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Manufactured piece of hard-wearing material

A tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, metal, or even glass, generally used for covering roofs, floors, walls, showers, or other objects such as tabletops. Alternatively, tile can sometimes refer to similar units made from lightweight materials such as perlite, wood, and mineral wool, typically used for wall and ceiling applications. In another sense, a tile is a construction tile or similar object, such as rectangular counters used in playing games (see tile-based game). The word is derived from the French word tuile, which is, in turn, from the Latin word tegula, meaning a roof tile composed of fired clay.

Tiles are often used to form wall and floor coverings, and can range from simple square tiles to complex or mosaics. Tiles are most often made of ceramic, typically glazed for internal uses and unglazed for roofing, but other materials are also commonly used, such as glass, cork, concrete and other composite materials, and stone. Tiling stone is typically marble, onyx, granite or slate. Thinner tiles can be used on walls than on floors, which require more durable surfaces that will resist impacts.

Decorative tilework or tile art should be distinguished from mosaic, where forms are made of great numbers of tiny irregularly positioned tesserae, each of a single color, usually of glass or sometimes ceramic or stone.

The earliest evidence of glazed brick is the discovery of glazed bricks in the Elamite Temple at Chogha Zanbil, dated to the 13th century BC. Glazed and colored bricks were used to make low reliefs in Ancient Mesopotamia, most famously the Ishtar Gate of Babylon (ca. 575 BC), now partly reconstructed in Berlin, with sections elsewhere. Mesopotamian craftsmen were imported for the palaces of the Persian Empire such as Persepolis.

The use of sun-dried bricks or adobe was the main method of building in Mesopotamia where river mud was found in abundanve along the Tigris and Euphrates. Here the scarcity of stone may have been an incentive to develop the technology of making kiln-fired bricks to use as an alternative. To strengthen walls made from sun-dried bricks, fired bricks began to be used as an outer protective skin for more important buildings like temples, palaces, city walls and gates. Making fired bricks is an advanced pottery technique. Fired bricks are solid masses of clay heated in kilns to temperatures of between 950 and 1,150C, and a well-made fired brick is an extremly durable object. Like sun-dried bricks they were made in wooden moulds but for bricks with relief decorations special moulds had to be made.

Tiling was used in the second century by the Sinhalese kings of ancient Sri Lanka, using smoothed and polished stone laid on floors and in swimming pools. Historians consider the techniques and tools for tiling as well advanced, evidenced by the fine workmanship and close fit of the tiles.[citation needed] Tiling from this period[dubious discuss] can be seen in Ruwanwelisaya and Kuttam Pokuna in the city of Anuradhapura.

The Achaemenid Empire decorated buildings with glazed brick tiles, including Darius the Great's palace at Susa, and buildings at Persepolis.[1]

The succeeding Sassanid Empire used tiles patterned with geometric designs, flowers, plants, birds and human beings, glazed up to a centimeter thick.[1]

Early Islamic mosaics in Iran consist mainly of geometric decorations in mosques and mausoleums, made of glazed brick. Typical turquoise tiling becomes popular in 10th-11th century and is used mostly for Kufic inscriptions on mosque walls. Seyyed Mosque in Isfahan (AD 1122), Dome of Maraqeh (AD 1147) and the Jame Mosque of Gonabad (1212 AD) are among the finest examples.[1] The dome of Jame' Atiq Mosque of Qazvin is also dated to this period.

The golden age of Persian tilework began during the reign the Timurid Empire. In the moraq technique, single-color tiles were cut into small geometric pieces and assembled by pouring liquid plaster between them. After hardening, these panels were assembled on the walls of buildings. But the mosaic was not limited to flat areas. Tiles were used to cover both the interior and exterior surfaces of domes. Prominent Timurid examples of this technique include the Jame Mosque of Yazd (AD 13241365), Goharshad Mosque (AD 1418), the Madrassa of Khan in Shiraz (AD 1615), and the Molana Mosque (AD 1444).[1]

Other important tile techniques of this time include girih tiles, with their characteristic white girih, or straps.

Mihrabs, being the focal points of mosques, were usually the places where most sophisticated tilework was placed. The 14th-century mihrab at Madrasa Imami in Isfahan is an outstanding example of aesthetic union between the Islamic calligrapher's art and abstract ornament. The pointed arch, framing the mihrab's niche, bears an inscription in Kufic script used in 9th-century Qur'an.[2]

One of the best known architectural masterpieces of Iran is the Shah Mosque in Isfahan, from the 17th century. Its dome is a prime example of tile mosaic and its winter praying hall houses one of the finest ensembles of cuerda seca tiles in the world. A wide variety of tiles had to be manufactured in order to cover complex forms of the hall with consistent mosaic patterns. The result was a technological triumph as well as a dazzling display of abstract ornament.[2]

During the Safavid period, mosaic ornaments were often replaced by a haft rang (seven colors) technique. Pictures were painted on plain rectangle tiles, glazed and fired afterwards. Besides economic reasons, the seven colors method gave more freedom to artists and was less time-consuming. It was popular until the Qajar period, when the palette of colors was extended by yellow and orange.[1] The seven colors of Haft Rang tiles were usually black, white, ultramarine, turquoise, red, yellow and fawn.

