With so many shapes, sizes and types, it can be difficult to really find the right tile for you. Whether you are remodelling your kitchen, bathroom or outdoor patio, picking the right tile that is fit for purpose at the right price can be a daunting task.
We thought that we would answer some fundamental questions about buying tiles for your home.
Ceramic, Porcelain or Natural Stone?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions when picking the right tile. Getting it wrong could be an expensive mistake, and getting it right would mean years of happy use!
To understand their differences, we must look at the way each is made.
Ceramic tiles are made from red or white clay and fired at 900 °C
Porcelain tiles are made from Porcelain clay, and are fired at 1200°C
Porcelain clay is denser and requires a higher firing temperature which means that Porcelain tiles are much heavier and stronger than their ceramic counterparts. This makes them ideal for high traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens and bathroom floors. Depending on their size, porcelain tiles can even be fitted on walls to complete the look of your new home.
Ceramic tiles most often find their place as kitchen and bathroom wall tiles. Their lightness and low density make them ideal working materials to re-style your home. Specially treated, hard-wearing ceramic floor tiles are available from most suppliers and are usually a great way to cut cost and ensure long term usage for your next home improvement.
Natural Stone is extracted from quarries around the world and is the perfect way to bring a classic elegance to your home at a reasonable price. The genuine and crisp colour tones of Slate, Travertine or Marble can elevate your home to an opulent paradise, but bring with them a level of care and responsibility and will not do as well if neglected.
Most natural stones like Slate and Travertine need to be sealed several times before use. The stone is porous, which means it absorbs dirt and oil unless a protective coat is used to cover the top. With regular treatment, Natural Stone’s versatility can help fit into any tiling project inside or outside your home, and worth the care and investment you put into maintaining it.
Quality Ratings
The Porcelain Enamel Institute rating (PEI rating) is a great tool to help you determine the recommended application for a tile. All tiles are classified with a PEI rating and the scale is as follows:
PEI 0 – No foot traffic (wall tile only)
PEI 1 – Very light traffic (e.g. bathroom)
PEI 2 – Light traffic (e.g. bathroom and bedroom)
PEI 3 – Light to moderate traffic (e.g. most domestic floors)
PEI 4 – Moderate to heavy traffic (e.g. entrance, hallway, kitchen, balcony and some commercial applications)
PEI 5 – Heavy traffic (all domestic/commercial uses with heavy abrasion/footfall)
When designing your dream home, it’s important to know that what you have fitted is safe for future use. Wet areas such as bathrooms and porches often benefit from having a floor tile with a better grip to prevent slips and falls.
All tiles come with an anti-slip rating to help you guage how helpful a tile is in preventing unwanted accidents. A tiles resistance is measured from R9 (low resistance) to R13 (high resistance)
Conclusion
When picking a tile for your dream home, it is important to consider its uses once it is fitted. Will people be walking on them a lot? Will the areas become slippery? How easy to clean will they be? Once you answer these sorts of questions, then it will be easier to get an idea of what will fit best in that environment. If in doubt, consult your local tile supplier.
Need Help With Your Home?
Our spacious showroom in South Wales has hundreds of tiles to choose from, with friendly and expert staff to help you make the right choice in bringing luxury to your home.