Essay --

Imagine having to work a 100 hour work week as a slave, being so desperate for food that you eat snakes, rats, and merciful corpses to stay alive, and being forced to witness public executions of your closest family members. This is the reality for the 176,000 governmental and associative pris wizrs living in uniting Korean prisons with no rights, no trial, and no reason. The creative activity will have to regard the human rights abuses in newton Korean as an important issue if we wish to stop the torture, murder, and starvation that it enforces on its people.Recognition for our need for basic human rights is required to understand how pairing Korea deprives its people from the choices we as citizens of the USA take for granted. The United Nations office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights says that human rights are rights inherent to all human beings. These rights include the rights to life, liberty, property, movement, expression, and security. The United States has diff erent rights engrained in its Bill of Rights, like the right to a speedy trial, freedom from harboring soldiers, and the freedom to a militia. North Korea has had its prisons for more than 5 decades, and its background goes back to the Korean War, when they stored their Prisoners of War and the members of the opposition in the camps. They have continued to today, despite the fact that the North Korean government denies their existence. Those on the extracurricular mainly get their information from prison escapees and satellite imagery, and by these testimonies we can only make educated guesses on the population, location, and size of the camps. Shin Dong-hyuk has helped the rest of the world understand what prison life was like, for his story is haunting. He was born in a prison camp... ...t? Indeed, one of the biggest pitfalls that we as people have subsided from is publicizing the rejection of rights from the North Korean peoples, and we have forgotten that we can get out the wo rd to top diplomatic officials on how and when we wish to combat the violations. Spreading the word is one of the most helpful things you can currently do to, as you, as an American, have the right to democracy and the peoples choice in matters, a right that North Korean citizens have been blatantly denied. Get educated on these matters through books, websites and documentaries, then go spread the information you have been given. As support for the prisoners grows, so will support for the human race as a whole, it will be only then that the issue of North Koreas concentration camps will be brought to the diplomatic table for and by the people wherever they shall reside.

President Harry S. Trumans Executive Order 9981 :: essays research papers

President Harry S. Trumans executive director ordering 9981 On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman orders thedesegregation of the Armed Forces by Executive Order 9981. Prior to Harry Truman passing the Executive Order 9981 onFebruary 2, 1948 he asked Congress to create a permanentFEPC, and in December 1946, he establish a distinguishedpanel to serve as the Presidents Commission on CivilRights, which would recommend "more adequate means andprocedures for the protection of the civil rights of the flock of the United States." The Commission noted themany restrictions on blacks, and urged that each person,regardless of race, color or national origin, should haveaccess to equal opportunity in securing education, decenthousing and jobs. Harry Truman sent a special message toCongress on February 2, 1948 calling for promptimplementation of the Commissions recommendations.Southerners were unhappy with that idea and forthwiththreatened a filibuster, so Truman, unable to secure actionfrom the Congress had no choice notwithstanding to move ahead using his decision maker authority. Critics on Capitol Hill easilystopped his proposals.     Some historians believe President Truman had hoped tounite the Democratic Party bypromising civil rights to African Americans, but not pushingso fast as to alienate segregationists. Southern Democratsformed the Dixiecrat Party and nominated South CarolinaGovernor Strom Thurmond for president.      President Trumans Executive Board was the beginningstep for further integration in the Armed Forces. FollowingPresident Trumans Executive Order, two boards wereestablished to make recommendations about integration. Apresidential commission chaired by Charles Fahy recommendedan end to discrimination in jobs, schooling, assignment, andrecruitment.      In 1952 it was the Korean War that finally led to thedesegregation of previously all-white combat unit.The primary(prenom inal) goal of President Trumans Executive Order 9981 wasto grant equality of treatment and opportunity for allpersons in the armed services without regard to race, color,religion or national origin. There shall be created in theNational Military Establishment an advisory committee to beknown as the Presidents Committee on equation of Treatmentand Opportunity in the Armed Services, which shall becomposed of seven members to be designated by thePresident. He also states that the Committee shallconfer and advise the escritoire of Defense, the Secretary ofthe Army, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary ofthe Air Force.      Over 2.5 million African-American men registered forthe draft, and black women also volunteered in largenumbers. While armed service in the Army, Army Air Forces, Navy,

Tariffs always cause a net welfare loss :: Economics

Tariffs incessantly cause a net wellbeing lossExplain and critically tax this statement.In this essay, I result be discussing the impact of protectionism, infocus, the impact of tariffs, import duties. As healthful discussing theoverall effect on welfare from the tariff, the gainers and the loserswill need to be identified. I will illustrate this diagrammatically. Iwill then move to discuss the value of the optimal tariff imposition.As well as discussing the first best argument, I will also look at thevalue of second best arguments, examining whether or not tariffs doalways cause a net welfare loss.A tariff requires the importer to pay a given fraction of the worldprice to the government. This protects domestic producers by natural elevationthe world price well above the domestic price this of course has adownside for the consumers. A tariff works like a tax from theconsumers prospect there are transfers from the consumers to boththe government in the form of revenue and to th e producers in the formof higher profits. This can be illustrated effectively by feeling atFigure A, it shows the demand and supply curves for the home economy,Pa is the point where there is no deal out, where supply meets demand. Pwis the world price for the commodity, the point of free trade and Pw +t is the price plus the tariff. We can see that during free trade, atPw the home economy should import (Qf - Cf) but when a tariff isimplemented this factor they will import (Qt - Ct). As we can see fromFigure A, the government will gain the revenue from the tariff, areaB. The price rise in imports means that there is a reduced demand forthem and increased demand for domestic producers. This results in again for the producer, area E. The loss for the consumer, area C, thisis where consumption is undertake when Cf moves to Ct. Area A, is also aloss area, as when production increases from Qf to Qt production isinefficient, over the world price so this area is the extra toll thatthe economy pay for producing the good at home. We can summarize thesegains and losses we can see that there is indeed a net loss forwelfare B - (E+A+B+C) + E = - (A-C).So are there any valid justifications for the imposition of tariffs.The strongest argument (some would say the only) in favour of a tariffcomes with the recognition that a domestic economy imports such asignificant supply of the world market for a commodity that an

Family and Household Essay -- essays research papers fc

Family and HouseholdThe word family comes from the Latin word familia which means household. This seems to be fitting since they both seem synonymous. In the dictionary the definition of family is a congregation of individuals living under virtuoso roof and usually under one head or a group of persons of common ancestry. The definition of household is those who dwell under the same roof and compose a family or a social unit comprised of those living unitedly in the same dwelling. Even the definitions are very similar, yet they have come to mean two very divers(prenominal) things in our modern twenty-four hours world. As time evolves so does the clarity of what makes up a family and the function of family and household are. Families are affected by, and in turn affect, the values and structure of the society, in which they are embedded (Haviland 2002 245). This statement says so much about what families are and why they differ so much from one culture to the next. They fill the need of each particular group. In America the family has changed dramatically over the past few decades as the country, itself, has changed. In the 1950s and sixties the roles of each member of the family were more(prenominal) distinct and defined. The m new(prenominal) and the father were a married couple who stayed together. The mother did not work outside of the home, except in extreme circumstances or cases. She took care of the children and the home. The father was the bread winner and did very little work inside the home. Today most families either have both parents working or they are single parent families, or families divided by divorce. The changes to what comprises our families have also evolved to included families with gay parents having either two mothers or two fathers or combined families from re-marriages with step-parents and siblings. In these families their function is one of raising independent children who will grow up to become better than the generation befo re them. And in some cases they also function as an emotional and monetary support for each other helping each other to obtain their goals of independence.In many other cultures their definition of what a family is very different of that of Americans. In most of these cultures family provides a more important role, one of survival. These family groups usually co... ...alue along with what is irrelevant. Our families provide us with the needful tools to survive and keep our people going from one generation to the next. I have learned that the definitions of family and household are broad and diverse and that to know one does not mean you know another. What makes up either one of these two things is all about the culture and the society that we live in. But, it also made me read that no matter how divergent our families and households are they all seem to fulfill the same basic need of survival. We just go about it in different ways. So, no matter where you live or who you live wi th you are still just learning how to live and that is what we all have in common. Works CitedAbrams, I.R., & Bishop, J. (Producers). (1994). Family and Household, Faces of refinement videotape. Fountain Valley Coast Community College District.Haviland, William A. (2002) Cultural Anthropology. Forth Worth HarcourtCollege Publishers.

Factory Farming and Animal Cruelty Essay -- essays research papers

Factory Farming and Animal Cruelty Animal rights are practically non-existent in m some(prenominal) different ways today. Factory dry land is probably the worst thing they can do to the poor helpless animals. Factory farming effects chickens, cows, pigs, and many other animals that are used for food, draw and eggs. One of the biggest organizations against factory farming is called Compassion Over Killing (COK). They go to great lengths to protest and inform people about animal cruelty. Chickens have to lead suffering that no living thing should have to go through. The egg laying chickens have to be forced into tiny cages without enough room to range their wings. Up to 8 hens are crammed in to a cage that is the size of a folded newspaper, about 11"-14". Stress from the confinement leads to severe feather divergence so the chicken will be almost completely bald in the cold cages. When the chickens are of egg-laying age, there beaks are cut off without any pain killers to ease the pain, they do this so the chickens dont break their own eggs and eat them because the chickens are hungry. Broiler chickens, luckily for them, only live up to 7 weeks old until they are big enough to be slaughtered. Their life starts out in incubator trays with hundreds and thousands of other chicks without enough head room to withstand up, and not enough room to take 2 tiny steps. So for the first week of their lives it goes from cramp trays, to cramp boxes, to getting dumped onto the filthy floors of t...

Factory Farming and Animal Cruelty Essay -- essays research papers

Factory Farming and Animal Cruelty Animal rights are practically non-existent in m whatsoever different ways today. Factory farming is probably the worst thing they can do to the poor helpless animals. Factory farming effects chickens, cows, pigs, and many other animals that are used for food, draw and eggs. One of the biggest organizations against factory farming is called Compassion Over Killing (COK). They go to great lengths to protest and inform people about animal cruelty. Chickens have to go suffering that no living thing should have to go through. The egg laying chickens have to be forced into tiny cages without enough room to b passing playom forth their wings. Up to 8 hens are crammed in to a cage that is the size of a folded newspaper, about 11"-14". Stress from the confinement leads to severe feather loss so the chicken will be almost completely bald in the cold cages. When the chickens are of egg-laying age, there beaks are cut off without any pain killers to ease the pain, they do this so the chickens dont break their own eggs and eat them because the chickens are hungry. Broiler chickens, luckily for them, only live up to 7 weeks old until they are big enough to be slaughtered. Their life starts out in incubator trays with hundreds and thousands of other chicks without enough head room to pedestal up, and not enough room to take 2 tiny steps. So for the first week of their lives it goes from cramp trays, to cramp boxes, to getting dumped onto the filthy floors of t...

