How to Choose a Perfect Tile Type for Every Room?
When considering tile flooring, you need to ensure that there is no kind of lack of materials, colors, textures and designs to select from. But not every type of tile is proper for every space. Here are the tips you can consider when choosing a tile style for every room in your home.
- Tile hardness
When you are researching on different types of floor times, you need to pay keen attention to the hardness of the tile on the basis of Moh’s scale. This scale helps in measuring the ability of the material to bear the wear or foot traffic and the scratches as well. The ratings are being officially issued by the Porcelain Enamel Institute and are determined on the basis of rigorous lab testing. This scale will help you in choosing a product that is ideal for your room function.
- Tile porosity
This can be determined by the ratio of air holes to solids in a tile which can affect the amount of water it can take in. If you are installing it in a moisture prone area like kitchen, bathroom, laundry room etc. then you need to pay close attention to the rating. Porosity classification are as follows:
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- Impervious: 0.5 percent or less water absorption; can be used for kitchen and bathroom
- Vitreous: 0.5 percent to 3 percent.
- Semi vitreous: 3 to 7 percent
- Non-vitreous: more than 7 percent. Not recommended for floor use.
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- Slip resistant
Most of the tile materials are slippery when water is put into the equation. If you have kids and elderly in the house, they you need to install the slip resistant tile. If bathroom is the place where most fall accidents take place, then you need to install slip resistant tile. Go for a tile with higher COF or coefficient of friction. It is ideal to install tiles which are 4×4 in dimensions or smaller. Don’t install the ones with 6×6 or higher. You have following options to consider.
- Ceramic or Porcelain:
Always select a product that has a special textured surface. Ask the Club Ceramic professional about the slip resistance coating.
- Slate
This pretty stone comes with natural slip resistant texture.
- Small size tile like glass, mosaic, etc.
These tiles bear more grout lines which render the surface more textured and hence slip resistant as well. you can also consider penny tile rounds which look beautiful and have great traction too.
