When choosing the tile, you need to know about a lot of things to ensure that the tiling flooring is ideal for your place. Tile flooring is a popular choice among homeowners because of its durability, adaptability, and ease of upkeep. However, selecting the proper tile flooring can be difficult with so many different materials, coatings, and styles available.
Whether you’re renovating your kitchen, bathroom, or a complete home, choosing the right tile requires more than simply aesthetics. It can help to maintain the good aesthetics of your place with the right floor tiling. There are different things to consider, like foot traffic, moisture levels, and long-term upkeep, while making your decision.
Key Factors to Consider to Choose the Right Tile:
Before going for the factors it is important to decide on where you are going to get the tiles. There are many factors to keep in mind but if you keep a few essential factors in mind still it will help you in finding the right tile flooring.
Tile Material:
The tile material is the most significant selection. Everybody has different tastes when it comes to renovating or making your home. Ceramics, porcelain, natural stone, and glass are all viable options. You can check out different types and decide the best tile flooring that perfectly goes with your home.
Before finalizing the material, it is recommended to know about the nature and benefits of types of materials. Ceramic and porcelain are extremely durable and water-resistant, making them excellent for high-traffic areas such as kitchens and baths. Natural stone, such as marble or slate, provides a touch of elegance but takes more care.
Color & Finish:
Color and finish are considered to be major factors that should be on your priority list while choosing the tiles. This is why you must do proper research and learn about the looks of different tiles. For instance, light-colored tiles make a room appear more open and spacious, while darker tones provide warmth and coziness. Gloss finish tiles have an appealing mirror-like surface that reflects a lot of light, increases brightness, and gives the home a larger appearance. Glossy ones should not be utilized in areas such as the kitchen or bathroom since they tend to slip when wet.
If you want tile for your bedroom or any space that you want to look full of warmth, then go for the dark shades. On the other hand, matte textures are ideal for non-slip surfaces in bathrooms, while glossy tiles provide a sleek, modern look to living areas. Also, choosing tile color and finish is a personal choice. If you feel like a certain tile is ideal, then without researching its properties or look, you should go with it.
Durability and Resistance:
Durability and resistance are something that you can’t be sure of when you are buying the tiles. This is why you must do proper research about the tile material to know which material and type of tile assures durability. Also to determine durability, tiles are assessed on a PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) scale. The greater the PEI grade, the more wear-resistant the tile is. PEI 1 is appropriate for walls, whereas PEI 3 or higher is recommended for residential flooring.
Pay attention to the tile’s durability. For instance, porcelain is noted for its resilience, whereas genuine stone chips more easily yet have eternal beauty. Higher PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) ratings indicate that tiles are better suited for high-traffic areas. This way you can decide between buying the tiles that are durable and are perfect for certain uses.
Slip Resistant
Slip resistance is one of the major factors if you want tiles for your water-prone areas. Water-prone places, such as restrooms and outdoor patios, require tiles with a high slip resistance rating (measured by a coefficient of friction, or COF). It is recommended to know about the ratings and buy the tiles accordingly.
Matte or textured tiles provide more traction than shiny ones, lowering the danger of slips and falls. Also, Natural stone tiles, such as slate, and certain porcelain variants, are good choices for wet areas due to their grip.
Size and Shape:
It is an obvious thing, and it is important to know the exact details to get the right tile for your place. Tile size and shape can greatly change the appearance of a room. It might sound like an insignificant factor, but it does make a lot of difference.
Large tiles provide a continuous, spacious feel, but smaller tiles are ideal for detailed shapes and patterns. When you go for the sizing, it is recommended to first check what goes best for your place. When deciding on tile size, keep the room’s size and design style in mind. You can also take a recommendation from the tile installation services.
Check Tile Porosity:
Porosity is an important quality to consider. It is determined by the ratio of air holes to solids in a tile, which affects the amount of water absorbed. Even if you don’t have a lot of information about it then you don’t have to worry. If you reach out to a reliable tile installation service, they will help you out with it.
Also, If you’re placing tile in a moisture-prone area, such as a toilet, kitchen, mudroom, or laundry room, pay special attention to the current rating. There are different rile porosity classifications that you must know about:
- Non-vitreous tiles have the largest porosity and can absorb more than 7% of water. They are best suited for dry, indoor environments because they are not moisture resistant.
- Semi-vitreous tiles have a 3-7% water absorption rate, making them slightly more moisture-resistant and suitable for usage in places with moderate moisture exposure, such as living rooms or hallways.
- Vitreous tiles have minimal porosity, absorbing only 0.5-3% water, making them suitable for most indoor environments, including kitchens and baths.
- Impervious tiles absorb less than 0.5% of water, making them exceptionally durable and excellent for both indoor and outdoor uses, such as pool areas and patios.
Bottom Line
Along with all these major factors one most important factor is deciding and going with the budget. The tiles come at different prices and before going shopping you should do the research and make your budget accordingly. Other than this you should also be clear about the number of tiles you need for your place. With the appropriate pick, your tile flooring will not only resist daily use but also offer long-term beauty to your home.