Does Halstead Need a Bypass

Halstead is a half-size market townsfolk in South East England, North Essex, and within 15 miles west of Colchester. Halstead is next to the River Colne, and is rigid in the Colne Valley. Halstead has a population of 10 000 and is also the only settlement of its size in the Essex region without a bypass. Halstead was also a weaving town (where sheeps wool is made into clothe).Halstead is central to several big towns, such as Colchester, Braintree and Haverhill. Everyday traffic from all these towns has to pass through Halstead high street in order to commute, this usually results in Halstead becoming greatly congested on a regular basis, increasing air and noise contaminant, and therefore Halstead central could enormously benefit from a bypass.A bypass is a course, which is built to avoid or bypass congestion in a built up town or village, this lets traffic flow without interferences from local traffic, this improves congestion and road safety.There are many reasons for and ag ainst the construction of a bypass.Advantages* Less congestion in town.* Less pollution in town central.* Lorries would no longer have to drive through the town.* Both noise and air pollution would decrease in town.* Local builders would hugely benefit, from work needed.* It will be quicker for people to travelling to work.Disadvantages* Expensive, local tax payers of Halstead would compensate.* An increase in noise pollution.* An increase in Air pollution.* avoid would destroy surrounding environment.* Less customers and income from commuters in the town centre.In the past there have been several proposals for a bypass to be built in Halstead. In 1987, the Essex County Council classified main roads into the town a busy and found that nearly 50 % of the traffic was passing through Halstead. A bypass was get-go proposed in 1990, and public discussions were held, and a preferred route emerged, although it was the most costly of all options, costing 11 million. Four Years later two s mall changes were made to the route, following further discussions. Later, in 1997, it was decided that a bypass may be built after 2000, when sufficient funds may cause available, but has continued to be put on hold.After analysing my results I conclude that I do not see that a bypass should be built in Halstead. I think that he environmental impact, and impact on local residents is too big. Taxes would increase enormously and the consequence on businesses in the town will also be huge. The environment would be destroyed, ruining many habitats and bridle paths so horse riders and hikers wouldnt benefit at all.Although I dont believe Halstead needs a bypass, if one were to be built, I reckon that route A is the best choice, as this route goes further around the town than route B, therefore the town of Halstead would be much quieter, and less disturbed by the air and noise pollution.

Rogerian Essay: Same Sex Schools vs. Co-Ed School

Samantha Finocchio English 211 Mrs. Plummer March 5th, 2o13 Rogerian Essay Same stimulate Schools vs. co-ed Schools People everywhere have different beliefs. In this case, trying to decide whether informs should be the same gender or mixed gender is the problem. This troth is affecting how our children of the future go out learn and succeed in life. There atomic number 18 pros and cons for both co-ed and same sex school. Some say co-ed schools should remain the way they atomic number 18 others strongly disagree and believe that schools should consist of one sex only. Same sex schools sens be down upright awful for some students.Depending on how you look at it, the co-ed interaction could be great. Some students need the socialization to live. These events of students thrive on it. They want to be able to learn about the other sex so later in life they bequeath not feel vulnerable when they enter the existent world. The real world is clearly full of both men and women. Jo b atmospheres are almost always co-ed nowadays. Without growing up in that type of environment young adults from same sex schools may not know how to react when they observe there. Being stuck in a same gender school your whole life can be boring and drab.There is no personal expression, style, flirting, or even any drama. People live for these things and they are not come-at-able in same sex schools they will be distressed. Another reason co-ed schools tower over private same sex schools is because private schools are too strict. One way they are is because they often require uniforms. Uniforms are no gambol when you cannot express your own style. They do not hand individuals the fortune to express themselves by being different. Another reason co-ed schools are better is because they are often easier on their students when it comes to discipline.A lot of parents feel that the discipline should be learned at home. The education facility is a place to learn about school matters, not etiquette. Although, co-ed schools may be more fun and entertaining, are the students actually learning anything? Evidently, co-ed schools do have their positive effects on students but same sex schools are ultimately better. Co-ed schools cannot compete with private same sex schools because the same sex schools are much better environments for focus and learning purposes. That is the main importance of this problem. A greater amount of work will postulate done if it is only girls and only boys.Schools that are same gender are generally private schools. This means the students would be wearing uniforms. Uniforms stand for unity and equality. They make it so that everyone is equal and clothes will not be an indicator of popularity or wealth. No one will be compared to others because of what they are wearing since they will all be dressed the same. Flirting and sexual activity will be cut down extremely. When boys and girls are together they often tend to get distracted and in t rouble by talking, giggling or caught up in each other and not get their school work done. This would also cut back on the drama.Girls tend to fight and cause drama but when you take boys out of the picture a majority of the problems will dissolve. Often, children, teens, and young adults who are misbehaved have parents that cannot handle them and end up sending them away to boarding schools to learn discipline. Every school will be same sex/private so parents will not have to worry about sending their child away because they will get the same discipline in every single school. It was proven in 2000 by ACER that boys and girls in single-sex schools were more likely to be better behaved and to chance on learning more enjoyable and the curriculum more relevant. This being said, with only of the genders in the classroom, class sizes would be cut in half. Smaller classes will concede each teacher to better focus on each student individually. Although people have views on same sex and co-ed schools that differ drastically, they can come to a compromise by doing a little of both. This consensus will be that schools will be same sex from kindergarten to eighth grade. This will give children the to chance to learn the fundamentals of their studies with no interruptions. They will be able to learn discipline in their younger years so when they get aged(a) they will already have the skills to use in life.Compromising for the people who are for co-ed schools, all of high school and higher education co-ed schooling will be a choice. Being in a co-ed environment as a young adult will give them nice experience for the real world while already have the superior essentials from same sex private schools in their childhood. These same gender schools at an easy and middle school level will then turn into co-ed school for high school and benefit both sides of the problem. WORK CITED NASSPE look for Single-Sex vs. Coed The Evidence. NASSPE Research Single-Sex vs. Coed The E vidence. N. p. , n. d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.

