Your tile flooring guide
If you haven't shopped for tile recently, you might be surprised at the almost unlimited assortment of colors, designs, shapes, and sizes, all of which add glamour and value to a home. However, keep in mind that ceramic tiles all behave differently, making some better for some installations than others, and that will impact your remodeling project. Read labels carefully and talk, in detail, with the professionals at our tile shop in Fort Smith, AR, about how you plan to use them.
Porcelain tile: waterproof and durable
This is frequently chosen for heavily trafficked floors in busy rooms because it's heavier and waterproof. While it's great for the kitchen and bath, it also comes in countless colors and patterns that add glamour to living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms, and on walls and tub-shower surrounds. It also stands up to any weather condition, making it a good choice for patio and deck floors.
This large-format tile is often the preferred choice for stone or wood-look tile, which, thanks to modern technology like InkJet, has realistic grain patterns in all colors, including high variation. Also available are intricate veining variations for stone looks, as well as fabric and leather textures. Porcelain is often in 8 X 10 size but can go as large as 25 X 25.
This large-format tile is often the preferred choice for stone or wood-look tile, which, thanks to modern technology like InkJet, has realistic grain patterns in all colors, including high variation. Also available are intricate veining variations for stone looks, as well as fabric and leather textures. Porcelain is often in 8 X 10 size but can go as large as 25 X 25.
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Other ceramics to consider for tile flooring include:
- The 4 X 4 squares. The highly designed pieces are thinner and, when glazed, have a hard outer coating and are waterproof. These are best for moderately trafficked indoor floors and are often seen on backsplashes. Be sure to ask about grout sealing, as it will prevent stains and make cleaning easier.
- Mosaics. These tiny, highly decorated pieces are now trending for bathroom floors, adding visual appeal in a single color or intricate pattern. Mosaics also have many grout lines that can enhance traction or grip, which might be of particular interest if you have children or senior residents in your home. They are highly durable and resistant to mold, mildew, and bacteria.
- Subway tiles. While they can be used on the floor, they should be kept for indoor, low-traffic spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms with smaller families. Formerly only available as white rectangles, they now come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. Mix and match them to create a unique design.
