Glass Tile Repair

I installed this tile almost a year ago for Colleen Horner Kitchen Bath Tile & Stone. It's a VERY neat installation. The owner wanted towel bars installed so another contractor installed some towel bars. Unfortunately the installation system didn't take to well and the owner took it upon himself to fix it. He's quite handy but as many will tell you , it's the edges of glass that are the most touchy.
Here's a few pics of the repair. It's a glass tile with a rubber backing that produces the color and is installed with white 100% silicone. Unique, yes. But its anti fracture ability is out of this world. Hard to repair? Well surprisingly it went pretty well. Have a look.

Kohler Tile-in Sink

A new option from Kohler are the tile-in sinks. No rim for an easy clean up and smooth look.
This one was completed for a client with a Laufen 18x18 porcelain tile.

Subway Tile

4x8 inch subway tile installation in tub surround and as wainscotting in bathroom. Mosaic installation on floor.
One of the nicest subway installations I've done. It was designed by the owner.
The owner is also a member of Angies List and I encurage all of you to check it out. I think there's only two reviews of my business but it's a great site for home owners.

COUPON for Smooth Surface Tile & Stone

I've tried marketing with coupons on the net before and ...nobody found them. So maybe this one will work better since the traffic is pretty good on my blog.

10% OFF ENTIRE BILL - Labor and Material
Good now through Sept. 1, 2008
Must purchase tile from Smooth Surface Tile & Stone

So just mention you saw this "coupon" and you get the deal. Or, tell a friend about it!

12 x 24 Porcelain Tile from Laufen Tile

Here's a hallway with a size of tile that many of you probably haven't seen anywhere yet. In fact it's becoming more popular by the day. It's in the large format family of tile meaning it's of a larger size than has been normal in recent history. I apologize for not having a better picture. I thought I "had it" and I clearly did not. But you get the idea. I'm sure and can probably make a good decision whether you'd like something like this in your hall or not. The owner will eventually paint the trim also. A good idea in this case.

Tiled Window Sills?

Text to Come

Associated Bank Display

Here's the picture of my display at Associated Bank.
I've had an account at Associated since I was thirteen years old and living in my hometown of Sturgeon Bay. They've always been very friendly and genuine. No surprise to me since they're headquartered in Wisconsin. A midwest company they are also the official sponsors of the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and Milwaukee Brewers. Now how can you not do business with a company like that?

Yes, I do Glass Tile Installations

I've put these pictures up for two reasons.
1. Many installers don't install glass tile. I do. It's advertising, that's all.
2. If you're needing a glass tile installation from YOUR installer you should get some evidence that they have worked with glass before. EVEN IF YOU BUY YOUR TILE THROUGH A STORE AND THEY SAY THEIR INSTALLERS ARE THE BEST!!!!!
Or, if you have faith in their abilities that may very well be enough. Many are still getting their first glass installations. The artistic and patient should attempt, the others shouldn't.
Oops, and 3. I got the feeling the picture of my trucks new decals were driving people away from this blog.

You really should skim through it. There's some cool pics and my writing is quite spontaneous also. You might just be a bit entertained.
Oh and let your friends and family know I'm always up to look at potential jobs. As I call them. It's pretty fun for me. And I'll look at your work also. You can even purchase tile through me. LOTS of different things to choose from.

Couple Things

one is that I set up a display of my tables at Associated Bank in Whitefish Bay, WI. so if you're in the area stop by and take a look. after that commission me to make one for you. we'll design it to your specs and you'll love it forever.
second is that I finally got lettering on my truck. i think it looks really good. probably should have done it sooner but...better late than never.

A look into the future

Wow! It's been a while since I posted. February 18 to be exact. So I've done a couple of jobs recently that have involved materials not commonly used in homes these days. ...but they will be in the near future. The one is an 18x18 porcelain tile installed for a shower surround. Most people, at least in the Milwaukee area, use smaller tiles. However larger format tiles are on the rise in popularity and are showcased in magazines as commonly as 12x12's. The second photo shows a 12x24 tile. An awesome sized tile. Very unique. But, only unique now. So get on your horse and have it installed before it becomes common.
Please excuse the lack luster photo taking ability I've shown here. We'll post some better ones at the end of the job.

Note to installers: In the second photo you'll notice a pice of Custom Building Products new wall backerboard Easyboard. The Easyboard was used in the shower and I'll write more about that later. This entry is getting long enough as it is.

Note to installers and designers: The tile layout landed with a couple of the tiles at the living area which were a very small size. 2" to be exact. We didn't want to offset the tile layout to compensate for that. Instead we cut a couple pcs. of tile to create a threshold. It worked out excellent and the pics of the finished job will be even better.

Marble Coffee Table Grouted

Here's a much better picture of this unique table. In a couple days it can be sealed and then it's ready to perform a lifetime's worth of duty.
Legs? What type do you think should be installed? Leave a comment. Thanks!

Marble Coffee Table

The material used in my latest table design is marble. The marble came on mesh backed 1 foot square sheets. In order to avoid a patterned look the sheets were cut into individual lines and placed on the table offset from one another.
After grouting and sealing this table should trump all other coffee tables on the block.

The End Result

Here's a picture of the table on it's stand and a picture of a table needing some legs. If a client were to like the smaller table I would discuss different options of legs with them taking into account the rest of their homes surroundings. These truly are customized to an individuals taste and style.

Cleaned up

Forgive the backdrop, it's hard to find the right spot to take a picture quickly.
So here's a better picture of the finished table top along with a picture of a smaller end table that is also made out of glass.
And in case you were wondering I do work with more than just glass for my tables.