Metacognition Student Achievement Essay

Metacognition has ecumenicly been described as mentation ab erupt unmatcheds own thoughts. The realization that a human being give the gatenot exist in isolation of his inner self, that he is constantly probing that dam of his very essence to evaluate situations and resolve the never-ending puzzles that daily confront him. Kornell (2009), has described metacognition as self-reflection and conscious awareness. An still much elaborate definition is that habituated by Serendip (2009). He defines it as a reflective practice that helps one discern general patterns in ones own views and abilities.Whichever definition one feels comfortable with, it cannot be said to be superior to the other, because metacognition deals with the intangible and cannot be weighed on a scale. It has, however, been the lawsuit of widespread research all over the world. Psychologists are now petition themselves, what causes that tip of the tongue experience, when you are sure you know someones name pla inly cannot recall it? Or what is at play when one conveys a feeling of indecision? Why is it that humans are able to hurl current cognitive abilities that animals apparently do not have?For example, if asked what stratum America gained independence, one may readily recall with certainty, or one may say with complete uncertainty that he does not know. The answer may also lie in stakeween, showing a certain degree of uncertainty by replying, for example, I think it was 1776. Whatever answer one gives, it demonstrates an ability to call into question ones memory and experience. tally to studies that have been done, this ability can be meliorated. Thus, the science of metacognition is now rampant, with studies being carried out on the cognitive abilities of monkeys, children, students, and ways in which they can be improved.Metacognition 2 One study which was carried out to runnel the cognitive abilities of rhesus monkey monkeys, was that conducted by Kornell, Son & Terrace ( 2007). In this trial, the monkeys were initially trained to select a give picture from a assay of six pictures by touching the image on a touch-screen monitor. After this training period, they were shown six sample pictures which were then simultaneously removed and replaced with nine, one of the foregoing six being among them.As soon as they selected the sample they thought was among the previous six, they were required to bet on their choice by depressing an characterisation on the screen for certainty, with a reward of redeemable solid food tokens, or loss of tokens, if wrong. A further icon for a low risk bet was also on that point. After carrying out this experiment for a suitable period of time, they concluded that the monkeys would invariably lonesome(prenominal) bet when they were sure that they knew the correct answer. The researchers were therefore of the vista that the monkeys were guided by a cognitive ability.They also tested two monkeys on metacognitive control. This is the ability to use metacognitive ability to influence behavior. An example would be requesting for a hint when one is unsure of an answer, a common trait with humans. In this trial, two monkeys were presented with a few sample pictures to place in a certain assure. They were also availed of onscreen visual hints if they needed. The penalty for using the hints was a less appetizing banana flavored pellet, instead of the more attractive M&M candy.As the test progressed, it became apparent that the monkeys were using the hints less and less, and would only resort to them when they were sure that they did not know the right answer. This ability to have control over ones metacognitive ability had been tested on humans for many years, and it was only now that it was becoming crystalise that it was also present in animals. However, how prevalent this is among them, cannot be clear and it cannot be generalized from this study that only involved rhesus monkeys.Metacognition 3 Smit h & Washbum (2005) have taken animal research a notch high and carried out trials that probe the memory, referred to as monitoring the memory. In the test, animals which were given variant proletariats to do based on what they had done before, declined to engage in the more laborious tasks, a solving that was the comparable as similar tests carried out on humans. The animals were selective and seemed to have the same analogous capacity as human. There was no doubt that they were using their metacognitive abilities to seek in their memories, and when they remembered that the task was arduous, they declined to take the test.Kornell & Terrace (2007) also carried out some trials seeking to point out out if monkeys benefited from learning. They did this with two rhesus monkeys which were given two problem sets to solve. In one difficult set, they were given hints to assist them after a suitable training period. In the other set, they were given no hints. The number of hints they u sed to solve the problem set steadily declined over time, the public presentation, however, did not change, it stayed the same. The monkeys were solving the problem with skills they had acquired from the hints and were using them less and less because they had in condition(p).This is fascinating and opens up very interesting questions about the training of animals. There are other areas of animal metacognitive behavior which have been studied. Hampton, R (2009), carried out studies on rhesus monkeys to determine if they made decisions when they had information, or sought information when ignorant and immediately made a decision. The results were quite revealing. They carried out two sets of tests. In one test, the monkeys witnessed food being inserted into some opaque test tubes. These tests were referred to as the seen trials.In the other test, the food was inserted into test tubes without their intimacy. Metacognition 4 The monkeys were then required to identify the tubes which had food in them. In trial after trial, they would first look cumulus the tubes to ascertain if the food was there and if it was, they selected the tube. What was evident from these tests is that the monkeys sought information first, by peering down the tubes, when ignorant, and only immediately selected the correct tubes without investigating, when they knew the food was there.That means they knew when they knew and only sought information when they knew that they did not know. This is a characteristic which is prevalent among human children, orangutans and rhesus monkeys. It is, however, not clear with capuchin monkeys when they were exposed to a similar trial about a decade before. There is room for more research on animals. According to Smith & Washbum, a lot needs to be investigated regarding the gifts opposite animals have. For example, monkeys and dolphins seem to exhibit more cognitive abilities than pigeons, whose reactions appear to be more stimulus based. set ahead res earch in this area can yield very important information which may stimulate a whole spectrum of research into cognitive abilities of different animal specie. Additionally, there is a lot of room into studies on the ability or lack of ability of animals to make quantitative judgements, for example, their mood. Metacognitive abilities is also a subject of importance in developing learning capabilities for children. Loh, A (2009), has made suggestions on modes to use to improve metacognition learning for children as young as two year olds.Since parents spend the most amount time with children of this age, they are best placed to practice the techniques recommended by Loh. He says that children should be encouraged to think about their thinking process in order to develop their intellect and intelligence. Children should be engaged, soon after an activity, to gauge their Metacognition 5 thinking process and the techniques they used for a task. straightaway after this activity, they sh ould be asked certain questions, for example 1. They should be asked about the process they used to achieve the result. This way, they entrust recall the steps and learn the process.2. What strategies did they use? This will engage them actively in the thinking process by beginning to adopt strategic thinking of alternative techniques they can use to achieve advance results. 3. What do they think about the end result? Is it good or bad? This will help them to evaluate their work. 4. Offer them puzzling tasks that have more than one solution. This exposes them to cognitive conflicts 5. Engage them in debates and discussions with other children 6. Allow them to practice reciprocal teaching where they form groups and one child teaches members of his group. 7.Once they engage on a task, allow them to continue undisturbed. Help them with clues if they get stuck. Further, they can be assisted with questions that will incline them to probe their mind even more, for example, what they le arned from the task and what they found difficult. Additionally, they can be probed to find out if they have a next goal and what will help them to achieve it. Metacognition 6 There has been more research in the field of metacognitive abilities of children. Young childrens understanding of mental life, or theory of mind, is an area that is currently being explored by various scientists.According to science daily (2008), a new study had made a link between theory of mind as assessed in kindergarten children and their metacognitive abilities in elementary school. Early theory of mind competencies positively influenced metacognitive abilities acquired later. 174 children between the ages of three and four were used as study subjects to investigate this relationship. Wolfgang Schneider, P. H. D. , of the University of Wurzburg, who carried out the trial, said that knowledge from this research can be used to develop training programs for young children.For all the progress that has been done on metacognition in animals and children, none can contention that of learners. The Elementary Teachers league of Ontario (2009), says that students with metacognitive needs have difficulties in setting priorities and planning their tasks. Additionally 1. They are poor at strategizing in order to accomplish a task methodically 2. They procrastinate and are unable to start their work. 3. They are inattentive and make careless mistakes. 4. They are not able to identify their faults or know how to seek help. With these theatrical role of students they recommend the following teaching strategies 1. Teachers should tutor them on how to plan and show them the scoring rubric for the assignment. 2. They should be taught on idea of time needed to complete a task. 3. They should be assisted with think-aloud strategies. Metacognition 7 4. They should be cajoled to get engaged actively in their work by asking them how they are doing the work and how they will remember to solve the prob lem. 5. Teachers should be specific in their assignments to students by providing scoring rubrics for each question and how they have been calculated. However, Pierce (2004), dealt even deeper in metacognition for students.He was of the opinion that study strategies were generalized and teachers did not teach them in class. They assumed that students had already learned them. When they taught a dodge, students used the same strategy taught for all subjects. According to him, students needed to acquire three types of knowledge in order to improve their metacognitive abilities. These are 1. Declarative knowledge which is having at their grasp genuine information, for example, repair is distance divided by time taken. 2. Procedural knowledge which is knowing how to do something.Using the previous example of speed, they should know the formula for speed and the steps required in its calculation. 3. Conditional knowledge This is knowing when to use a certain procedure and why one str ategy is better than another. In applying the three types of knowledge for study strategies for example, students need declarative knowledge to know that a high school history textbook is different from an article analyzing the same textbook. They need procedural knowledge to take notes from such a textbook and conditional knowledge to know when such notes should be taken.According to Pierce, study techniques improve learning but are hardly ever taught. Additionally, many students do not internalize success as caused by ability and effort. Metacognition 8 Lippman, Danielsson & Linder (2005), differed close to with some researchers of metacognition. They claimed that most studies taught metacognitive skills and then measured the effects of training. Instead, they should quantify the use of metacognition. In a study that they carried out at an American university, their aim was to find out how much metacognition is used in a laboratory and how the setup encourages the use of metacogn ition.Three groups of students were used and their proceedings videotaped and their verbal comments recorded. In one group, students were given a set of instructions to follow. The same was done for the second group and in addition, they were expected to explain their reason. The ternary group was given a question to answer and expected to explain, in a presentation, the method they had used to get results. In analyzing the results, Lippman et al (2005) saw no difference in the amount of metacognition in the different groups.However, the most important finding was that there was a difference in how metacognition made students change their behavior in tackling the lab assignments. For example, in the third group, the verbal exchanges revealed that the use of metacognition made the students more creative. This was a different approach as was the one used by Mevarech & Kramarski (2003). In this study, 100 eighth graders, analyze algebra in four classrooms, were divided into two group s. One group was exposed to co-op learning and also given metacognitive training. The other group was given cooperative learning but without metacognitive training.At issue was mathematical modeling and problem solving skills. After tasks to perform were given, the results showed that the group which had been given metacognitive training did outperformed the other that only had a cooperative setting. There was significant difference with the two groups with regard to planning, processing and reflection. They concluded that the cooperative Metacognition 9 setting is not enough to enkindle modeling skills. Metacognitive skills are important in how to approach a problem, how to control and monitor the solution and how to reflect on the final answer.As a result of such studies, Mevarech & Kramarski (2003) designed the learning tool called IMPROVE, whose letters stand for Introducing the new material Metacognitive questioning Practicing Reviewing Obtaining mastery on higher and lower cognitive processes substantiation Enrichment and remedial The important thing in IMPROVE is the approach in problem solving. Students are able to approach a scenario with a systematic method which first and foremost addresses the question of what is the issue at hand. They then investigate to find out how different the problem is from others and what the best strategies are to solve it.As can be seen from all the studies mentioned, metacognition is an area of development that has a lot of room for growth. Animals which have been shown to have metacognitive abilities can be researched further in order to discover if this is something widespread within the animal kingdom, and if not, then what actually determines metacognition of a species. With children too, the theory of the mind is interesting and further studies should be carried out to determine if there are other areas of their lives that can benefit from improved research on Metacognition 10 metacognition.For example, are hig h levels of metacognition genetic? Does diet affect levels of metacognition? What role does disease play in metacognition? It would also be interesting to see new research in the study techniques of students. More than anyone else, their place in society is circumstantial because they take over reins in business, government and the civil society within only a few years after leaving college. Their overall performance in school is therefore a top priority. Of serious concern should be when study techniques should begin to be taught and how they would be standardized.Additionally, quantifying the use of metacognition as advocated for by Lippman (2005), needs to generate more study. If his research is anything to go by, then the approach to metacognition training must also address, not just the amount of metacognition ability gained, but also how it is channeled to productive use. This is an area that can prove very challenging and rewarding because teaching metacognition techniques i s one thing, but being able to teach the type of techniques that can produce quantifiable measures cannot be easy.However, it is possible that the same metacognition graduates will discover new methods and strategies to impart more abilities in metacognition. Metacognition 11 References Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (2009). Metacognitive Skills. Retrieved on July 29, 2009 from http//www. etfo. ca/Multimedia/Webcasts/SpecialEducation/Pages/Metacognitive%20Skills. aspx Hampton, R (2009). Multiple demonstrations of metacognition in nonhumans Converging evidence or multiple mechanisms? Retrieved on July 29, 2009 from http//psyc. queensu. ca/ccbr/Vol4/Hampton.pdf. Kornell, Nate (2009, February). Metacognition in Humans and Animals.Retrieved on July 29, 2009 from http//www3. interscience. wiley. com/cgi-bin/fulltext/122212734/HTMLSTART Lippmann, K. , Danielsson, A. & Linder, C. (2005, August). Metacognition in the student Laboratory Is increased metacognition necessarily bett er? Retrieved July 29, 2009 from http//www. anst. uu. se/rekun676/meta. pdf Loh, A (2009, July). Using Metacognition Learning to Make Children Smarter. Retrieved on July 29, 209 from http//www. brainy-child. com/articles/metacognition-learning.shtml Mevarech Z. & Kramarski, B. ( 2003).Mathematical Modeling and Meta-cognitive Instruction. Retrieved on July 29, 2009 from http//www. icme-organisers. dk/tsg18/S32MevarechKramarski. pdf Metacognition 12 Mevarech, Z. & Kramarski, B. (2003). Metacognitive Questioning and the use of Worked Examples. Retrieved July 29, 2009 from http//www. memory-key. com/StudySkills/IMPROVE. htm Peirce, W (2004, November). METACOGNITION Study Strategies, Monitoring, and Motivation. Retrieved on July 29, 2009, from http//academic. pgcc. edu/wpeirce/MCCCTR/metacognition.htm ScienceDaily (2008, August). Young Childrens Theory Of Mind Linked To Subsequent Metacognitive Development In Adolescence.Retrieved on July 29, 2009 from http//www. sciencedaily. com/releas es/2008/08/080814154429. htm Serendip (2009). Metacognition. Retrieved July 29, 2009 from http//serendip. brynmawr. edu/exchange/wfrankli/ii09/metacognition Smith, D & Washbum, D. (2005, February). Uncertainty Monitoring and Metacognition by Animals. Retrieved July 29, 2009 from http//www3. interscience. wiley. com/cgi-bin/fulltext/118706297/HTMLSTART

