The Benefits of Tile Flooring in your Kitchen or Bathroom
There are so many benefits for installing tile flooring in your kitchen or bathroom that it’s often difficult to decide where to begin. It’s the ideal flooring choice for a number of reasons including moisture resistance, color and style options, and its durability and ease of maintenance. No matter what design plan you had in mind, there is a tile floor that will fit exactly what you’re looking for.
The kitchen and bathroom remains two of the most active areas in a home so it makes sense to choose a durable floor. Tile flooring whether it’s marble, porcelain, slate or ceramic is a very durable material while also providing a superior level of protection against water damage. Since the kitchen and bathroom floors are subject to the most water exposure, choosing a material the gives you the most protection against moisture will save you a lot of headaches down the road. Although laminate flooring can provide the look of tile flooring it’s nowhere close to the level of moisture protection that tile flooring guarantees.
The one drawback of tile flooring compared to other products like vinyl flooring is the cost associated with these floors. Tile floors unlike laminate floors require an experienced craftsman to install properly. Given the skill level in setting tile as well as making the difficult cuts around plumbing fixtures and door jambs; installing this floor is not recommended for a beginner. In addition to working with the tile, installers must be capable of mixing and working with thinset mortar. This material is spread over the subfloor with a ¼” trowel creating a bed of mortar in which the tiles are set. Inexperience in mixing this material will result in too much or too little water in the mortar, causing the tiles to set-up improperly. A good tile flooring contractor can make the difference between a nice looking floor and a spectacular looking floor.
In addition to the increased costs in labor for installing a tile floor, the costs of the materials themselves are greater than that of laminate or vinyl floors. Marble and limestone are the most expensive materials used in tile flooring with porcelain and ceramic tiles being the cheapest of the four. Every tile floor requires the selection of a grout type and color to complete the installation. Depending on your selections, grout and tile can run anywhere from $4 a square foot up to $10 a square foot.
Where tile floors really separate themselves from vinyl or laminate floors is with their ability to conform to any design and color scheme fathomable. Floor tile is available in a wide range of sizes from smaller sizes of 8”x8” to larger sizes such as 24”x24”. Another popular size and design for tile floors is called mosaic tile flooring. These tile floors are made up of small individual tiles that are arranged in a pattern on an adhesive backed mesh sheet. The size of the sheet can vary from 12”x12” to 18”x18”
Most distributors offer numerous accent tiles and inserts to complement your design. Tile floors can also be installed on a 45° angle to the room, giving the floor a diamond pattern. Adding a custom tile insert at the center of 4 converging tiles is a popular design feature that can achieve breathtaking results. Mosaic and larger tiles are all capable of being installed in the diamond patter as well, giving homeowners and designer’s infinite possibilities.
Maintaining a tile floor is made easier if a tile and grout sealer was applied after the floor installation was completed. The sealer actually penetrates the grout and tile forming a protective barrier against stains and discoloring. The seal actually makes the floor easier to clean by preventing the dirt from working its way into the porous parts of the tile. If a high quality sealer was applied than all that is required to keep your floor looking new for long time is some soap, water and a mop.
When properly installed, tile flooring is unsurpassed in its ability to provide a moisture resistant floor for your bathroom or kitchen while also enhancing the overall look of your home.
Filed Under Vinyl Floors |
Tagged With Tile Flooring