The Persianate tradition continued and spread to much of the Islamic world, notably the znik pottery of Turkey under the Ottoman Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries. Palaces, public buildings, mosques and trbe mausoleums were heavily decorated with large brightly colored patterns, typically with floral motifs, and friezes of astonishing complexity, including floral motifs and calligraphy as well as geometric patterns.

Islamic buildings in Bukhara in central Asia (16th-17th century) also exhibit very sophisticated floral ornaments. In South Asia monuments and shrines adorned with Kashi tile work from Persia became a distinct feature of the shrines of Multan and Sindh. The Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore stands out as one of the masterpieces of Kashi time work from the Mughal period.

The zellige tradition of Arabic North Africa uses small colored tiles of various shapes to make very complex geometric patterns. It is halfway to mosaic, but as the different shapes must be fitted precisely together, it falls under tiling. The use of small coloured glass fields also make it rather like enamelling, but with ceramic rather than metal as the support.

Azulejos are derived from zellige, and the name is likewise derived. The term is both a simple Portuguese and Spanish term for zellige, and a term for later tilework following the tradition. Some azujelos are small-scale geometric patterns and/or vegetative motifs, some are blue monochrome and highly pictorial, and some are neither. The Baroque period produced extremely large painted scenes on tiles, usually in blue and white, for walls. Azulejos were also used in Latin American architecture.

Medieval influences between Middle Eastern tilework and tilework in Europe were mainly through Islamic Iberia and the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The Alhambra zellige are said to have inspired the tessellations of M. C. Escher.[citation needed]

Medieval encaustic tiles were made of multiple colours of clay, shaped and baked together to form a patternt that, rather than sitting on the surface, ran right through the thickness of the tile, and thus would not wear away.

Medieval Europe made considerable use of painted tiles, sometimes producing very elaborate schemes, of which few have survived. Religious and secular stories were depicted. The imaginary tiles with Old testament scenes shown on the floor in Jan van Eyck's 1434 Annunciation in Washington are an example. The 14th century "Tring tiles" in the British Museum show childhood scenes from the Life of Christ, possibly for a wall rather than a floor,[3] while their 13th century "Chertsey Tiles", though from an abbey, show scenes of Richard the Lionheart battling with Saladin in very high-quality work.[4] Medieval letter tiles were used to create Christian inscriptions on church floors.

Delftware wall tiles, typically with a painted design covering only one (rather small) blue and white tile, were ubiquitous in Holland and widely exported over Northern Europe from the 16th century on, replacing many local industries. Several 18th century royal palaces had porcelain rooms with the walls entirely covered in porcelain in tiles or panels. Surviving examples include ones at Capodimonte, Naples, the Royal Palace of Madrid and the nearby Royal Palace of Aranjuez.

There are several other types of traditional tiles that remain in manufacture, for example the small, almost mosaic, brightly colored zellige tiles of Morocco and the surrounding countries. With exceptions, notably the Porcelain Tower of Nanjing, decorated tiles or glazed bricks do not feature largely in East Asian ceramics.

The Victorian period saw a great revival in tilework, largely as part of the Gothic Revival, but also the Arts and Crafts Movement. Patterned tiles, or tiles making up patterns, were now mass-produced by machine and reliably level for floors and cheap to produce, especially for churches, schools and public buildings, but also for domestic hallways and bathrooms. For many uses the tougher encaustic tile was used. Wall tiles in various styles also revived; the rise of the bathroom contributing greatly to this, as well as greater appreciation of the benefit of hygiene in kitchens. William De Morgan was the leading English designer working in tiles, strongly influenced by Islamic designs.

Since the Victorian period tiles have remained standard for kitchens and bathrooms, and many types of public area.

Portugal and So Lus continue their tradition of azulejo tilework today, with azulejos used to decorate buildings, ships,[5] and even rocks.

Azulejos

Notable among American tilemakers of the 1920s and 1930s were Ernest A. Batchelder and Pewabic Pottery.

Roof tiles are designed mainly to keep out rain, and are traditionally made from locally available materials such as terracotta or slate. Modern materials such as concrete and plastic are also used and some clay tiles have a waterproof glaze. A large number of shapes (or "profiles") of roof tiles have evolved.

These are commonly made of ceramic or stone, although recent technological advances have resulted in rubber or glass tiles for floors as well. Ceramic tiles may be painted and glazed. Small mosaic tiles may be laid in various patterns. Floor tiles are typically set into mortar consisting of sand, cement and often a latex additive for extra adhesion. The spaces between the tiles are commonly filled with sanded or unsanded floor grout, but traditionally mortar was used.

