Dear Rob:
I’ve read all about different ways to use tile and hardwood on your site, and I’m still stuck trying to decide whether tile or wood is best for me. I know you’ve already written about the advantages of hardwood, so could you share some advantages of tile as well?
-Jen in New Mexico
Dear Jen:
There is no other flooring type that has the design flexibility of ceramic tile or natural stone. Multiple shapes, sizes, installation patterns, and colorways give ceramic tile and natural stone endless design choices. This is just one of the many benefits of ceramic tile and natural stone.
In addition to tile’s design flexibility, ceramic tile is an extremely durable product. A good quality tile that is taken care of and installed properly can last a lifetime. Choosing a tile floor can be a decision that you don’t have to worry about ever again – unless, of course, your decorating tastes change.
Ceramic tile and natural stone are both very easy to maintain.
Place walk-off mats at every entrance and sweep the floors regularly. If a spill or stain occurs, use a manufacturer-approved cleaner to remove it. That’s it for the tile itself! Inspect the areas around the tile each year and replace the caulk as needed.
Design Flexibility
Ceramic tile comes in sizes varying from 1″x1″ to 24″x24″ and many sizes in between, including non-square sizes and shapes such as octagons, rectangles, and circles. These sizes can be used alone or can be mixed for countless design choices. All you need is a little math to create custom installation patterns with the geometric size options of tile. These options, in conjunction with all of the color choices available, make tile the most versatile and designer-friendly flooring product available!
You can use tile in nearly any application.
Install it on floors, walls, showers, tubs, backsplashes, ceilings, and both indoor and outdoor surfaces. You can also use tile on countertops, tabletops, fireplaces, hearths, columns, and more. Unlike wood flooring, tile works well in wet environments. With the proper underlayment, you can install it over most subfloors.
Cost effectiveness.
Tile is still one of the most cost-effective surfaces on the market. Once you absorb the initial cost of tile, you don’t have to spend money on it again for the life of the product if it is installed properly. It doesn’t need refinishing, resurfacing, reglazing, or recoating.
Repairs are simple.
Should there be a need for repair, the process is not as complicated as other flooring surfaces. In most cases, it should be performed by a professional. A professional can usually repair a broken tile without damaging other tiles around it, causing a larger problem.
Increase your home’s value.
Ceramic tile and natural stone can increase the value of your home helping you recoup the initial cost invested in the product.
Good for allergy and asthma sufferers.
Unlike carpet, which can harbor dust, mites, dander, and other allergens, tile and other hard surface flooring are easier to keep clean and allergen-free.
When considering new flooring, choose ceramic tile if your budget allows and you want a durable, low-maintenance product that will last for many years.
It can give you long-lasting beauty and a focal point for your decorating scheme in your home.
-Rob
Thanks for such an informative blog about ceramic tiles. I hope i can see this blog two years before when i was building my house and was confused what to select ceramic tiles or wood for my kitchen. but Thanks to Ciciliot for clearing my confusion. It is very hard to find good help and that i found then.
Not many people have knowledge about ceramics and help of professional is mandatory in this regard.
Dear Rob,
I have ceramic tile counter tops throughout my kitchen and LOVE IT!!! I am wanting to put ceramic tile on the floors in my den, without making it a radiant floor. I am concerned about how cold they would be in the winter months. And second, I have two dogs. On occasion they do have accidents. I am a concerned about the grout absorbing urine odor.Would I regret this route.
Morgan Tennessee
I believe what brings the most out of the natural stone products is those 4 words: durability, aesthetics and creativity, healthy. Natural stones offer a great variety, maybe one of the most useful materials, but still not valued well enough. I totally agree with Rob and would like to add as an expert that natural stones may be the defining content of one´s ambient. Wooden flooring and decoration may also be good, but it burns, gets second hand soon and keeps dirt. However, it is best for the dance stage and looks beautiful in certain ambients.
Nice overview, on the topic of natural stone tiles I can definitely agree that natural stone is easier to maintain than wood and carpet. Of the natural stone tile options travertine is a cost effective and gorgeous option for indoor/outdoor flooring.