Three Essential Tile Buying Tips From Home Improvement Pros

Buying tile flooring couldn't be easier, just pick out the ones you like and you're done right? There's actually a lot of little things about purchasing flooring that will make the finished job look better, last longer, and even save you money. With a few simple tips and tricks, you'll be enjoying a whole new room for a long time.

Porcelain Or Ceramic?

If you've shopped for tile, you've probably noticed that porcelain is a bit more expensive than ceramic. But is the added value of porcelain really worth the price difference? If you were to break two identical tiles, one from each material, you'll find one significant difference: The colors in the porcelain tile will go through the entire thickness of the tile while the ceramic one only has color on the surface.

Porcelain is fired at a higher temperature, so the hardness rating of porcelain is much higher. While this may not seem that significant, if you were to drop something and chip the flooring, you'll see it immediately with ceramic, whereas the chip will be less noticeable with porcelain.
Hardness

Just like carpeting, tile is rated at different levels of hardness or traffic levels. You'll want to consider the space you are using the flooring in and choose accordingly. In all, there are five different ratings:
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Light Traffic (I) -- This flooring doesn't take abuse or wear well at all. In fact, the slightest scuff of a hard-soled shoe can ruin its surface. It should only be used in rooms that see the lightest traffic such as a bathroom or closet.

-Medium Traffic (II) -- This takes a small amount of traffic and slightly more abuse than the first level, but it still doesn't stand up well enough to use in a kitchen or entryway.

-Medium-Heavy Traffic (III) -- This is the standard traffic type you can use almost anywhere. It resists damage well enough to handle daily kitchen or entryway traffic and has an average price tag.

-Heavy Traffic (IV) -- This level of flooring withstands more abuse than the standard level and may even be referred to as 'high-traffic tile'. It can even be used in businesses or commercial settings that see a lighter amount of traffic.

-Extra or Ultra Heavy Traffic (V) -- This is the highest level that can be used almost anywhere. It will take some impact and is excellent at resisting traffic. It is the most expensive, and often referred to as 'premium commercial', but it is also the most resilient.

Trying to cut costs by purchasing a lower rated tile than the actual traffic can cost you money in the long run. Be honest with your assessment of how much traffic each area receives and choose the appropriate rated tile.

Cozying Up Cold Floors

While tile can be cold and hard on your feet, there are several ways to remedy this and still enjoy the look of this flooring material. Systems such as in-floor heating are an affordable way to warm your house and the floor without spending large amounts of money. Since the heating system goes in the underlayment beneath the tiles, you can have it installed at the same time as the tiling. Another other option is to use mats or area rugs where you will spend a lot of your time standing. Apply a sheet of a non-slip backing and they'll stay in place while complementing your design.

With any home remodeling project, it's essential to think about the long-term cost of the project -- Will you be redoing work to repair cheap materials 3 years from now, or will your materials withstand wear and tear gracefully over time? Will you enjoy the way you feel in your home once it is complete? With these few helpful buying tips, you can feel confident that you'll get your money's worth from your next home renovation so that you can enjoy your place called home.