When designing a room, the floor is one of the most important features that is sometimes overlooked even though it’s one of the most prominent. For an eye-catching and unique option, consider using tiles for flooring that will give a room the perfect finish.
Hardwood flooring can be incredibly expensive and is prone to scratching, as well as laborious to maintain. Carpets can sometimes give off an old-fashioned look and can stain easily. Tiles provide a great alternative in both their low cost and low maintenance.
Among the many benefits of using tiles is that they are available in a huge range of different materials, design patterns, and colors. That means they are an incredibly versatile option that can be tailored to the specific requirements of a room, whether it be for a subtle, elegant finish for a kitchen or bathroom, or a more elaborate, visually powerful image.
Ceramic tile is produced from clay materials molded into various designs. Cleaning is easy with some soap and water, making it a good option in rooms like the kitchen where spills might happen.
When using ceramic tiles for flooring, a decision needs to be made between porcelain and non-porcelain ceramic. The vast majority of ceramic tiles for sale are non-porcelain, but some varieties are available made with mixtures that make it a porcelain product. While these types of tiles can be more expensive, they are also stronger and more stain-resistant than non-porcelain tiles.
Alternatively, consider using one of several types of stone for floor tiles: Granite, limestone, marble, slate, and more. Each type of stone has its pros and cons that will vary depending on the need. For example, a durable granite tile design is well suited to a heavily trafficked room like a kitchen because it can stand up to regular wear and tear better than other stone tiles. In less-busy rooms, limestone can produce a beautiful pattern — although it is more vulnerable to damage.
Once the particular type of tile material is selected, the remaining major decisions are which colors and patterns to use and how to lay them out for the most attractive flooring.
A straight lay pattern offers a simplistic yet classy look, with the tiles lined up neatly from corner to corner of the room. As the name suggests, they’re literally laid straight for a uniform appearance. This can look great in an office, giving it an understated modern look.
Or for a more unique appearance, try a patchwork design. Also known as a Versailles pattern, tiles are arranged in four different sizes to give the image of an unplanned design, though the end product is an expertly crafted floor that creates a great look for a kitchen or bathroom.
Even more creative options are also available, including a herringbone pattern that is designed to look like the knots and grains of a wooded floor but without any of the hassle of using wood. These tiles are arranged in a zigzag manner for a look that works in living rooms and elsewhere.
Whatever the design, tiles can provide the ideal feature for a room, meaning the only difficult decision to make is figuring out which particular style will look the best.