How to Select the Right Flooring - Is Ceramic Tile Flooring Right for Your Home?
Choosing the right kind of flooring material can be difficult, especially since there are many types of materials to choose from. Often the choice will depend on the following factors:
- The room where the flooring will go
- The amount of foot traffic the floor will be subjected to
- The general feel of the room
There are many factors to consider when deciding on flooring options.
Ceramic Tile Flooring Considerations
Ceramic tiles are a popular flooring option. Constructed of natural clay, ceramic floor tiles are glazed on one side and then fired under extreme heat for resilience. Ceramic tile flooring offers advantages such as:
- Durability
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Stain and moisture resistant
- Easy to clean
- Hygienic
But unlike other resilient types of material used to cover floors, one of the greatest disadvantages to ceramic tiles is its tendency to chip and crack. Maintaining ceramic tiles is also not an easy task and often requires a lot of work. Grout is what seals the tile to keep it looking clean, but eventually the sealant will wear away. The grout must be resealed every year or two or it will begin to look dirty. Grout is also prone to discoloration and the job of resealing grout is often very tedious.
Ceramic tiles are pretty unforgiveable when a hard glass object is dropped on it. If a tile becomes damaged, it must be cut away along the grout lines, which risks damage to the surrounding area during the process. Other cons of ceramic flooring include:
- Tiles can be cold to walk on
- Costly to have tiles removed or replaced
- Tiles can be slippery when wet
- Difficult to install
Apart from flooring, ceramic tiles can be installed almost anywhere from countertops to
kitchen backsplashes to
bathroom showers. Although many homeowners have successfully installed ceramic flooring on their own, installing
tiles requires cutting to fit precise measurements, mortar mixing, and grout application – the entire process is usually best suited to a professional.
A Natural Choice
An alternative to ceramic tile flooring is natural stone, a material with an intrinsic beauty where no two pieces are exactly alike. Natural stone tile is great for a floor, where foot traffic is concentrated and spills and falling objects are frequent since it is tough enough to withstand a lot of wear and tear and still look great. Benefits of natural stone are:
- a timeless, unique appearance;
- perceived value;
- superior durability;
- stain resistant; and
- eco-friendly.
Some of the most commonly used natural stones for flooring are:
- Marble
- Granite
- Quartzite
- Limestone
With so many types of stone to choose from, it can be matched to any décor. Marble looks elegant and sophisticated and granite is urban and edgy and there is a kind of stone to suit every preference. By selecting the right type, style and finish, natural stone meets the visual and performance objectives of any flooring project and more homeowners are using natural stone for their flooring needs.