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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Jury awards more than 200K in Rogue River dog-barking case, orders dogs debarked Alleged subscription scammers may be violating state restraining order Nearly 400 steelhead die in Applegate fish-trap failure Cat survives electric shock, 25-foot fall in Grants Pass Oregon Shakespeare Festival honored for preserving history Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Jury awards more than 200K in Rogue River dog-barking case, orders dogs debarked Alleged subscription scammers may be violating state restraining order Central Point police pull attempted theft suspect from prickly hiding spot Emergency services Boy likely saved mom from being murdered Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for one year Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Education Prepping before 9th grade Shumate says initiatives will require reserve spending Eagle Point school district violated union members' constitutional rights, federal judge says SOU celebrates Arbor Day early with awards and talks SOU student's play heads to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Environment Nearly 400 steelhead die in Applegate fish-trap failure Forum looks at Crater Lake wilderness proposal A place to play Rare Brewer spruce joins heritage list A sea-foam change State News Wyden lobbies for Pendleton research center funding Ex-Nike worker sentenced to probation in sneaker plot Oregon bill would make school vaccine rates available Google to expand data center, office in Oregon Oregon lawmakers seek federal tax code change for legal pot Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Paul Inserra James Raymond (“Jimy”) Angel Peggy Gene Ritchie-Potter Anthony (Tony) Ray Hansen Ian Witter Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Inspirational Hilll dies from tumor Spieth makes Masters look like child's play Crater's Hassel hurls no-hitter against Churchill Curry resets 3-point mark in win over Blazers Ashland's Norvell first SOU women's wrestler Varsity 541 College Sports Inspirational Hilll dies from tumor Ashland's Norvell first SOU women's wrestler Duke’s Okafor will enter the NBA draft Versatile Graham harbors pro aspirations OSU running backs look to make mark Pro Sports Spieth makes Masters look like child's play Curry resets 3-point mark in win over Blazers Bulls pull off a staggering comeback Team hits road — for 55 games Spectacular Spieth Community Sports Business Latest Stories New bosses take charge at Harry & David Erickson shores up business with three contracts Ride & Drive: 2015 Ram ProMaster City Blog: Erickson signs construction, firefighting and logging deals, but investors remain a tough sell Dancin Vineyards covers up Real Estate News Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Erickson shores up business with three contracts Lithia Motors shares break the $100 mark Road to health: Bike and pedestrian paths play greater role in transportation project funding Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Agriculture New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Our View: Emails contradict claims of Kitzhaber, Hayes Matthew T. Mangino: Shooting a fleeing suspect in the back Letters to the Editor, April 10 Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Editorials Our View: Emails contradict claims of Kitzhaber, Hayes Our View: All ethics reform bills should get a hearing Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: No easy answers to Mexican refugee influx Our View: State income tax sharing run amok Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 10 Letters to the Editor, April 9 Letters to the Editor, April 8 Letters to the Editor, April 7 Letters to the Editor, April 6 Columns Matthew T. Mangino: Shooting a fleeing suspect in the back Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Kent Bush: Facebook isn’t going anywhere George Will: When everything is a crime Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Guest Opinion: Pot opponents have good reason for concern Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot Guest Opinion: Phoenix embraces Bee City USA designation Guest Opinion: Marijuana offers Oregon benefits, drawbacks Lifestyle Latest stories Steelheaders use social media to auction off a driftboat Hanging out at Hanging Rock Community blog: U.S. dietary guidelines change little with the times Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Fishing Report: Friday, April 10 Food Community blog: U.S. dietary guidelines change little with the times Season Stepp: Try farmer’s market sunchoke in a creamy potato soup Page H. Onorato: Bringing spring to the dinner table Tammy Kelly: Asparagus is in season Power of 5 Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Good soil foundation of fabulous garden Ceramic tile: How it’s made and what’s new Dear Monty: How real estate relocation companies work Paul Rogers: Yard damage may not be as bad as it looks Home Help: 3 things to avoid when renovating your kitchen Health Health Watch: Combat common running and walking ailments Dr. Jeff Hersh: Distracted driving Dr. Murray Feingold: Keep laundry detergent packets away from kids Community blog: Fire Safety Your Mental Health: My husband denies he has PTSD Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Milestones and Achievements New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Haga-Parks Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Five picks for entertainment this week The Brothers Reed