(ARA) – When you think of drama in home design what comes to mind? Is it ceramic tile? A growing number of homeowners and interior designers are tapping tile to create excitement in their decor – in some unusual, surprising ways.

Ceramic tile has been a preferred building material for thousands of years; the ancient Egyptians used it in their homes. In modern American homes, ceramic tile has traditionally been used in baths and kitchens, and in some outdoor spaces. As consumer demand continues to grow for innovative, versatile and “green” building products, however, ceramic tile is appearing in unusual locations and forms throughout the home.

What’s driving renewed interest in ceramic tile? Several factors, including:

* Ceramic tile is a “green” building product made of natural materials compounded in age-old production processes. It is recyclable, biodegradable and can even be used to enhance the performance of some solar heating systems.

* Durable and long-lasting, ceramic tile is easier to maintain than many alternative materials, including wood or vinyl for flooring or wallpaper for walls. It is naturally water proof, and stain, mold and mildew resistant, making it a good choice for homes of people with severe allergies.

* Ceramic tile is a less costly alternative to many of the natural stone materials currently in vogue in modern homes, including granite, slate and marble. Yet tile provides the beauty and durability that draw many homeowners to more expensive materials.

* Versatility and creativity are the hallmarks of modern tile. Manufacturers are now creating ceramic tile that can mimic the look of upscale materials from wood to leather.

Modern tile designs mimic the appearance of an array of other prized building materials, including:

* White leather tufted chesterfield fabric - Ceracasa, a Tile of Spain branded manufacturer, uses digital technology to create printed tiles that look like white leather tufted chesterfield fabric. These tiles can be used to add warmth and depth to a powder room floor, or create a one-of-a-kind headboard for your master bedroom.

* Cloth-covered, wood-framed panels - Inalco, another Tile of Spain manufacturer, makes a tile, called “Lounge,” that resembles cloth covered panels framed in wood. Installed in a home library or media room this tile evokes the luxury of world-class libraries and gentlemen’s clubs of a bygone era.

* Wood grain – Ceramic tile that resembles hardwood is also gaining popularity as a flooring material to be used anywhere in the home where you want beauty and luxury, without cleaning and maintenance issues associated with real wood. Porcelanosa makes wood looking tiles that are a great alternative to wood in areas of the home where moisture would make a wood floor impractical.

* Fabric – Luxurious and elegant, Inalco’s Vintage Series finally creates ceramic tile that mimics the look of quilted fabric.

* Natural materials – Ceramic tile can now be used to achieve the look of grass cloth, stitched leather or even raked sand. Roca’s Zen tile mimics the artfully arranged sand found in Asian gardens.

* Metal – An increasingly popular alternative in contemporary kitchens, ceramic tile that looks like metal can create an intriguing backsplash or dazzling countertops. Apravisa manufactures a living metal or metallic damask product that resembles a variety of metals.

To learn more about unusual types and uses of tile, visit the home page of the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association at www.spaintiles.info.

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