An Argument Against Gun Control Essay

sub mark off has be set out more and more of a hot-button topic in the United enjoins, especially aft(prenominal) events like the Sandy Hook jibe in 2012, when many people questi superstard the necessity of the second amendment in this day and age. Indeed, upholding the second amendment continues to be a uncontrollable prospect when it does not influencem like these torpedos are being used for good. However, the vast majority of people not only use them responsibly, but in like manner protect themselves and their families, using these hoagies. For this reason, guns should not be limited by the government. Essentially, the issue of gun control boils d hold to two primary issues that have been in encroach with each other since the founding of America freedom vs. security. Anti-gun control advocates insist that their guns are necessary for their own security, but also satisfy the freedom extremity by allowing them to freely practice their second amendment rights. Anti-gun ad vocates see things differently, however, since, to them, having most people in America brandishing a bit represents a profound security little terror to them. However, this security risk that is touted by pro-gun control activists is negated by the need for guns in companionship to ensure security, and that the odd shooter is a problem with society at large, not the guns themselves.If gun control were in full effect, and it were made illegal to own a firearm, criminals would simply acquire guns illegally, and would virtually have free curb of whoever they wanted to kill, since law-abiding citizens would not have the means to stop them. Evidence of the effectiveness of firearms as a self-defense tool can be seen in numerous studies. For example, according to a study in 2000, an estimated 989,883 U.S. citizens used some form of gun to defend themselves (Agresti and Smith, 2). In addition, in 1993, 3.5% of households had used a firearm to defend themselves for self-protection or fo r the protection of property at home, work, or elsewhere (Agresti and Smith, 3). These numbers put gun control in a a great deal more positive light, especially from the perspective that they should be used to increase security in an increasingly insecure country. The best demeanor to prevent shooting incidents like the Sandy Hook shooting is not to simply remove all guns, as that will not fix the underlying problem, but to focus on on rehabilitating people who either have had violent tendencies in the past, orexhibit symptoms that are consistent with mass shooters.Those who support gun control see each person in possession of a firearm, especially those with a concealed weapons license, as other potential Sandy Hook or Virginia State shooting just waiting to happen. That is a valid claim, since the potential is certainly there. The argument that people dont kill people, guns kill people is another popular quote heard in the pro-gun control community, and while it has some merit , it requires some closer examination in order to determine the validity of the statement. speckle it is certainly true that a gun has the potential to kill someone, it is only a tool. The bigger issue when it comes to violent crimes, especially gun-crimes, is the individual behind the gun. To this end, one of the most effective solutions to the problem of gun violence in this country is to fix the underlying problem, not to simply take away the guns, because that would only take in more violence, especially from the more hardcore gun activists. And, of course, many deaths and injuries from violent crime come from firearms. For example, in 1996, 65 part of all murders between spouses were performed with a firearm (Rand, 3).This is where the concept of firearms as a tool comes into play. A criminal who was determined to endue a crime would likely commit the same crime, irrespective of whether or not firearms were allowed. Limiting firearms only succeeds in making everybody a pote ntial helpless victim in the event of a shooting. In order to understand how firearms actually work as a deterrent to gun crime, it is necessary to understand that those who use guns for violent purposes (i.e. not in self defense) should be grouped into a different section than those who only use firearms for sport and self-defense. This has actually been done before, and refers to two types of gun self-will criminal gun ownership and non-criminal gun ownership. For instance, a study taken in 1995 showed that Where non criminal gun-ownership is higher, criminal gun ownership is also higher and where criminal gun ownership is higher, the percent of crimes which are committed with guns is higher (Squires, 197).Essentially, this means that guns beget more guns, which, in turn, beget more violence, or at least that is what this study shows. However, the issue is a little more complicated than that. For instance, many areas of the nation are simply violent by virtue of their inhabitants , and, even if guns were outlawed, they would still fight amongst themselves using any(prenominal) weapons areavailable. In addition, it is possible that many who live in these areas with large amounts of violence actually purchased guns themselves for the sole purpose of self defense, so that if they themselves were attacked by an aggressor using a gun, they would not be completely helpless. Although firearms work well as a way to protect oneself, they also act as a threat of immediate vengeance by the victim, assuming the victim is in possession of a firearm. A study showed that, in a survey of manlike felons in 11 state prisons, 34% had been scared off, shot at, wounded, or captured by an armed victim, while 40% said they decided not to commit a crime because they knew or believed that the victim was carrying a gun, and 69% said they knew of another criminal who had not committed a crime because the victim had a firearm (Agresti and Smith, 6).This helps to show what gun-advocate s call the brighter side of the gun-control debate that guns can, and oftentimes are, used as a self defense or deterrence measure, rather than a pure instrument of violence. This theory seems to hold some water, since a study shows that, in 1988, only about 30% of citizens owned guns. Yet, in 1996, that number had increase to 50% (Lott, 38). In 2004, that number remained steady. The interesting thing about these figures is that violent crime in America has actually been decreasing at a unwilling rate. While it would be foolish to blame this entirely on guns, it is a good indicator that guns at least function, on some level, as a deterrent and personal defense tool. The only problem, of course, stems from the fact that criminals have guns as well, but allowing virtually anyone to own a gun levels the playing field to an extent. If guns were completely outlawed, encounters would be much more one-sided, as criminals could attack citizens with little to no fear of immediate reprisal on the part of the victim. Gun control is a sanely black-and-white issue, yet seems to only have extremists on one side or the other. While it would be easy to simply dismiss all pro-gun control arguments, they do have some merit.For this reason, there must be consolations made in order to make guns a little bit safer for everybody. The best way to deal with this issue is continue allowing citizens to use firearms, but perhaps limit access to guns in order to ensure safety for the greatest number of people. Allowing firearms if the gun user registers and carries a permit for the firearm would help to reduce the number of homicides with firearms, if not as many people have them. Each action hasits own drawbacks, however, and it is important to understand that, especially for this issue, which has undergone something of a deadlock in the recent past. Freedom and security should be balanced in equal measure, and it is important to come up with solutions to this issue with that in mind .Works CitedAgresti, James D., and Reid K. Smith. Gun Control Facts. Just Facts (2008). 2-3 Lott, John R. More guns, less crime Understanding crime and gun control laws. University of Chicago Press, 2013. 37-38 Rand, Michael R., et al. Violence by intimates Analysis of data on crimes by current or former spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends. (1998) 1-30. Squires, Peter. Gun Culture Or Gun Control? Firearms and Violence Safety and Society. Routledge, 2002. p.197