celebrate new CD 'Sick as Folk' Live Music in Local Clubs Britt Festivals line-up kicks off June 6 Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival Theater Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland OCT stages 'The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)' Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' ‘A Dream of Red Pavilions’ at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Music The Brothers Reed celebrate new CD 'Sick as Folk' Britt Festivals line-up kicks off June 6 Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival Gene Burnett tonight at Liquid Assets in Ashland The Farr Side: No Zayn Malik? One Direction stays the course Community Events Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival MailTribune.com rolls out new calendar Dining La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Standing Stone owners to open Medford brewpub and restaurant Restaurant Inspections: March 29 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Jury awards more than 200K in Rogue River dog-barking case, orders dogs debarked ... Alleged subscription scammers may be violating state restraining order ... Nearly 400 steelhead die in Applegate fish-trap failure ... Jury awards more than 200K in Rogue River dog-barking case, orders dogs debarked ... Alleged subscription scammers may be violating state restraining order ... Nearly 400 steelhead die in Applegate fish-trap failure ... Ceramic tile: How it's made and what's new By Laura Firszt Networx MailTribune.com By Laura Firszt Networx Posted Apr. 8, 2015 @ 6:49 am By Laura Firszt Networx Posted Apr. 8, 2015 @ 6:49 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Ceramic tile is becoming increasingly popular in new-home construction, as well as remodels and renovations. Interestingly, this handsome and easy care covering for floors, walls and backsplashes is still manufactured from all natural raw ingredients, according to an age-old process. However, modern techniques have been developed to imbue ceramic tile with a bold and bright new look for the 21st century. Manufactured from traditional all-natural ingredients Fans of green living will be pleased to know that ceramic tile is, and always has been, a completely natural product. The beautiful tile that you install on your floor or backsplash is created mainly out of humble clay, with the addition of mineral ingredients that may include carbonate, feldspar, kaolin and sand, plus a certain percentage of water to hold it all together. The mixture is blended and ground to produce what is known as the “body slip.” It is then dried into a powder composed of uniformly shaped spheres. The powder is placed in molds and compacted with a hydraulic press, resulting in “bisques.” This pressing not only forms the tiles into squares, hexagons, ovals, or other decorative shapes, it also strengthens them. They are dried further to get rid of all moisture that may remain. Glazing and firing The next step is an optional glazing process, which will add attractive color and texture. The “green” tile is then heated in a kiln, just like other ceramic products, and may reach a temperature as high as 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. This firing process used to take several hours, but new conveyor belt-style methods have been developed to speed up the procedure so that the tiles are baked in less than 40 minutes. Nevertheless, tile that is destined for use as flooring is fired a second or third time to toughen it up, often with the addition of another colorful coat of glaze. Sorting and rating The finished tiles are sorted, once again with the help of technology. In this case, software is used to recognize irregularly shaped or otherwise inferior tile. Tile that meets the manufacturer’s high standards of quality is rated for its hardness according to the criteria of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), to determine the degree of foot traffic it will be able to handle. The final stage is packing and shipping to suppliers. What’s new in ceramic tile While the basic process has not changed a great deal over the centuries, exciting advances are simplifying tile manufacture while at the same time increasing the design options available to homeowners today. One of the most impressive is high-definition inkjet technology. This allows tile to be printed with all kinds of realistic designs. Some of the more popular tile looks are faux stone and wood; the latter even come in wood-plank shapes and sizes. Textures such as fabric-look and patterns (think chevron or herringbone) are also big, as are metallic. “Stainless steel” and “mineral” continue their wave of popularity, recently joined by gold tile for the kitchen -- now that’s glitzy! Imitation oxidized brass lends a lovely patina to any room. In terms of shape, the once-ubiquitous rectangular subway tile is beginning to be replaced by new styles such as retro hexagons in bright Moroccan colors. These are perfectly suited for another trend -- statement floor tile for kitchen and bath. And for a quirky touch of humor, pop art and camo style tiles are making a quirky appearance these days. Fancy installing a ceramic tile comic strip on your powder room walls? Laura Firszt writes for networx.com. This post originally appeared at http://www.networx.com/article/ceramic-tile-how-its-made-and-whats-n. By Laura Firszt Networx MailTribune.com By Laura Firszt Networx Posted Apr. 8, 2015 @ 6:49 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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