Natural stone tiles can be beautiful but as a natural product they are less uniform in color and pattern, and require more planning for use and installation. Mass-produced stone tiles are uniform in width and length. Granite or marble tiles are sawn on both sides and then polished or finished on the top surface so that they have a uniform thickness. Other natural stone tiles such as slate are typically "riven" (split) on the top surface so that the thickness of the tile varies slightly from one spot on the tile to another and from one tile to another. Variations in tile thickness can be handled by adjusting the amount of mortar under each part of the tile, by using wide grout lines that "ramp" between different thicknesses, or by using a cold chisel to knock off high spots.

Some stone tiles such as polished granite, marble, and travertine are very slippery when wet. Stone tiles with a riven (split) surface such as slate or with a sawn and then sandblasted or honed surface will be more slip-resistant. Ceramic tiles for use in wet areas can be made more slip-resistant either by using very small tiles so that the grout lines acts as grooves or by imprinting a contour pattern onto the face of the tile.

The hardness of natural stone tiles varies such that some of the softer stone (e.g. limestone) tiles are not suitable for very heavy-traffic floor areas. On the other hand, ceramic tiles typically have a glazed upper surface and when that becomes scratched or pitted the floor looks worn, whereas the same amount of wear on natural stone tiles will not show, or will be less noticeable.

Natural stone tiles can be stained by spilled liquids; they must be sealed and periodically resealed with a sealant in contrast to ceramic tiles which only need their grout lines sealed. However, because of the complex, nonrepeating patterns in natural stone, small amounts of dirt on many natural stone floor tiles do not show.

The tendency of floor tiles to stain depends not only on a sealant being applied, and periodically reapplied, but also on their porosity or how porous the stone is. Slate is an example of a less porous stone while limestone is an example of a more porous stone. Different granites and marbles have different porosities with the less porous ones being more valued and more expensive.

Most vendors of stone tiles emphasize that there will be variation in color and pattern from one batch of tiles to another of the same description and variation within the same batch. Stone floor tiles tend to be heavier than ceramic tiles and somewhat more prone to breakage during shipment.

Rubber floor tiles have a variety of uses, both in residential and commercial settings. They are especially useful in situations where it is desired to have high-traction floors or protection for an easily breakable floor. Some common uses include flooring of garage, workshops, patios, swimming pool decks, sport courts, gyms, and dance floors.

Plastic floor tiles including interlocking floor tiles that can be installed without adhesive or glue are a recent innovation and are suitable for areas subject to heavy traffic, wet areas and floors that are subject to movement, damp or contamination from oil, grease or other substances that may prevent adhesion to the substrate. Common uses include old factory floors, garages, gyms and sports complexes, schools and shops.

Ceiling tiles are lightweight tiles used inside buildings. They are placed in an aluminium grid; they provide little thermal insulation but are generally designed either to improve the acoustics of a room or to reduce the volume of air being heated or cooled.

Mineral fiber tiles are fabricated from a range of products; wet felt tiles can be manufactured from perlite, mineral wool, and fibers from recycled paper; stone wool tiles are created by combining molten stone and binders which is then spun to create the tile; gypsum tiles are based on the soft mineral and then finished with vinyl, paper or a decorative face.[citation needed]

Ceiling tiles very often have patterns on the front face; these are there in most circumstances to aid with the tiles ability to improve acoustics.[citation needed]

Ceiling tiles also provide a barrier to the spread of smoke and fire. Breaking, displacing, or removing ceiling tiles enables hot gases and smoke from a fire to rise and accumulate above detectors and sprinklers. Doing so delays their activation, enabling fires to grow more rapidly.[6]

Ceiling tiles, especially in old Mediterranean houses, were made of terracotta and were placed on top of the wooden ceiling beams and upon those were placed the roof tiles. They were then plastered or painted, but nowadays are usually left bare for decorative purposes.

Modern-day tile ceilings may be flush mounted (nail up or glue up) or installed as dropped ceilings.

Ceramic materials for tiles include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain.[citation needed] Terracotta is a traditional material used for roof tiles.[7]

This is a US term, and defined in ASTM standard C242 as a ceramic mosaic tile or paver that is generally made by dust-pressing and of a composition yielding a tile that is dense, fine-grained, and smooth, with sharply-formed face, usually impervious. The colours of such tiles are generally clear and bright.[8]

Similar to mosaics or other patterned tiles, pebble tiles are tiles made up of small pebbles attached to a backing. The tile is generally designed in an interlocking pattern so that final installations fit of multiple tiles fit together to have a seamless appearance. A relatively new tile design, pebble tiles were originally developed in Indonesia using pebbles found in various locations in the country. Today, pebble tiles feature all types of stones and pebbles from around the world.

