Patterned Cement Tile: The Latest Trend for Kitchens

The latest buzz around kitchen décor is cement tiles. Cement tiles which debuted in 1850s were widely used in America and Europe. Cement tiles grew in popularity because of their durability and design versatility. Commonly called encaustic cement tiles, these are manufactured using a special technique of lost wax procedure.

Pattern Cement tiles: Why is it popular

The 21st century is the century of come-backs. All fashion and design trends are making reappearances. Not one to stay behind, cement tiles are widely being incorporated as flooring elements for all living spaces including the kitchen.

Bold patterns are a favorite choice for walls, floors and backsplashes. Cement floors were originally favored over other tiles for they added an artistic element.

The available designs of cement tiles are as unique as its process of manufacture. These are handcrafted using a calculated mixture of marble powder, sand, cement and water. The distinct look of cement tiles is credited to the lack of heat during the manufacturing process.

Incorporating patterned cement tiles in the kitchen

It would be the obvious choice to use these tiles for the flooring. If you’ve already gone to the extent of looking into cement tiles, why restrict it to flooring? Here are few ideas on using cement tiles.

Pretty Island: Imagine virgin white walls with a hint of black and white on the center island, a delightful sight no doubt! White has its charm but is a pain when it comes to cleaning. It is also the perfect idea if you’€™re looking at making a subtle statement. Kitchen tiles Singapore offer a variety of designs of patterns ideal for counter tops or the side wall.

Backsplash: A hint of design is the missing element that can turn a boring kitchen into an ‘€˜ooh-la-la’€™ space. Matte finish cement pattern tiles are the ideal choice for backsplash areas.

Shelf it: Kitchen shelves are the most ignored spaces. Add character to these spaces by using detailed cement tiles. Cement tiles when used as a background to shelves adds depth.

Up the table: Kitchen spaces aren’€™t restricted to just walls and floor, an integral part is the table. If you want to experiment but are still dicey, add a hint of art onto the table. You can paste these tiles onto any table that you have. Apart from being decorative, it also increases the durability of the table.

If you have a design in mind, kitchen tiles in Singapore are found in various shapes and designs


Easy Ideas To Spruce Up The Home

The color of the wall changes a room immediately. What you do with colors tells a story. Obviously it needs to be contoured aesthetically without a mishmash of this that and the other. Here are some easy ways to spruce up the home and while you do, go the full hog –€” buy some new tiles from the tiles supplier in Singapore at abk.com.sg, then go with the flow.

Remove any Clutter

Hoarders may find this impossible to do, but if you have not used a product for over five years, why do you need it? You can sell it and buy something else with the money that you do need while ridding yourself of clutter. Alternatively, donate it to charity!

The Bachelor’s Pad

Looking to highlight your digs? Try a new color. A dash of something new that offers a heady mix of charm and sophistication. A black tiled bathroom bought from the tiles supplier in Singapore definitely looks masculine and oozes definition.

Some Fresh

Bring in the outdoors and let the oxygen flow into the home with a couple of flowers from the garden or store bought ones. The house looks homely and warm all the time, and when guests come over, it makes them feel extremely comfortable. Try to avoid anything artificial, it robs the home of the goodness of fresh.

Upgrade

Over time, windows look dismal, tired, and more so if you treat them shabbily. Give them a dose of some tender loving care with a lick or paint or polish with a fresh dose of life. If you need a new set of windows, call in suitable carpenters and remove the old ones, hinges and all.

Accessorize

Nothing says it better than paintings aesthetically placed in the lounge accompanied by the right lighting. Suitable switches add to the tone of the room. Use classy lampshades and bric-a-brac. As you influx a room with a couple of knickknacks made from scratch and lovely carpets you change the flow.

There are easy and workable ways to spruce up the home, the main one being that tidiness never went out of style. It can get boring, but cobwebs on the ceiling, bad lighting, dirty switches, chipped tiles, worn out carpets, dried plants, tell a story of someone who does not care. Of course, if you are not interested in impressing, just do it to make your home livable and lively. Alternatively, have a cleaning company come over to keep the place neat.


