Given its myriad strong points, it’s no surprise that tile remains a highly popular flooring option here in Austin. It’s low maintenance, durable, affordable, and available in all sorts of patterns and designs. Did we mention hypo-allergenic?
However, certain types of tile are better suited for certain households and spaces – an informed tile flooring company will be able to ask you questions about your home and your lifestyle to help you find the right tile for you both functionally and aesthetically.
Before we get to that: to help you choose the right option for your specific needs, read on for the most important factors to consider when selecting tile flooring.
Durability in Tile Flooring
Porcelain tile is made by firing clays at a very high temperature, resulting in an extremely dense and strong material. In addition to scratches, scuffs, and general wear and tear, porcelain is highly resistant to water and moisture. This is why porcelain is commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms, and any high-traffic space that’s prone to getting wet.
Ceramic is another durable and versatile option. Though not as water-resistant as porcelain, ceramic will rarely chip or crack, even under moderate to heavy traffic.
Other tile materials are significantly less durable than these two materials. But if you’re not installing flooring in a kitchen or bathroom, that may be perfectly fine. The top flooring company should explain how the tiles are made and why they are good in some instances but not others.
Comfort in Tile Flooring
One of the only downsides of porcelain is that it’s not as comfortable to walk on as other materials, like natural stone. Marble, slate, limestone, and travertine are softer and warmer on the foot because stone naturally radiates heat. This makes them suitable choices for guest bathrooms, tub decks, courtyards, or places where people typically walk barefoot.
Again, this type of knowledge should be shared with you when you are shopping. If they are not talking about the downsides of a particular product, they are not helping you make a fully informed decision that you will love for years to come.
Price of Tile Flooring
Speaking of natural stone, the timeless elegance of marble and slate comes with a much higher price tag than porcelain or ceramic, both of which are famously affordable in comparison to natural stone tile floors. From an investment perspective, porcelain tiles can maintain their appearance for decades on end with proper maintenance.
If you love natural stone but you’re working with a budget, limestone and travertine are among the more affordable options. Still, it’s important to note that limestone is vulnerable to scratches, and it can be stained by alcohol or fruit juice products.
Maintenance for Tile Flooring
Compared to other types of flooring, tile is considered very low maintenance. Ceramic and porcelain tiles will look good as new after a damp mop every three weeks or so.
Maintenance is only an issue with the more expensive options, like marble. Depending on the space’s traffic levels, you may have to re-seal your tiles every 6-12 months.
Thanks to modern printing technology, cheaper materials can be designed to mimic the look and feel of all sorts of materials, like natural wood and stone. So, you don’t necessarily have to purchase a certain material in order to access its appearance.
If you are looking to install new tile floors, these are the important points the top flooring company in Austin will tell you to look at while selecting the perfect tile for your home. The experts at Flohr would be happy to answer any other tile-related questions you may have. We’ve been installing tile in Austin for more than 20 years, so we know which options are best suited for different types of households. Contact us today and let’s find the right tile flooring for your home and your budget.
