Tile Flooring | Information on Tile Floors

When it comes to tile floor types, there are so many options and varieties to choose from. In many cases, you are only limited by your imagination. You can select small, large, or rectangular and hexagonal-shaped tiles, or even mix and match different shapes to form an eye-catching tile mosaic. Mosaic tiles can be purchased individually or pre-mounted on installation sheets.

Some tile flooring types include:

• Encaustic tiles: Available glazed or unglazed, encaustic tiles are inlaid with designs.



• Marble tiles: These tiles are very attractive and can be used in most household areas. Polished marble can be very slippery and is not recommended for high-traffic areas.



• Ceramic tiles: Ceramic tiles are made by firing clay, talc and other materials at very high temperatures in a kiln. Ceramic tiles come in both glazed and unglazed varieties and can be made with recycled materials (e.g. windshields; glass bottles).



• Porcelain tiles: Actually a type of ceramic, porcelain tiles are made by firing clay and other materials at a very high temperature. The result is a tile that's dense and moisture resistant. Porcelain tiles are ideal for bathrooms and kitchens.



• Glass tiles: Glass tiles come in a wide array of colors, shapes and sizes. They can be textured to increase their slip-resistance.

Tiles can be either single-fired and double-fired, and glazed or unglazed. Double-fired tiles are fired in a kiln twice and are generally harder than single-fired tiles. Glazed tiles are often of the double-fired sort, but are more slippery than unglazed tiles and not recommended for bathrooms or other water-susceptible areas.

For more information on tile flooring types visit FindAnyFloor.com.

Follow these 10 tile flooring care tips to help keep your tile floors looking as good as the day you install them:

1. Place area rugs and mats in high traffic areas and entranceways and in water-susceptible areas (e.g. in front of bathtubs).

2. Treat non-epoxy grout with silicone sealer twice every year to enhance the stain resistance of your tile floors.

3. Damp mop tile floors with a manufacturer-recommended cleaner. All tiles are different and require very specific types of cleaning products.

4. Avoid cleaning products that contain ammonia or alkaline.

5. Never wax tile floors.

6. Use a grout stain to return tile grout to its original color.

7. Avoid using abrasive or steel wool on tile as it can damage the surface.

8. Wipe up spills immediately with a clean cloth to avoid grout stains.

9. Glazed tile floors need to be swept and/or vacuumed on a regular basis.

10. Put protective feet on the bottom of metal furniture legs as these can permanently stain tile floors.

The decision to buy or not buy tile flooring is not one that should be made on impulse. There are so many aspects that should be considered beforehand. Things that factor into the floor purchase process include: current home décor; lifestyle factors; personal taste; and care and maintenance. How a floor tile rates according to the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) may be important, depending on where you plan on installing the tiles. The PEI classifies tiles based upon hardness and abrasion resistance (on a scale of 1-5) and recommends installation areas based on those results. Tiles are also classified by their water absorption potential by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Tiles are non-vitreous (most absorbent), semi-vitreous, vitreous or impervious (least absorption).

Here are some other things that should be taken into account when buying tile flooring:

• Traffic - Higher traffic areas (e.g. living rooms; hallways) require a stronger tile floor. Consider harder tiles that have a PEI class rating of 5 such as porcelain tiles. Class 4 ceramic tiles are usually recommended for entranceways and kitchens.



• Room use - Some tiles can be very slippery when wet and may not be suitable for bathrooms. Reduce the risk of a slip by choosing textured floor tiles or unglazed tiles.



• Outdoor use - Temperature and humidity can play a big role in floor performance. Consider standard weather in your region when choosing tile flooring for outdoor use.



• Pets and children - Most tile floor types hold up well to wear and tear from children and pets. Help minimize damage from spills by choosing tiles that are of the impervious type.



• Special needs - The smooth and hard surface of tile floors can be ideal for wheelchairs and those with special needs.


Visit FindAnyFloor.com for a comprehensive, print-friendly guide on buying tile flooring.