Printing techniques and digital manipulation of art and photography are used in what is known as "custom tile printing". Dye sublimation printers, inkjet printers and ceramic inks and toners permit printing on a variety of tile types yielding photographic-quality reproduction.[9] Using digital image capture via scanning or digital cameras, bitmap/raster images can be prepared in photo editing software programs. Specialized custom-tile printing techniques permit transfer under heat and pressure or the use of high temperature kilns to fuse the picture to the tile substrate. This has become a method of producing custom tile murals for kitchens, showers, and commercial decoration in restaurants, hotels, and corporate lobbies.

A method for custom tile printing involving a diamond-tipped drill controlled by a computer. Compared with the laser engravings, diamond etching is in almost every circumstance more permanent.[citation needed]

Certain shapes of tiles, most obviously rectangles, can be replicated to cover a surface with no gaps. These shapes are said to tessellate (from the Latin tessella, 'tile') and such a tiling is called a tessellation. Geometric patterns of some Islamic polychrome decorative tilings are rather complicated (see Islamic geometric patterns and, in particular, Girih tiles), even up to supposedly quaziperiodic ones, similar to Penrose tilings.

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Tile - Wikipedia

History of tile (glazed brick), manufacture and decoration in Iran, goes back to the prehistoric period. It has an important position among the various decorative arts in Iranian architecture. Four main decorative features could be categorized here. They are stone carvings, brick work, stucco and tile panels. The intricate method of manufacture, designs and type of materials used in these four methods have evolved as a result of natural factors, economical and political effects.Tiles were used to decorate monuments from early ages in Iran. Mosaic patterns were the first step in the evolution of tile decoration. Imaginative and creative artisans put together mosaic patterns using bits of colored stone and brick and created patterns of triangles, semi-circles and circles in harmony with the structures they were placed on. These patterns later evolved into design of natural subjects, such as plants, trees, animals and human beings. The earliest examples of mosaic patterns have come from the columns of the temple at Ubaid in Mesopotamia, and are attributed to the second half of the 2nd mill. B.C. Here, colored pieces of stone have been juxtaposed with shell and ivory to create geometric patterns. It is these early mosaic patterns which are the roots of later tile art. The first glazed bricks, a further advancement in tile art, have also been discovered in such sites as the palaces of Ashur and Babylon in the same area. A most famous example of early tile art on wares is the mosaic rhyton discovered in the excavations at Marlik. This vessel has two shells. The outer shell is covered with colored pieces of stone. This object is known as Thousand Flowers. One of the earliest examples of Iranian tile work on architecture, actually glazed pieces of unbaked brick, have been excavated at Susa and Chogha Zanbil, and are attributed to the end of the second millennium B.C.In the Achamenian period full use was made of glazed and decorated fired bricks in yellow, green and brown on the palaces of Susa and Persepolis. Fired and glazed bricks were an Important advancement in tile technique.

The Eternal Soldiers at Persepolis have long elegant gowns in glaze made of fired earth and plaster.Glaze was used on vessels and even coffins in the Parthian period, but little architectural evidence has been discovered to show that glazed bricks were used. Turquoise and light green glaze were the most popular colors. Fresco painting was more popular for the decoration of buildings.Excavations in Firuzabad and Bishapur have yielded much evidence of tile art and mosaic manufacture for the Sasanid period. Here, tiles have glaze that is one centimeter thick, and mosaic patterns of flowers, plants, geometric designs birds and human beings.The art of tile working blossomed in the Islamic period of Iran. It became the most important decorative feature of religious buildings.Iranian tile makers were in great demand and worked in the far corners of the Islamic empire. The earliest example of Islamic tile decoration can be seen on the Mosque of the Dome of Rock belonging to 7-8th century A.D.Before tile work, as we know today, became popular brick and stucco were most important in decoration of buildings up to 10-11th A.D. Two mosques of Nain and Neiriz have brick decoration in geometric patterns of the Buyid period. By 11-12th A.D. , brick decoration had spread from the east throughout Iran. The best examples of brick decoration of this period are the mausoleums of Pir Alamadar, 1026 A.D., Chehel Dokhtaran, 466 A.D., and the Tower of Mihmandost 1096 A.D.

The next stage of development was the use of colored glaze on decorative brick; turquoise being the most popular color. Pieces of turquoise glazed bricks were used with decorative brick works on monuments from the Saljuq period onwards.So artisans were familiar with the technique of manufacture of glazed bricks by this time. Sometimes these turquoise glazed bricks were used to create Kufic inscription among the brick patterns or were scattered among the brick patterns. The earliest example unfired turquoise Kufic inscription, is a panel stored at Iran Bastan Museum (National Museum of Iran) ascribed to the end of the 10-11th A.D. Other religious structures which have turquoise tile works are Seyed Mosque, Isfahan, 1122 A.D., the red Dome of Maraqeh 1147 A.D. and the Jame Mosque of Gonabad 1212 A.D.Mongol invasion slowed and halted many artistic traditions and trends. Normal conditions only returned by the 13th century A.D., when the Ilkhanid rulers accepted Islam; they also became interested in creating secular and non-secular monuments and buildings. By this time, decorative bricks and tiles were used not only on the exterior, but also inside the building to cover the walls and domes.

