How To Pick The Best Tile For Your Home

When you decide to choose a tile for your home, there are several factors that you should consider. These questions you would ask yourself include, is it capable of withstanding tears and wear? Can it be easily maintained and cleaned? Is it resistant to water and stains?

So to help you make a better choice, below are several types of tiles and the areas of your home that best suit them. Let’s begin.

• Porcelain

Porcelain is made from fired clays at a high temperature, making it smooth, fine-grained, impenetrable, and dense. Porcelain has a lesser water absorption rate than its counterpart, ceramic. Thus making them frost resistant. 

Given hardness, lifetime value, and damage resistance, outdoor porcelain tiles are a good option for patios and other outdoor residential applications. Most porcelain has a Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating of 5. Porcelain can also be used for bathrooms, kitchens, and showers.

• Ceramic

Tiles made from kiln-fired clay mixture and clay are usually considered as part of the more significant classification of tiles called ceramic. They are split into two groups, non-porcelain tiles, and porcelain tiles. Non-porcelain tiles are also called ceramic tiles. 

Ceramic is usually made from white clay fired in a kiln or red (terra cotta). You can use the PEI rating to gauge its wear expectations when shopping for a ceramic. Ceramic has a PEI rating of 0 to 3 and best suits moderate and light traffic. 

• Slate

Slate is a metamorphic and fine-grained rock gotten from sedimentary rock shale. It is composed of quartz, chlorite, and micas and thus best suited for bars, kitchen countertops, roofing, walkways, and floors. 

This material is available in greens, grays, and blacks and can also be found in other colors. Slate shades in the same family usually vary. 

You can also get veined patterns. For example, you can easily recognize a slate surface through its well-defined cleft pattern. The only exception will be when it has been honed smoothly.

• Marble

Marble is a popular natural stone obtained from fossil sediment deposits. Natural geologic forces usually press these deposits for millions of years. 

Like a diamond obtained from coal, marble was initially limestone that underwent a metamorphosis at high temperatures and intense pressures under the earth.

You can get marble in several unique colors with high veining depth and intensity. Marble products have higher porosity and are relatively softer than granite. 

Since it is softer, it is usually used in bathroom flooring and walls and in courtyards, sculptures, furniture, fireplace surrounds, and tub decks. Except the stone is sealed and honed, using marble for your kitchen is not recommended.

Final Words 

Knowing how to choose the best tile for your home is vital because there are several factors you should consider. First, you must know that all ties have their drawbacks and strong points regarding the application. 

So, with the tips mentioned above, you should be able to choose the right one for your home and make it look as beautiful and perfect as possible with the proper application.