Today I’m sharing pros and cons of one more flooring type, and it’s tile. The beauty and allure of tile flooring lasts a very long time when it is maintained properly. Tiles are characterized by being stronger, harder, purer, and more water resistant than these already durable materials.
Tile Floors For Kitchens
I think that tiles are one of the best choices for a kitchen because it’s often a high-traffic area where anything can be spilled or dropped on the floor. Tiles are resistant to most heavy impact stresses and to liquid penetration. Staining agents can’t easily penetrate down through the material dimensionally. When glazed this effect is even more dramatic, making it nearly impossible to discolor the surface of these tiles. Tiles are very easy to maintain: all the spills can be cleaned with a damp rag and periodic damp mopping with a solution of pH balanced dish soap and water makes it easy to disinfect the area. If properly installed and maintained, porcelain has the ability to last for decades of recommended use.
Tile Floors For Bathrooms
A bathroom is another area, where installing tile flooring is a great idea, and tiles here are the most popular choice. First of all, due to the same cool properties of the tiles: durability, water resistance, strike resistance, low maintenance and easy cleaning, which is essential in such a damp space as a bathroom. There are many different types and styles of tile to choose from—including ceramic, porcelain, quarry and marble—a homeowner can easily find a flooring solution that meets design needs and budget. Bold tiles often make up the whole bathroom, especially if it’s decorated in white.
Yet you should know that tile flooring that is not installed over a radiant floor heating system offers a cold, hard walking surface. If you live in a cold-weather climate and don’t have radiant floor heat, you will need to wear slippers on cold winter mornings. Grout is a porous material even when set, and it needs to be sealed in order to prevent damage from regular use. Even when properly cared for, these features can sometimes be corrupted by humidity and insidious moisture, causing them to discolor with mold and mildew.
Tile Floors For Entryways
Entryways are high-traffic areas that need to be water, strike and stain resistant, and tiles are one of the best ideas here. If the tile used has been glazed, its beauty will last for years with very little extra maintenance. As long as the tiles and the grout are sealed, this type of flooring is the best at withstanding water.
Glazed tiles, while easy to maintain, can prove to be slippery if they get wet. While tiles can withstand heavy foot traffic, they can be easily chipped or cracked if something heavy is dropped on them. These materials tend to be resistant to cracking and breakage from physical impacts. However if damage does occur to a tile, the individual porcelain piece can be removed and replaced.
Tile Floors For Other Spaces
Basically, tiles can be used in any space because of durability and stylish look. Tile floors are also nontoxic (as long as nontoxic grout is used) and excellent for those who suffer from allergies. They are also great for homes with pets, as accidents can be cleaned up easily and the hard surface is capable of withstanding a dog’s nails. But unlike carpet or cork flooring, tile has no insulation properties and does nothing to dampen the sound in a room. Keep that all in mind when choosing tiles for your rooms.