Ceramic tiles are very popular nowadays, and they can complement any home because they are beautiful and long-lasting. Wherever you are redesigning or building a new home, choosing the ideal ceramic tile for the area can improve its overall appearance and functionality.
Making the right choice is crucial for the success of your project. This guide will take you through the most important factors to take into account when purchasing tiles or visiting any tile showroom.
Are you searching for a tile shop or showroom in Bromley? End your search with Rouse Tile Studio. We can help you find a durable tile that aligns perfectly with your idea and your house’s interior. Call us at 020 8777 1787 or send us an email at info@rousetilestudio.co.uk, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
“Uplift and enhance your home with Rouse Tile Studio’s tiles that are modern and durable”
Factors to Consider While Choosing Perfect Ceramic Tile
When choosing ceramic tiles for your home, consider the following points to help you choose the right tile in the market.
1. Location and Function
You should consider the place where you want to fit the tiles while choosing the type of tiles to lay. While part of the home may require durability, another part may need slip resistance, and another part may require resistance to moisture.
- Kitchen
Regarding the kitchen flooring, it is a good idea to choose robust and not very demanding tiles in the cleaning process. Ceramic tiles with glossy and rough surfaces should be preferred for flooring applications because they can resist staining and offer a smooth surface for walking.
- Bathroom
As confined indoor spaces, bathrooms need to have reliable moisture resistance features. Floor tiles with a shiny and smooth surface provide a better feel for any bathroom floor, and wall tiles with glazed, waterproof surfaces are easily washable.
- Living Areas
For living rooms and areas, choose tiles with a glaze that can protect them against wear and tear from people walking on the floor.
- Outdoor Spaces
Due to their sturdiness, ceramic tiles are unglazed in outdoor applications such as patios and walkways. Check whether the tiles are frost-resistant so you can use them during winter in your climate zone if you live in a cold area.
2. Style and Design
They are available in a wide variety of colours, as well as in patterns, shapes, and sizes, which makes it very easy to achieve any preferred theme.
- Colour
When choosing tiles for your home, it is important to take into account the colour of the walls. If a room has a small area, then light-coloured tiles are the best to give an appearance of a larger space; however, if a room is relatively huge, then the dark coloured tiles will make the room look warm.
- Pattern and Texture
Textured tiles can bring an additional layer of character to the space, while patterned can bring the sense of an individual approach. The patterns should also be compatible with the scale of the room; for instance, large-scale patterns should be placed in small rooms or small-scale patterns in large rooms.
- Shape and Size
Ceramic tiles can be placed in various geometrical forms, such as square, rectangle, hexagonal, etc. Straight sets are timeless and suitable for all interior design tendencies, and narrow tiles can make a room look longer. Hexagonal shapes are also more modern compared to circles, as evidenced by the practices of delivering food online. The size of the tile itself also influences the portion of the room.
3. Quality and Durability
Durability and performance should also be considered before selecting the right ceramic tiles based on the following quality factors:
- PEI Rating
The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating is used to determine the abrasion coefficient of a tile. The rating for the scale is from 0 to 5, and the closer to 5, the higher the durability in the assessment. An ideal minimum ISO PEI rating for a residential building is often considered 3 for floors and lower for walls.
- Water Absorption Rate
The water absorption rate shows how much water a tile can absorb. It is found that tiles with a lower absorption coefficient are more appropriate for use in moisture-prone areas. While using tiles for bathrooms and kitchens, using tiles with an absorption rate of less than 3%-absorbing water at a slow pace is advisable.
- Slip Resistance
The coefficient of friction (COF) is used to describe the slip resistance of a tile in relation to the frictional forces. The inverse ratio is preferred, suggesting that the higher the COF, the better the slip resistance, especially for places like bathrooms or kitchens.
4. Installation and Maintenance
- Installation
Ceramic tiles can cosmetically appeal to any surface and can be installed in large regions and elaborate designs; hence, consider hiring a professional to install your ceramic tiles. Installation refers to the process of laying the tiles in the correct manner so that they are straight, equidistant from one another, and have been fixed properly.
- Maintenance
Ceramic tiles are very durable, but they must be cleaned often, which makes them slightly easier to maintain than most other tile options. To clean those tiles, use a little soap and warm water, then wipe them with a soft mop or a cloth. Do not use acid and strong alkaline-based cleansers as they can streak the glaze.
Every once in a while, use epoxy to seal the grout lines to discourage the formation of stains and moisture intrusion.
Conclusion
Selecting the most appropriate ceramic tile for a given home requires conscientiousness when it comes to position, fashion, durability, and cleaning. It will be easier to know which type of tile is best suited for use in a particular area due to the unique properties of each before engaging in the buying process.
