By guest blogger, Lauren Bracy
A house looks great when it’s well constructed, but it becomes lovelier, even beautiful when its interiors are carefully chosen and well placed. Everything must match as well as functional from floor to ceiling, furniture and decorations, and any permanent fixture. Extra care must be taken to ensure that they’re durable and worth every cent spent on them.
One of the things that need careful planning are the floors. They cover a wide expanse of space and although they’re only given a cursory glance most of the time, they can be an eyesore if not well thought out or placed. Then of course, you need to take into consideration, its wear and tear.
So when you plan on getting the floors done, make sure you make some research on the different kinds of flooring available. Floor tiles are a popular choice and there are many kinds available in the market. A lot of factors are considered in choosing the right tiles, such as the overall colour or style of the house or its interiors, which room its for, and the traffic or equipment placed in a particular part of your home.
Here’s a helpful overview about the different kinds of floor tiles.
There are a lot of natural items used to create amazing floor tiles. Although many use hard wood for flooring, ceramic and porcelain tiles made of clay and sand are the more popular choices since they are easier to maintain and simply more practical. The most commonly used tiles for flooring include granite, marble, bluestone, faux wood, and onyx.
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Granite
One of the most durable natural stone used for flooring is granite. It is an igneous rock which has the most beautiful shade of pink to grey. The variation of the colours of granite makes it ideal for glamorous and sophisticated homes.
Marble
Marble is very durable which makes it the ideal choice for floor tiles. You can find a lot of choices in terms of colour for this metamorphic rock. When polished, the marble can produce a different look and shine.
Bluestone
Bluestone is very tough and resistant to wear and tear. This makes it appropriate for inside as well as outside of the house. It is actually a type of basalt and has a shade of blue,hence the name, bluestone.
Faux wood
Faux wood provides the warmth of real wood but is very easy to maintain. And it looks like wood! These are durable enough to be used in different parts of the house.
Onyx
It is of a soft and transparent quality of stone that’s available in neutral and smooth tones as well as texture. It’s suitable for indoor use on floors – and even counter tops.
Now there are ways to choose the right tiles for your home, and the most basic factors to consider are size, colour, style and texture.
Size
Tiles are available in different sizes; from as tiny as 3/8” mosaic to as big as 5’ x 10’ panel of porcelain. Bigger tiles generally give the impression of large space, however, they are also difficult to fit into tiny rooms. Hence, it is ideal to match the size of the tiles to the size of the room.
Colour
You can choose the colour of your tiles to one that matches the décor of the house. Light coloured tiles often give the impression of bigger space, while the darker shades offer warmth. You can choose a neutral colour to complement changes in your home accessories or you can make a bold statement with a vibrant colour. Before you choose your tiles, lay out some pieces in the actual room, for you to get a better look as to how the colour will look in the space.
Style according to the space
It is not necessary to have the same tiles in all rooms of the house. Ideally, tiles should be chosen according to use and the style of your home. The kitchen should have tiles that can remain dry, easy to maintain, and most importantly, durable. A clean and non-glossy kind can be chosen for the kitchen. Natural stone or wooden flooring tiles with a bit of earthy shade can be appropriate for the bedroom. While a more neutral shade and abrasion-resistant tiles can be used for your living room. Bathrooms should have a lighter colour for its tiles, to give an impression of bigger space. But it should also be one of the more durable kind of tiles since it is constantly exposed to water.
Texture
Texture is important, not just for aesthetics but for safety as well. Textured tiles with a matte finish are usually less slippery compared to the more shiny ones. This makes them ideal for the kitchen, the bathroom, and your outdoor space. If you have small children in the house, slip resistant natural stones would be a good choice.
When in doubt, consult an expert…
We know what we want when it comes to our homes and that includes the flooring, but it can be costly in terms of budget and safety if we make the wrong choice. When it comes to the big stuff, we still go back to the age-old advice – consult an expert. In this case, your home builder or a reliable local supplier for tiles in your area.