The art of tile manufacture reached its highest point of perfection and beauty at the end of Ilkhanid period and the beginning of Timurid in the form of Moraq tiles (mosaic style). Tile panels created with this technique are very durable and could withstand the elements of time. Here, tiles in such colors as yellow, blue, brown, black, turquoise, green and white were cut and carved into small pieces according to a previously prepared pattern. These pieces were placed close together and liquid plaster poured over to fill in all the opening and gaps. After the plaster dried and hardened, a large single piece tile panel had been created , which was then plastered onto the required wall of the building. Timurid monuments in Herat, Samarkend and Bukhara were covered by this decorative technique. Among the most famous monuments so decorated are Goharshad Mosque (1418 AD.), Molana Mosque (1444 AD.), Jame Mosque of Yazd (1456 AD.), Jame Mosque of Varamin (1322 AD.) and Madrassa of Khan in Shiraz (1615 AD.)From the beginning of Safavid period, another method of tile decoration was added to the repertoire of artisans. Economical and political reasons prompted the creation of this Seven Colors (Haft Rang) tile to decorate many religious and non-secular buildings, which were made in great numbers in this period. Reasons which caused the popularity of this technique were:1- Seven Colors tiles were cheaper to produce.2- Less time was needed for their manufacture.3- Artisans could extend their repertoire of motives and designs for decoration.

Square tiles were placed together and necessary design was painted in glazed colors on them. Each tile was fired. Then all were placed again next to each other to create the main large pattern. Arabesque motives were extremely popular. This method of tile decoration was popular until the end of Qajar period, when the repertoire of colors extended to include yellow and bright orange.Another important type of tile decoration at this time was luster tile. It was in demand by the end of Saljuq period and reached to its highest point of perfection in Kharazmshah and Ilkhanid eras.Luster tile panels were made in square, rectangle, hexagon, octagon and polygonal forms. They contained luster designs of human, animals, floral and geometrical motives with borders of inscriptions, which included poems, proverbs and sayings attributed to Prophet and other religious personalities. Many of those tiles were discovered in the excavation at Takht Soleiman, especially from the palace of Abagh Khan (Ilkhanid period) and in Gorgan, Kashan and Khorasan regions.Exquisite luster mihrabs appeared in 13th AD. Workshops of such cities as Gorgan, Soltanieh, Saveh and Kashan specialized in creation of these pieces. Shiraz, Kerman and Meshed became important luster tile producing centers during 17th AD. centuries. In Meshed, Mosque of Imam Reza (1215 AD.) has fine luster decorated tiles.Another popular technique was brick and tile decoration, a technique which had evolved from earlier decorative combinations of tile and brick; though, polychrome tiles were used instead of monochrome ones. This type of decoration was used in religious and non-religious buildings from 13th AD. onwards. Jame Mosque of Varamin (1322 AD.) , Soltanieh Dome (1304-1311 AD.), Jame Mosque of Ashtarjan (1315 AD.) and Vakil Mosque (1773 AD.) contain fine examples of this type of tile decoration.Variety of design of this technique included large inscriptions known as Moqili, seen mostly in religious buildings such as Jame Mosque of Isfahan (14th AD.) and Hakim Mosque of Isfahan (1656 AD.)

Evidence of brick work, stucco carving and tile panels from the last 14 centuries have provided much evidence of creative and imaginative nature of Persian Artisans. They placed their art in the service of religious architecture. This religious inspiration found its highest expression in ornate inscriptions, which decorated so many works during these centuries.In 8-10th centuries AD., most of these inscriptions included sayings, proverbs, wishes, maxims, names of religious personalities and invocations of Allahs help, in decorative, simple or broken Kufic script and are found on poetry, such as ceramic wares of Neishabour.In 13-14th centuries AD., ceramic wares and tiles were decorated with many different forms of inscriptions. The most popular were molded decorations and inscriptions with messages of happiness, good health, prayers, wish for victory, proverbs, simple messages of good will, poems and the name of Allah. Workshops at Kashan, Rey and Gorgan produced these types of ware.

