. Tilesporcelain.co.uk has a variety of exceptional quality granite tiles, including; The Absolute Granite Black tile and the Tan Brown Granite tile.

Quartz is the indisputable number one tile for glitz and glamour. Quartz symbolises aspiration and prosperity and is often the backdrop to prestigious award ceremonies from salubrious venues around the world, where celebrities strut their stuff on the red carpet. Like many of the rich and famous, whose lives are exposed in the media, quartz tiles do not fail to grab attention when the spotlight shines on them. Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame – with the names of stars from the world of film, TV, radio and music inscribed on the sidewalk – is fittingly paved in quartz tiles.

Quartz are currently the vogue tile, particularly popular in bars, nightclubs and casinos, where walls and floors glisten and sparkle, as light bounces off the mirror particles. Also, homeowners looking to create a unique aesthetic within their home have found quartz tiles to be an exceptional choice. As soon as you walk in to a room with a quartz tile decor you are instantly mesmerised by the dazzling sparkle that accentuates light and space.

Casinos are a place where fortunes are won and lost but with the installation of quartz tiles it’s a win-win-situation every time. Quartz tiles light up casinos, expressing grandeur and prestige. Whether the quartz is utilised on walls and floors or even just on worktops, the sparkling glow is guaranteed to invigorate the room, creating a feeling of vibrancy. In frantic and frenetic casinos where emotions run high, quartz is the perfect tile to encapsulate the spirit of the occasion with intrigue and spontaneity.

Light bounces off dance floors tiled with quartz to create a stunning effect in bars and nightclubs. These tiles have various practical qualities in such situations. They are non slip which can prove invaluable on busy dance floors where the spillage of drinks is inevitable. Also for those of you who like a good boogie they are a safe tile to dance upon. Quartz tiles in bars and nightclubs do not just appear exclusively on the dance floor but also in entrances and toilet areas to create stunning profoundness.

Tilesporcelain.co.uk has supplied Quartz tiles to many bars, nightclubs and casinos. The Islay Bar in Port Ellen, Scotland, was recently renovated and for the interior design they have used the beautiful Arabian Cream Quartz worktop from tilesporcelain.co.uk. This tile is a true depiction of both elegance and style.