Tiles are one of the most coveted materials used when building a house. The origin of the tiles can be rooted from ancient Sri Lanka when Sinhalese kings needed materials to build their swimming pools. Since then, tiling has become a design sensation that started spreading from all of Asia up to the Western society. Tiles today are now used to decorate living room floors, bathrooms, kitchen countertop, and even walls.
Sleek, clean, and easy to maintain, tiles are just simply the go-to when you want functionality and style. Learn how to use it to make your home look super great by following the tips below.
Types of tiles
There are many types of tiles available in the market today. Each one has their own level of strength and durability. Below are the four main types of tiles popularly used at homes all over the world.
- Ceramic – Quality and affordability. This is what ceramic tiles are all about. Made with clay and glaze, this tile will work well in your interior walls and floor.
- Porcelain – Just like the ceramic, porcelain is also made with clay but with the additional sand. It’s perfect for outdoors because it’s a lot denser, which makes it very durable.
- Natural stone – This type of tile might be expensive but it’s certainly the most beautiful. Seal it before dampening it to water to avoid staining.
- Glass – Stylish yet a bit expensive, glass tiles are known for easily having tear and wear.
How to choose the right tiles
There are four factors to consider when buying a set of tiles. The first one is the durability. A good tile for walls have a durability of 0 PEI while tiles for outdoors have 5 PEI. The second one is finish. This will determine how clean and safe the tile is.
The next factor is the color. This could make or break the look of your home, so be careful on which color you have to choose. And finally, the last factor is the decoration. Most tiles comes with patterns so be careful on how you will organize them to create a single stunning image in your home.
Which works best?
How will you tile up each room in your house? Here are some top ideas that may help you.
- Living room – Use ceramic floor tiles for your living room. For a clean and sophisticated look, choose cream white or the wood brown as the color.
- Bathroom – This room certainly needs a good set of tiles. The bathroom floor tiles should be able to stand against the water coming from your shower or your faucet. Use porcelain or ceramic tile for this one. On the other hand, try using granite or marble tile on your bathroom wall for that finish and cool look.
- Kitchen – Use warm colors for your kitchen to elevate that homey vibe. Don’t be afraid to use patterns matched with a solid color as flooring like brown. Use natural stone for that organic look.
- Bedroom – Ceramic and porcelain go well in achieving a clean and relaxing look for your bedroom.
Always put durability first before style. Quality over aesthetics. It’s very important to make sure that the tiles that you use is in top-notch caliber to avoid any dangerous situations. Have fun choosing what’s best for your home.