Choosing the Right Tile - Consider These Five (5) Easy Tips

Choosing the right tile for your home is such an important decision since this is one choice you hope will last for a very long time - sometimes for a lifetime! The options are so wide-ranging in today’s market; you can easily feel overwhelmed if you go in search of your tile without any background.

Ceramic tile is one of the most popular choices due to its durability and functionality. However, there are decorative tiles, natural stone tile, glass tile and so many patterns, textures, and preferences for everyone that it depends to a great extent on the use and the area where it will be placed.

Since this is such a long-term choice, it is smart to consider a few important tips that can help you make a wise decision for your next tile project:

Be sure the tile you choose really suits your purpose. Just as most other products for your home, tile is meant to serve specific purposes and should be used in areas where it will endure and give you the results you want. Some tile is sturdy enough to be used indoors or outdoors in practically any climate. Other tile, however, is only strong enough for indoor floors, walls, or countertops. When you choose your tile, it’s very important to pick tile suitable for the specific area where you plan to use it.

All tiles are rated for slip-resistance, which is a very important factor the average consumer might not think about. If you have children or older family members in your home, you should be careful about choosing tiles that tend to be more slippery. Heavily glazed tiles, for instance, are not suitable for areas such as bathrooms, entryways, or kitchens because of high moisture conditions in these areas.

Depending on how quickly you want your tiles installed, you might consider choosing a larger tile rather than small tiles. It stands to reason that the larger tiles can be laid more quickly. So if the speed of the job is important, you should plan for a larger pattern. Try not to make this your primary deciding factor if at all possible. It’s much better to choose what you want and not let speed control your decision.

The finishing touch to any beautiful tile design is the trim pieces that set it off and give that professionally installed appearance you want. Some tiles have trim pieces such as bull-nose tiles (tiles with one or two rounded edges instead of four 90-degree corners) and cove (curved) tiles that provide an eye-catching result. It’s not only important to think about your wall, floor, or counter top design, think all the way through that final touch – the trim that will give you the over all stylish look you want, especially in bathrooms and kitchens.

There are so many options in tile today. If you fall in love with a particular tile that has no trim tile available, consider choosing a second tile and adapt its trim pieces. Choose a tile that will coordinate with your first choice and use the trim pieces that correspond to it with your design. You can even add a border of the coordinating tile to tie your design in even more effectively. You’ll be amazed at your opportunity to design and create a lovely new space for your home with all the tiles and trim pieces available.

Avoid These Mistakes When Selecting Tile

Be sure you select tile that you can live with for years to come. Since tile is very durable, your tile might last as long as your house. So don’t get caught up in a trend that you might tire of over time. Make a choice that can withstand not only normal wear, but will also be easily worked into a new design should you change wall colors, furnishings, and style later on in years. You might also consider these factors:

Don’t Choose Tiles too dark or too light. Choosing tiles at the extreme ends of the color spectrum can be lovely, but this also has its drawbacks. Very light solids (almond and white) or very dark tiles (navy, black, and chocolate brown) tend to show soil more readily.

Stay away from tiles with high-sheen and smooth texture which easily show tracks and footprints, especially if you have pets or children.

Don’t choose the wrong size for your space. To make a room appear larger, select large, light-colored tiles. If you need to make a larger space appear more cozy and intimate, go with smaller, darker tiles.

Avoid choosing tile that won’t fit well with your colors and lighting, Make your favorite selections and take samples home so you will have a better idea of how the tile will actually look. Consider how it fits into the room’s color and lighting. Lay the tiles on the surface for intended use to see whether the color and design work with the room's lighting. You can also test potential floor and countertop tiles for heel and pot marks.

Don’t make your cleaning and maintenance more difficult than necessary. White and light-colored grouts can be difficult to keep clean. This is especially true on floors and counter tops. By choosing a grout that coordinates with the actual color of the tile, you can keep your floors and counter tops looking fabulous with much less cleaning time involved.

Pick the Right Tile for You

Making a well-thought-out decision in your tile selection will surely help you choose the tiles that will bring you and your family the most pleasure and keep you from having to spend too much time maintaining your tile. Also remember that what you choose today can theoretically last for decades, so be sure the choice you make is a sound one.

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