Tips for Selecting the Right Floor Tiles
While you might think that all tile floors look the same, that is not exactly the case. There are a number of differences between various types of tiles, which is why you should get acquainted with them. Tiles are made out of a combination of solvents, minerals, and clay, which is then heated to very high temperatures. Although the tile may be lefts as is, after the heating process, it should be glazed, in order for it to be used in areas where spillage is imminent, such as the bathroom or the kitchen.
Besides the obvious beauty reason, there are a number of other factors that should assure you that ceramic tiles are a perfect match for your bathroom or kitchen. Tiles are quite strong and resilient, as well as flame resistant. In addition to that, tile flooring does not conduct electricity or heat and it does not absorb any chemicals or odors.
Before you decide to go to a tile flooring store in Austin, you should take some time aside and get to know everything there is about different tiles, in order to choose the one that will be a perfect match for your household.
Porcelain Ceramic Tiles
Most of the tiles available in tile flooring warehouses around the world are ceramic tiles. These tiles are classified as porcelain and non-porcelain tiles. Non-porcelain tiles are usually made out of white or red clay. In most cases, they are easier to cut than their porcelain counterparts and are suitable for moderate traffic. However, they absorb water more than porcelain tiles, which is why they are less resistant cooler temperatures. In addition to that, they are prone to showing wear and tear. However, ceramic tiles usually cost a lot less than porcelain tiles.
Porcelain tiles are made by pressing porcelain clays together, which yields a dense tile, which is smooth and fine-grained. In general, they possess a better overall quality than non-porcelain ceramic tiles. Every tile flooring store in Austin will have both porcelain and non-porcelain ceramic tiles for sale.
Stone Flooring
Besides ceramic tiles, there are other options for the flooring in your home, including various stone tiles. Natural stone tiles differ greatly from one type to another, but the most common types of stones used are marble, limestone, slate, granite, and travertine. Even so, cement tiles are a man-made option.
Marble is one of the most popular stone tiles, best known for its unique color pallets that are quite marvelous. Because marble is softer than most other tiles made out of natural stone, marble is not recommended for the kitchen, but it can be a perfect match for bathroom walls and flooring. If you are looking for marble tiles in Austin, look no further than the Chase Flooring.
Slate is the metamorphic rock that is fine-grained and composed out of chlorite, micas, and quartz. It is quite dense and tough, which makes it a perfect fit for a number of rooms of your house. It comes in quite a few colors, although the most range from black and grey to green.
Limestone is a sedimentary rock made primarily out of calcium carbonate and it is softer than marble or travertine. It is one of the most common stones you can find, which is why it usually has a higher price, compared to the other stone tiles. However, since it is highly porous, it is not recommended for kitchen countertops or wet bars.
Granite is a dense grained stone, known for its hardiness, which is second in the world, behind the diamond. Granite tiles combine durability with intricate patterns and designs. After the initial polishing, granite tiles will always maintain that same finish, Because of its durability, this type of natural stone tiles is best used for high traffic areas and kitchen countertops.
Vinyl Tiles
If you find yourself in a tile flooring warehouse and figure out that you simply do not have the budget for the more expensive tile flooring solutions, you might want to consider getting vinyl tiles. Vinyl tiles are affordable, yet amazingly comfortable flooring solutions that do not require much maintenance. It is easy to install and has great design value, especially in contemporary homes. Most tile flooring stores in Austin will have vinyl tiles with unique features, such as durability, cushioning and stain protection.
Wood Tiles
Tiles made out of hardwood are not that uncommon, although, in all fairness, you should avoid using this type of flooring for your bathroom. Another factor that makes wood tiles an extravagant choice is the price, as solid hardwood is not exactly cheap. If you are looking for wood tiles in Austin, Texas, you should check out Chase Flooring and the selection we have.
If you desire to have that rustic feel to your house, which hardwood flooring provides, but at the same time do not want to make a serious dent in your renovation budget, you might want to consider using laminate. Laminate is a rather cheap option for the flooring of your house, but it is a perfect solution for getting wooden flooring at a bargain price. It is quite easy to install and if you are handy with tools, you might be able to install it by yourself.
Another option for wooden tiles is tiles made out of engineered hardwood. Engineered hardwood is made by pressing together layers over layers of hardwood. It has the same warm and retro feel of hardwood, but it has better properties. Due to the fact that it comes in a variety of species, styles, and designs, it can be installed almost anywhere in your household.
That being said, it is still wood, so it is probably not the bes idea to install engineered hardwood tiles in your main bathroom. However, since the material is rather durable, it may be a good solution for a guest bathroom, which is not used on an everyday basis. If you are looking to install engineered hardwood tiles in your home, you should get to our tile flooring warehouse and see the vast collection of tiles we have.