Broken Taliq script became popular in 11-14th centuries AD. This script was in luster and under-glaze decoration, contained lines from poems and verses of such poets as Ferdowsi, Hafiz, Molana and Baba Afzali Kashani. Furthermore, it became popular for artisans of Kharazmshah and Ilkhanid periods to add the date of manufacture and the name of maker. The oldest dated tile is of 1203 AD. Tile panels of these period had mostly square, lotus, star and polygonal form and were put together to create panels.In Safavid era, Naskh and Thulth scripts were used. Works of famous calligraphers, such as Alireza Abbasi, Mohammad Saleh Isfahani, Mohammad Reza Imami and Hossein Banna have been found.It should be mentioned that the technique of tile and its secrets of trade were safely guarded and orally handed from father to son and master to student; thus rarely have designs, patterns and details of technique been documented and few complete treatises exist on the art of Iranian tile work in the past

Iranian Art Persian Art -Isfahan Handicrafts Iran Art Tile Work of Iran

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Tile Work Iran On Trip

Our Light Saw House represents a contemporary, design-based solution to sustainable architecture.

Built upon an existing double fronted Edwardian weatherboard, our clients sought a local architectural response to a property they had owned for some time, but not lived in for 15 years whilst overseas.

To accomplish the project requirements, the original house was retained, but retro-fit in such a way as to exceed current building standards. A compact extension to the rear addresses the need to bring light and warmth over the top of the existing house.

The volumes created allow the compact floor plan to feel generous and in proportion to the original house without overshadowing the south facing backyard. All new rooms are connected to the environment through views to the sky and adjacent landscaped gardens.

Recycled or recyclable materials have been utilised throughout. Existing external brick paving, paths and garden beds were salvaged and re-imagined internally to connect the garden to the wet areas. Key trees, retained and protected during construction, now thrive within a newly landscaped environment.

Builder: Philip Building Group

Landscape Architect: Eckersley Garden Architecture

Photographer: Derek Swalwell

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Zen Architects | Sustainable Architecture | Melbourne

It only takes a small water leak, or even excess humidity, for mold to form in your Fort Myers home or business. Then, mold can spread quickly through the property in as little as 48 hours. Mold can produce allergens and irritants, and it has the potential to cause other health effects. If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

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When a home suffers a water damage event, a mold infestation can quickly arise and spread throughout a home in 48-72 hours. Because mold can produce allergens and irritants, you will want a professional that has training and experience to properly resolve the mold infestation. If you suspect that your Virginia Beach home or business has a mold problem, SERVPRO of Virginia Beach can inspect, assess and remediate your property.

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Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, outdoors and indoors, making it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Some restoration businesses advertise mold removal and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

Mold spreads quickly, so a minor mold infestation can quickly escalate into a major problem. Were dedicated to responding immediately when you contact us. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

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We are trained mold damage specialists who get started quickly to get your home or business back to normal, with specific training and certifications to handle your restoration needs.

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Our advanced equipment helps to detect and stop the source of water feeding the mold. We then isolate the affected area using a negative air pressure chamber.

Learn More

Every mold infestation is different, from the amount of mold to the types of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for a typical mold remediation infestation:

Its easy to understand why many people struggle to grasp the facts and issues surrounding indoor mold because sensational news stories and advertising cloud and obscure the real issues. Educate yourself with the facts about mold and learn about the mold remediation process.

We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Virginia Beach is close by and ready to help with your mold-damaged property.

If a catastrophic storm or event occurs, we can call upon the resources of a national network of over 1,700 SERVPRO Franchises and special Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country to respond to large scale disasters.

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Virginia Beach, VA Mold Removal and Mold Remediation ...

It only takes a small water leak, or even excess humidity, for mold to form in your Danbury home or business. Then, mold can spread quickly through the property in as little as 48 hours. Mold can produce allergens and irritants, and it has the potential to cause other health effects. If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

Learn more about mold and what to do until help arrives by reviewing these mold damage tips.

Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, outdoors and indoors, making it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Some restoration businesses advertise mold removal and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

Mold spreads quickly, so a minor mold infestation can quickly escalate into a major problem. Were dedicated to responding immediately when you contact us. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

Learn More

We specialize in water and mold damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have the training and expertise to safely handle any mold situation.

Learn More

Our advanced equipment helps to detect and stop the source of water feeding the mold. We then isolate the affected area using a negative air pressure chamber.

Learn More

Every mold damage scenario is different, and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our typical process:

With sensational news stories and misleading advertising, you can easily understand why so many people are misinformed about indoor mold. Learn the facts about mold and the mold remediation process.

We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Danbury / Ridgefield is close by and ready to help with your mold-damaged property.

If a catastrophic storm or event occurs, we can call upon the resources of a national network of over 1,700 SERVPRO Franchises and special Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country to respond to large scale disasters.

We are proud to serve our local communities:

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Welcome to Alpha Air Corporation. We are a fullservice air duct cleaning company that proudly services the surrounding Minneapolis area. We have 30 years of experience in the duct cleaning industry and offer a complete range of air duct cleaning services for residential homes and commercial and industrial businesses.

At Alpha Air Corporation, we are committed to making sure that every job we do is done right and done promptly. Here are a few examples of our commitment to that.

