House Planning: How to Choose Tiles

A few fancy techniques aside, tiles simply refer to any kind of durable material, which can be laid in rows over a surface. With time people have interpreted them to mean everything from broken seashells to solid gold, placing them everywhere from kitchens to baths. Stone, ceramic, porcelain, and glass are a few of the many materials that can help you develop your tiling options. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes.

So now you are left to decide the cut, size and material for your bathroom and kitchen. Functionality and practicality, is what is needed here. A few techniques can help you resolve the tiling puzzle by answering three basic questions:

Placing the tile

As the very first step, one has to decide where and how you want the tiling to be done. Is it to be used as a backsplash, counter, floor or wall. Ceramic, stone and porcelain are usually materials to floors and counters, while glass is the one you will use for walls and backsplashes.

In case of durability too, natural stone is the best of options in tiling.

Budget

Prices are not on a wide range on tiles. Glass tiles make it beautiful and easy for everyday cleaning.

Usage of the tile

While we do not have set industry standards, in regards to durability, which will be

1. Moderate to light traffic

2. Moderate to heavy traffic

3. Heavy to extra-heavy traffic

4. Light traffic

5. No heavy traffic

Choosing a tile that will help, the daily wear and tear of the household will help you determine the type of tile that you need.

Spilled foods, scuffs, dog scratches, cleaning supplies, etc. should all be taken into consideration in regards to the material of tiling needed. Tiles used for flooring must be specially formulated for floor tiling. The natural stone tile, should be used in a shower, sine the coefficient of friction, will save it from being too slippery. You will definitely want to do this while you are choosing your bathroom tiling. A slightly raised pattern, even when wet will increase the amount of friction caused.

A kitchen “rug” is something that has to be created out of tiling. The part of the kitchen floor will prove to be tough and long-lasting. The kitchen backsplash is an area where, one can get really creative. An area of direct traffic is the greatest fit for a backlash behind a stove.