Decorating
Know Your Flooring: Tiles
Durable, resilient and hygienic, tiles can be used to create a variety of looks to add interest and personality to your home
Having proven their longevity over time, tiles are a durable and resilient flooring choice that can add sleek sophistication or quirky character to a room. They are hygienic, easy to clean and maintain, and are ideal for wet areas. Plus, their range of colours, sizes, shapes and patterns mean that tile combinations are almost infinite and it’s possible to create a one-of-a-kind look for your home. This guide gives you the lowdown on tile flooring.
What to consider when choosing tile flooring?
- Consider the look and feel you are trying to create; this will influence the colour, size, material and decorative pattern, if any. Lighter coloured tiles can make a room look larger; feature tiles can add character.
- When it comes to size, large- format tiles can make a space look bigger, reducing grout lines. In contrast, small format tiles can add design detail.
- Determine whether the area to be tiled is a high-traffic zone. Porcelain and natural stone tiles are better in high-traffic zones as they are harder wearing than ceramic tiles.
- A skilled tradesman is recommended for installation to ensure tiled floors look and function their best.
Pros of tile flooring
- Ceramic tiles are a durable flooring option, in comparison to other materials.
- They are resistant to moisture, which makes them effective in wet areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.
- Tiles are a great choice in high-traffic areas. They can be exposed to chemicals and sunlight with little effect.
- Tiles are available in a range of prices, running the gamut from affordable to expensive and providing an option for all budgets and tastes.
Cons of tile flooring
- Tiles can be cold underfoot in cooler climates, however, underfloor heating can help solve the problem.
- They have no insulation properties and do not absorb sound, but the strategic placement of rugs can improve both qualities.
- While tiles can withstand heavy foot traffic, they can be easily chipped or cracked and repair is not always as simple as one might hope.
- The grout can stain and be difficult to clean.
Maintenance of tile flooring
- Cleaning floor tiles is a simple process. Vacuuming, dusting and sweeping will eliminate dirt and dust; for more intense cleaning, mop with warm water and a mild detergent, and clean up spills as they happen.
- A variety of cleaning products can be used on grout.
VARIETY OF TILES
Porcelain
Porcelain has the reputation of being fine and delicate, but when it comes to floor tiles and other surfaces, porcelain proves it’s a tough material. This open-plan living space has relatively large-format porcelain floor tiles that provide a blank canvas for the owners to add furnishings and colour.
Porcelain
Porcelain has the reputation of being fine and delicate, but when it comes to floor tiles and other surfaces, porcelain proves it’s a tough material. This open-plan living space has relatively large-format porcelain floor tiles that provide a blank canvas for the owners to add furnishings and colour.
These tiles are also porcelain, however, they have been printed with a vein pattern to simulate marble. The effect is lustrous and sophisticated, providing a sleek floor for a crisp, contemporary living space.
Tiles in ‘Stone’: Perini Tiles
Tiles in ‘Stone’: Perini Tiles
Hexagon-shaped porcelain tiles are used to create the feature floor and wall in this bathroom. The tiles have a series of geometric and arabesque patterns like a decorative patchwork, adding shape, dimension and depth.
Tiles in ‘Alchimia Grigio/Nero’: Quintessenza
How to pick the best tiles for your bathroom
Tiles in ‘Alchimia Grigio/Nero’: Quintessenza
How to pick the best tiles for your bathroom
Ceramic
These kitchen floor tiles have been printed with colour and grain to simulate wood, combining the crispness of ceramic tiles with the natural look of wooden floors.
Tiles in ‘Wood Essence White Textured’: Beaumont Tiles
These kitchen floor tiles have been printed with colour and grain to simulate wood, combining the crispness of ceramic tiles with the natural look of wooden floors.
Tiles in ‘Wood Essence White Textured’: Beaumont Tiles
Encaustic
Encaustic tiles are ceramic tiles in which the surface pattern is made up of different colours of clay, rather than being the product of a glaze. Their patterns may vary from Gothic to Islamic and everything in between. Brightly coloured and patterned encaustic tiles are used on the floor and feature wall to add decorative punch to this bathroom.
Encaustic tiles are ceramic tiles in which the surface pattern is made up of different colours of clay, rather than being the product of a glaze. Their patterns may vary from Gothic to Islamic and everything in between. Brightly coloured and patterned encaustic tiles are used on the floor and feature wall to add decorative punch to this bathroom.
Marble
These small hexagon honed Carrara marble tiles have been used to create a mosaic on the floor of this bathroom. The effect adds detail to decor of the room, while not detracting from the cool, calm look.
TELL US
Do you have tile flooring? Share your photos in the Comments.
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Browse a gallery of gorgeous statement tiles
These small hexagon honed Carrara marble tiles have been used to create a mosaic on the floor of this bathroom. The effect adds detail to decor of the room, while not detracting from the cool, calm look.
TELL US
Do you have tile flooring? Share your photos in the Comments.
MORE
Browse a gallery of gorgeous statement tiles
A tile is a manufactured unit of hard-wearing material that can be used on floors as well as walls, showers and other interior and exterior surfaces. Tiles may be ceramic, porcelain or natural stone, such as bluestone or marble, as well as being designed to recreate the look of wood.