We offer a full range of air duct cleaning services for homes and businesses throughout the Minneapolis area. Here are some of our most popular services:

One of the best ways to make sure that your indoor air quality is under control is to have your ducts regularly serviced. Unlike other duct cleaning companies, we know that your building and your situation is unique. Thats why we dont offer a standard maintenance plan. We like to talk with our customers and get to know them. We can work with you to set up a custom air duct cleaning service plan that fits your schedule and your buildings needs. Give us a call today to talk with one of our friendly, certified technicians.

Alpha Air Corporation offers commercial, industrial, and residential air duct cleaning services in the surrounding Minneapolis area. Contact us today and schedule your next duct cleaning service appointment!

August 1, 2016

You vacuum and dust and spruce time and time again, but it just doesnt seem to help. If youve got dust piling up in your home, it may seem like there is nothing you can do but spend all of your time working on cleaning the house.

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July 25, 2016

Caring for your air ducts means making sure they are as clean as possible. When air ducts are dirty, they can spread contamination throughout the home or building. And in addition, your air conditioning and heating systems work less efficiently with all of that extra dust and debris in the HVAC system.

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Reliable Home Improvement has spent more than 40 years building and remodeling bathrooms in the greater Chicagoland area. Whether your bathroom remodeling project is big or small, your budget large or limited, we can provide you with a solution that will have you feeling proud of your homeand proud of your choice to work with Reliable Home Improvement.

Whether you come to us with few ideas or an entire notebook of thoughts and sketches, we will guide you toward realizing the bathroom of your dreams. We are well versed in the latest designs and constructions, and can offer suggestions that help you make the most of your time, space, and investment. With our product knowledge and application skills, we understand how all components work together to deliver the kind of environment you desire from relaxing and tranquil to organized and functional.

At Reliable Home Improvement, we pride ourselves on our ability to complete projects quickly and efficiently. Our completion times have been documented at 33% faster than our competitors. When you work with Reliable Home Improvement, bathrooms can be designed and installed with minimal disruption to your daily activities eliminating the frustration of lengthy projects.

Reliable Home Improvement offers a full-service customer experience like none other. Your ideas are the springboard for the next great bathroom project. Lets discuss your needs and see how well we deliver!

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Landscapinga hill might seem like a daunting task, but so is thenightmare ofpushing a heavy lawnmower along a slope. Unfortunately, most people believe that the alternative is to stareat anexpanse of weeds descending into theiryard. But, dont let this incline fool you. That unsightly hillsidecanindeed be transformed into abeautiful addition to your outdoor space. All you need is just a little imagination and planning. So, get ready to tackle that mountain of a problemand learnthese simple steps on how to landscape a hill.

Is that difficult-to-maintain hill in your yard a perfect fit for a hillside rock garden? Is the location also near an electrical source? If so, it could be well suitedfor a waterfall feature. This would utilize that incline to its fullest and it also would give you the serene sound of rushing water. Or, it could be a great place for a dry creek bed. It couldhelp to divert rainwater downhill, away from therest of your yard. But, keep in mind that a very steep hillside will require larger, heavier rocks to remain in place. If you are dealing with excessive erosion, adding some low maintenance plants will help to keep your landscaped hillside in place whether you opt for the waterfall or not.

Additionally, if your hillalready has many natural plants, you might considertrimming them back and then adding a gorgeous rock pathway. Ultimately, much of your design decisions will depend on the degree of the slope. If it is a gradualslope, you may just consider using large flat stones flanked by smaller ones. But, if the grade is steep, steps made from stones could be the answer. Either way, a pathwaycan clean up and add visual interest to your existing plants and as a result, create functionality.

Next, and perhaps most importantly, use amaterials calculatorto help you estimate the amount of landscapeproduct you will need. Be sure to use one prior to buying your materials. Otherwise, you may buy too much or too little.

Since there area vast array of landscaping materials to choose from, like decorativerock and mulch that come in various sizes, textures, and colors, you will need to decide which materials will work best.For example, if you decide onthat beautiful waterfall feature, you might choose amulti-colored river rock. Because of its rounded edges and variation in colors it lends itself perfectly to running water.If you opt for therock pathway,look for large, flat stepping stones,over-sized rip rap,and eastern shore egg rockto line and fill your new, beautiful path.

Finally, its important to realize that any landscaping project will take a lot of time and work. It will, however, pay off in the end. Homes that are landscaped offer far more curb appeal than those that are not. And, if you are selling a home, consider this: investing in home landscaping could potentially pay a 215% return in home value.Hence why you should take advantage of a low maintenance solution like a rock garden or dry river bed.

Now that you have a vision for your new project and a plan, you should ask yourself whether this project is something youcan do on your own or whether you shouldhire a professional. Either way, Wilson Blacktopcandeliver your landscaping supplies within a 50-mile radius of our home base in Martins Ferry, Ohio.

