The tile flooring buying guide
Chances are you have already decided on tile flooring. These floors are stylish, waterproof, durable, and quite affordable. It is a material that can be truly appropriate in any room in the house, from high moisture places like the bath and mudrooms to entrance foyers, living areas, and bedrooms. Even though tiles might look alike, however, they all behave very differently in various installations, so it's important to know what to look for. Here's a guide to help you through the process.
Floor tiles are different than wall tiles
Tiles for floors are thicker than the ones for walls, and each box is clearly labeled as to how it should be used. There's another rating, set by the Porcelain & Enamel Institute, that further breaks down glazed tiles by durability. This rating system goes from C-1 to C-5 and, as the numbers increase, so does the durability. For residential use, it's recommended to choose C-3 or C-4. The C-5 grade is usually taken for commercial installations. Be sure to tell your tile flooring retailer exactly how you plan to use them.
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Ceramic tile explained
Ceramic is the word for any tile that is composed of clay, even if it includes other materials. Porcelain, for example, is a type of ceramic, but it also includes sand and glass. It is heavier and denser, making it appropriate for busy, high traffic rooms like the kitchen.
It is also composed of a completely non-porous clay so, it is waterproof whether or not it's glazed. Porcelain is suitable for use indoors or out and comes in an almost unlimited number of colors and patterns, such as wood, stone, or leather. Other ceramics include the 4 X 4 squares, mosaics, and subway tiles.
It is also composed of a completely non-porous clay so, it is waterproof whether or not it's glazed. Porcelain is suitable for use indoors or out and comes in an almost unlimited number of colors and patterns, such as wood, stone, or leather. Other ceramics include the 4 X 4 squares, mosaics, and subway tiles.
Natural stone tiles: beauty and function
These are natural, not man-made, so no two tiles are ever alike; each slab will have a unique color and pattern variation. Some natural stone tiles, such as travertine, marble, and limestone, require regular sealing, an easy process, to handle their porosity. They work especially well on floors and bathroom walls. Granite is non-porous so, it's ideal for the kitchen, not only floors but also countertops. Slate holds up well with climate and temperature changes and is suitable for outdoor use.
You can't go wrong with tile floors! For some inspiration, come in to speak to our experts at the Urban Floors showrooms in Walled Lake, Sylvan Lake, Plymouth, MI, and Nashville, TN, and get your free, no-obligation quote for your tile flooring. We serve Metro Detroit surrounding areas and more, such as Walled Lake, MI, Flushing, MI, Detroit, MI, Flint, MI, and Novi, MI.
You can't go wrong with tile floors! For some inspiration, come in to speak to our experts at the Urban Floors showrooms in Walled Lake, Sylvan Lake, Plymouth, MI, and Nashville, TN, and get your free, no-obligation quote for your tile flooring. We serve Metro Detroit surrounding areas and more, such as Walled Lake, MI, Flushing, MI, Detroit, MI, Flint, MI, and Novi, MI.
