When the subject of tiling a floor with the best porcelain tiles is raised, there are always things you don’t know about. It is commonly believed that if you want to update the flooring in your kitchen, bathroom, or entryway, porcelain tiles are a good option to take into consideration. This material is exceptionally long-lasting and can withstand heavy foot traffic with only a minimum amount of upkeep. Make use of this guide to become more knowledgeable about selecting porcelain tile for your home. What Does It Mean to Have Porcelain Tile? Because of their enduring beauty and low maintenance requirements, porcelain tiles have been popular among homeowners and architects for thousands of years. Porcelain floor tiles are comprised of both man-made and naturally occurring components, which the manufacturing process fuses together under extremely high temperatures. Ceramic flooring cannot compare to the durability and toughness of this material, which also allows for a wider variety of design options. As a result of its high temperature production process, porcelain flooring can resist temperature changes without damage. The Many Advantages That Porcelain Tiles Offer Porcelain is an ideal material for use as flooring in bathrooms due to its resistance to both moisture and slipping hazards. Because of its refined appearance, it also has the potential to improve the overall aesthetic of the rest of your home. Learn more about the advantages of porcelain tile to discover how it can enhance the look of your home's interior design.
- Prolonged Use and Strong Construction
Even if you have pets or like to host parties, porcelain tiles can maintain their opulent sheen for many years to come. Because they can continue to serve you well for up to a half-century after being installed in your living space, you will only have to replace the flooring once in your entire life. Because of the higher temperatures at which they are fired, porcelain tiles have a dense texture that makes them impervious to water absorption. In addition, when they come into contact with fire, they do not produce any harmful fumes and they do not burn. Even after being subjected to UV rays, the color of porcelain tiles does not change over the course of many years, in contrast to the tendency of some materials to fade when exposed to direct sunlight.
- It is simple to keep up with.
Because porcelain floor tiles do not absorb moisture, it is simple to clean up any spills that may occur and there is no risk of mildew or stains developing. To keep this material in good condition, you can spot clean any liquids with a damp rag and sweep the floor regularly to prevent debris accumulation. If the tiles become sticky, mop them using a gentle detergent and warm water. To remove stubborn stains, apply some vinegar to the affected area and scrub it with a brush with soft bristles.
- Efficient in Locations With a High Foot Traffic Volume
Even after being subjected to a significant amount of wear and tear, porcelain floor tiles will not lose their attractive appearance; this makes them an excellent choice for households that frequently host gatherings or have large families. Because of their resistance to slipping, they are an excellent choice for use in bathrooms and other areas prone to moisture accumulation. If you install porcelain tile flooring in the kitchen or the entryway, you can rest assured that it will be a safe surface for you and your guests to walk on.
- More Hygienic
The water absorption rate of porcelain tile flooring is approximately 0.5%, enabling it to withstand shallow pools of water. Because it does not absorb liquids or retain dust as readily as other materials, it does not become a breeding ground for germs as rapidly. Porcelain tiles can also be cleaned with common household chemicals to remove any dirt or grime that may have accumulated on the tiles.
- Versatile Design
The premium-grade materials that go into the production of porcelain tiles lend these upscale floor coverings an inherent elegance. The tiles may be manufactured to seem like stone or wood, and come in a different colors, sizes and shapes to suit your own sense of style. If you frequently switch up the decor in your living space or use bold colors to affect the mood, you might want to think about selecting a neutral tone. The use of lighter tiles in a smaller room helps the space feel more open, while the use of darker tiles helps your living space feel more intimate and welcoming. While dark tiles conceal dirt, light tiles immediately show any traces of it. When Choosing Porcelain Tiles, There Are Several Factors to Consider Because of its adaptability and durability, porcelain tile can increase the value of your home. Before placing your order for porcelain tiles, you should first consider what to look for when purchasing porcelain tiles if you decide to use porcelain for your floors.
- Tiles made of grade porcelain are versatile and can be used as flooring and as a wall material. When choosing porcelain tiles for your floors, you will need a higher grade of porcelain to ensure that it can withstand the weight of people walking on it and furniture. The Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) assigns a rating of numbers ranging from 1 to 5, with Grade 1 representing the enamel with the lowest level of durability and Grade 5 representing the enamel with the highest level of strength.
To preserve the aesthetic of your living space and keep your porcelain floors looking nice, you will need tiles of at least Grade 2 quality. You will receive a higher grade to accommodate the traffic depending on the number of people that you have staying in your living space at any given time.
- Type
Different types of porcelain tiles You can choose from various porcelain tile options for the floor of your living space. Examine the characteristics of each variety to identify the porcelain tile that will serve your needs most effectively in the following areas of the house: Unglazed tile: Slip resistance and a slightly textured matte surface come included with this porcelain tile's mold-dry clay construction. In addition, the tile is made from porcelain. In order to prevent stains from being absorbed by them after installation, you would need to seal them. Glazed tiles are made by first firing the tiles, then coating them with liquid glass and firing them a second time. Glazed tiles can be found in a variety of colors. Glazed porcelain tiles have a more adaptable finish than unglazed porcelain tiles, and you can even use a digital printer to print a pattern on them. However, these tiles are more suitable for use on walls than floors. Ceramic tiles with a full body: This specific kind of porcelain tile is built with two clay layers, and the colors and designs go all the way through. Full-bodied porcelain tile is the most durable variety of tile available, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas.
