Tile floors are seen virtually everywhere; houses, apartments, offices, and all other types of buildings can benefit from tile flooring. Tile flooring can offer a blend of aesthetics, durability, and ease of maintenance, making it suitable for various rooms and design preferences. The aim of this guide is to help our readers decide if tile flooring is the right choice. If you have a flooring project or home renovation coming up, take a few minutes now to learn all about tile flooring!

Understanding Tile Floors

Tile flooring comprises several key components that work together to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing surface. The primary component is the tile itself, which can be made from various materials such as ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, or cement. These tiles come in a range of sizes, shapes, colors, and textures to suit different design preferences. An essential component is the grout, a mortar-like substance used to fill the spaces between tiles. Grout not only holds the tiles in place but also prevents debris from getting between them and enhances the overall appearance by creating a uniform finish.

An underlayment or substrate is often necessary to provide a stable, level surface for the tiles to adhere to, ensuring durability and longevity. The installation process may also involve adhesives or mortar to bond the tiles to the substrate securely. Each of these components plays a crucial role in the performance and look of tile flooring, contributing to its popularity as a flooring choice. Below are a few of the most popular tile materials.

Ceramic Tile: Made from clay and fired at high temperatures, ceramic tiles are known for their durability and water resistance. They come in glazed and unglazed options.
Porcelain Tile: A subtype of ceramic tile, porcelain is denser and more impervious to water. It is fired at higher temperatures and often has a through-body coloration, making chips and scratches less noticeable.
Natural Stone Tile: This category includes marble, granite, slate, travertine, and limestone. Natural stone tiles offer unique patterns and textures, adding a touch of luxury to any space.
Cement Tile: These tiles are handmade and offer intricate patterns. They are often used in decorative applications and can provide a unique, artisanal look.

Pros & Cons Of Tile Floors

Before installing tile floors in your home, there are some important factors to consider. While tile is a great choice for certain areas, there are many places in a home where the look and feel of tile flooring may not be what you want. The following pros and cons should shed some light on whether tile flooring suits your needs.

Benefits Of Tile Flooring

Durability: Tile flooring, especially ceramic and porcelain, is extremely durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms.
Water Resistance: Tiles are highly water-resistant, making them perfect for areas prone to moisture such as bathrooms, saunas, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
Low Maintenance: Tile floors are easy to clean and maintain. Regular sweeping and occasional mopping are typically all that’s needed to keep them looking pristine.
Variety Of Styles: Tile flooring comes in a vast array of colors, patterns, and textures. Whether you prefer a sleek modern look or a rustic natural stone appearance, there is a tile option to match your aesthetic.
Allergen Reduction: Unlike carpet, tile flooring does not trap dust, pollen, or other allergens, making it a healthier choice for people with allergies.
Heat Resistance: Tiles are heat-resistant, which is particularly beneficial in areas near stoves or fireplaces. They can also be paired with radiant floor heating systems for added comfort.

Drawbacks Of Tile Flooring

Hardness: While durability is a major benefit, the hardness of tile can be a downside. It can be uncomfortable to stand on for long periods and can be unforgiving if you drop something on it.
Cold Underfoot: Tile floors can be quite cold, especially in the winter. This can be mitigated with the use of area rugs or by installing radiant floor heating systems.
Installation Complexity: Installing tile flooring can be a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. It often requires a professional to ensure proper installation, especially for natural stone tiles.
Grout Maintenance: The grout lines between tiles can become stained and discolored over time. They may require periodic sealing and cleaning to maintain their appearance.
Cost: While there are budget-friendly tile options, high-quality and natural stone tiles can be quite expensive. Additionally, professional installation can add to the overall cost.
Weight: Tile flooring is heavy, which means it may not be suitable for all structures. Floors must be properly assessed to ensure they can support the weight of the tiles.

Tile Floor Designs & Styles

One of the standout features of tile flooring is its design versatility, which allows homeowners to achieve virtually any aesthetic they desire. Tiles come in an extensive range of colors, patterns, and textures, making it easy to find a style that complements any interior design. For a contemporary look, large-format porcelain tiles with sleek, minimalist designs are an excellent choice. For a more traditional or rustic feel, natural stone tiles like slate or travertine offer unique variations and textures that add character to a space. Mosaic tiles and patterned cement tiles are perfect for creating intricate designs and focal points, such as backsplashes or accent floors.

Unlike many flooring material options, tiles can be arranged in various layouts, from classic grid patterns to herringbone and chevron designs, adding further customization options. The ability to mix and match different tiles and layouts enables homeowners to create personalized and unique flooring solutions that reflect their individual tastes and enhance the overall ambiance of their homes.

Tile Flooring Vs. Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy floors are becoming a popular choice for areas of the home that are prone to moisture and traffic, but tile is still the overwhelming favorite among most homeowners. Tile flooring is often a better choice than epoxy flooring due to its superior versatility, aesthetic appeal, and long-term maintenance benefits. Tiles come in an extensive variety of colors, patterns, and textures, allowing homeowners to achieve any desired look, from classic to contemporary. This design flexibility makes tile flooring suitable for virtually any room in the house, unlike epoxy, which is better suited to industrial or garage settings due to its utilitarian appearance. Tile flooring offers better longevity and durability in residential applications. While epoxy coatings can chip or peel over time, tiles, especially ceramic and porcelain, are highly resistant to scratches, stains, and water damage.

Properly installed tile floors require relatively low maintenance and are easy to clean with regular sweeping and mopping, whereas epoxy floors can become slippery and may require specialized cleaners to maintain their finish. Most importantly, for our readers whose top priority is safety, tiles contribute to healthier indoor air quality by not emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that some epoxy coatings may release.

Where & Why You Should Install Tile Floors

Tile flooring is an excellent choice for areas of the home that experience high moisture levels, heavy foot traffic, or require easy maintenance, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and entryways. In these spaces, the water resistance and durability of tile outperform other flooring materials, and tile's impervious nature ensures it remains intact and attractive despite frequent exposure to water and heavy use. The ease of cleaning tile flooring makes it ideal for these areas, where dirt and debris are frequently tracked in. Keep the following in mind when deciding what floor materials you should install in these specific areas of your home:

Hardwood can warp or stain when exposed to moisture, making it unsuitable for bathrooms or kitchens where spills are common.
Carpet, while comfortable, can harbor mold and mildew in damp environments and is prone to stains and wear in high-traffic areas.
Laminate flooring, although more moisture-resistant than hardwood, can still swell and buckle if water seeps into the seams.

Luxury Vinyl Tile & Professional Installation

Luxury Vinyl Tile, known as LVT, is an exciting new tile flooring option that Infinity Flooring is proud to offer our customers across the Salt Lake City area. LVT is a synthetic material made from PVC resin, and it is designed to mimic the appearance and qualities of natural tiles made from stone, ceramic, and other popular tile materials. LVT offers the same aesthetics as classic stone tiles at a fraction of the cost and virtually none of the hassle, especially when you call a professional flooring company for installation services.

Infinity Flooring specialists know how to install all types of tile floors, including LVT. Though LVT is designed for easy installation and maintenance, having the help of an experienced flooring company ensures that you will not have any gaps, peels, cracks, or other mishaps during the installation process, giving you the best-looking floors possible. Call us today for a free quote on any of our tile floor installation services!

A Guide To Tile Flooring