There was a time when tiles were confined to the bathroom as flooring and wall material. But not anymore. Tiles for the modern homes are seen in the living room, the kitchen backsplash, and the floor—practically the whole house can be tiled, if you so choose to.
Manufacturers now offer tiles of different shapes and sizes, with designs that range from simple to intricate, and more colors than the colors of the rainbow. All these give the tile the ability to lend a distinctive personality to any room. All that’s needed is a professional company that uses a reliable tile levelling system, and your home would resemble a modern work of art.
But how do you choose the right tiles for your home? Here are some guidelines you can use:
1. Hardness matters
The first thing to consider is the hardness of the tile. You can measure the tile’s hardness using the Mohs scale. You are looking for the material’s ability to wear due to foot traffic, as well as scratching from various sources. This rating came from the Porcelain Enamel Institute based on their comprehensive laboratory testing. Use this scale as a basis to choose which tile is best suited to your room’s function.
Class 1: Not for foot traffic. Best for wall application
Class 2: Light foot traffic only (bedroom or bathroom), or interior wall applications
Class 3: Light to moderate traffic; Ideal for areas with normal foot traffic, such as living rooms and bedroom
Class 4: Moderate to heavy traffic. Applicable to all areas of the home
Class 5: Heavy to extra heavy traffic. Kitchens and entryways are the top users of class 5 tiles. Perfect as well for commercial facilities
2. Tile porosity
Porosity refers to the ratio of air holes to solids, and this has a direct correlation to the amount of water it absorbs.
3. Choose porcelain
You won’t go wrong with porcelain, as it is strong, resists moisture really well, and comes in various designs.
4. Slip resistance
Most tiles tend to be slippery, especially when wet. If the home has children or elderly, a major consideration should be placed on non-slip tiles for the kitchen, especially in the bathroom. The ideal tiles to get for these areas are those with a high COF or coefficient of friction. In addition, the ideal size would be 4 by 4 inches or smaller. Never use tiles that are bigger than 6 by 6 inches. Here are some tile materials to consider.
a. Ceramic or porcelain. Some ceramic tiles feature a textured surface, and this is a perfect anti-slip measure. Ask your tile expert about slip-resistant coatings.
b. Slate. Slate has a natural slip-resistant texture, in addition to being beautiful.
c. Small tiles such as glass and mosaic. These smaller tiles would require more grouting, hence more slip resistance is achieved.
5. Effect of colored tiles to space
To make a small room appear bigger, or if a room has no natural light, install light colored tiles. The perfect colors for this include white, beige, sand, and cream. Ideally, larger tiles should be used, as these would make a tiny room look and feel bigger.
Choosing the right tiles could be a challenge, but there are tile companies that could help you in your selection. Your home will benefit from the choice you will make, so make a careful decision.