Architectural Textbook on How to Draw Perspective and to Tiles

1 BatH get on projects Bath direction-roofing roofing roofing roofing cover physique By Lynn Hopkins W alk into a roofing cover showroom, and you whitethorn be overwhelmed by the swerve number of r uses, actuals, throngadees, and sizes available. The best management to keep your wits about you is to develop a dodge beforehand for the style of t vegetable oiletroom you plan to shape. This plan on the wholeow help to guide roofing cover selection and installation. Before going to the store, think about the casing of your new bath. Are you interested in a tralatitious bathroom with historical references, around function with fixtures and breakes that remind you of an earlier time? Or ar you dreaming of or sothing to a greater extent sleek and new-fashivirtuosod?Regardless of the style of bathroom you choose, intent a roofing tile installation requires forethought. The accompanying wee-weeings illustrate line argonas to conceptualize when developing a tile i nvention and show how the traditionalistic or modern character of the room force influence tile selection and layout. As part of the proviso process, I recomm termination making detailed drawings that show which tiles go whither on both the theme and the circumvents. An accurate, scaled sketch of a section of seawall and deck, increase any redundant recess conditions, makes it much easier to order, lay out, and a secure install the tile.Start by Planning the Walls in that respect are three standard heights to consider when tiling a bathroom wall wainscot height, lavish height, and full-wall height. You may determination unitary, two, or all three of these heights in a integrity bathroom, depending on the think you are trying to achieve and on your budget. Because cover walls are more expensive than wallboard, tile often is apply only where it is postulate approximately on the let down portion of the wall that requires wet protection. This wainscot is usually be tween 36 in. and 42 in. tall, enough to provide a back spit of 4 in. or so above the die. tile protects the walls below towel debar from wet towels, and the walls around the toilet from the spray of rambunctious kids. Tiling to wainscot height may be adequate protection around tubs without showers as most splashes occur below this line. In a shower area, however, all enclosure walls should be tiled high enough to protect the walls from water spray, at least 72 in. and preferably to the ceiling. 78 Details for a Traditional Bathroom 3-in. by 6-in. brick tiles 1-in. by 6-in. color mass Fixtures are come to on tile layout. 1 Shower enclosure is tiled to at least 72 in.At least 4 in. 36 in. to 42 in. Bullnose tiles 2 Border tiles throttle limits of the room. 6-in. by 6-in. tiles 1. TURNING CORNERS Profiled edge tiles 2. INSIDE CORNERS A bathroom with traditional characteristics has plumbing fixtures that latch on their styling cues from an earlier era, generally the 1920s or 1930 s. The tile should honor these historical references. Small wall tiles, such(prenominal) as 3 in. by 6 in. , 4 in. by 4 in. , and even delicateer Mosaics, were typical in the old days, in part because the adhesive available could non support tiles that were much ex head for the hillsedr and heavier than 6 in. q. Traditional styles often celebrate the edges where tile meets wall or where wall meets offend with a border or fancy molding profile. Borders tribulation around the mete of the floor and/or walls, defining the limits of the room. Bathroom-roofing tile Design 79 Choose the Right roofing tile covers spotless on only the front impertinence are called theatre of operations tiles. When installed, they are scarcelyted next to each new(prenominal) with fix filling the spaces in between. Wherever wall tile stops short of the ceiling, field tiles should not be installed on the top row because the raw, marginal edge of the tiles imparting be exposed.For these locatio ns, use tile with at least one finished edge. Typically, the finished edge is a rounded bullnose anatomy that makes an elegant transition from tile to wall excavate. In bathrooms with traditional styling, this transitional edge oft is celebrated with a cosmetic border that intro- duces a hardening of color, a expression, a texture, or a special profile (see the drawings on p. 79). Borders Create a Transition Although a decorative border is a gigantic steering to handle the tile-to-wall transition, youll need to consider how to handle the border when the tile goes from a lower to a taller height.In a traditionally styled bath, I prefer to sophisticate the edging and keep the border moving up, over, and down again, victimization mitered recessions at each turn. I find that a miter make believes a crisp, sluttish discover and allows the flexi- Details for a current Bathroom The details in a modern room imply expansiveness and continuity. tile frequently runs continuously from floor to ceiling or from corner to corner. Borders like those found in a traditional bath are seldom apply because they would timber constrictive. Luxurious materials, such as rock n roll, are treated simply so that nothing competes with or detracts from the beauty of the aterial itself. Modern ocularises often use large tiles8 in. by 8 in. , 6 in. by 12 in. , 12 in. by 12 in. , or 16 in. by 16 in. because they feel more expansive. Visual interest comes from the use of multiple materials, variants, textures, and plane changes. In this example, the height change at the shower area is express with a bump-out separating the plumbing wall into two different planes. at heart the shower, 12-in. by 12-in. cavity tiles run floor to ceiling. The side edges of the stone tile are mitered to finish the outside corner. Outside the shower, 6-in. by 12-in. ceramic tiles are employ on the walls.The running-bond pattern helps to tie the different materials together. 12-in. by 12-in. stone tiles Running-bond pattern is an easy, inexpensive way to land optical interest. Bump-out, 2 in. minimum 6-in. by 12-in. ceramic tiles 3 3. ChaNGING plaNES Room feels more expansive with large floor tiles. Inside corner marks transition from large shower tiles to picayuneer wall tiles. Mitered outside corner 80 Bathroom Projects bility to use border designs without a special corner tile (see the inset drawing on p. 79). Other areas that gather up careful planning are corner borders at wall intersections.If your bath has only inside(a) corners, you will need tiles that are finished only on the face and one edge. Outside cornersthose that project into the roomrequire tiles finished on the face, the top, and one side. If you use tile with a profile, youll need a special outside-corner tile. Not all tile manufacturers or lines include these special pieces. The baseboard area, at the connective of wall and floor, is an new(prenominal) opportunity for a decorative border. If y ou utilize a color band at the top of the tiled wall, a second band of color would work well at the bottom. If not, consider a base tile that is taller than the wainscot tiles.You apprize choose base tiles with a profile that incorporates a radius to meet the floor tiles. expurgateting the tiles around the perimeter to fit. These guidelines recommend snatch the pattern on either a tile or a grout line, depending on which choice results in the largest tiles around the edges of the room. This is a goodly place to start, but you may want to adjust your design in resolution to other features in the room. One of the typical ways your midpoint determines whether a pattern is centered is by comparing the end tiles If the tiles on each end are equal in size, you assume the pattern is centered.However, if your center field piece of tailnot comfortably compare the end tiles to each other, youll weigh for other cues, such as alignment. Sometimes, especially in large rooms, it is pre ferable to center tiles a massive lines of jackpot or movement. By following this strategy, the tile pattern is centered on the some(prenominal)body using the bathroom. tiles centered on the entry door are centered on the person who walks through that door wall tiles centered on the sink and on the mirror above are centered on the person looking in that mirror. Tiles centered on the showerhead and control valves too are centered on the person using the shower.If tile has been centered on the key sink and shower walls, the layout frequently is mirrored on the opponent wall. Centering tile on the sink and the shower controls may be difficult if the sink and the shower are on the like continuous wall but this design should be possible if the distance between the centerline of the shower or tub fittings and the sink is a multiple of the tile size. Mark out the tile design before any rough plumbing work is make then adjust fixture placements as required for the most attractive fin ished room.Alignment and centering of fixtures, tiles, and sightlines reinforces the organizing principles of the design. People subconsciously find that reinforcement reassuring and, consequently, attractive. Lynn Hopkins (www. lhopkinsarch. com), an fashion designer specializing in residential design, is based in Lexington, Massachusetts. stem Tiles Take a Cue From the Walls Floor tiles need to be more durable and slip defyant than wall tiles, so be sure to select a type intended for floor installation. The safety and intensity level characteristics of floor tiles may show them a different look than that of wall tiles.To tie the two surfaces together visually, use the same color, texture, pattern, or other design feature from the walls in the flooring. In a traditional bath, for instance, you might use a border of the same color on the walls and the floor. other strategy is a floor patterned with a mix of small and large tiles, where the color of the small tiles matches that of the wall tile. Smaller tiles result in more grout lines, which give the floor more texture and make it less slippery. The spare grout is more susceptible to squat and mildew, however. Center Tile Layout on Entries and FixturesMany tile-layout guidelines suggest lieu the layout on the center of the room and Bathroom-Tile Design 81 1 BatHroom projects Details from Great Bathrooms Benches, shelves, and hooks. Dont overlook the convenience of a small bench where you croup sit and shave, shelves that bath hold scoopful and shampoo, and some open wall space for towel hooks and bars. 82 Tile define to good use. Variations in tile size high infirm architectural details, spot orduredyblock tiles let in plenty of scintillationer. Bold and beautiful. the play of light and color in this bathroom isnt an accident. ts what happens when an architect plans a bathroom remodel with an artist. Details from Great Bathrooms 83 focusuate the positive. Large, rectangular porcelain tiles in stalled vertically draw attention to the showers high ceiling go the mosaic-tile floor provides plenty of traction. liven up a bland room. Blue and white mosaics splash color across the sink wall in this st. paul, minnesota, remodel. strain coordination. staying in the same color family ties together the mosaic pebble floor and the wall of sleek subway system tiles. Updating a tradition.Designed to capture the calm richness of traditional japanese architecture but with a modern focus, this bathroom was created with wall and shower tiles by casalgrande padana and custom-cut slate floor tiles. 84 Bathroom Projects Balancing the budget. sparing on white ceramic floor and wall tile freed up money for the aquacolored glass mosaic wall tile. let loose. a childs bathroom is a great place to have fun with tile. this bathroom features a laughable countertop of b objurgately colored tile. Use tile to differentiate. on the floor, a switch from 13-in. eramic tile to 2-in. tile (by cerim ce ramiche) distinguishes the shower from the dry part of the room. on the walls, a mosaic strip (by ceramica tres estilos) adds zip. Details from Great Bathrooms 85 2 KITChen projeCTs pose Tile to Work in the Kitchen by Lane Meehan O ur black Lab, Bogey, is a walkway mud factory and sheds so much that for tile are granite, stain, and limestone, with granite being the hardest. lapidate in its earthy state is porous, so wherever its used in a kitchen, it must be legal tendered to resist staining and discoloration. pitfall tile has color all the way through, so deep prickes wont expose a different base color. However, a super polished surface on a stone tile sees to accentuate even the smallest scratches. Stone send away be installed on floors, countertops or backsplashes however, it does tend to be a high-brinytenance product. On the other hand, ceramic tile is made from system rolled apartment and either sun-baked or fired in a kiln. There are hundreds of different clays, ea ch with its own characteristics that privy vary the tiles causeance. ruse is applied to ceramic tile in the form of baked-on glazes that excessively seal the tile.In the past, ceramic-tile finishes had problems standing up to heavy use and abuse, but with recent technical advances, ceramic tile now performs best(p) than it used to. With most ceramic tile, the color is he should be bald. When it came time to choose tile for our kitchen floor, we looked for tile that would help disguise evidence of Bogey and our three active boys. We chose a tile that looks like stone but in a color and finish that could hide dirt and dog hair until I had a spare jiffy to run the vacuum. Our choice was based primarily on ease of maintenance, just one esteem when choosing kitchen tile.As a tile-store owner with a background in design, I field questions all the time about incorporating tile into thickenings kitchens. This chapter addresses the questions I am asked most frequently. What Types of Tile Can I Choose From? The two most base categories of tile are stone and ceramic. Stone tile is a natural product, mined or quarried directly from the earth. The three most common stones used 86 Tile outlines and defines kitchen spaces. a tile border gives the island in this kitchen, designed by Tim Quigley of Minneapolis, its own smash visual space. The backsplash behind the stove forms a functional accent.Putting Tile to Work in the Kitchen 87 just on the surface, so deep scratches expose the clay below. Porcelain is another manmade tile product. Porcelain is much denser than ordinary ceramic, making it harder to scratch and break. precisely as with stone, the shinier the surface of ceramic or porcelain, the more scratches will show. So I try not to use highgloss tiles anywhere in a kitchen except on backsplashes, areas that are less susceptible to scratching. In the past, porcelain has been more expensive than ceramic, but improvements in technology have reduced the price.B eyond the amount of gloss, tile finishes tin put forward vary greatly. Tile finishes are graded by their ability to resist stretch forth due to traffic a light-industrial tile has a high durability rating than most residential-grade tiles. Industrial-rated tile is a bit more expensive, but the excess cost makes sense if your kitchen resembles a freeway. In addition to a durability rating, the Tile Council of America (see Sources on p. 94) gives tile a coefficient of friction (COF) rating, which indicates how slippery the surface will be at a lower placefoot.But if the tile feels too smooth or too slick to the touch, it will probably be too slippery to use on the floor. How Do Lifestyle and Lighting Affect Choices? The first thing I ask clients