Floor tile appears in most rooms, including living and dining areas, hallways, bedrooms, and, of course, kitchens and baths. That means the question isn't "what room is best for tile flooring?" as much as it's "which tile type works where?"
Tile’s class act
It's important to know that, although you'll see an almost unlimited number of designs, colors, shapes, and sizes, they're not all the same. Some are better for specific installations than others, and the right or wrong one can impact your remodeling project.
That said, you’ll hear the word “class” a lot in our tile store because it refers to a tile’s ability to withstand wear, and it will also be on the box label. "Class" is essential because you wouldn't want to put something meant only for indoor low traffic rooms, like the bedroom, onto your deck, patio, or pool floor.
Class I is only for indoor wall use, while class II is for low-traffic areas. Classes III and IV are best for moderate to heavy foot traffic, walls and countertops. Finally, class V is for extra heavy traffic and commercial applications.
Tile types
Be sure you also tell the professionals at the tile shop where and how you plan to use the material. Porcelain is heavier, denser, and ideal for busy, highly trafficked rooms like the kitchen and bath, and it can withstand any weather condition. Large format, through-body color, and countless colors and patterns, it's often preferred for wood and stone look tiles.
The 4 X 4 square, highly designed, and often glazed tile is appropriate for moderately busy indoor floors. Mosaics are the tiny, often glass-coated, durable, mold and mildew resistant tiles now trending for bathroom floors. Terracotta bricks are highly durable, can be used indoors or out, and are also somewhat porous, so ask about sealing. Subway tiles can be used only in indoor, low-traffic rooms, such as bedrooms.
Don't forget about the non-ceramics, such as metal, concrete, natural stone, and glass. The design consultants at Braid Flooring & Window Fashions will help you with your tile flooring project and give you a free quote. Visit our showroom in Saskatoon, SK, convenient to Warma, Martensville, Prince Albert, Davidson.