Tile flooring can be a perfect choice for a homeowner who wants to attempt the installation job on their own. Although tile floors can be one of the easiest floors to install, they still involve preparation, time and the right tools. Before getting started, you'll need to gather tools such as a carpenter's square, floor scraper, grout, grout sealer and rubber mallet. Depending on where you plan on installing the flooring (e.g. on stairs) you may need tile floor trims, transitions or underlayment to help complete the installation. When installing over existing flooring like vinyl or stone, it's important that you make sure that it's level and free from cracks. If removing old flooring, make sure that it does not contain asbestos, as this often requires a state-approved removal technique. Following a detailed installation guide written by a professional can help ensure floor installation success. Visit FindAnyFloor.com to find a full and quick installation guide that's customized to your skill level.

Installation tips and tricks you can find on FindAnyFloor.com:

• Use our free tile floor estimator tool to buy the correct amount of tile



• Use nippers or a rail saw to make curved cuts



• If grout joints are smaller than 1/8", use non-sanded grout



• Soften rough-cut edges with a smoothing stone



• If grout joints are larger than 1/8", use sanded grout



• Use a wet or dry tile saw for diagonal and straight cuts

The process of purchasing and installing tile flooring may bring to mind some or several questions. Some examples of commonly asked tile floor questions:

Q: How do I choose the right grout for my tile floors?

A: The color of the grout should blend in well with the color of the tile. Finding an exact match can be tough, as grout color can vary depending on the environment in the installation area. Keep in mind that darker grout tends to be easier to maintain.

Q: Can I walk on and clean tiles immediately following installation?

A: Most manufacturers do not recommend walking on tile floors until the adhesive and grout is properly dried. Drying time will differ depending on the product, so make sure you read the instructions carefully.

Q: Can ceramic tile floors be waxed or refinished?

A: Ceramic tile floors are not suitable for waxing or refinishing.

Q: What is the average lifetime of tile floors?

A: When tile floors are installed and cared for properly, they can last for a lifetime. Unglazed tiles typically show less wear and tear than glazed tiles and perform better in high traffic areas (e.g. living room).

Q: What rooms are suitable for tile flooring?

A: Tile floors are versatile and can be installed on, above and below grade. Some tile types are moisture, heat and frost resistant and can be installed outdoors and in pool areas. Floor tiles that are glazed can be very slippery and not generally recommended for moisture-susceptible areas. Ceramic tiles can be textured and tend to perform well in high-traffic rooms such as kitchens, living rooms and entranceways.

The largest flooring resource on the Internet, FindAnyFloor.com, has put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for tile flooring. Find the answers to these and other related questions in their tile FAQ section.

Upon installing and purchasing tile flooring for your home, you may have come across a word or two that you don't know the meaning of. Understanding words like "vitreous," "monocuttura" and "expansion joint" could be essential in caring for and installing new tile flooring for your home. Use FindAnyFloor.com's comprehensive tile floor glossary to familiarize yourself with these and other tile terms. All of their definitions are concise and easy to follow. They may come in handy when consulting a local tile floor retailer or installer about your flooring project.

Some popular tile flooring terms:

• Abrasion resistance: A floor surface's ability to resist scratching and scuffing upon contact with abrasive materials.


• Balanced cuts: Floor tiles that are cut to fit a certain area when a complete tile cannot.


• Conductive tile: Tiles that have the ability to conduct electricity.


• Epoxy adhesive: Used to bond floor tiles directly to the subfloor; often contains a hardener and epoxy resin.


• Flush: A term used to describe tiles that are completely level with one another, creating an even surface.


• Grout: A mixture of cementitious materials (e.g. mortar; sand) combined with water used to fill in the spaces between each tile. Comes in a variety of colors.


• Monocottura: A type of tile that is fired in temperatures up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter.


• Mosaic: A tile design or pattern consisting of several small pieces of tile.


• Non-vitreous: A term that refers to tiles with a moisture absorption rate of 7 percent or higher.


• Polished finish: Tiles that have a polished finish are usually glossy in appearance and have the ability to reflect light very well.