29 January 2012

Tile Flooring Tips

Tiling a floor, wall or other surface enhances the beauty of the room and decor, but practical considerations are important in choosing the right tiles to a surface. Different areas have different needs when it comes to tile. Some rooms like the bathroom or laundry room, for example, are exposed to high amounts of moisture while other parts such as kitchen counters are exposed to great wear. Therefore, it is natural that different types of tiles are used for different rooms. Balance the aesthetic with the practical considerations is a must if you want the tile surface to air well and long.

The first step is planning. There are different types of tiles available for different surfaces. Vinyl tile, ceramic tile and stone are some examples. Among the stone tiles, there are a variety of tiles to choose from marble, sandstone, slate, granite or travertine, to name a few. Natural stone tiles have become very popular thanks to their unique beauty and good looks. The browns, beiges, reds and golden hues of the tiles give a free hand to people who want to beautify the interior of their homes. With variations of color, unique designs are also available in slabs of stone. However, the stone like travertine tiles may not be ideal for some surfaces. Since the stone is somewhat porous, it reacts quickly to acids. All spills must be treated immediately to prevent permanent staining. For these reasons, we may want to keep the stone tiles near kitchens or laundry rooms.

Once you have decided on the type of tile you want for a particular surface, it is time to choose colors and patterns. It's a good idea to take some samples of tiles from the store and experiment with different models. Keep in mind that fluorescent lighting changes the color tone of the tiles. While light colors give an impression of light, dark colors are easy to maintain. Natural stone tiles may vary slightly in color and pattern, so it makes sense to buy a few extra tiles when purchasing. Larger tiles can look better in some areas and are certainly easier to clean. In some cases, tile accents may be the best option.

Tile prices vary from place to place. Hand-cut tiles are more expensive. Even so, it is important to seek reliable average rates before purchasing floor tiles and other requirements. Installation costs also vary from store to store. It is advisable to buy tiles in shops that specialize in the same they have better selections. These days, it is possible to buy a wide variety of floor tiles in the online stores too.