Environmentally Friendly Ceramic Tile

(HIT) - Ceramic tile, already a favorite of environmentally conscious consumers and designers, just got even better. Thanks to American ingenuity, a waste product that has been a huge landfill problem is now utilized in tile production, creating porcelain ceramic tiles that are as environmentally friendly as they are beautiful.

Peter Johnson, Jr. of Summitville Tiles, the company behind this important improvement, explains that since ceramic tile is made from clays, an endlessly renewable source. For this reason, ceramic tile has always been considered an environmentally friendly product.

"That reputation was well-deserved," says Johnson. "Ceramic tile is a natural product, and ceramic tile is almost certain to last as long as the home where it is used. And, since ceramic tiles can act as a heat sink, they are excellent in energy-saving situations, such as solar houses and sunrooms. However, now that we have found a way to utilize tailings—a feldspar waste product—as a primary raw material in the manufacturing of ceramic tile, our ecological impact has been lowered dramatically."

It was the planning of a new production facility that prompted Summitville to tackle the tailings problem. After three years of intensive research, the firm’s engineers not only found the answer to this problem, but also designed a new system for reuse of unprocessed ceramic tile manufacturing wastes. The result is a waste-free factory that produces floor tiles that eco-conscious consumers can feel good about.

"Going Green" With Graceful Ceramic Tiles

The new porcelain pavers prove that "going green" needn’t be boring. The environmentally friendly tiles from Summitville feel very much like luxuries, not sacrifices. They are beautifully glazed and come in a host of fashion colors and designs for rooms throughout the house, as well as patios, walks and driveways.

Johnson points out that the environmental movement has tremendous influence not only in the materials used in ceramic tile production, but also over the colors used in home design and ceramic tile selections.

"Earthtones and nature hues, generally, have been very strong for several years, and we predict this trend will continue," he says. "All of our ceramic tile collections feature environmental earthtones, and with good reason, because these colors are easy to live with. You don’t tire of them, and that’s important when you deal with a product that lasts as long as ceramic tile."

Environmental Ceramic Tile Design Hints

Robert Lidsky, an award-winning designer of kitchens, baths and media rooms, feels that Summitville’s environmentally friendly tile collections are particularly versatile. Subtly shaded and featuring din colors reminiscent of deserts, beaches, glaciers and misty horizons, they are neutrals that blend effortlessly and suit most any space, he notes.

Widely recognized for his attention to details, Lidsky often uses neutral design elements, but managers to treat them just a bit differently to create just the right amount of texture or color interest.

"Sometimes it’s enough to simply set a floor paver on the diagonal to give a space sophistication," he notes. "Other times, I like to use accent colors to create borders. And don’t forget that area rugs, from Orientals and Ryas to Flokatis and Berbers, look wonderful on top of neutral pavers."

For a space that requires a note of elegance, Lidsky recommends eight-inch octagon pavers with two-inch "dots’ in a complementary color.

"It’s a great look for a foyer, dining room or living room," he says. "White tiles with black accents are always sophisticated and go with any decor, from contemporary to Victorian, but I must say that one of the most effective combinations I’ve used recently was almond octagons with ‘dots’ in the same color. I specified this color scheme for a floor in an elegant Great Room featuring pickled oak cabinetry, a sofa covered in caramel-colored leather, and rare Biedemeier chairs. The result is a look of luxury and great texture."

Not surprisingly, one of Summitville’s best-selling ceramic tile paver designs is the Imperva Granite. Its rugged stone texture mimics one of today’s most popular looks, and often this design winds up on shower walls, tub surrounds and countertops as well as on floors.

To learn more, visit Summitville online at www.Summitville.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center