5 tips to select the right floor tile
Photographs: iStock
Just the way you are particular about wall paint, furniture and the ceiling material to be used at your home, you should also pay attention to the kind of floor tile. Here are the five tips from architect Rishi Sahu, that will clear the fog from around how to select this element…
1. Surface finish: There are different finishes available in premium, standard and economy qualities. The top finish can be glossy, matt or rustic. a. Glossy tiles: Can be used in living/drawing rooms.
b. Matt-finish tiles: These are non-slippery and hence can be used in kitchens, laundry rooms, wash areas and balconies.
c. Rustic-finish tiles: These rough tiles can be used in parking areas, terraces, balconies and areas which are prone to wetness.
2. Design type: This encompasses the different varieties from the appearance point of view, such as vitrified tiles, granite-finished tiles, stone-finished tiles (Italian marble and other natural stones) and wood-textured tiles.
3. Colours: Tiles are available in a wide range of colours from dark and mid-tones to light.
4. Size: Tiles are available from a size of 8 in x 8 in to 4 ft x 4 ft. Nowadays, even bigger tiles are available in the market. The 2 ft x 2 ft size is quite popular.
5. Fixing arrangement: Tiles can be classified on the basis of how they will be fixed, namely butt joint and joint with groove. Butt joints fix tiles together without any gap, while in groove joints tiles have a gap of 2 mm to 10 mm. Grouting is also of two types: cement-based grouting and epoxy grouting (which uses chemicals and adhesives).
Tiles can set the stage for the right look. If a rustic-style kitchen benefits stylistically from terracotta tiles, a contemporary kitchen looks good with vitrified tiles. Note:
1. Use light-coloured tiles in rooms that are small or without adequate natural light. They will help in making your room appear spacious and less dark. Additionally, when you use neutral colours, a change of interiors becomes easy.
2. Always purchase 5% extra tiles to account for wastage. Some companies take back unused tiles and refund the amount. Clarify this with the seller before purchasing.
3. Grouts are also available in various colours. If the grout complements the tiles, your room will definitely look better.
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Rishi Sahu
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