- Design You have complete control over the color, size, and shape of your porcelain flooring, which means it can perfectly complement both the aesthetic and functional aspects of your home. Oftentimes, producers may utilize computer-generated designs, which is why you may notice that several of the panels seem same. Make sure that any tiles with the same pattern are not placed next to each other if you want your flooring to appear natural throughout.
- The Price and Its Value
When selecting a flooring option for your home, consider your budget. Installing your tiles by a professional will be more expensive, but their knowledge and expertise are typically well worth the investment. Although porcelain tile is more expensive than other options, the value of this high-quality material should not be overlooked. The advantages of porcelain tiles will be enjoyed throughout your time in the home, and the resale value of your property will rise, allowing you to pocket a larger sum upon its sale.
- Installation Due to the brittle nature of porcelain tiles, a specialized saw is required to create cuts in them. A cement backer board is required to provide a strong foundation for this hard but brittle material. To prevent your porcelain tiles from moving around, you will also need to ensure that they are properly adhered to both underneath and behind them. For the best possible results, set the adhesive for the amount of time specified in the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- Maintenance
While porcelain tiles don't need much in the way of maintenance, they still need to be looked after properly to ensure they survive for many years. It is best to avoid using ammonia or bleach on your floors because these strong chemicals can cause discoloration or stains. When removing stains, you shouldn't use anything abrasive like steel wool or brushes made of metal bristles. To maintain the appearance of the grout that is visible around the tiles, ensure it is sealed after it has had sufficient time to cure and set. This will prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime. In the event that you forget to seal the grout, you can clean it by using vinegar, baking soda, and a toothbrush with soft bristles and then rinsing it with warm water. Porcelain tiles are a safe bet if you plan to tile any surfaces in your home this season, whether it be the floor or the walls. They are exceptionally hard-wearing and long-lasting, and they are available in a huge variety of forms, measurements, and designs. Here are our top 10 designs… 1) Ruscello Gold Gloss Tiles with a Marble Effect. The geometric pattern on these tiles is in the shape of a star, and it is rendered in a three-dimensional effect using a color palette of white, black, and gray. They are extremely long-lasting due to their composition as porcelain, and they can be used on any floor area in the house. 2) Samphire Tiles in a Matte Grey Samphire Thanks to their classic good looks and suitability for indoor usage, our Samphire Dark Grey Stone Effect Porcelain Tiles are the best solution for your home. They are made of long-lasting porcelain and have a mottled stone effect design that embodies the modern yet rustic feel that is so popular in interior design. The design was inspired by natural stone. 3) Osby Blue Tiles with a Pattern Made of Porcelain Our Osby Tiles, which take their design cues from the stylish interiors of Parisian cafes, features contrasting tones of white and blue as well as a smokey, inked effect for an added dose of personality and allure. These seemingly basic tiles can be set in an unlimited variety of ways to form linear, checkerboard, or random patterns, enabling you to give your house a style that is uniquely yours. 4) Scultura Grigio Stone Effect Tiles Using our Scultura Grigio Stone Effect Tiles, you can make your home look peaceful and natural. These tiles have been designed in a shade of light grey that is more on the softer side, and they have a riven surface with a windswept appearance that gives the interiors of your home a sense of depth and movement. 5) Chatham Blue Brick Tiles (Not Available) Our Chatham Blue Brick Tiles are an excellent option for modern design, and they are suitable for use in various settings, including indoors, outdoors, on walls, and even floors. They have a sophisticated flat brick shape and a distinct shadow or "smoky" effect that runs across their entire surface, giving the appearance of an overall tonal gradient. 6) Dante Blue Dhalia Tiles The Dante Blue Dhalia Tiles have a straightforward, linear design and a hand-painted effect that gives the impression that they were painted by hand. These tiles draw inspiration from Morocco and Southern Spain. The floral pattern is updated with a fresh, clean look to create a modern take on a classic design. The slightly uneven surface and irregular sides contribute to the look of character that is achieved with these tiles. 7) Tiles of the Gatsby Forest Our Gatsby Tiles, which have the appearance of ornate encaustic work, is just the thing for making a bold statement in your home, whether on the floor or the walls. By rotating the tiles in various directions, a wide variety of captivating patterns can be produced. The number eight represents the Terrazzo Hexagon Mottled Grey Porcelain Tiles. For a unique and contemporary take on tile design, try these Terrazzo Hexagon Mottled Grey Porcelain Tiles. They are an amalgamation of today's most popular design trends and serve as a modern take on traditional terrazzo tiles. These tiles featured a muted color palette of grays and flecks that were realistically modeled after stone. 9) YuriTM Basalt Tiles, Consisting of 90% Recycled Materials The YuriTM Basalt 90% Recycled Tiles have an unfinished, industrial look that gives off the impression of recycled metals and concrete. These tiles have small details in their appearance, such as abrasions and oxidation, which contribute to the overall effect. A bold and natural appearance is achieved by combining a smokey black surface with mottled patches of rust-brown color and metallic flecks running through the surface. 10) Hexagon Tiles with Contour Shadow Contour For a unique and contemporary take on tile design, try these Terrazzo Hexagon Mottled Grey Porcelain Tiles. They feature a white, black, and gray color scheme with a star-shaped geometric design that appears to have a 3D effect.