Tile can be a great flooring option for your home. It is durable, fire-resistant and can look great with different design aesthetics. When looking for tile flooring, pay attention to the different qualities of the tile, a some are better for different areas of the home. Here are some things to keep in mind.
The Tile’s Roughness
Roughness is what determines how slip-proof tile is. Slip-proof tile is treated with an abrasive material so that its surface is rougher and safer to walk on.
Hardness Rating
The harder the tile, the more durable it is and the more traffic it can take. The Porcelain Enamel Institute has the following hardness ratings:
Group I: light traffic areas, i.e. bathrooms, which get mostly barefoot traffic.
Group II: medium traffic, good for most home interiors, sans kitchens and entryways.
Group III: medium-heavy traffic, good for any home interior.
Group IV: heavy traffic, good for all home interiors and light/medium commercial areas
Group V: extra heavy traffic, can be used anywhere.
Porosity
A tile’s porosity rating tells you how water resistant the tile is. The more porous, the less water resistance it has. Porosity ratings, from least to most porous, are: Impervious, Vitreous, Semi-vitreous, and Non-vitreous.
Tile Types
There are virtually countless options when it comes to tile flooring. Here are just a few of them.
Ceramic “ Ceramic tile flooring comes either glazed or unglazed. Glazed tile allows for brighter and more varied colors. It is stain resistant, but not slip-proof. Unglazed ceramic tile offers less color options and it needs sealant to make it more stain proof, but it is more slip resistant than glazed tile.
Brick “ Brick is a great choice for outdoor spaces like patios or yards. Brick is durable and lends the house a rustic, earthy aesthetic.
Porcelain “ Porcelain tile is moisture-resistant and dense. Good for high-traffic areas.
Terrazzo “ Terrazzo is a very durable kind of tile that comes in a variety of finishes. It is made of stone or marble chips.
Saltillo “ Saltillo tile is also called Mexican tile that adds to window treatments in San Diego. It has deep, smoky colors that are great for kitchens. It is air dried, however, and this exposure to the elements makes it softer and not as durable.
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