about is their family, their lifestyle, and the way their kitchen is going to be used. For example, for a client who has a large family or who does a lot of entertaining, the kitchen is a fill hub with a casual atmosphere. For this kitc hen, I might suggest warm-colored tile with perhaps a softer stone look. After the clients lifestyle, I look at the type of lighting in the kitchen.If it is blessed with a great deal of natural light from windows or skylights, tumbled marble tile or tile with a matte finish will absorb light and create a softer look (see the exposure on p. 90). A textured surface on the tile softens the effect even further. On the other hand, tile with a glossy finish reflects light and helps brighten areas of a kitchen that are dimly lighted or that receive piddling or no natural light. Remember that glossy tile used in a kitchen with a lot of light, either natural or artificial, requires more frequent cleaning because fingerprints and water spots tend to show up more.When choosing tile, I also look at the color and finish of the cabinets and countertops. If the counters and cabinets have a matte or satin finish, then I try to keep the same feel in the floors and the backsplash. By the same token , if the kitchen has the Tile Offers virtually Endless Options Multipurpose porcelain Ceramic wall tile with blue crackle glaze commercialized ceramic wall tile Rosso-Verona tumbled marble Handmade glistening wall tile Handmade sanded floor tile Porcelain floor tile Limestone tile Stone look-alike ceramic tile stain floor or wall tile 88 Kitchen Projects Ceramic Tile Porcelain vs. Nonporcelain l tiles made of clay and cured by heat are ceramic tiles. However, ceramic tile is best understood by dividing it into two product classifications porcelain and nonporcelain. Their availability and look are nigh the same, but their durability is not. Thanks to a balance in the market, porcelain tiles can now be had at nearly the same price as nonporcelain products. a when the tiles are glazed. Also, when some porcelain tiles are glazed, they are no hourlong guaranteed to be frostproof. nonporcelain tile is easier to work with Nonporcelain tiles are made primarily of clay mixed with mine rals and water.The material is then fired to solidify the tiles into a bisque form. This process creates tile that isnt as hard as porcelain, so it can be worked more easily with basic snap cutters and nippers instead of a wet saw. In most cases, a sealer and a glaze are applied to the surface of nonporcelain tile to create color and texture before the tile receives a second firing. The glaze applied to nonporcelain tile can make it extremely durable, but neer as durable as porcelain. Nonporcelain tiles main weakness is that it has a water-absorption rate of greater than 0. %. As a result, the tile doesnt perform nearly as well as unglazed porcelain tile in outdoor freeze/thaw environments. porcelain tile is more durable Porcelain tiles are created by mixing porcelain clay and very finely ground sand, and hardening them with high heat and pressure. Porcelain tile is denser and harder than nonporcelain tile and has a lower water-absorption rate of 0. 5% or less. Porcelains density makes it highly resistant to physical violate, go its low absorption rate makes the tile frost resistant, allowing it to be used outdoors.Unglazed porcelain tile is desire after for its full-body characteristics, which means its color remains consistent passim the tile. Surface scratches and damage are less noticeable as a result, a upbeat that diminishes The top choice when strength matters most. although nonporcelain tiles can be quite an durable, none are as resilient as porcelain. Buy what looks good. even though damage to nonporcelain tiles is more noticeable than with some porcelain tile, they can be purchased in grades that are perfectly suited for high-contact areas like kitchen counters and floors. Putting Tile to Work in the Kitchen 89Tile can act as a dimmer switch. This kitchen gets lots of light from two sides. The natural colors and matte finish of the tumbled-marble countertop and backsplash help soften the light and cut down on glare in a kitchen with a lot of windows. polished, streamlined look of many contemporary kitchens, I suggest a guileless tile pattern with a glossy finish. Tile color can make a large contribution toward a warm or change feel in a kitchen. The earthy tones of limestone or tumbled marble are the warmest of the tile colors, while bright whites and blues tend to be quite cool. But even cool colors can be warm up with colored grout.For example, an ivory or off-white grout color can take the cool edge off bright white. The reverse can be true if youre trying to achieve a formal or industrial feel with gray or blue tile. A steel-gray grout helps create a crisp, cool look. A quick vacuum and an occasional mopping, and youre off and running. If readiness and entertaining are big parts of your life, then Id suggest tile that wont stain if hot grease and oil or an occasional glass of wine is spilled on it. A glazed ceramic tile works best in this situation, but for an Old founding look, you can use a real stone, such as limestone.If you select a stone-tile floor, be sure to treat it with a good sealer harmonize to the manufacturers directions. We recommend either Miracle Sealants Porous summing up or One Master Marble and Stone Cares Gold protection (see Sources on p. 94) for sealing stone tile. No matter what tile you choose for your kitchen floor, the grout should also be sealed. To make the grout more impervious to spills and stains, I recommend starting with a latex-modified grout or one that is mixed with a latex additive instead of water. Once the grout has cured p dress circlerly, a sealer such as Miracle Sealants Porous Plus will fight off most nutrition incursions.Another grout option is epoxy, which is stain resistant and does not require sealing. But because epoxy is harder to work with for the installer, we generally use it for smaller Will My Three Boys and the Family Dog Hurt My Tile Floor? A clients lifestyle has the biggest bearing on the choice of floor tile. If youd rather s pend time with your three growing boys than take care of your kitchen floor, I suggest tile that hides a multitude of sins (and dirt) and incessantly come alongs to look nice, such as a ceramic-stone look-alike (see the motion picture on the facing page). 90 Kitchen Projects No time for cleaning?For busy, active families with kids and pets, consider a tile floor with a lot of color variations such as this stone look-alike. It stays better looking longer between cleanings. areas, such as countertops. With some tile, such as limestone, epoxy grout is not recommended, so be sure to encumbrance with manufacturers suggestions. some sort of threshold to create a clean transition into the next room. Tile weightiness can also affect doors that swing into the kitchen, as well as appliances, such as dishwashers or trash compactors, that have to fit under the countertops in a kitchen. How Does a Tile Floor advert to Adjacent Rooms?The kitchen-floor tile should help establish a visual fl ow into the surrounding areas, so I ask clients about the colors and materials on the floors of the rooms that are adjoining the kitchen. For example, if the kitchen floor joins up with a dark wood floor in the dining room, consider using tile with a warm, medium color to cut down on the visual contrast between rooms. If the kitchen floor meets colored carpet in an adjacent room, keep in mind that youll probably change the carpet at some point, so choose a neutral tile color that will go with proximo carpet choices. Tile thickness is another consideration.Whether the kitchen floor butts up against other animated tile, hardwood floors, or carpet, the tile installer will need to install Can Tile Make My Tiny Kitchen Look Bigger? Tile layout can have a big impact on a rooms appearance. patch a parallel or straight pattern can intensify the narrowness of a kitchen, a diagonal tile pattern makes a room look wider (see the sidebar on p. 93). Tile size can also affect the appearance of the room. The smaller the tile, the busier the groutjoint pattern. The impartial groutjoint pattern you get with larger 10-in. to 12-in. tiles can make a small room look larger. Smaller 4-in. to 6-in. iles on a floor can have the opposite effect, creating a mosaic pattern or a pave look. Clipping the corners of square tiles creates hexagons or octagons with small square spaces left(p) between. The small tiles (called Putting Tile to Work in the Kitchen 91 dots) that fill the spaces can enroll a dash of color to the floor in a pattern that breaks up the simple straight lines. Irregular tile patterns such as block ergodic (using three sizes of tile) or a pinwheel pattern can help coalesce a kitchen that has many entrances and exits. These patterns also work well to conflate together tile that is highly varied in color.A tile border on the floor can make a kitchen look cozier by livery the eye in or by creating a frame around the kitchen table or an island (see the movie on p. 87). slab. And with granite tile, its easy to add a border to accent or complement the color of the stone. One drawback to stone tile on a countertop is the edges. Although you can round over the edges, granite tile is filiform than a solid slab (3? 8 in. to 1? 2 in. compared with 11? 4 in. , normal thickness for a granite slab), so its tougher to get the same full-slab look. Another drawback is not being able to install an undermount sink with granite tile.Although the tight grout joints of granite tile create a good, smooth work surface, machine-made ceramic tile with standard grout joints makes a slightly rougher work surface. Handmade tile is usually installed with wider grout joints that are charming, but its inherently bumpy surface can be difficult to work on and can cause wine glasses and bowl to tip over (see the photos at left). The edges of a tile countertop can be addressed in various ways. Continuing the tile over the edge gives the countertop a thick look. Relief ti le, such as a rope pattern, can turn countertop edges into a visual focal point.Wooden edges that match or complement cabinets are also popular. As on floors, borders on countertops can add decoration. But if its used in too large an area or if a lot of items are stored on the counter, a border can be lost or distracting. Tile can also be combined with other types of surfaces for a dramatic look (see the photo on p. 90). For instance, the savings from tiling most of the countertop might leave enough money for a solid slab of granite in the sink area for an undermount sink. A stone slab or a wood surface on only the island could make a bold statement while providing a smooth surface for an informal eating area.Is Tile OK for a Kitchen Countertop? Granite-slab countertops have long been popular in high-end kitchens. Tile countertops, both ceramic and stone, have some of the same attributes as slabs, such as durability and heat resistance, but at less than half the cost, depending on t he tile you choose. Granite tile can be installed with tight grout joints to give the clinical depression of a solid Handmade tile is pretty but uneven. The irregular surface of hand-crafted ceramic tile is a challenge to work on and can be hazardous to wine glasses. teddy boards should always be used on tile countertops. 92 Kitchen Projects Tile Patterns at Work he right pattern can make a kitchen look wider. Floor tile installed in a straight pattern makes a narrow room seem narrower (see the left photo below) while tile in a T diagonal pattern softens the tunnel effect of a long, narrow kitchen, making it seem wider (see the right photo below). Can Tile Be Used as a Cutting Board? Although few tile or stone surfaces can stand up to a sharp kitchen knife, most hold up well under other kitchen rigors such as abuse from pots and pans.Limestone scratches easily, but those scratches can be sanded out. Surfaces such as glossy tile or highly polished granite tend to show marks more rea dily, and their scratches are harder to remove or cover up. Stone or ceramic tile with a matte finish tends to hide scratches and surface abrasions better. Stone tile is also porous, so it has to be sealed properly to resist staining from things such as red wine and grease. And some ceramic tiles, as well as polished stone such as granite or marble, can lose their shine when exposed to some food acids.As in floors, latex-modified grout should be used on tiled countertops along with a good coat of grout sealer. Again, epoxy grout, which costs a little more and is a little harder to install, will make the grout impenetrable. Should the Backsplash Blend or Make a Splash? A tile backsplash is the spot where you can be really creative with tile in the kitchen (see the photos on p. 94). Because a backsplash functions to protect the wall from splashes and splatters that come from cooking and preparing food, the only prerequisite is that backsplash tile be easy to keep clean.Beyond that, th e choices become mainly aesthetic. I always ask clients how much stuff they plan to keep on their countertops. Toasters, microwaves, and canisters tend to block the backsplash, and in that case, the backsplash just provides a backdrop of color and tex- Putting Tile to Work in the Kitchen 93 sources Miracle Sealants Company 800-350-1901 www. miraclesealants. com ture. I usually recommend extending the tile from the countertop all the way to the bottoms of the wall cabinets so that the backsplash acts as a visual connection between the upper and lower cabinets.Borders usually work best above long stretches of counter that are uninterrupted by windows or appliances. And when installed three-quarters of the way up the backsplash, a border wont get lost near the countertop or under the wall cabinets. At that height, a border will usually clear the height of the toaster or a bowl of fruit for a continuous line. If the client is thinking of having decorative tiles scattered indiscriminate ly throughout the backsplash, I suggest taping playing tease to the wall at random to see if the effect works in that particular kitchen.Playing cards can also be used in a line to test the visual power of a border. Isnt Tile Expensive? Tile varies greatly in price, and budget is a concern for the vast majority of my clients. So heres my strategy for keeping costs down. First, use somewhat priced machinemade tile for large areas in the kitchen. Then there will be money left for those handmade borders, small murals, or strategically placed accent tiles that will give your kitchen a rich look without breaking the bank (see the right photo below).Installation prices can vary greatly depending on the type of tile, the layout, and the conditions of the existing floors and walls. A tile installer can explain what your options are and how much each option costs. even so if you opt for a less expensive installation, always seal the tile. Sealing tile is pretty easy, so you can save a lit tle by doing it yourself. Spend some money on a good sealer. Lane Meehan is a tile maker and designer of decorative tiles. She and her husband, Tom, own and manage drapery Cod Tileworks in Harwich, Massachusetts. orous plus One Master Marble and Stone Care 760-406-1097 www. onemastermarble. com Gold shield The Tile Council of America 864-646-8453 www. tileusa. com Tile Art and Accents he backsplash of cows in a pasture (see the left photo below) in this kitchen designed by Randy Fritz of Lakeside, Calif. , combines the art of Roger Dunham of Petaluma, Calif. , with the practicality of T ceramic tile. Random decorative tiles in a backsplash of less expensive, machine-made tile (see the right photo below) give this kitchen a colorful accent. 