AC Tackles Commercial & Residential Tile Projects

Fantasy drafts, tailgates, watching the game -- Football season is a much anticipated time of year. At Architectural Ceramics, we love football almost as much as we love tile. With our headquarters and showrooms located in the DC-metro area, we've been known to cheer for the the Washington Redskins or the Baltimore Ravens. We're also known for our expertise in residential tile products. But, did you know we tackle commercial projects as well? The Baltimore Ravens worked with AC for the reception area of their corporate offices at the M&T Bank Stadium. Here's a play-by-play on what tile materials were used on the project, how commercial and residential tiles differ, and how you can bring a commercial look to your residential home.

The Ravens Reception Area

We can't help but rave about one commercial project that our Baltimore Showroom & Territory Manager, Kersi Press, took on for none other than the Baltimore Ravens. He teamed up with Baltimore-based design firm, Aumen Asner to create a clean and contemporary reception space for the Raven's corporate offices. Featured above, the desk and Baltimore Ravens logo greet visitors in the reception area. The desk is beautifully clad in a neutral and natural stone look-a-like material from our Slim Slab Collection. This choice allows the logo peeking from behind to grab the attention of the room. The slab, done in the color Bianco Venatino Extra, wraps the reception desk and continues on the walls of the sitting area. The flooring, done in one consistent and neutral material choice, also leads you from the reception desk to the sitting or waiting area. The large format porcelain tiles in the color White, come from our Silk Stone Collection. It coordinates well with the book-match veining pattern of the Slim Slab. For more Slim Slab options, visit our Product Page or download a Datasheet here. To view our full Silk Stone Collection, including field sizes, mosaics and trims, download a Datasheet here. Moving down the field or further into the office space, visitors and employees are welcome to watch the game while getting a quick bite in the break room. In a setting like this one, the floor tile needs to be durable, cleanable, and antimicrobial. Alright coach, let's put in porcelain. That's just what AC did, with a 12"x24" large format porcelain tile from our Metallics Collection. The dark color, Native Rock Black, hides dirt well in the high-traffic area. For alternate color and size options, or for more inspiration from our Metallics Collection, download a Datasheet here.

Related Links:

Whether it's large format tile, or slim slab, sometimes bigger really is better. Check out more large format tile collections on our blog, Bigger is Better: Large Format Porcelain Tile.

Want to see more commercial projects? From the Hilton to the Nationals Diamond Club, our AC Houzz Page features hospitality projects and more.

Residential VS. Commercial Tile

What makes a tile fit for residential or commercial use? We're glad you asked. Here's a roster of common tile materials and where they work best:

Porcelain:Think of porcelain tile as the wide receiver of commercial spaces. Just like Michael Crabtree plays for the Ravens, porcelain tile is tough, performs well, and can take a hit.

When designers are considering materials for commercial hospitality or corporate spaces, porcelain tile works well because it meets ratings such as PSI (pounds per square inch) or COF (coefficient of friction) set by building code standards.

Glass:Glass tile is common in both commercial and residential spaces. The thickness of the glass determines where it may be used. A thin stained glass material is applicable for wall use, where a thicker fused glass may be appropriate for floor use.

Ceramic:Similar to glass tile, ceramic tile is used throughout commercial and residential spaces. Most common however, are wall applications in public restrooms or private bathrooms. Machine-made ceramics are often specified on a commercial FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment) Schedule, where hand-made ceramics are best suited for residential projects.

Natural Stone:Residential use wins over commercial use when it comes to natural stone. That's not to say that natural stone isn't seen in hospitality settings like hotels or restaurants. Whether it's a hotel lobby floor or a residential foyer, natural stone welcomes guests in a luxurious way. Just be sure to clean it often to keep it looking that way.

Related Links:

Are you a sports fan no matter what the game? Check out our blog, March Madness: ACI's Final Four Tile Matchups where we put four main tile materials head to head.

Bringing Home the Win

Football teams play games away or at home right? Let's run with that thought, catch some ideas, and see how can you score a contemporary commercial look with your next residential renovation.

Large Format Tiles:Some folks think if you have a small space like a powder room, that you have to use small tile. Wrong. Using large format tile instead makes the space appear larger.

Large format porcelain tiles are also a great option to create a consistent flow from spaces to space. Be it indoors or out, porcelain tiles are freeze and frost resistant.

Slim Slab:We already know Slim Slab makes a great commercial material. But it's also acceptable for residential use as well. Here, our client used the material for their kitchen backsplash. The look-alike marble Slim Slab is stunning. It's also more practical than natural stone, because it is antimicrobial and stain resistant.

For further questions about the tile featured here, or to place a tile order, please contact sales@architecturalceramics.com. Want weekly updates about Architectural Ceramics and our product lines? Join our newsletter here.