10 Aug Choosing the Right Tile for Your Home

Shopping for tile can be a bit daunting if you don’t know what you’re looking for. There are endless variations in shape, size, material, color and price. How can anyone sort through so many choices?

To help out we’ve provided a quick checklist below of things to think about when you’re in the market for new tile.

1) Know where the tile is going – Before walking into any stores, you should know exactly what surfaces you want to tile. The types of tile made for your kitchen backsplash are much different than those made for your bathroom floor. Kitchen counters and bathroom floors are typically tiled with quarry, ceramic and porcelain. Meanwhile, a tiled backsplash or wall can be made of glass.

2) Know your budget – How much are you willing to spend on tile? Sticking to a budget is an easy way to eliminate a number of tile options. Typically materials such as vinyl and linoleum run for less money, while custom-made ceramics can be rather pricy.

3) Understand your lifestyle – If you’re family tends to be rough on the house, getting ceramic-tiled kitchen counters may not be your best option. Though ceramic tile holds up well against extreme heat, it’s also easily cracked and chipped.

4) Know the ratings – While all tiles may seem to be hard, some tiles are actually harder than others and will better withstand human traffic. There are six groups of flooring tiles. Those in Group 1 are great for residential bathrooms where bare feet are the norm. Those in Group 6, on the other hand, can be used anywhere and in any situation.

Before you make any permanent (and expensive) decisions about which tiling to put down, talk to an expert. If you already have tiled surfaces and would like to set up an annual grout and tile cleaning service, contact Steamer’s Carpet Care today.