Tile Flooring – Pros And Cons | Best Buying Guide 2022

Tile flooring is a good choice for spaces with a higher tendency for spills, such as kitchens. Tile’s stain and water resistance appeal to many homes, making it a popular flooring option. It is a versatile flooring option that can be used in any room. 

Tile flooring is not only attractive and elegant, but it is also long-lasting and easy to maintain. Tile flooring has numerous advantages, but it also has certain drawbacks, just like every product. So, before you pick what type of flooring to put in a room, consider the following tile flooring benefits and cons.

Types of Tile Flooring

Before discussing the pros and cons of tile flooring, it is essential to know the types of tiles used in flooring. Some of the types are-

1. Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are one of the most admired types of tiles for homes because of their versatility. Its increased durability makes ceramic tile ideal for any room in the house, including kitchens, bathrooms, and even entryways.

Compared to wood, carpet, or vinyl plank flooring, glazed ceramic tile offers higher stain and damage resistance. Ceramic tiles have matchless patterns and colors and are usually covered in a durable finish. They also provide a wide selection of design alternatives.

2. Porcelain Tile

Porcelain ceramic tile is a more upgraded version of clay ceramic tile. Porcelain tiles are more durable than red clay ceramic tiles because they are made of a higher ratio of silica and quartz and baked or fired at a higher temperature.

Porcelain tile is like a chameleon in that it comes in a variety of hues and patterns. Porcelain tiles can be glazed, etched, and texturized to look like hardwood planks, pricey marble, or industrial bricks.

However, it is to be kept in mind that installing porcelain tile is more difficult than installing ceramic tile because porcelain is a stronger and denser material that necessitates using a specific tool such as a diamond blade wet saw.

3. Cement Tile

Cement tiles have been around since the nineteenth century, and they’re having a moment in modern interior design. Cement tiles are highly adaptable and may create stunning patterns and colors. Because the tiles are so porous, a patina can form over time, enhancing the design.

If they get discolored over time, they can be sanded and resealed, just like wood floors. Cement tile must also be resealed once a month to keep its appearance and should only be utilized in low-traffic areas and in minimal amounts.

4. Marble Tile

If you want to add aesthetic value and refinement to your property, marble tiles are an excellent choice. They are made of natural marble, which is highly durable.

Marble tiles are available in practically every hue due to the variety of the component components removed. Marble tiles come in various finishes, including polished, brushed, honed, tumbled, and more, making them excellent for any room use.

5. Glass Tile

Sparkling glass tiles are a stunning choice for a backsplash or shower room. Glass tiles have the most substantial stain resistance than any tile.

They are impervious to liquids such as acidic lemon juice. Glass tile can get easily chipped if something is dropped on it. Thus, it is best if placed on a wall.

Tile Flooring Pros

Some of the pros of tile flooring include-

1. Maintenance Free

One of the most enticing aspects of tile flooring is its ease of maintenance. Any stains, dirt, or liquids that come into contact will sit on top of it and will not be absorbed, making mopping or wiping a breeze.

We can use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush or a broom to remove any loose debris and dirt from the floor. If stains do occur, practically any cleaner may remove them without harming the tile flooring.

Many individuals choose ceramic tile for their bathrooms and kitchens as a result of this. In addition to being easy to clean, the floor will not harbor germs which is a tremendous advantage for restaurants.

2. Adds Value

Installing a new tile floor is a good move if you plan to sell your home soon. When searching for a new house, prospective homebuyers appreciate not having to worry about old, faded carpeting. While replacing large kitchen appliances is a showy upgrade, most homeowners will appreciate new tile flooring.

3. Water-Resistant

Ceramic tiles will be beneficial in any damp climate. A protective coating on top of the textile makes it stain and water-resistant. This is especially significant in bathrooms and kitchens, where the ceramic tile will last far longer than other materials.

It also withstands high humidity temperatures, so you won’t have to worry about it getting ruined during the hot and steamy summer months.

If you purchase the unglazed tile, you will need to seal it to protect the surface from any liquids that may come into contact with it. The grout lines between the tiles, in particular, can be prone to moisture, so ensure sure those are well aerated.

5. Long-Lasting

Tile flooring is durable, and the tiles are difficult to crack. If you obtain a quality installation and maintain it properly, your tile floor can last up to 20 years or even longer.

Even if one single tile gets cracked you can easily replace it with a newer one. Because you won’t have to change tiles regularly, you’ll be able to keep your overall costs low.

6. Inexpensive

Tile flooring is relatively inexpensive when compared to other options. It is also available at various prices, ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 200 per square ft.

Wall tiles usually are six to seven millimeters thick, and floor tiles are ten millimeters thick. Because of the difference in thicknesses, wall tiles are less expensive than floor tiles.

7. Go Green

Tiles like ceramic tiles, made of natural clay and other raw materials, do not require environmental resources such as trees or plants in their manufacture. It also eliminates the need for harsh cleaning chemicals, which can be hazardous to the environment.

8. Easy Replacement

Tiles are also a convenient way to duplicate any flooring. Because marble is expensive and difficult to install, you might obtain tiles that look exactly like marble flooring. Tiles with a plank of wood, stone, glass finish, etc., are also available in the market.

Tile Flooring Cons

Some of the cons of tile flooring are-

1. Not Winter Friendly

Because tile flooring does not absorb or retain heat efficiently, it can get extremely cold in the winter. When used in the home, your feet will feel a slight shock when they tread on the floor first in the morning.

This is vital to consider if you plan to install tiles in a public area of your business where your customers will be uncomfortable. One advantage of this is that it will feel pleasant in the summer when people step on the chilly floor when it is sweltering outside.

2. Grout Problem

Grout between tiles must be continuously maintained, especially in high-traffic areas. Grout is made of cement; therefore, it is porous and can be absorbed by moisture and dirt.

Staining, cracking, and mold are all potential problems that result from improper grouting. These can impact the aesthetic and integrity of the floor, but routine cleaning and resealing of grout will keep severe issues at bay.

3. Noise Isn’t Distorted

If you’ve ever had tile flooring in your home, you know how poorly it muffles sound. As a result, tile flooring may not be the greatest choice for second-floor rooms. Carpet, for example, may be better suited to bedrooms or corridors.

4. Bulky

Because tile flooring is heavy, it is not a good choice for upper-story installations. If it is required to install tile flooring on the top level of a commercial building, a specialist should first inspect the structure’s structural stability.

5. Brittleness

Interestingly, these tiles are both hard and fragile. Because of the former, they are bad for your feet, legs, and knees. Surfaces such as ceramic tile and marble, according to experts, might be damaging to joints.

The risk, however, is substantially higher in the case of marble flooring. Changes in weather conditions may also affect your health, as the tiles may turn hot or cold depending on the season.

6. Prone To Slippery

Unless you have invested in high-quality tiles, tiles can be slippery surfaces, especially when they come into contact with water. Even the most excellent tiles are not completely slip-proof when wet.

Conclusion

Tile flooring is a good choice for a timeless and traditional style in your house, with a lot of design variety and an easy-to-maintain aesthetic.

Tile adds class without the difficulties of wood flooring or the inauthenticity of synthetic flooring, and it is amongst the best flooring material for high-traffic spaces.

So, consider the tile types, advantages, and downsides if you contemplate tile as a flooring option for your home or office area.

Also Read

Hardwood Flooring – Pros & Cons

Vinyl Flooring – Pros & Cons

Granite Flooring – Pros & Cons

12 Types Of Flooring For Homes

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