Is Porcelain & Ceramic Tile Right For Me?
The looks and the fact that it’s easy to clean usually makes ceramic or porcelain tiles a good choice for your home, but let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages: easy, reliable and design-friendly
Most porcelain and ceramic tiles are very durable and degrade slowly. Over the long term, this means that you probably won’t need to change it and that the colors will persist. Another advantage is its hypoallergenic quality.
Tiles are also easy to install, even for a beginner, because of the fiber mesh resin backing that holds tight to the under flooring.
The wide variety of tiles ensures that it can be used both in your home and your office, in every room, and in accordance to the design of the respective room.
From highly-engineered rectified tile to the retro subway tile or the rustic mosaic tile, you can find the desired style in a wide range of affordable options. All tiles are ensured to be easy to install and to maintain, while the price range can vary to fit almost any budget.
Disadvantages: planning ahead
When purchasing porcelain or ceramic tile, it’s good to keep in mind what kind of style you want and determine what your budget is. Start by knowing the main differences between ceramic and porcelain tiles.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles mainly differ in looks, feel, installation and durability. While porcelain tiles are somewhat harder, ceramic tiles are much easier to cut and shape any way you want. Carefully think about what suits you lifestyle best and what kind of materials will best do the job.
If soundproofing is a necessity, you may want to consider a different option, since neither ceramic nor porcelain absorb sound.
Caution when installing highly glazed tiles in areas like the bathroom, since highly glazed tiles can be slippery when wet, especially if the area will be regularly used by youngsters or the elderly.
One such tile is the Saltillo tile. This should not be used in the kitchen or bathroom because it is a porous tile.