Things To Keep In Mind When Buying Floor Tiles

By Author: Rahul Bhugra
Total Articles: 1
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THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN BUYING FLOOR TILES

It can also become a bit overwhelming when it comes down to selecting the right flooring during a home or an office renovation project. As individuals, the choices seem endless and for most of the time we believe that, all the tiles look the same. But that’s not entirely true. All tiles are not created equal; however, many colours, finishes and patterns may appear similar. In olden days, one would just walk into any home and figure out how old the building was from the tiles used in it. But, these days, a homeowner is empowered to give every room of the house a luxurious, rustic or elegant impression, just by using any of the astounding variety of tiles.

Tiles are obtained by mixing raw materials (clay, sand, etc.), which are widely available in nature and working this mixture in its unfired state into the desired shape results into the semi-finalized product which is then fired at high temperatures, depending on its composition and type - glazed or unglazed, matte or glossy. Generally speaking, there are around three kinds of tiles available in the market – ceramic, ...
... porcelain and vitrified. Ceramic tiles are available across many designs and in different finishes like matte, glazed and glossy. In terms of costing, they are cheaper than vitrified tiles, and normally used in areas that sees less traffic. All ceramic tiles are vitrified to a certain extent. On the other hand; Porcelain tiles are a variety of ceramic tiles which are also vitrified and stronger than ceramic tiles. Lastly, the vitrified tiles are ceramic and porcelain tiles that have been subjected to a different burning process due to which they have a glass protective layer and are stronger and more durable. These are the tiles generally used in public spaces.

We need to take into consideration several factors before choosing a floor tile. Apart from the price, colour, pattern and finish which are surely are very important from a decorative perspective as the floor rightly sets the tone of the room and can facilitate to produce the look you are after. Having said that, on the practical side of the spectrum, there is more to choosing a tile than may initially meet the eye.

Area is one of the first things to consider when deciding what tiles to purchase. This will allow you to decide what kind of tile will work the best. Questions like is the area a high traffic area?, Is slip resistance a concern?, Is the project indoors or outdoors?, Is the area large or relatively small? Knowing the answers to these questions will ensure you select the correct tiles. We’ll delve deeper into these questions now.

Our major concern is always whether the area is a high-traffic area or not? Most tiles have a wear resistance or a PEI (porcelain enamel institute) rating which is an international standard that measures the degree to which a tile’s surface will withstand wear. In totality, there are 5 ratings- if you are tiling a bathroom, a tile with a PEI rating of 1 or 2 will be adequate. However, if you are tiling a kitchen, entrance hall, living area or passage, it will be best to select a tile with a PEI rating of 3 or 4. Please note that if there is no detail available about the wear resistance of the tile at the point of sale, one must be sure to ask the salesperson or the contact the manufacturer directly.

Secondly, slip resistance is one of the major apprehensions among the people while buying a flooring tile. Due to multitude of finishes, some tiles either suitable for certain areas or not. If you are tiling an area where the tiles are most likely to get wet, for instance in the bathroom, kitchen or patio, then it is advised that the best decision is to select a slip resistant tile, one which has a textured, matte finish. It’s not practical to have a smooth, high gloss tile which is nice to look at, but is not practical enough. Most of us will agree that it is best to avoid the potential safety hazards that can be caused by fitting the incorrect tile.

The next important question is whether we require tiles for indoor or outdoor purposes. It is a well known fact that Ceramic tiles should not be used in any outdoor areas subject to frost, as it is a high probability that the tile will crack. On the other hand, a porcelain tile which tends to have a lower porosity is suitable for all outdoor areas. It should be noted that if using porcelain tiles outdoors, the tile should not be polished in order to ensure slip resistance when wet. Tiles of the following nature-Terracotta, slate and other natural stone are also good to use in outdoor areas but one must remember that this would require a lot of maintenance and should always be installed by a professional.

While it’s significant to know whether we need tiles for outdoors or indoors, one should always keep in mind whether the area is large or small. Since, tiles come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours; if the room you are tiling is very small, then it may not look good with large dark 500x500 tiles as this will just make the room appear even smaller. But large tiles would work extremely well in a wide, open space. Therefore, even when choosing the tile colour, one must consider fixtures and fittings and the wall colour of the room. It’s always beneficial to ask for tile samples so that you can take them back home to see if they add to or detract from the overall look. Decorative tiles like listellos and mosaics also add a personalised touch to your room. Before finalizing anything, it will be a good idea to shop around to see and know what sizes, shapes, colours and patterns are available which will help you to make a right choice.

Wandering from where can you buy floor tiles in Delhi? No need to worry, just visit Antica ceramic, a one stop solution for all your desires. Antica Cermica has over 30 years of experience and is now considered synonymous with International Designs and Best Quality Tiles and Mosaics. In their constant endeavour to showcase the best designs and material from all parts of the world, it has earned them the privilege of working not just with home owners but also on Commercial Projects with Developers. Based in the national capital, it makes buying floor tiles in Delhi for customers belonging to different strata of the society a memorable experience. They allow the client to have the opportunity to see and choose from a complete and diverse range of products which will meet the aesthetic requirements of the customer.

It’s worth noting that Antica Ceramica also imports their own range of products from countries like China, Spain, and Italy. It is also the Sole Distributor in India for several quality designer tiles and mosaic brands.

People wanting to buy floor tiles in Delhi and wants a qualitative input must consult Antica Ceramica who have also started offering their exclusive products through a distributor network across India in addition to their showroom in Delhi.

For close to 30 years now, Antica Ceramica is considered synonymous with International Designs and Best Quality Tiles and Mosaics. It is our constant endeavour to showcase the best designs and material from all parts of the world, that has earned us the privilege of working not just with home owners but also on Commercial Projects with Developers.