94 Kitchen ProjectsArchitectural Textbook on How to Draw Perspective and to Tiles1 BatHroom projects Bathroom-Tile Design By Lynn Hopkins W alk into a tile showroom, and you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of colors, materials, finishes, a nd sizes available. The best way to keep your wits about you is to develop a strategy beforehand for the style of bathroom you plan to create. This plan will help to guide tile selection and installation. Before going to the store, think about the character of your new bath. Are you interested in a traditional bathroom with historical references, something with fixtures and finishes that remind you of an earlier time? Or are you dreaming of something more sleek and modern?Regardless of the style of bathroom you choose, designing a tile installation requires forethought. The accompanying drawings illustrate key areas to consider when developing a tile design and show how the traditional or modern character of the room might influence tile selection and layout. As part of the planning process, I recommend making detailed drawings that show which tiles go where on both the floor and the walls. An accurate, scaled sketch of a section of wall and floor, plus any special corner conditions , makes it much easier to order, lay out, and correctly install the tile.Start by Planning the Walls There are three standard heights to consider when tiling a bathroom wall wainscot height, shower height, and full-wall height. You may use one, two, or all three of these heights in a single bathroom, depending on the look you are trying to achieve and on your budget. Because tiled walls are more expensive than wallboard, tile often is used only where it is needed most on the lower portion of the wall that requires water protection. This wainscot is usually between 36 in. and 42 in. tall, enough to provide a backsplash of 4 in. or so above the sink.Tile protects the walls below towel bars from wet towels, and the walls around the toilet from the spray of rambunctious kids. Tiling to wainscot height may be adequate protection around tubs without showers as most splashes occur below this line. In a shower area, however, all enclosure walls should be tiled high enough to protect the wal ls from water spray, at least 72 in. and preferably to the ceiling. 78 Details for a Traditional Bathroom 3-in. by 6-in. brick tiles 1-in. by 6-in. color band Fixtures are centered on tile layout. 1 Shower enclosure is tiled to at least 72 in.At least 4 in. 36 in. to 42 in. Bullnose tiles 2 Border tiles define limits of the room. 6-in. by 6-in. tiles 1. TURNING CORNERS Profiled edge tiles 2. INSIDE CORNERS A bathroom with traditional characteristics has plumbing fixtures that take their styling cues from an earlier era, generally the 1920s or 1930s. The tile should reinforce these historical references. Small wall tiles, such as 3 in. by 6 in. , 4 in. by 4 in. , and even smaller mosaics, were typical in the old days, in part because the adhesive available could not support tiles that were much larger and heavier than 6 in. q. Traditional styles often celebrate the edges where tile meets wall or where wall meets floor with a border or fancy molding profile. Borders run around the per imeter of the floor and/or walls, defining the limits of the room. Bathroom-Tile Design 79 Choose the Right Tile Tiles finished on only the front face are called field tiles. When installed, they are butted next to each other with grout filling the spaces in between. Wherever wall tile stops short of the ceiling, field tiles should not be installed on the top row because the raw, unfinished edge of the tiles will be exposed.For these locations, use tile with at least one finished edge. Typically, the finished edge is a rounded bullnose shape that makes an elegant transition from tile to wall surface. In bathrooms with traditional styling, this transitional edge frequently is celebrated with a decorative border that intro- duces a band of color, a pattern, a texture, or a special profile (see the drawings on p. 79). Borders Create a Transition Although a decorative border is a great way to handle the tile-to-wall transition, youll need to consider how to handle the border when the ti le goes from a lower to a taller height.In a traditionally styled bath, I prefer to turn the edging and keep the border moving up, over, and down again, using mitered corners at each turn. I find that a miter creates a crisp, clean look and allows the flexi- Details for a Modern Bathroom The details in a modern room imply expansiveness and continuity. Tile frequently runs continuously from floor to ceiling or from corner to corner. Borders like those found in a traditional bath are seldom used because they would feel constrictive. Luxurious materials, such as stone, are treated simply so that nothing competes with or detracts from the beauty of the aterial itself. Modern designs often use larger tiles8 in. by 8 in. , 6 in. by 12 in. , 12 in. by 12 in. , or 16 in. by 16 in. because they feel more expansive. Visual interest comes from the use of multiple materials, patterns, textures, and plane changes. In this example, the height change at the shower area is emphasized with a bump-ou t separating the plumbing wall into two different planes. Within the shower, 12-in. by 12-in. stone tiles run floor to ceiling. The side edges of the stone tile are mitered to finish the outside corner. Outside the shower, 6-in. by 12-in. ceramic tiles are used on the walls.The running-bond pattern helps to tie the different materials together. 12-in. by 12-in. stone tiles Running-bond pattern is an easy, inexpensive way to add visual interest. Bump-out, 2 in. minimum 6-in. by 12-in. ceramic tiles 3 3. ChaNGING plaNES Room feels more expansive with large floor tiles. Inside corner marks transition from large shower tiles to smaller wall tiles. Mitered outside corner 80 Bathroom Projects bility to use border designs without a special corner tile (see the inset drawing on p. 79). Other areas that demand careful planning are corner borders at wall intersections.If your bath has only inside corners, you will need tiles that are finished only on the face and one edge. Outside cornersthos e that project into the roomrequire tiles finished on the face, the top, and one side. If you use tile with a profile, youll need a special outside-corner tile. Not all tile manufacturers or lines include these special pieces. The baseboard area, at the junction of wall and floor, is another opportunity for a decorative border. If you used a color band at the top of the tiled wall, a second band of color would work well at the bottom. If not, consider a base tile that is taller than the wainscot tiles.You can choose base tiles with a profile that incorporates a radius to meet the floor tiles. cutting the tiles around the perimeter to fit. These guidelines recommend centering the pattern on either a tile or a grout line, depending on which choice results in the largest tiles around the edges of the room. This is a good place to start, but you may want to adjust your design in response to other features in the room. One of the typical ways your eye determines whether a pattern is cent ered is by comparing the end tiles If the tiles on each end are equal in size, you assume the pattern is centered.However, if your eye cannot easily compare the end tiles to each other, youll look for other cues, such as alignment. Sometimes, especially in large rooms, it is preferable to center tiles along lines of sight or movement. By following this strategy, the tile pattern is centered on the person using the bathroom. Tiles centered on the entry door are centered on the person who walks through that door wall tiles centered on the sink and on the mirror above are centered on the person looking in that mirror. Tiles centered on the showerhead and control valves also are centered on the person using the shower.If tile has been centered on the key sink and shower walls, the layout frequently is mirrored on the opposite wall. Centering tile on the sink and the shower controls may be difficult if the sink and the shower are on the same continuous wall but this design should be poss ible if the distance between the centerline of the shower or tub fittings and the sink is a multiple of the tile size. Mark out the tile design before any rough plumbing work is done then adjust fixture placements as required for the most attractive finished room.Alignment and centering of fixtures, tiles, and sightlines reinforces the organizing principles of the design. People subconsciously find that reinforcement reassuring and, consequently, attractive. Lynn Hopkins (www. lhopkinsarch. com), an architect specializing in residential design, is based in Lexington, Massachusetts. Floor Tiles Take a Cue From the Walls Floor tiles need to be more durable and slipresistant than wall tiles, so be sure to select a type intended for floor installation. The safety and durability characteristics of floor tiles may give them a different look than that of wall tiles.To tie the two surfaces together visually, use the same color, texture, pattern, or other design feature from the walls in the flooring. In a traditional bath, for instance, you might use a border of the same color on the walls and the floor. Another strategy is a floor patterned with a mix of small and large tiles, where the color of the small tiles matches that of the wall tile. Smaller tiles result in more grout lines, which give the floor more texture and make it less slippery. The additional grout is more susceptible to dirt and mildew, however. Center Tile Layout on Entries and FixturesMany tile-layout guidelines suggest positioning the layout on the center of the room and Bathroom-Tile Design 81 1 BatHroom projects Details from Great Bathrooms Benches, shelves, and hooks. Dont overlook the convenience of a small bench where you can sit and shave, shelves that can hold soap and shampoo, and some open wall space for towel hooks and bars. 82 Tile put to good use. Variations in tile size highlight architectural details, while glassblock tiles let in plenty of light. Bold and beautiful. the play of light and color in this bathroom isnt an accident. ts what happens when an architect plans a bathroom remodel with an artist. Details from Great Bathrooms 83 accentuate the positive. Large, rectangular porcelain tiles installed vertically draw attention to the showers high ceiling while the mosaic-tile floor provides plenty of traction. liven up a bland room. Blue and white mosaics splash color across the sink wall in this st. paul, minnesota, remodel. Color coordination. staying in the same color family ties together the mosaic pebble floor and the wall of sleek subway tiles. Updating a tradition.Designed to capture the calm richness of traditional japanese architecture but with a modern focus, this bathroom was created with wall and shower tiles by casalgrande padana and custom-cut slate floor tiles. 84 Bathroom Projects Balancing the budget. saving on white ceramic floor and wall tile freed up money for the aquacolored glass mosaic wall tile. let loose. a childs bathroom is a great pl ace to have fun with tile. this bathroom features a whimsical countertop of brightly colored tile. Use tile to differentiate. on the floor, a switch from 13-in. eramic tile to 2-in. tile (by cerim ceramiche) distinguishes the shower from the dry part of the room. on the walls, a mosaic strip (by ceramica tres estilos) adds zip. Details from Great Bathrooms 85 2 KITChen projeCTs Putting Tile to Work in the Kitchen by Lane Meehan O ur black Lab, Bogey, is a walking mud factory and sheds so much that for tile are granite, marble, and limestone, with granite being the hardest. Stone in its natural state is porous, so wherever its used in a kitchen, it must be sealed to resist staining and discoloration.Stone tile has color all the way through, so deep scratches wont expose a different base color. However, a highly polished surface on a stone tile seems to accentuate even the smallest scratches. Stone can be installed on floors, countertops or backsplashes however, it does tend to be a h igh-maintenance product. On the other hand, ceramic tile is made from clay rolled flat and either sun-baked or fired in a kiln. There are hundreds of different clays, each with its own characteristics that can vary the tiles performance. Color is applied to ceramic tile in the form of baked-on glazes that also seal the tile.In the past, ceramic-tile finishes had problems standing up to heavy use and abuse, but with recent technical advances, ceramic tile now performs better than it used to. With most ceramic tile, the color is he should be bald. When it came time to choose tile for our kitchen floor, we looked for tile that would help disguise evidence of Bogey and our three active boys. We chose a tile that looks like stone but in a color and finish that could hide dirt and dog hair until I had a spare moment to run the vacuum. Our choice was based primarily on ease of maintenance, just one consideration when choosing kitchen tile.As a tile-store owner with a background in design, I field questions all the time about incorporating tile into clients kitchens. This chapter addresses the questions I am asked most frequently. What Types of Tile Can I Choose From? The two most basic categories of tile are stone and ceramic. Stone tile is a natural product, mined or quarried directly from the earth. The three most common stones used 86 Tile outlines and defines kitchen spaces. a tile border gives the island in this kitchen, designed by Tim Quigley of Minneapolis, its own separate visual space. The backsplash behind the stove forms a functional accent.Putting Tile to Work in the Kitchen 87 just on the surface, so deep scratches expose the clay below. Porcelain is another manmade tile product. Porcelain is much denser than ordinary ceramic, making it harder to scratch and break. But as with stone, the shinier the surface of ceramic or porcelain, the more scratches will show. So I try not to use highgloss tiles anywhere in a kitchen except on backsplashes, areas that are less susceptible to scratching. In the past, porcelain has been more expensive than ceramic, but improvements in technology have reduced the price.Beyond the amount of gloss, tile finishes can vary greatly. Tile finishes are graded by their ability to resist wear due to traffic a light-industrial tile has a higher durability rating than most residential-grade tiles. Industrial-rated tile is a bit more expensive, but the extra cost makes sense if your kitchen resembles a freeway. In addition to a durability rating, the Tile Council of America (see Sources on p. 94) gives tile a coefficient of friction (COF) rating, which indicates how slippery the surface will be underfoot.But if the tile feels too smooth or too slick to the touch, it will probably be too slippery to use on the floor. How Do Lifestyle and Lighting Affect Choices? The first thing I ask clients about is their family, their lifestyle, and the way their kitchen is going to be used. For example, for a client who has a large family or who does a lot of entertaining, the kitchen is a busy hub with a casual