Why tile floor
Whatever type of look you want to create for your kitchen floor, from the shine of ceramic surfaces to the elegance of natural stone, it is available in tile flooring. The tiles used for the floor are made from a wide range of materials including travertine, granite, marble, slate and other types of natural stone. They are also available in porcelain, ceramic and other man-made materials.
All these materials, both natural and man-made, offer the ability to withstand heavy use and humidity with low maintenance and are ideal for high traffic areas such as kitchens.
The benefits of tile flooring
- The tile floor offers you a large range of materials, colors, designs, shapes, sizes and textures that makes matching your floor with the rest of the kitchen decor easy.
- Stone, ceramic and porcelain tiles are very durable. Stones can serve you for a lifetime if properly maintained.
- Natural stone tiles not only offer a world-class finish, but also add value to your home and increase the resale value.
- Stone tiles offer a unique look as no two tiles are ever absolutely identical.
- Tiles made from natural stones such as granite, ceramic and porcelain are extremely hard, which makes them very resistant to scratches.
- If a tile should be damaged, a professional installer will be able to replace the tile with ease.
- Stone, ceramic and porcelain tile flooring is a good choice if you plan to install a radiant heat system under your kitchen floor because these materials do not catch fire.
The limitations of the tile floor
- Because stone, ceramic and porcelain tiles are so hard, most objects thrown at them will break or sustain extensive damage.
- While they are very hard, ceramic and porcelain tiles are also very brittle and therefore fragile.
- Also, the hard surface of the tiles can make standing on your feet for long periods uncomfortable.
- Stone, ceramic and porcelain tiles tend to retain the ambient cold which can be a problem in heating the kitchen when you live in a cold climate.
- While glazed tiles look elegant, the glass makes the surface slippery. This may require placing rugs in areas of your kitchen where the chances of slipping are greatest. A plus of using carpets is that they will reduce the problem of cold floor tiles to some extent.
- The grouting used to fill the gaps between the tiles becomes porous over time and absorbs dirt and germs. Therefore extra effort is required to keep the tile floor clean.
The cost of the tile floor
Prices range from $5 per square foot and up depending on material, size, design and manufacturer. Custom made tiles can be quite expensive.
To reduce the cost of stone tile flooring, you can mix stone tiles with cheaper ceramic ones. To economize even more, you can use vinyl or laminate flooring that looks like stone or ceramic tile.
Tile floor buying tips
1. Always buy extra tiles and store them. Finding replacements for damaged tiles can be difficult and expensive.
2. The PEI rating of a ceramic tile indicates its hardness and ability to stand up to wear and the amount of water it will absorb. For the kitchen ceramic tiles with a PEI rating of group III and higher are best.
3. If you want to reduce the seams and grout lines, you should go for larger size tiles. This will also make the tile floor easier to clean.
4. If you want the tiles to be noticeable and stand out, choose a grout color that is different from the tiles and if you want the tiles to blend in, choose a color close to that of the tiles.
5. Remember that you can mix and match tiles of different sizes, shapes and materials to create floor patterns and designs of your choice.
Installation of a tile floor
The installation of stone, ceramic and porcelain tiles requires care, precision and experience. A wrongly placed tile will break sooner or later. The installation of these tiles requires the use of special tools, base preparation, leveling and sealing. It takes a lot of time. This is why it is best left to the professionals.
Knowing where your layout is going is also important and the size and placement of the cuts are crucial to the look and strength of the finished floor.
Tile floor maintenance
Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
It is best to seal the floor surface of tiles made of natural stone or unglazed ceramic tiles, as they are porous. Resealing will be required on a regular basis. Sealing prevents water and other liquids from entering the pores, as this can lead to staining or roughening of the surface.
The grouting will also require regular resealing.
Do not allow acidic spills such as tomato, lemon juice and vinegar to remain on the tile floor as they can damage the finish.
Do not drag or drop heavy objects on or off the floor as the tiles may scratch or crack.
How to get the best price on a tile floor
Amazon seems to be one of the best places to buy tile flooring from (sponsored link). Besides the best prices, their customer-friendly policies make shopping from them a pleasure.
