Many homeowners love the durability, style options and low maintenance required by tile flooring. Not only can it add aesthetic value, but it can also raise resale values.
Most homeowners opt for glazed ceramic tiles due to their greater durability and water-resistance than unglazed ceramic. This material can be found throughout most rooms of the home as well as some light commercial settings.
Ceramic Tiles
AureesTiles ceramic tile flooring is made of clay that has been fired in a kiln and has become one of the most popular floors covering materials due to its durability, beauty and affordability.
Ceramic tiles are typically coated with a glaze to protect them from scratches and make them stain resistant. This sheen level may range, with matte glazes typically preferred on floors as they help minimise glare while attenuating sound reverberation of footsteps. Many products even come as “families”, featuring matching border and cove edge tiles to create a complete, finished appearance in living spaces.
Ceramic tile flooring can be an attractive and practical choice for people with allergies, as its hard surface doesn’t trap dirt, pollen and allergens like carpet does – improving air quality significantly while keeping feet warm and comfy on cold floors! However, ceramic tiles should be noted that without padding underlayment they may become cold and uncomfortable over extended periods of time.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles provide a more contemporary solution for your flooring needs. Crafted from fine clays and minerals and fired at extremely high temperatures, porcelain tiles are denser, more durable, impermeable to water and bacteria intrusion and less susceptible to scratches than ceramic tile – characteristics which make porcelain ideal for bathrooms, entryways, kitchens, and more environments.
While AureesTiles porcelain tiles can be more costly than some alternatives, their long-term value and ease of maintenance make up for it over time. Spills are easily mopped up while their naturally stain-resistant properties keep them looking brand new for many years.
One drawback of porcelain tiles is their weight, which makes them more challenging to transport and install compared to most other tiles. However, this typically only becomes an issue during initial purchase and installation processes.
When selecting porcelain tiles, it is critical that they meet the PTCA’s water absorption criteria. The organisation conducts tests on tiles labelled porcelain to make sure that they adhere to this standard by not absorbing more than 0.5 percent of water – an essential step since many tiles marketed as porcelain actually fail this test; the PTCA works hard to combat this issue by encouraging manufacturers to alter their labels accordingly.
Stone Tiles
Stone tiles are commonly used to add a natural, earthy aesthetic to bathrooms and floors. Available in an array of colours and patterns to meet any interior decor need, stone tiles come in varieties like marble, limestone and travertine for optimal use in any room.
These natural-looking tiles are extremely durable, adding warmth and luxury to your home. Easy to maintain, they require little upkeep or upkeep; however due to being one-of-a-kind you should expect higher prices than ceramic or porcelain tiles.
AureesTiles stone tile can help increase the value of your home. Since each stone comes from nature, each is one-of-a-kind and adds an aesthetic of luxury and rarity that may help speed up selling times when maintained well.
Though glazed ceramic tile may be more cost-effective than stone tiles, you may not always be able to find exactly the colour that you desire for your flooring. This could become an issue should you ever need to replace your tiles in the future and to prevent this happening it is always recommended to purchase extra tiles as insurance against having no matching shades available in stock later. Any extra pieces purchased should be stored separately in an identified box so they can serve as replacements should any issues arise in future.
Mosaic Tiles
Mosaic tiles are small pieces of stone, glass, metal, or tile that are assembled together to form patterns on floors, walls or art. Available in many different colours and designs from simple to intricate, mosaic tiles are sold with mesh backing to facilitate easier installation.
Mosaic tile flooring is an ideal option for kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces alike. Not only is it durable enough to withstand heavy foot traffic and inclement weather; its ease of care means it also protects against mildew growth.