Most importantly, you dont have to keep dreading landscaping that hill. We are excited to help you with that uphill battle.So, dont hesitate to contact usand set up your delivery!

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Home window replacement and installation is stressful enough. The last thing you need to deal with is hiring an unreliable window company that overcharges and underservices. Luckily, you wont have to deal with the hassle that comes along with hiring an unreliable window replacement company if you hire All Seasons Window & Door Co.! Since we were founded in 1981, All Seasons Window & Door Co. has been one of the leading window contractors in Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas.

What makes us one of the leading home window companies in North Carolina and South Carolina? Here are a few characteristics:

At All Seasons Window & Door Co. we are committed to providing our customers with an outstanding customer experience. Our process is simple: we meet with our potential customers for an initial consultation focusing on what qualities they are looking for in their replacement windows. Then, we prepare and install your replacement windows as quickly as possible. We know window replacements are huge investments that can be a hard commitment. Thats why we have specially trained customer service representatives on call throughout the day to answer any questions or concerns and help you understand everything you need to know about replacing your windows.

Part of ensuring our customers are pleased from their initial consultation to after installation is providing them with phenomenal materials at a moderate price. Typically, people tend to shell out thousands of dollars for a quality window replacement in Charlotte, NC. But at All Seasons Window & Door Co., we believe customers shouldnt have to break the bank for quality materials and service. Thats why we offer an array of materials, such as vinyl replacement windows. One of the benefits of using vinyl replacement windows is the affordable price. Unlike other materials, such as wood, you wont have to worry about spending more than your initial budget for your window replacement. But just like common expensive window materials, vinyl has maximum durability, strength, and resilience. So instead of pushing the limits of your budget to have mediocre windows, you will have peace of mind knowing that you have affordable replacement windows that are top quality.

So, what makes our windows better than other replacement windows in Charlotte and surrounding areas? Mainly the strength of our windows and the techniques we use to install them. Its true: our replacement windows are some of the strongest in Charlotte. North Carolina is prone to inclement weather, such as hurricanes and severe thunderstorms. This means that many residents have to invest in storm windows or repair their windows often. But with our windows, you wont have to worry about any inclement weather, such as high wind speeds or heavy rainfall, as well as other external factors, interfering with the condition and quality of your replacement windows. In fact, our windows have been proven to last longer than most replacement windows in Concord NC, where there is heavy storm activity. This debunks the myth that price is equivalent to quality. Our window replacement cost is lower than most windows in Concord NC, as well as Charlotte and surrounding areas, yet you wont have to undergo another window replacement for at least twenty years.

That leads us to the technique we use for our window installations. If you have researched window replacement techniques in Matthews NC or in other parts of Charlotte, then youre most likely aware that most companies use a standard window installation technique that involves using a premade product and an easy-to-abide-by outline. Instead of using the standard window installation procedures, we customize every installation process to satisfy your needs. For example, the commercial window installations we do always require a different technique and process than our residential window installations. While this is attributed to the fact that commercial buildings and residential buildings have different requirements and outlines, it is also attributed to our commitment to satisfying everyones needs and desires. In other words, we are willing to alter our standard installation techniques to make sure that each and every one of our customers receive the windows of their dreams.

Speaking of tailoring our general window installation process to each of our customers, we demonstrate our value of specialty and uniqueness through our completely customizable window replacement options. As previously stated, we offer an array of window materials to satisfy everyones budget, design preferences, and dreams. Each of our available materials comes in different colors and textures. This allows you to obtain windows that seemingly flow with the overall design of your house, as well as your personal design aesthetic. Whether you want a completely personalized replacement window, or a standard minimalistic window, our specially trained employees can help you find the perfect materials and design features for your needs.

Between our devotion to customer service, array of customizable options, and the fact that we offer one of the most affordable window replacement costs in Charlotte NC and surrounding areas, you cant go wrong with All Seasons Window & Door, Co. The notion that we have remained one of the top window contractors in Charlotte NC for over thirty years further proves that we have well above the necessary experience and education to produce and install quality windows in Charlotte, NC and the surrounding areas. Since we have been around for a while, we have gotten the chance to turn our company into a family and become acquainted with most people in the community. In other words, the Charlotte area knows that All Seasons Window & Door, Co. isnt just about business. Instead, we are committed to providing the community with safe, durable, and affordable windows that residents can feel comfortable and confident in.

So say goodbye to the days of worrying about inclement weather completely destroying your windows, or having to shell out thousands of dollars to repair or replace your windows. Instead, contact one of our specially trained employees to help you with your North Carolina window replacement. We will make sure your windows exceed safety standards, satisfy your design preferences, and stay in the range of your budget. Overall, there isnt a window project too big or too small. Give us a call at (704) 399-4244 or fill out the form on this page to contact one of our customer service representatives and schedule a consultation today!

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Window Replacement Charlotte NC | Door Replacement ...