A guide to buying fireplace tiles

The word tile comes from the Latin word ‘tegula’ which means "roof tile of baked clay." The word ceramic is derived form the Greek word ‘keramos.’ Ceramic tiles have been made by humans for at least 4000 years. They have been found in Babylon, the pyramids and in ancient Greek ruins. By 900 AD, tiles were widely used to decorate walls and fireplaces through many parts of the world- a practice which continues today. This article provides a guide to buying fireplace tiles.

Building supply stores

You will be able to find fireplace and wall tiles at building supply stores. These will come in a variety of styles and sizes. These tiles can be used to tile around the outside of a insert fireplace or the fireplace hearth. You will be able to choose the finished as well such as glazed tiles or unglazed. You may even find some hand-painted tiles. While the selection may be good, if you are looking for antique tiles or Edwardian style or Victorian tiles, you will need to look elsewhere.

Pottery studio

Local potters who specialise in making art tiles would be a good source for interesting fireplace tiles. These tiles are unique and have the added cache of being made by a local craftsman or woman. You may even be able to work with the potter to request certain designs for the fireplace tiles as well as request the size and the glaze. With these custom-hearth and fireplace tiles, you will be assured of having a truly one of a kind creation.

Antique and reproduction tile store

Stores like Tile Heaven, 20th Century Fireplaces and FireTile sell either antique or reproduction fireplace tiles from the Edwardian, Victorian and Art Deco eras. 20th Century Tile can build reproduction Art Deco fireplaces complete with Art Deco style tiles. FireTile sells plain tiles, hand-made tiles and decorative tiles. Tile Heaven has a wide inventory of tiles made from the 1860s to 1930s covering the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Makers names of these tiles include Wedgwood and Minton. On the Tile Heaven website, the condition of the tiles are indicated, allowing the buyer know whether the tiles are cracked or have a hairline fracture, a chip, crazing as well as some other flaw.