Choosing The Right Tiles For Your Floor

Choosing The Right Tiles For Your Floor

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The right floor tiles can transform a room, but the choice can be overwhelming. A lot of course, will depend on your budget, but you must also take into account the type of room you are tiling, the amount of wear and tear the tiles will receive, and the surface itself.

Stone floor tiles, for example, look fabulous and are very hard-wearing but are also very unforgiving to cold feet (and dropped crockery).
Nothing beats the look of a stone or marble floor. However, you dont have to go to the expense of the real thing; there are some very clever porcelain and vinyl tiles that give you the same look, but at a fraction of the price.

Some embossed stone-effect tiles, like the ones we sell at Wickes, are almost impossible to tell from the genuine article and are simplicity itself to lay. Although vinyl flooring is less durable than ceramic tiles its a perfect choice for the bathroom, since it gets relatively little wear-and-tear, and is warm underfoot.

Floor tiles come in a variety of sizes from 30 cm to 45 cm plus, and may be square or rectangular. Its important that once you start tiling you continue using the same range, since sizes can vary by 0.5 cm or so per side.

Therefore, once you have cleaned and levelled your floor surface, filling in any cracks and levelling any lumpy areas, you should measure accurately and order what you need to finish the job, allowing a few extra for breakages. Ranges can suddenly change, and another tile that looks the same may not necessarily measure the same.

Before considering your dcor, you should think about the grading of tile you need, as this may affect your choices. Tiles are rated for moisture, exposure and wear-and-tear. Therefore wall tiles may not necessarily be suitable for floors. In general, floor tiles should be water-proof (i.e. sealed or glazed), non-slip, abrasion-resistant (especially in doorways) and durable. They must be safe when wet. If youre not sure if the tiles youre buying are suitable, run your hand over them even highly glazed floor tiles should have a slightly rough feel.

Make sure your tiles match their dcor. Rustic quarry or terracotta tiles look perfect in a Mexican-style setting, while black porcelain can look stunning against modern white or chrome appliances, especially if you use contrasting grouting. Marble or stone, authentic or otherwise, comes in many colours and textures, and can be teamed with practically any decorating scheme you care to mention, be it traditional or modern.

Generally, porcelain tiling is used in bathrooms, and ceramic is used in high-traffic areas such as hallways and kitchens. However, this is mainly down to personal preference. Porcelain is extremely hard-wearing owing to its firing temperature, and today is in a range of finishes. Apart from the glossy modern look, you can get rustic and even volcanic slate-style porcelain tiles. You are not limited to floors by the way a stunning Grecian-style bathroom can be created by continuing a marble tiling theme up the walls. Be creative with contrasting tile effects, and you can have sheer opulence in the smallest of rooms.

About the Author:
Emma writes articles on Home Improvement, including tips on Floor Tiles and how to get the best out of your DIY.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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