Flooring is an important part of a home’s ambiance, and tile flooring alternatives are generally sturdy and long-lasting, which helps to balance the high expenses of flooring restorations and maintenance. Although there are some similarities between different types of tile for flooring, there are also some significant variances.
At Tiling NSW, our professional tilers in Sydney have created the following list of the top floor tiles.
Let’s take a look at the many alternatives accessible to help you come up with tile flooring ideas.
1.Ceramic Tile:
Sand, natural materials, and red or white clay are used to make ceramic tile, which is then burned in a kiln. Ceramic tile comes in two varieties: glazed and unglazed, with glazed ceramic tile being the more common alternative. Non-glazed ceramic tiles have a matte finish and greater texture, imitating stone tiles, whereas glossy ceramic tiles have a glass-like surface. Ceramic tile is a great choice for bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, laundry rooms, and mudrooms because of its durability and ability to resist stains, smells, and bacteria.
Ceramic tile has the following advantages:
- withstands considerable foot traffic
- It is unaffected by stains, water, or natural factors.
- There are many different colors, shapes, and patterns to choose from.
- Cleaning and upkeep are simple.
- Water-resistant to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria
- In a hot environment, it keeps the dwelling cooler.
Ceramic tile has the following disadvantages:
- Installing it is difficult.
- It might be difficult to walk on because of the rough surface.
- In the winter, it becomes quite chilly, making it difficult to heat a space.
- For small children, this is not the safest surface.
2.Porcelain tile:
Porcelain tile is made of clay and natural materials and then burned in a kiln, similar to ceramic tile. Porcelain, on the other hand, is stronger, harder, and less porous than regular ceramic tiles because it is created with finer clays and burned at a higher temperature in the kiln. Porcelain tile is commonly white, transparent, and thick. Porcelain tile is great for patios, laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms because of its longevity and even stronger water resistance than ceramic tile. Porcelain tile is a more expensive tile choice because of its excellent quality, durability, and design versatility.
Porcelain tile has the following advantages:
- With its attractive appearance and a vast range of choices, it elevates a room.
- Due to its excellent durability, it is ideal for high-traffic locations.
- Moisture-resistant
- Simple to clean and maintain
- Before the installation, radiant heat panels can be installed.
Porcelain tile has the following disadvantages:
- Costly than ceramic tiles
- For small children or the elderly, it can be slick and hazardous.
- Installing it is difficult.
- It doesn’t insulate a space and can make it seem colder.
3.Cement tile:
Natural pigments are poured into a pattern mold, backfilled with cement, then set with hydraulic compression to make cement tiles. They are more ecologically friendly since they are air-cured rather than burned in a kiln. Cement tiles have a porous look and are available in many different forms, patterns, and designs. Because of its resistance to wear and tear, this material is perfect for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mudrooms.
Cement tile has a number of advantages:
- Extremely robust and long-lasting – perfect for high-traffic locations.
- There are a plethora of design possibilities to choose from.
- It’s simple to clean and refinish.
- They’re less harmful to the environment than other forms of tile flooring.
- Before the installation, radiant heat panels can be installed.
Cement tile has the following disadvantages:
- Because it is a hefty substance, the region must be able to support it.
- Concrete is porous and susceptible to stains.
- Extremely cold temperatures may cause it to fracture.
4.Glass Tile:
Glass tiles are made of tiny shards of glass with a transparent glaze burned into the reverse of the tile. They are available in a variety of colors. A mosaic design is placed on a mesh backing in certain glass tiles. Bathrooms are where glass tile is most commonly seen, but it may also be found in kitchens, living rooms, and even swimming pools. Glass tile is one of the more costly alternatives, costing anything from $5 to $15 per square foot. It’s also a more fragile tile, which means it’ll be more susceptible to chipping and scratches over time.
Glass tile has the following advantages:
- Glass tile is environmentally beneficial since it is produced mostly of recycled materials and uses less energy to manufacture than other tiles.
- Reflects light and colour well, giving the impression of being brighter.
- With soap and water or an all-purpose cleaner, it’s simple to clean.
- For a totally waterproof coating, there is no water absorption.
Glass tile has the following disadvantages:
- Expenses are higher than for other types of flooring tiles.
- Over time, it may chip or scrape.
- Professional installation is typically required, especially when it comes to ensuring that the glue does not show through the tiles.
5.Mosaic Tile:
Mosaic tile is made out of a variety of materials including ceramic, glass, stone, and porcelain. An inlay of design patterns in various materials, forms, colors, and designs — generally 2 by 2 inches in size — distinguishes it. This material is ideal for use in the kitchen, living room, bathroom, hallway, laundry room, and outdoor patio, among other places. Mosaic tile is costly due to the difficulty of producing it.
Advantages of Mosaic Tile:
- Depending on the materials used in the mosaic, it is usually nonporous and waterproof, making it resistant to mildew and mold.
- Colors, sizes, and patterns come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and patterns.
- In tiny places, it’s ideal.
Mosaic tile’s disadvantages include:
- Mosaic tile is more brittle than other tile alternatives since it contains glass.
- When wet, glass tile may be slick.
- The installation of the smaller tiles might be time-consuming.
For the most common materials, here are only a few tile flooring options. Check out limestone tile, travertine tile, quarry tile, slate tile, fake wood tile, onyx tile, quartzite tile, sandstone tile, and terrazzo tile for a more distinctive appearance in your tile flooring.
It is usually ideal to examine how regularly you are comfortable fixing and maintaining the tile when deciding which flooring tile ideas to employ. Consider how porous your chosen tile is, especially if it will be used in bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms.
Now you have the idea of the best flooring tiles, the next step is to choose the best floor tilers in Sydney. As of the top tilers in Sydney, Tiling NSW has a professional and skilled team. Designing to installation, our end-to-end tiling service won’t give you a chance to regret it. For any queries, contact us today.