atmosphere. For this kitchen, I might suggest warm-colored tile with perhaps a softer stone look. After the clients lifestyle, I look at the type of lighting in the kitchen.If it is blessed with a great deal of natural light from windows or skylights, tumbled marble tile or tile with a matte finish will absorb light and create a softer look (see the photo on p. 90). A textured surface on the tile softens the effect even further. On the other hand, tile with a glossy finish reflects light and helps brighten areas of a kitchen that are dimly lighted or that receive little or no natural light. Remember that glossy tile used in a kitchen with a lot of light, either natural or artificial, requires more frequent cleaning because fingerprints and water spots tend to show up more.When choosing tile, I also look at the color and finish of the cabinets and countertops. If the counters and cabinets have a matte or satin finish, then I try to keep the same feel in the floors and the backsplash. By the same token, if the kitchen has the Tile Offers Almost Endless Options Multipurpose porcelain Ceramic wall tile with blue crackle glaze Commercial ceramic wall tile Rosso-Verona tumbled marble Handmade glazed wall tile Handmade sanded floor tile Porcelain floor tile Limestone tile Stone look-alike ceramic tile Marble floor or wall tile 88 Kitchen Projects Ceramic Tile Porcelain vs. Nonporcelain l tiles made of clay and cured by heat are ceramic tiles. However, ceramic tile is best understood by dividing it into two product classifications porcelain and nonporcelain. Their availability and look are roughly the same, but their durability is not. Thanks to a balance in the market, porcelain tiles can now be had at nearly the same price as nonporcelain products. a when the tiles are glazed. Also, when some porcelain tiles are glazed, they are no longer guaranteed to be frostproof. nonporcelai n tile is easier to work with Nonporcelain tiles are made primarily of clay mixed with minerals and water.The material is then fired to solidify the tiles into a bisque form. This process creates tile that isnt as hard as porcelain, so it can be worked more easily with basic snap cutters and nippers instead of a wet saw. In most cases, a sealer and a glaze are applied to the surface of nonporcelain tile to create color and texture before the tile receives a second firing. The glaze applied to nonporcelain tile can make it extremely durable, but never as durable as porcelain. Nonporcelain tiles main weakness is that it has a water-absorption rate of greater than 0. %. As a result, the tile doesnt perform nearly as well as unglazed porcelain tile in outdoor freeze/thaw environments. porcelain tile is more durable Porcelain tiles are created by mixing porcelain clay and very finely ground sand, and curing them with high heat and pressure. Porcelain tile is denser and harder than nonpor celain tile and has a lower water-absorption rate of 0. 5% or less. Porcelains density makes it highly resistant to physical damage, while its low absorption rate makes the tile frost resistant, allowing it to be used outdoors.Unglazed porcelain tile is sought after for its full-body characteristics, which means its color remains consistent throughout the tile. Surface scratches and damage are less noticeable as a result, a benefit that diminishes The top choice when strength matters most. although nonporcelain tiles can be quite durable, none are as resilient as porcelain. Buy what looks good. even though damage to nonporcelain tiles is more noticeable than with some porcelain tile, they can be purchased in grades that are perfectly suited for high-contact areas like kitchen counters and floors. Putting Tile to Work in the Kitchen 89Tile can act as a dimmer switch. This kitchen gets lots of light from two sides. The natural colors and matte finish of the tumbled-marble countertop a nd backsplash help soften the light and cut down on glare in a kitchen with a lot of windows. polished, streamlined look of many contemporary kitchens, I suggest a straightforward tile pattern with a glossy finish. Tile color can make a large contribution toward a warm or cool feel in a kitchen. The earthy tones of limestone or tumbled marble are the warmest of the tile colors, while bright whites and blues tend to be quite cool. But even cool colors can be warmed with colored grout.For example, an ivory or off-white grout color can take the cool edge off bright white. The reverse can be true if youre trying to achieve a formal or industrial feel with gray or blue tile. A steel-gray grout helps create a crisp, cool look. A quick vacuum and an occasional mopping, and youre off and running. If cooking and entertaining are big parts of your life, then Id suggest tile that wont stain if hot grease and oil or an occasional glass of wine is spilled on it. A glazed ceramic tile works best in this situation, but for an Old World look, you can use a real stone, such as limestone.If you select a stone-tile floor, be sure to treat it with a good sealer according to the manufacturers directions. We recommend either Miracle Sealants Porous Plus or One Master Marble and Stone Cares Gold Shield (see Sources on p. 94) for sealing stone tile. No matter what tile you choose for your kitchen floor, the grout should also be sealed. To make the grout more impervious to spills and stains, I recommend starting with a latex-modified grout or one that is mixed with a latex additive instead of water. Once the grout has cured properly, a sealer such as Miracle Sealants Porous Plus will fight off most food incursions.Another grout option is epoxy, which is stain resistant and does not require sealing. But because epoxy is harder to work with for the installer, we generally use it for smaller Will My Three Boys and the Family Dog Hurt My Tile Floor? A clients lifestyle has the biggest bea ring on the choice of floor tile. If youd rather spend time with your three growing boys than take care of your kitchen floor, I suggest tile that hides a multitude of sins (and dirt) and always seems to look nice, such as a ceramic-stone look-alike (see the photo on the facing page). 90 Kitchen Projects No time for cleaning?For busy, active families with kids and pets, consider a tile floor with a lot of color variations such as this stone look-alike. It stays better looking longer between cleanings. areas, such as countertops. With some tile, such as limestone, epoxy grout is not recommended, so be sure to check with manufacturers suggestions. some sort of threshold to create a clean transition into the next room. Tile thickness can also affect doors that swing into the kitchen, as well as appliances, such as dishwashers or trash compactors, that have to fit under the countertops in a kitchen. How Does a Tile Floor Relate to Adjacent Rooms?The kitchen-floor tile should help establ ish a visual flow into the surrounding areas, so I ask clients about the colors and materials on the floors of the rooms that are adjoining the kitchen. For example, if the kitchen floor joins up with a dark wood floor in the dining room, consider using tile with a warm, medium color to cut down on the visual contrast between rooms. If the kitchen floor meets colored carpet in an adjacent room, keep in mind that youll probably change the carpet at some point, so choose a neutral tile color that will go with future carpet choices. Tile thickness is another consideration.Whether the kitchen floor butts up against other existing tile, hardwood floors, or carpet, the tile installer will need to install Can Tile Make My Tiny Kitchen Look Bigger? Tile layout can have a big impact on a rooms appearance. While a parallel or straight pattern can intensify the narrowness of a kitchen, a diagonal tile pattern makes a room look wider (see the sidebar on p. 93). Tile size can also affect the app earance of the room. The smaller the tile, the busier the groutjoint pattern. The simple groutjoint pattern you get with larger 10-in. to 12-in. tiles can make a small room look larger. Smaller 4-in. to 6-in. iles on a floor can have the opposite effect, creating a mosaic pattern or a cobblestone look. Clipping the corners of square tiles creates hexagons or octagons with small square spaces left between. The small tiles (called Putting Tile to Work in the Kitchen 91 dots) that fill the spaces can introduce a dash of color to the floor in a pattern that breaks up the simple straight lines. Irregular tile patterns such as block random (using three sizes of tile) or a pinwheel pattern can help unify a kitchen that has many entrances and exits. These patterns also work well to blend together tile that is highly varied in color.A tile border on the floor can make a kitchen look cozier by bringing the eye in or by creating a frame around the kitchen table or an island (see the photo on p . 87). slab. And with granite tile, its easy to add a border to accent or complement the color of the stone. One drawback to stone tile on a countertop is the edges. Although you can round over the edges, granite tile is thinner than a solid slab (3? 8 in. to 1? 2 in. compared with 11? 4 in. , normal thickness for a granite slab), so its tougher to get the same full-slab look. Another drawback is not being able to install an undermount sink with granite tile.Although the tight grout joints of granite tile create a good, smooth work surface, machine-made ceramic tile with standard grout joints makes a slightly rougher work surface. Handmade tile is usually installed with wider grout joints that are charming, but its inherently bumpy surface can be difficult to work on and can cause wine glasses and bowls to tip over (see the photos at left). The edges of a tile countertop can be addressed in various ways. Continuing the tile over the edge gives the countertop a thick look. Relief til e, such as a rope pattern, can turn countertop edges into a visual focal point.Wooden edges that match or complement cabinets are also popular. As on floors, borders on countertops can add decoration. But if its used in too large an area or if a lot of items are stored on the counter, a border can be lost or distracting. Tile can also be combined with other types of surfaces for a dramatic look (see the photo on p. 90). For instance, the savings from tiling most of the countertop might leave enough money for a solid slab of granite in the sink area for an undermount sink. A stone slab or a wood surface on only the island could make a bold statement while providing a smooth surface for an informal eating area.Is Tile OK for a Kitchen Countertop? Granite-slab countertops have long been popular in high-end kitchens. Tile countertops, both ceramic and stone, have some of the same attributes as slabs, such as durability and heat resistance, but at less than half the cost, depending on th e tile you choose. Granite tile can be installed with tight grout joints to give the impression of a solid Handmade tile is pretty but uneven. The irregular surface of handmade ceramic tile is a challenge to work on and can be hazardous to wine glasses.Cutting boards should always be used on tile countertops. 92 Kitchen Projects Tile Patterns at Work he right pattern can make a kitchen look wider. Floor tile installed in a straight pattern makes a narrow room seem narrower (see the left photo below) while tile in a T diagonal pattern softens the tunnel effect of a long, narrow kitchen, making it seem wider (see the right photo below). Can Tile Be Used as a Cutting Board? Although few tile or stone surfaces can stand up to a sharp kitchen knife, most hold up well under other kitchen rigors such as abuse from pots and pans.Limestone scratches easily, but those scratches can be sanded out. Surfaces such as glossy tile or highly polished granite tend to show marks more readily, and thei r scratches are harder to remove or cover up. Stone or ceramic tile with a matte finish tends to hide scratches and surface abrasions better. Stone tile is also porous, so it has to be sealed properly to resist staining from things such as red wine and grease. And some ceramic tiles, as well as polished stone such as granite or marble, can lose their shine when exposed to some food acids.As in floors, latex-modified grout should be used on tiled countertops along with a good coat of grout sealer. Again, epoxy grout, which costs a little more and is a little harder to install, will make the grout impenetrable. Should the Backsplash Blend or Make a Splash? A tile backsplash is the spot where you can be really creative with tile in the kitchen (see the photos on p. 94). Because a backsplash functions to protect the wall from splashes and splatters that come from cooking and preparing food, the only prerequisite is that backsplash tile be easy to keep clean.Beyond that, the choices beco me mainly aesthetic. I always ask clients how much stuff they plan to keep on their countertops. Toasters, microwaves, and canisters tend to block the backsplash, and in that case, the backsplash just provides a backdrop of color and tex- Putting Tile to Work in the Kitchen 93 sources Miracle Sealants Company 800-350-1901 www. miraclesealants. com ture. I usually recommend extending the tile from the countertop all the way to the bottoms of the wall cabinets so that the backsplash acts as a visual connection between the upper and lower cabinets.Borders usually work best above long stretches of counter that are uninterrupted by windows or appliances. And when installed three-quarters of the way up the backsplash, a border wont get lost near the countertop or under the wall cabinets. At that height, a border will usually clear the height of the toaster or a bowl of fruit for a continuous line. If the client is thinking of having decorative tiles scattered randomly throughout the backs plash, I suggest taping playing cards to the wall at random to see if the effect works in that particular kitchen.Playing cards can also be used in a line to test the visual power of a border. Isnt Tile Expensive? Tile varies greatly in price, and budget is a concern for the vast majority of my clients. So heres my strategy for keeping costs down. First, use reasonably priced machinemade tile for large areas in the kitchen. Then there will be money left for those handmade borders, small murals, or strategically placed accent tiles that will give your kitchen a rich look without breaking the bank (see the right photo below).Installation prices can vary greatly depending on the type of tile, the layout, and the conditions of the existing floors and walls. A tile installer can explain what your options are and how much each option costs. Even if you opt for a less expensive installation, always seal the tile. Sealing tile is pretty easy, so you can save a little by doing it yourself. S pend some money on a good sealer. Lane Meehan is a tile maker and designer of decorative tiles. She and her husband, Tom, own and manage Cape Cod Tileworks in Harwich, Massachusetts. orous plus One Master Marble and Stone Care 760-406-1097 www. onemastermarble. com Gold shield The Tile Council of America 864-646-8453 www. tileusa. com Tile Art and Accents he backsplash of cows in a pasture (see the left photo below) in this kitchen designed by Randy Fritz of Lakeside, Calif. , combines the art of Roger Dunham of Petaluma, Calif. , with the practicality of T ceramic tile. Random decorative tiles in a backsplash of less expensive, machine-made tile (see the right photo below) give this kitchen a colorful accent. 94 Kitchen Projects