Whether you’re renovating your kitchen or bathroom, the choices for flooring can quickly become overwhelming. How do you decide what type to go with? At Carolina Flooring Services, we have a great variety of tile and stone flooring options. Let us help you navigate the maze and explore some different floor tile types.
Tile comes in many different shapes and colors. Made from either ceramic or stone, there are several things to take into consideration when choosing a tile type.
Ceramic tile is made from clay that is baked at a very high temperature. It’s easy to keep clean and relatively low maintenance. With just water and a damp cloth or mop, you can keep ceramic tile looking fresh and new. Another great thing about ceramic tile is that it is naturally fire resistant and can help maintain your structure in the event of a fire. Something to consider before deciding on floor tile types is the substrate, or the subfloor you will be laying your flooring on. It must be suitable for your type of ceramic tile and must be adequately prepared. If you are laying the tile on newly poured concrete, you’ll need to allow the concrete to cure for at least 28 days before the ceramic tile is laid down. Also, make sure your substrate is level. Finally, you should take into account the hardness, slip and impact resistance of the ceramic tiling. Consider where it is being used and if it will be practical. Ceramic tile is often ideal for high traffic areas and many types, such as porcelain, can be used indoors and out.
Next comes stone tile. Varieties of stone tile include granite, marble, slate and limestone. You would want to place polished stone in low-traffic areas due to its shiny, mirror finish. Honed stone is more suitable for spaces that are higher in traffic and more easily damaged. Marble, of course, is elegant and timeless, but you would not want to use marble in an area that is subject to freezing temperatures. It’s also cold on the feet, so that’s something to be considered. Slate is an excellent option for subtle, natural beauty and sandstone and limestone area economical alternatives. Again, take into consideration the moisture level, slip resistance and foot traffic of your space. Location is vital to your decision. For example, if you are placing stone tile flooring in your kitchen, fragile items are much more likely to break if dropped. You could also easily slip on marble flooring, so this wouldn’t be a good choice for the elderly.
Hopefully this has helped you navigate through the maze of floor tile types. Tile can last for a lifetime depending on the type you choose. Go with a neutral color if you change your décor regularly, or a bright, bold color to make a statement. Shapes include rectangles, diamonds, hexagons and circles. The list goes on and on!
You should not just consider stone and tile flooring for your kitchen or bathroom; they are great options for throughout the house! Let us provide you with the necessary information to guide you through this process! Download our floor buying guide here.
Photo courtesy of: designmilk