Grouting the table

This picture shows the first of the grout installed on the table. Now you can see that this is a pretty modern looking table. The two different shades of color from the two different glass tiles really make this table a true original.
Glass tiles need to be spaced at least 1/8" apart from each other. These tiles are irregular and so when the closest points of two tiles meet the other edges of those pcs. may veer away from one another leaving a gap larger than 1/8". In this case you would need to use a sanded grout b/c the grout lines are larger than 1/8". However, the glass is too soft and will scratch from the sand in the grout.
The owner was aware of this beforehand and is only using the table for the placement of non-movable objects like a lamp or coasters. All with felt padding of course.
We used non-sanded grout and will be applying a second coat to make up for shrinkage of the first. Another option would be to use an additive with the grout. Commonly a latex additive. We'll get the table cleaned up tomorrow and have another picture up soon.

Sides

I should mention the that the tile in the previous photo is 4"x12" glass.
This photo shows the sides of the table being installed.

Tiling the Top

Here's the top of the table tiled. I'll let it cure for a day and then tile the sides tomorrow. Should give me some time to go pick up the legs for this project. In most cases the legs are ordered ahead of time because they're custom made for the table. In this case the client is fine with one of the more standard selections.

The 3rd. Step

In this photo you can see I added ditra mat to the sides of the table.
With multiple layers of substrates there is a larger risk of the tile around the table sides craking. Having the ditra in place will seperate it from those layers.

This second photo shows two pcs. of denshield adhered to the plywood with TEC Superflex and nails. The reason for the additional denshield is because of the style of tile around the perimeter of this table.
The reason to use the denshield is to keep the table as light as possible.
It's not common to add denshield on top of each other but I'm possitive this will become very strong.

A Project In Motion - Table

I'll put up some photos of my most recent table construction project and create a project in motion. Unfortunately with the blogs style of timeline it will resemble the reading of the construstion backwards unless i save the pics till i'm done and put them up in reverse order. I think I'll just trust you'll figure it out and enjoy it all the same.
The first picture is of the construction of the top of the table. Or rather, the base for the top, which of course will be tile.
We first fasten two pcs. of 3/4" plywood together using construction adhesive and screws. You need enough strength so the table won't bend or deflect at all. If it were longer you may even use some sort of bracing.

Tables are here!

Here's an interesting table piece that will show the possibilities of tile, stone, and glass that Smooth Surface Tile & Stone is producing on a custom basis.

As you can see, this little table fits in perfectly with the space. The legs blend in with the rest of the home's trim and the top made of two different colors of glass blend with the walls perfectly while also adding a colorful element.
The tiled entry can stand alone and be a centerpiece itself.

Smooth Surface Tile & Stone is proud to feature the addition of customized tables built to suit your specific needs and reflect your personal design elements. We will assist you with the selection of the perfect style of wooden or metal legs along with your choice of glass, tile and/or stone.

Subway Tile

I know a lot of people think about subway tile and how it may look in their home. I thought it would be fun to see a picture of the shower without the grout and then with the shower grouted. The difference is quite stark.
A couple rows of rope liner were added to break it up a bit. Hope this helps in your decision making. By the way you can always get any color of subway tile. There's also different sizes and even shapes. Some of the tiles aren't perfectly square (what we call "rectified"), and there's some that are quite rustic looking.

Countertop Finite

Sorry it took a while to get a photo of the finished countertop but here it is. The owner has moved back in and is looking forward to a new backsplash as soon as we find the right tile!
As you can see the edge profile of the counter is very simple in this case. The choices of profiles are to put on a bullnose edge, a 45 degree chamfer between the two edges, plastic or metal edge profile bars, and the pictured option. The options not used are all more time consuming and expensive. In this case I think the right decision between design, cost, and creativity were used.
Hope you like it and don't forget to visit my website.

Another Step

Here's the next couple steps in the process of installing a new tile countertop.
Secure the plywood, add some cement backerboard, tape and mud the seams, waterproof the top and edges.

This is funny!

Yesterday I got a call from one of the general contractors I work with. He said that he had spoken to the client of a job that we all had been working at and completed just before Christmas. She said there was a piece of tile base missing by the cabinet. I thought that made sense because I purposely leave the base off until the cabinets are installed so they can be "cut to fit". It was a pretty busy wrap-up on two bathrooms, as it always is around the holidays, and with all the other tradesmen in there I assumed I must have missed it. As is my style, I'm at her place in less than 24hrs., with a smile. ha! We walk upstairs and she points out the spot. I look at it. It looks funny. I touch it. It feels different. I peel the tape off the tile. Job done. The painter does a real good job of taping things off and with the tape on there it looked somewhat like bare drywall. We laughed.

Here's the next two steps in the new countertop process.

Remove existing countertop.

Remove sink and garbage disposal.

Now you're ready to install some new products.

The above two steps are a little more involved than I did justice to in this blog. This is more of an overview. But, maybe someday I'll write a book.

Granite Countertop Remodel

Today we're starting a granite countertop for one of our very special clients. As you can see from the photo the orange coutertops and yellow plastic backsplash aren't exactly of modern tastes or design. We were able to find some 18"x18" black granite for a great price from Milwaukee Marble & Granite that will be installed diagonally on the countertop.

Ceramic tile shower with glass

I haven't done many showers with 8x8 tile recently so I thought I'd share the photo in case some of you are curious how a smaller tile would look compared to a larger tile. Most often I install 12x12 tiles and quite a few larger format tiles are popular these days also. The picture is a ceramic 8x8 tile with two bright white rope liners bordering two rows of 1x1 glass tiles. The shower design is a very clean look.