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Ceramic Flooring Tile
Ceramic is popular in laundry rooms, bathrooms, the kitchen, and other spaces. This versatile material is used around the house for both indoor and outdoor use as wall tile and floor tile. For homeowners looking into getting ceramic tile floors installed as opposed to cement, laminate, wood, vinyl, or natural stone, here’s what you need to know.
The Advantages of Ceramic Tile Flooring
This type of tile is used in homes because it is:
Durable
Ceramic is extremely durable which is why it is used on walls in the bathroom, kitchen backsplash, and countertops. Ceramic floor tile, with proper installation and care, can withstand heavy foot traffic, water damage, heat, and will last 10 years to 20 years.
Low-Maintenance
Ceramic tile flooring is moisture and stain resistant which makes it easy to take care of. Dirt and stains can be cleaned up with a vacuum or liquid cleaner.
Good at Keeping Air Clean
When you install ceramic tile flooring, it will keep your space allergen-free. Unlike traditional carpet flooring, ceramic floor tile will not harbor dust, pollen, animal fur, or dirt. You can easily move around furniture and when you clean so that you can maintain your room’s air quality.
Versatile
When you shop for ceramics, there are different shapes, styles, and patterns to choose from. You can easily keep up with the trends and shop for solid colors or a finish that will compliment the color of the grout lines of your ceramic floor.
Eco-friendly
Ceramic is made out of raw materials that can also be recycled. Not only is this type of flooring affordable, they last long and will not need to be replaced often with proper care. Ceramic tile can also help you save on electricity because of how they keep your floors cool when the temperatures are high and warm when the colder months come around.
How to Choose the Right Tile Flooring for You
Color & Finish
Manufacturers have made it possible for ceramic tile to come in nearly every color on the spectrum. Choose between unglazed or glazed tiles depending on the interior design of your space. Ceramic tiles can also mimic how natural stone, marble, slate, and wood look but are more affordable alternatives to these materials.
Design
Ceramic tile can be manufactured with different textures and shaped into more than just a square. Popular shapes include:
Rectangle
Chevron
Hexagon
Circle
Fish Scale
Diamond
Mosaic
Plank
Rating
Before you install tiles, you will need to choose a specific rating for different areas around your home. Ceramic and porcelain tile thatt are glazed have the following Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) ratings:
Grade 1: tile of this grade is suitable for walls. Tiles can be used in the bathroom, as accents, or kitchen backsplashes.
Grade 2: tiles can be installed in light traffic areas. Use these tiles in a formal dining room.
Grade 3: tile can used in kitchen countertops, walls, or flooring in rooms with regular foot traffic.
Grade 4: hotels, restaurants, your corridor, or areas with moderate foot traffic can use tiles with this rating for floors.
Grade 5: heavy traffic areas use this type of tile for the floor but this is rarely used in residential homes.
Size
Small spaces will need a different tile size than your spacious outdoor recreation area. A smaller tile is great for a reading nook, spare bathrooms, or closets and you can choose colors, designs, or finishes that compliment the color of your grout. You will have fewer grout lines when you use larger tiles and your space will seem more continuous.
Depending on the shape you choose for the tiles for your floor, the typical sizes include:
Square Tile: 2”, 3”, 4”, 6”, 8”, 12”, 16”, 18”, 24”
Rectangle Tile: 1” by 4”, 2” by 6, 3” by 8”, 4” by 12”
Hexagon Tile: 4”, 6”, 8”
Mosaic Tile: ½” by ½ “, 2” by 2”
Plank Tile: 4” by 12”, 6” by 24”, 7” by 20”, 8” by 32”, 9” by 36”, 12” by 24”, 16” by 32”
Cost
Ceramic tile flooring, per square foot and installation, will cost you from $500 to $10,000. A small room and DIY tile installation can cost a total of $500 but kitchen remodelling with high-quality ceramics will need at least $2,500 to get done.
FAQs About a Ceramic Tile Floor
What are ceramic tiles made of?
Ultimately, ceramic tile is made out of natural clay but this type of tile is a mix of other materials too. Water, sand, and feldspar are mixed into clay before being heated up in a kiln for your floor.
Is ceramic tile good for floors?
Yes, this specific tile is a popular material because of the glaze that makes protects it from stains as well as daily wear and tear. Unlike other materials, ceramic tile can be used in every room of your home as well as outdoor areas. It can be used underneath your stone sculpture in the garden, a glass table in the living room, or to complement your quartz countertop in the kitchen.
Ceramic and porcelain tile. What is better?
Ceramic or porcelain tile are both popular choices but porcelain is better for high traffic areas in residential areas because it is a more dense tile.
