You probably already know that picking the best tile flooring for your home is just about as complicated as choosing tile contractors. That is to say, it isn’t easy, and a lot of research must be done, but it isn’t impossible. In order to come up with a stylish and elegant tile that looks right in your home, you’ll need to follow these tips.
Understand the Different Types of Tile
One of the things that make choosing tile so complicated is the fact there are many different varieties. Since tile has literally been around for centuries (there are mosaics from Ancient Greece and Rome that still exist, after all) the flooring has had plenty of time to evolve. Here, we’re going to go into a little depth on those types of tile in order to help you understand them better.
Mosaics
These are usually very tiny tiles that are made from glass or ceramics. They can be used on floors, but only if you choose one of the best tile contractors since they are somewhat complicated to lay.
Stone
Stone tiles were commonly used during the middle ages when castles and other structures needed flooring that was very sturdy. If you pick this type of tile for your home, you’ll have to make sure that the subfloor is perfectly flat and that the edges lay down. If they stick up at all, they can become a tripping hazard.
Travertine
We’ve mentioned stone flooring, and while travertine falls into that category, it’s kind of in a class of its own. Travertine is a sedimentary rock that is sliced thin and turned into tiles. It actually comes in a number of different patterns and colors.
Ceramic and Porcelain
These are some of the most popular types of tiles. They range from the very expensive to the affordable and are usually glazed in order to protect their surfaces. Not only are ceramic and porcelain tiles easy to clean, but they will last for quite some time.
Sizes
Something else to keep in mind is the size of the tiles. As we already explained, they vary from very small mosaics to large pieces that can take up a good area of the floor. On top of this, tiles can range from squares and rectangles to things like hexagons. You really have a lot of choices here.
Choosing Your Tile
Before you head to a tile store and begin to look around, you need to know several things, such as how large your floor is. You’ll need this measurement for budgeting purposes. Tiles range in price from the very inexpensive to the expensive, and you need to keep your budget in mind while you’re shopping around. Also, you need to know what colors and patterns will look best in your home. If you can, snap a few pictures of the room on your smartphone so that you can pull it out at the store. The experts there can help you make an educated decision.
