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Tile Flooring Options for Your Next Remodeling Project
14th February 2018
There are three primary choices in tile flooring. You can opt for ceramic, natural, or porcelain versions of your favorite look. Ceramic is the least expensive option of the bunch where a natural tile is the most costly. We look at the characteristics of each flooring type and go over ratings and options below to help you make the most informed choice for your home or business.
Ceramic tile is the go-to option
This flooring option is the most popular because of the affordability. It is a little more prone to chipping or breaking than porcelain floor tile, but the glaze that coats the tile makes it waterproof and easy to clean. Ceramic tiles are made from mixing clay and heating it up for several hours. The glaze also needs heat to seal the coating and make it impervious to moisture.
Labor intensive porcelain flooring
While porcelain requires more work to install, it offers several key advantages. Porcelain tiles are made from using a mix of minerals and clay-like in ceramic tiles, but in this case, all the clay is finely ground. When heated, the tiles are less porous and provide better waterproofing. You can use these tiles inside or out because they do not break with the freeze and thaw cycle like ceramic.
A lifetime of use with natural floor tiles
Natural floors are made with real stone, slate, marble, travertine, granite, and limestone. This tile is your most expensive option, but you can count on a floor that will last a lifetime when you opt for stone or natural tile. To get the look without the expense, try adding travertine or marble to a small area like a bathroom or in front of the island or sink as an accent. You can save money and get a luxurious feel in your home or office. Instead of an accent wall, you can have an accent floor.
Tile options give you the ability to customize your space
Choosing the type of tile is only the start of your flooring search. Keep a list of things you like or do not want in a floor to help you make a good decision at the end of your research journey.
Shape
The options are limitless, but with customization comes higher prices. There are squares, hexagons, and many geometric shapes to ponder. A quick internet search will give you plenty of ideas.
Size
You can go as small or as large as you like when it comes to tile. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are available in the traditional subway style that is popular in many bathrooms across the globe. Oversize tiles often fit the rustic cabin and farmhouse style homes. There are hundreds of sizes and styles to create a space as unique as you want.
Accents
To give a room character, you can use tile in any size, shape, color, or pattern. For instance, in the entryway, a nice mosaic tile would look beautiful. Using a small tile to create a border around islands and showers is a popular trend. You can also define spaces in an open floor plan with different flooring tiles in each room.
Variation
Whether you want porcelain that looks like natural stone, there are various ideas that you can select from when adding new flooring. For instance, if you want the look of hardwood, but you want a waterproof floor, then porcelain that looks like oak would be a good option. With natural stone, many shades and veins that give tile unique designs.
Grout
The larger the tile you select for your flooring project, the less grout you have to use. To get a more modern look, using an oversize stone or marble floor might be best. To get a vintage or custom design, selecting smaller tiles are preferable. One popular trend is white tiles with black grout lines. Match grout for a cleaner, less busy design.
How tile floors get ratings
Besides the options, you have quality ratings to help you select the right floor tile.
Durability
- Type one – light traffic
- Type two – guest bathrooms
- Type three – most common for homes
- Type four – light commercial
- Type five – heavy industrial
Scratch Resistance
Tile gets rated by the material that makes up the clay. Talc is a one on the scale at the lowest end, and a ten is the highest with the diamond. For most homes, a four to six hardness is excellent. Seven out of ten is standard for commercial floors. Slip resistance is another way to check out flooring types.
Porousness
- Nonpervious – homes
- Semipervious – homes
- Pervious – frost resistant
- Impervious – frost proof
To discuss any of these tile ideas or to see what our designers can do for your space, give Accent on Floors a call at 804-458-0048. Our licensed and bonded installers are ready to help you even if you need us in the evening or on the weekend.