How to choose the right tiles for the floor

Tiles can be used in almost every room in your home and when you have a tile job, your local flooring store may become your new best friend. There are so many benefits to tile flooring that you may not have noticed. They are extremely durable, easy to clean, easy to install, and come in a variety of colors, patterns, and finishes. Covering your floor with tiles is probably one of the easiest and fastest DIY projects you could choose. A single inspired person can do it: two can do it much faster.

Choosing the right type of floor tile
Before you decide exactly which floor tiles you want and need, you’ll want to do a little due diligence. If you’re going to cover floors in the bathroom, kitchen, porch, or laundry room, you’ll want a clay-based tile because it resists moisture. They are also stain resistant and easy to care for. If you are choosing peel and stick tiles, if one is broken by a sharp object that has been dropped, you only have to replace one tile and not the entire floor. This type of repair is very inexpensive.

Believe it or not, tiles can be ranked based on their strength. Some believe that the thickness of the tile tells the whole story, but this is not the case. It helps, but you also have to keep in mind that the floor tile is made from the composition. Did you know that there is a Porcelain Tile Institute that actually has a method for classifying tiles based on their composition and intended use?

-Group I, Light traffic. These tiles can be used on residential bathroom floors where bare feet or socked feet are the norm. They will not hold up to a high traffic area.

-Group II, Medium Traffic. These tiles are designed for use indoors where little abrasion occurs, such as a “Florida room” or an empty living room. They are not recommended for kitchens, entryways or stairs. Tiles are rarely recommended for stairs due to high traffic and slip potential

-Group III, Medium-heavy traffic. They are the most versatile in pavements. They can be used anywhere within a home, including kitchens and bathrooms. They are generally not recommended for porches.

-Group IV, Heavy Traffic. These tiles are ‘workhorses’ and are very hard. They can be used in homes or in light to medium commercial areas. Needless to say, they are very durable.

-Group V, Extra-heavy traffic. These tiles can be used anywhere.

Some tiles are prone to chipping and cracking. In order for your tiles to last longer and prevent future damage, they must be installed over a firmly supported subfloor. Broken tiles cannot be repaired, but they can be replaced. Tile grout, if not sealed, can be difficult to clean.

If you have any questions, go to your local flooring store and ask a flooring specialist.