When someone wants to redo their floors with tile, there is no shortage of choices to select from. To name just a few of the tile varieties you can find on the market today: Natural stones, ceramic, quartz, different types of metal, glass panels, cement, terra cotta, and even cement and brick. Each material varies in cost and advantages. How can you know which one is the right choice for your kitchen or bathroom?
Ceramic tiles are the most common, and there are several varieties that they come in, primarily divided between porcelain and non-porcelain. Porcelain types are often made with several-to-many minerals, as well as powered crystal, like gypsum. Non-porcelain tiles are based primarily on clay. Most ceramic tiles can also have a glaze applied to them. This exterior coating will provide extra durability against damage, resistance against stains and water, and make slipping less of danger.
When it comes to price, non-porcelain is the most affordable option, and is slightly easier to work with than porcelain. However, it lacks some of the advantages that come with porcelain. Even without a glaze, porcelain performs admirably resisting water absorption and stains. For reasons like these, porcelain tiles are what you'll find making up the majority of homeowners' bathroom and kitchen floors.
Natural stone tile is quarried, cut to size and finished from natural materials. Marble, granite, limestone, slate and travertine are all types of stone tiles. There are many variations of each type depending on where each stone was quarried. For example, granite is very hard and dense. It has a distinctive appearance because of the unique minerals inside the rock and when it is polished it is scratch resistant. Many people choose granite for high-traffic places like kitchens.
A more porous stone type is marble. While the color options and beautiful finishes can make them a very appealing option, they can be very vulnerable to water due to their porous nature. If you use them in a wetter area, do ensure they are properly sealed with regularity. Limestone makes for a natural, earthy look, but be aware that it is a softer stone that can be scratched with relative ease. Travertine is another limestone type that shares many of its qualities, as well as affording a crystal-like look and feel. For higher-traffic floors, slate is a good alternative to granite that comes in dark tones.
You will commonly find stone tiles in polished, honed or natural finishes. Polished surfaces are very reflective, and are often used on countertops for their beautiful appearance. Is does tend to make floors more slippery, however. A honed finish provides decent traction for walking and a matte appearance. A natural finish preserves the most of the stone's original qualities, but may make the surface look comparatively dull.
Ceramic tiles are the most common, and there are several varieties that they come in, primarily divided between porcelain and non-porcelain. Porcelain types are often made with several-to-many minerals, as well as powered crystal, like gypsum. Non-porcelain tiles are based primarily on clay. Most ceramic tiles can also have a glaze applied to them. This exterior coating will provide extra durability against damage, resistance against stains and water, and make slipping less of danger.
When it comes to price, non-porcelain is the most affordable option, and is slightly easier to work with than porcelain. However, it lacks some of the advantages that come with porcelain. Even without a glaze, porcelain performs admirably resisting water absorption and stains. For reasons like these, porcelain tiles are what you'll find making up the majority of homeowners' bathroom and kitchen floors.
Natural stone tile is quarried, cut to size and finished from natural materials. Marble, granite, limestone, slate and travertine are all types of stone tiles. There are many variations of each type depending on where each stone was quarried. For example, granite is very hard and dense. It has a distinctive appearance because of the unique minerals inside the rock and when it is polished it is scratch resistant. Many people choose granite for high-traffic places like kitchens.
A more porous stone type is marble. While the color options and beautiful finishes can make them a very appealing option, they can be very vulnerable to water due to their porous nature. If you use them in a wetter area, do ensure they are properly sealed with regularity. Limestone makes for a natural, earthy look, but be aware that it is a softer stone that can be scratched with relative ease. Travertine is another limestone type that shares many of its qualities, as well as affording a crystal-like look and feel. For higher-traffic floors, slate is a good alternative to granite that comes in dark tones.
You will commonly find stone tiles in polished, honed or natural finishes. Polished surfaces are very reflective, and are often used on countertops for their beautiful appearance. Is does tend to make floors more slippery, however. A honed finish provides decent traction for walking and a matte appearance. A natural finish preserves the most of the stone's original qualities, but may make the surface look comparatively dull.
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A good tile can only look as good as the grout around it. And when that grout gets damaged, it can make entire pieces of the floor unsightly. Don't hesitate to give The Grout Medic a call for tile and grout repair in Denver.
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