Homeowners face many decisions when designing their spaces. Choosing your flooring is a highly impactful decision, which can make it feel a bit overwhelming. Your flooring is one of the most visible elements of your space, but there are also other factors to consider, including durability and maintenance. Choosing the right flooring tiles for your home means striking a balance between beauty, durability, and practicality.
If you want to make the best all-around choice for floor tiles in your home, here’s what you need to know.
What Makes Floor Tile a Good Investment?
Two major factors help you determine whether a particular type of floor tile is a good investment for your home: style and durability.
Tile is versatile, which means you can usually find something that suits your home’s style and withstands foot traffic, but there’s a lot more that goes into determining whether a particular type of tile is the best overall investment for your home.
Before choosing a type of tile, ask:
- Is it resistant to scratching, staining, and wear and tear?
- Does it maintain its original appearance over time?
- Is it available in a variety of colours, patterns, and sizes?
- Is it easy to clean?
- Will it withstand heavy foot traffic in the room?
Compare Your Floor Tile Options
There are many different types of floor tile available. Some common options include:
Porcelain Tile
- Durable
- Versatile
- Available in a wide range of finishes
Ceramic Tile
- Affordable
- Works well in residential spaces
- Higher risk of chipping than porcelain
Natural Stone Tile
- Constructed from marble, slate, travertine, or limestone
- Unique look for every tile
- More expensive than other options
- Requires sealing and ongoing maintenance
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
- Manufactured flooring that mimics stone or wood
- Feels soft underfoot
- Can be water-resistant
- Shorter lifespan than porcelain
Why Homeowners Choose Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is made from refined clay and fired at high temperatures to create a dense, durable flooring option. It’s resistant to foot traffic and moisture, making it a great option for busy rooms like kitchens and bathrooms.
This type of tile can also replicate natural materials, which means you can get the look of natural stone or hardwood without the maintenance, expense, or risk associated with these materials.
Choosing the Right Porcelain Tile Type for Your Home
Porcelain is available in a variety of formats, so you’ll get the look you want without sacrificing durability. How do you know which type is right for you?
Large Format Tile
Large-format tiles work well in modern-style homes when you want a clean, continuous visual flow. Fewer grout lines help make a space feel larger and work well in open-concept spaces.
Small Format Tile
Small-format tile, which includes traditional square patterns as well as hex and mosaic patterns, brings texture, pattern, and visual interest into a space. Do you want flooring that’s a conversation piece? Small-format tile is the way to go.
This type of tile works well in just about any room, but is especially popular in smaller spaces like bathrooms.
Wood and Other Finishes
In addition to the size of the individual tiles, you’ll want to consider the tile’s finish. Porcelain tile can mimic wood, bringing a natural feel to a space while addressing concerns about water exposure and durability.
Would you love the look of wood floors in your kitchen or bathroom, but you know it isn’t a practical option? Wood-look porcelain is the way to go.
Wood isn’t the only finish available with porcelain tiles. Matte and textured porcelain can completely change a room’s style without compromising the flooring’s durability. Finishes also affect more than just style. Different finishes function differently in real-world use, especially when it comes to traction and slip resistance.
Polished finishes offer a sleek, high-end appearance, but can also be slippery when wet. Matte and textured finishes, on the other hand, are designed to add grip underfoot, making them a smarter choice for bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, and other areas where moisture is common.
Floor Tile for Your Home
Are you ready to learn more about your tile flooring options? Visit us at Rêve Interior Design Studio to find out how you can make the best flooring choice for your home.
