Your floor is like the skin of your home, it covers everything. As such, it is important to make sure to select the right tiles for it. You will be seeing them and walking on them every day for many years and the way they look and feel can have an impact on the overall feel of the house as well as on your daily life. Fortunately, these days the options are as plentiful as your imagination and budget.
Where can you use tiles?
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Before making your final selection, you should understand that not all tiles are made alike. That’s what makes some of them suitable for certain environments where others would not work. You know that tiles have been a staple for bathrooms for decades. However, these days tile is used everywhere. In kitchens, mudrooms, hallways, and laundry rooms. And you may also be adventurous enough to place tiles on living room and dining room floors, and why not in all bedrooms as well.
What factors affect the cost of tiles?
Whether you are considering tiny mosaic tiles or big-sized tiles, several factors impact their price:
- Size
- Material
- Design
You also should add the cost of tile installation to the factors you consider, as well as the materials needed to install them.
What are the best tile options for flooring?
Read about the most popular tile options available in order to find a suitable tile for your specific needs.
Porcelain Tiles
Being heavier and less porous than ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles are frequently extruded and present fewer impurities. Among their most outstanding benefits, porcelain tiles have a higher ability to resist water and are stronger than ceramic tiles. They are ideal for high-traffic areas.
They can be made to replicate the look of stone, hardwood, or marble and resist scratches and stains. However, they can crack if struck by a heavy object.
Ceramic Tiles
Produced from quarried clay, ceramic tiles are then prepared and molded. The options available are either non-polished and unglazed or polished and glazed (such as Glazed Zellige Tile). These tiles are considerably less expensive than porcelain tiles.
Cement or Concrete Tiles
For exterior floors and walkways, you will appreciate the durability and strength of these tiles which also have the added benefit of reduced friction and great traction even in wet conditions.
Mosaic Tiles
These tiny tiles can be made from such materials as natural stone, glass, ceramic, or porcelain. They can also be either glazed or unglazed. They can be used to add a touch of color to any space.
Marble Tiles
Marble tiles are coveted because they improve the aesthetic value of any place where they are used. However, they are pricey and need to be maintained. They are naturally absorbent which makes them not resistant to stains and unsuitable to outdoor uses.
How do you decide which one is your best option?
Budget plays an important role, but you should also consider the hardness of the tile to know what type of foot traffic it will tolerate. Porosity means the amount of water the tile will absorb, important in laundry and mudrooms. Moisture and slip resistance are also important if you want them on your bathroom floors but you may also want to consider how easy they are to maintain and how luxurious you want them to look. Click here to learn more about these and other flooring types.
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