Tile is a strong and versatile material that can be found in a backsplash, bathroom, floor, countertop, and even outdoors. Since it is waterproof and long-lasting, it is a great option for flooring.

If you’re up for this challenging D-I-Y project, the manufacturers have instructions available in brochures and on their websites. Be prepared for a lot of careful measuring and mixing and always follow local building codes.

If you’re not confident installing a tile floor, we can do it for you!

Ancient Technology Improved

Early humans made tiles out of mud and clay, and over time they used stone, like marble and granite, to create long-lasting floors. Glorious examples of tile flooring still appear intact in museums and public buildings all over the world.

This kind of opulence was rarely found in homes, and even now, stone floors are a symbol of status and wealth.

When you’re shopping for tile flooring, you need to keep in mind what it’s going to be used for. There are several ratings you’ll see:

Abrasion Resistance: a measure of the tile’s surface hardness. The higher the number, the harder the tile’s surface is.

Frost Resistance: This is based on how porous tiles are and how much water they absorb. Frost resistance is also dependent on the grout, subfloor, sealers, and other coatings together as a whole. Frost resistance matters if you’re going to be using tile outdoors.

PEI Rating: The hardness of porcelain tile is rated by the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) abrasion test.The scale ranges from 0-5 with 0 being tiles used for walls and tiles rated a 5 being best for high traffic areas like building entrances, swimming pools, and shopping malls.

Slip Resistance: (COF-Coefficient of Friction) Pay attention to this number if you are using tile for a wet area or where there are going to be people who have difficulty walking. There a few different scales used: Learn more about them here.

Variation: This rating will give you an idea of how much variation in colour and shade there is between tiles. V1 indicates very little variation from tile to tile while V4 tiles will have random variations of shade and even texture within the same pack.

Water Absorption: This rating is a measurement of how much water the tile is likely to absorb. If tiles absorb too much water, they may crack. There are only four ratings. From least dense to most, they are Non-vitreous, semi-vitreous, vitreous, and impervious.

Rock Solid Floors

Because of the improvements made to the manufacturing process, porcelain (not stone) tiles are the most dense and water resistant. Since diamond flooring hasn’t been invented yet, glazed porcelain tile is the next best thing.

If you’re drawn to the look of stone like marble, granite, slate, limestone, or travertine, HD printing technology on porcelain tiles can give you the same effect without the added care and precaution needed for those “softer” materials.

There are a few things you can do to preserve your tile floor’s appearance and value:

MATS

Place mats in areas that see a lot of traffic (such as entrances and exits) or moisture (such as bathrooms and laundry rooms). Furniture pads are also a good idea. Dragging large things like couches or pool tables could cause serious damage to tile surfaces.

SWEEP & MOP

Regular sweeping and dust mopping will prevent surface scratches. You can do a deeper clean with a damp mop and a floor cleaning solution that isn’t acidic, abrasive, or bleach.

RESEAL IT

Porcelain tiles are very durable and resilient. They don’t need to be reglazed or refinished. However, you may have to reseal the grout depending on how porous it is and where it is. Stone tiles, however, are extremely porous and need to be resealed on a regular basis.

Warranties Built for Tough Flooring

Tile products are backed with impressive warranties that protect against wear, fading, and staining. Warranties vary from product to product, so ask your Flooring Consultant for specifics.