Throughout history tile has been utilized in interior and exterior spaces for both its beauty as well as its durability. The use of terracotta tile hand shaped from mud and clay of river banks and baked by the heat of the sun have been found in Mesopotamian architecture, and decorative tile has been found to date to 4000 B.C. in Egypt. Later, the Egyptians discovered that firing clay tile in kilns at high temperatures made the material more water resistant and stronger. The art of developing and manufacturing tile continued in Roman, Greek, and Asian architecture. China and the Middle East developed unique styles from a product made with white kaolin clay known as porcelain. The Persians revived the ancient Egyptian technique of ground quartz formulated with a mixture of white clay and glaze which most influenced the production of ceramic tile. Asia perfected the quality of detail by the use of glazes which later influenced the production and use of tile in the Dutch, Spanish, Italian, as well as other European Countries. As European colonists settled in North and South America, tile production rapidly evolved in these colonies also. Only the wealthy were able to import tile for their homes in the 1800's primarily for fireplace surrounds. By the turn of the century, tile was no longer a material for the elite. Tile application exploded in the utilization of foyer floors, bathrooms, and kitchens for sanitary purposes. Tile murals were applied for designing public spaces as well as "subway tile". The affordability and use of tile continued to spread world wide and by the 1980's, North America became an important market for tile manufacturers. Within the past several years, the tile industry has revolutionized. Computers, robotics, and machinery produce most porcelain tiles today in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles; however, there are manufacturers that are partial to the ancient art of the handmade tile. 
Today tile plays a significant role in designing interior spaces of a home as well as commercial spaces. Tile is the longest lasting flooring product on the market. With proper installation and care, tile can last a lifetime. Tile has evolved from simply a sanitary surface to a pivotal element of design in a space. Due to innovative production, tile is available in a large range of sizes from small penny rounds to four foot by eight foot pieces. In addition to size, technology has allowed the industry to produce tile with unique textures as well as color. With this new technology comes experimentation of alternate materials such as glass, metal, wood, and leather being crafted into tile shapes which are integrated into tile designs. Machinery, such as the water jet, has allowed tile to be cut into intricate shapes that were once thought to be impossible or incredibly time consuming to produce. This new product provides a vast range of design applications in any space. Along with aggressive innovation in tile production and design, manufacturers of materials such as adhesives and grouts, as well as sealers and cleaners are working just as hart in making tiled surfaces the easiest surface to maintain in a home. Combined with no volatile organic compounds (VOC's), its antimicrobial surface, and insect resistance, tile is the most sensible design option for quality floors and walls.
Reviewing and researching new developments in setting materials, tile production, tile installation, and trends allows the team at BARRON Tile and Stone to provide its customers with the most current products available. Team members attend the annual International Coverings Tile Show to remain a step ahead in what is to come in the tile industry. Participating in workshops for the latest developments in installation materials and techniques allows us to provide quality results for our customers. Observing and conversing with manufacturers around the globe enables the team to see where the future direction of tile design is heading. The BATTON Tile and Stone team works hard to provide a unique showroom experience to its customers. The vast selection available provides design opportunities for any application and space. Visit us in person to experience Moore Counties largest, most innovative showroom, or visit us online at www.barrontile.net.
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