having ceramic tile for flooring has some pros and cons. Tiles are so versatile that they can be used as flooring, backsplash, or countertops in almost any room in the home. When homeowners choose tile installation for their home, there are certain pros and cons that should be considered. It has always been a popular material for decorating walls and floors. It is durable and available in a variety of colors and styles. Tile floors are durable, easy to clean and maintain, waterproof and stain resistant, and versatile. It can be installed anywhere in the home, from countertops to bathroom floor tiles, showers, walls, and outdoor patios or entryways. Don't worry about finding the perfect color to match your bathroom or kitchen remodel idea... Tiles are available in almost any color with interesting patterns and textures, including natural stone imitations like travertine floor tiles. Tile may be the only flooring material that really works in any room of the house. It is most commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as in hallways, mudrooms, and other high-traffic areas. But many homes, especially in warmer climates, also use tile to great effect in living areas and bedrooms. In other words, you really can't go wrong with tiles. If there's one downside to this durable, elegant floor, it's that it can be hard, cold, and a little tricky to install for DIYers. Tile has a hard, sturdy surface that does not attract or hold on dirt, dust, pollen, or other allergens. When these small particles do land on ceramic floors, they stick out on the surface, so they can be easily wiped off with a mop or sponge. This helps keep the air free of irritants that can be harmful to asthma and allergy sufferers.
- tile cost
Tile can be one of the more affordable flooring materials, with budget tiles and DIY installations starting well below $5 per square foot. However, when you move to better-looking tile and professional installation, tile floors can easily cost as much or more than quality hardwood floors. National industry statistics show that professionally installed tile floors range in price from about $15 per square foot to over $60 per square foot. It all depends on the quality of the tiles and the difficulty of installation.
- maintenance and repair
Ceramic floors are easy to care for—especially glazed tiles, which have a hard protective layer that resists water and most stains. This is the main reason why tiles are preferred in wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Dirt, stains, and liquids stay on the surface, allowing you to wipe or wipe them off with ease. Routine maintenance consists only of sweeping or vacuuming with a soft brush attachment to keep floors free of dust and lose debris. If a set stain does appear, you can use just about any heavy-duty cleaner without worrying about damaging the material. While most tile floor tiles are glazed, there are also unglazed tiles, such as traditional Saltillo tiles. These must be sealed to protect their surfaces from liquids and stains. With all types of tiles, the grout between tiles is prone to moisture and stains and should be sealed regularly for protection. Ceramic floors are very resistant to physical damage, but improper installation or problems with the tile backing can lead to cracking. A high-quality installation can last for hundreds of years if the floor is well maintained. If a single tile does crack from a violent impact, the process of replacing the tile is relatively simple.
- design
Modern manufacturing techniques allow ceramic producers to create materials that can be printed or embossed in a variety of ways. Solid tiles can be mixed and matched with patterns or with custom designs or patterns. They can also be printed to reproduce the look of numerous hardwoods and common stones. Finally, the tiles themselves can be cut into triangles, rectangles, and planks. Tile floors are perfect for any home style, though it's a standard feature in almost any Mediterranean or Southwestern style home.
- Install
Tiles are labor-intensive and a little tricky to install. A hobbyist can certainly do it, but tile is not as DIY-friendly as laminate or vinyl. Properly installing floor tiles begins with a layer of cement board (or "tile backing") over a wood subfloor (a tile backing is not required for concrete floors), which adds cost, time, and labor to the project. The tiles are then glued to the backing using a cementitious thin adhesive, and the joints between the tiles are filled with grout at the end of the installation. Homeowners who want to install their own tiles should be careful to choose products that are relatively easy to install and avoid tricky tiles such as large "corrected" tiles, polished stone tiles, or natural clay or saltillo tiles - all of which are best Leave it to the professionals. Some tile floor tiles can be heavy, and all tiles require a hard, sturdy floor frame to prevent cracking. This means that tile may not always be suitable for high-rise installations or floors with insufficient floor structure.
- Comfort and convenience
Ceramic is very hard, so it is easy to clean and maintain. Unfortunately, it also makes standing difficult and uncomfortable. Unlike resilient floors, hard ceramic cannot be softened with backing pads. This means that these materials may not be suitable for environments where people are required to stand for long periods of time. Hardness can also be a liability in the kitchen, where a dropped plate is likely to hit a hard surface. Finally, tile hardness can be a problem in rooms used by people prone to falls, such as young children or the elderly. Of course, the harshness of ceramic can be counteracted by using rugs or rugs in strategic places where people tend to stand for long periods of time, such as kitchen work areas. While some tiles retain heat well, all can get chilly in cold weather, which can take a toll on your toes in the morning or the reality that bare feet aren't welcome in the bathroom. The only way to counter cold tiles is to use geothermal heat, either electric pads under the tiles or radiant heating in or under the subfloor.