Know More About Different External Wall Cladding Types

The outer layer of the external walls installed to protect from weather wear is known as cladding. These installations are non-load bearing. External cladding adds to the overall appeal of the house and influences the value of the property. There are many choices for cladding materials available. The material chosen will alter the environmental performance of the building.

Cladding – The role it plays

Wall cladding in Singapore has a significant impact on the infiltration of weather damages to homes. Cladding systems protect homes from the weakening caused by the egress of water vapor. The external facade of the house is protected and its durability is enhanced. Apart from its primary role of protection, cladding affects thermal and sound insulation, offers resistance against fire and helps in maintaining a clean external appearance (easy to clean).

How to choose the right cladding material

Wall cladding in Singapore explains that the choice of material plays a significant role in the durability of external walls. Choosing the right material must be the result of a thorough assessment. The elevation of the external surfaces also plays a key role in making this choice. In general, the west walls are clad in steel and the south and north by protective weatherboards.

Types of cladding materials

Stone cladding: The most obvious choice for home cladding is stone. Stone is a natural element with commendable insulating properties. The cladding system can be a mix of natural and simulated stone. These homes look elegant with an accentuated earthiness.

Timber: After stone, wood facades are a popular choice. Timbers for external cladding are available as panels, boards or shingles. These tend to make homes look warm and inviting.

Weather board cladding: These boards are made from timber or reconstituted wood. They can be painted to a color of your choice. Weatherboard cladding can fit onto any surface, brick or cement. In order to enjoy the insulating benefits of weatherboard cladding, regular maintenance is mandatory.

Brick cladding: You can turn the external walls into a style statement by opting for brick cladding. External bricks are available in an array of colors and textures. You can get creative and mix up different patterns. Brick cladding is affordable, durable light weight and easy to install.

Other cladding options include fiber cement, vinyl and metal cladding. Depending on your needs, only an expert can identify the right choice for your home.


How to Polish Mosaic Floors

In contemporary homes, the importance of mosaic is tremendous. The reason for that is they appear quite stylish and give a modern look and feel to your houses, Make sure that you are purchasing your mosaic tiles from a reputed mosaic tiles supplier in Singapore , if you are residing there. But on the flip side mosaic floors can get quite dirty since grime covers it up very fast. So it is important for you to polish the mosaic floors quite frequently.

Check out some of these handy tips to clean and polish the mosaic floors in your house.

Do vacuum cleaning – It is important to vacuum clean the surface of your mosaic floors by removing the accumulated dirt and dust. You can either use the attachment for dusting or a brush so that the grime can be efficiently cleaned since particles stuck between your mosaic tiles can be dislodged. However, in case these attachments are unavailable with you, take your broom to make the dirt between the tiles loose and then vacuum clean it.

Use soap water – Before you polish the mosaic floor, you need to prepare it by scrubbing it with soap water and a nice brush. Detergents or even soap cleaners can be used for the cleaning purpose. Try cleaning the first tile and you can see how different it looks than the rest.

For mopping the mosaic floor, dip a piece of soft mopping cloth in water. Now the bucket should be rinsed well and then filled with a mix of about three percent of hydrogen peroxide and a half bucket full of water.

Now your mopping cloth should be dipped in this fresh solution to scrub the mosaic floor in your home. It is an excellent solution for cleaning the grime that gets stuck in between those tiles. The solution should be allowed to get soaked onto your mosaic floor for around half an hour. Your next step would be to use a cloth made of soft fabric to wipe the floor.

Use of floor polishing solution – You can next pour some solution for polishing mosaic onto a paint roller. Roll it over the mosaic tiles’ surface while making sure that they are being covered in an even manner. You can get some real good products in the market. Let the tiles soak this polish for approximately 5 minutes and then wipe clean the excess polish from those tiles with a clean and soft cloth.

Use baking soda to clean your mosaic floor – Baking soda is an excellent product to clean and shine your mosaic as well as apply it on the floors. To apply it, you need to prepare a mix of baking soda and water. After applying it on the mosaic floor, allow it to settle for about 15 minutes. You can use an old toothbrush to scrub this mixture on the various corners of your mosaic tiles. Finally, rinse the tiles using some water to make it free from the solution.