Flooring influences the environment inside your home. As a homeowner, you may want to ensure your home’s floors endure for as long as possible and also have the design look that you have envisioned for the space. Use these practical tips for choosing tile flooring that will last for years.
Choose Porcelain or Natural Stone
As you consider the various materials available to you, look closely at tile made from porcelain or natural stone. Both materials are water resistant.
They are also highly durable and tolerate foot traffic and other challenging factors well. They will last for years and provide your home with a classy, timeless appearance.
Check the PEI Rating
Additionally, check any tile flooring you are looking at for its PEI rating. PEI stands for Porcelain Enamel Institute and indicates how hard the tile is. If you need flooring for high-traffic parts of your house, choose tiles with a 3 or higher PEI rating.
Think About Slip Resistance
Depending on what parts of your home you are re-flooring, you may need to select new tiles that offer slip resistance. Tile in the bathroom, for example, could lead to numerous slip and fall accidents, injuring your loved ones and putting you at legal and financial liability as the homeowner. Choose matte or textured tiles that offer better grip and are safe to use in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom.
Verify the Tiles’ Water Absorption Rate
In the kitchen and bathroom, you also need to use tile flooring that has a low absorption rate. Choose tiles with rates below 0.5% that are ideal to use in areas prone to moisture to ensure they last for as long as possible.
Check for Stain Resistance
If you have children or pets, you may also need to choose tile flooring that is more resistant to stains. Spilled beverages and food, and pet accidents will quickly cause stains on porous tile floors. Choose sealed natural stone or glazed tiles that resist staining and also offer you relatively easy maintenance and cleaning.
Decide on Colors
Chances are you will redecorate your home at least once, if not more, before your tile flooring wears out and needs replacing. With that, ensure the tiles go well with any decoration scheme.
Choose neutral tones like gray, white, black, brown, or blue from a reputable supplier that complements any color or pattern. This tip spares you from having to replace your floors every time you decide to redecorate.
Consider Tile Thickness
Depending on where you plan on placing the new tile flooring, you may need tiles that are thick enough to stand the test of time. Thicker tiles with densities of eight millimeters or more will tolerate the heaviest of furniture, like china cabinets and dining room tables.
Choose Large-Format Tiles
Choose large-format tiles for your new flooring. These tiles have fewer grout lines. They are easy to maintain, enhance the floor’s durability, and help your flooring last longer.
Keep these simple tips in mind when shopping for new tile flooring. They ensure you choose tiles that will hold up well for years.