Often homeowners are in a dilemma: whether to choose ceramic tiles or hardwood when it comes to flooring. Both tiles and hardwood floors offer a durable option and your choice depends on your needs. Even though tiles and hardwood floors are very different in construction and installation, they can both be used in the same areas of your home. Here are a few tips on how to choose tiles for flooring purpose:
Which tile is most durable?
The PEI scale is a rating system that rates the tiles from Class 1 to Class 5. So a tile belonging to Class 1 category is least resistant to abrasion while a tile belonging to Class 5 category is most resistant. Obviously for floors you should have a tile resilient to all the wear and tear. For areas where the floors withstand high traffic, such as the kitchen or hallway, choose tiles that are Class 3 or higher. If you plan on a natural stone, you should know that these are the strongest and don’t follow the PEI scale system. But you should definitely consult a professional before choosing it.
Light or dark colors
You are the best person to decide the color of tile for your home, but here are a few basic rules. Most homeowners decide on light colored tiles as they make small or dark rooms look bigger. Light colored tiles will scatter more light falling on them and make your room brighter. Dark colored tiles will hide the dirt. If you simply love to accessorize your room, go for neutral colors such as white or off-white. Whatever you choose, keep in mind that this is going to stay with you for a long time.
What is the best size of the tiles?
The market is flooded with a variety of tiles for flooring in different sizes. So you can find tiles that are 3/8” mosaics to tiles that are 24”x48”. It’s up to you to decide the tile size best for your home. While the most popular size in recent times has been 13”x13”, you can always explore more options. You may want to lay a design consisting of a combination of small and big tiles. To cater to homeowners who want a designer look, manufacturers are making floor tiles in multiple sizes with interesting patterns.
Using natural stone in moderation
Natural stones like marble or granite look very beautiful, but having them set on all floors of your home can be really expensive. If it falls well within your budget, go for it. However, if you are on a tight budget, you can always use it in the places where you can flaunt it– like your foyer or patio. If you like you can always insert wooden flooring material within the natural stone to give it a classy look.
What is the best texture?
This is an important point to consider while choosing tiles for flooring your home. For your bathrooms and kitchen choose tiles with matte or textured finish, as they are less slippery. Smooth and shiny tiles can be used in living rooms, bedrooms, or main halls.
The real key to having a long lasting tile floor is how you install it and maintaining it regularly. The tiles should be well adhered to the sub floor. Overall make sure that you have chosen a tile you want to see everyday because replacing existing tiles can be very costly.
