The Best Tile Flooring Options That You Need to Consider!
Tile flooring is increasingly becoming a popular trend in modern homes. Besides their strength and durability, they give a sophisticated and tasteful finish to your home.
Floor tiles come in a wide range of colors, textures, and designs and require less maintenance. The diverse colors and styles make them one of the most versatile flooring materials available. This versatility gives homeowners a lot of tile material options to choose from.
Your choice varies extensively from small mosaic tiles to bigger sized tiles. You also have durable ceramic “wood look” tiles that replicate the look of hardwoods.
However, all tiles are not made equal. Their suitability for different home space also varies. Tile has long been a popular choice for bathrooms. Homeowners love a tile floor in places like dining rooms, kitchens, entryways, hallways, mudrooms, and laundry rooms.
Porcelain and glazed ceramic tiles are the best tile flooring options for durability. They are equally easy to maintain. The tile grout needs periodic sealing to renew its look and prevent stains, especially if you rent your property.
The cost of tiles varies considerably depending on the material, size, and design. Tiles are not expensive flooring material, but the cost can increase when you include the installation cost. Achieving your tile flooring ideas is labor-intensive and requires a pre-installation of an appropriate subfloor and cement board.
You can equally make use of a tile backer base. You can easily DIY some small tiling jobs. However, if your job is more extensive and a bit complicated, you’d be better hiring a professional tile installer.
Because tiles are cold and hard, they are not very popular in places like living rooms, formal dining rooms, and bedrooms. Nonetheless, tiles are suitable for these spaces in markets with a warmer climate. However, tiles are currently making their way into these rooms, especially with insulation or heating added to the subfloor.
Also, remember that tiles are slippery when wet. You must bear this in mind when selecting tiles for wet areas. The tile design must provide sufficient foot traction to avoid accidents. So, always choose non-slip tiles for places like mudrooms, entryways, and bathrooms.
17 Types of Materials for Tile Flooring Explained
When you have decided to use tiles for your floor, the next thing to do is figure out which type of tiling material suits your home space.
There are lots of tile materials you can choose for your flooring work. We will discuss a few of them in this section and discuss a few more of them further down the article when we talk about tile flooring for different rooms in the home.
With the multiple types of tiling material, sizes and designs, this can get complicated. However, there is no need to worry. We’re here to help you narrow down your options to the best in the market. Hopefully, these will help you easily find a suitable match for your specific needs.
Now, let’s quickly give you an overview of the available tile flooring options:
1. Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles are produced from quarried clay. These are then prepared and molded. They are available as glazed or polished form and non-polished or unglazed form.
Ceramic tiles give homeowners a cheaper option to tile their home. Their price is sixty percent less than that of porcelain tiles. Homeowners can also easily cut the tiles if they want to do the installation themselves.
2. Porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles are heavier and are less porous compared to their ceramic counterparts. They are frequently extruded and come with less amount of impurities compared to ceramic tiles. Because of their high density, they are equally stronger and come with higher water resistance ability than ceramic tiles. Porcelain tiles also last longer than ceramic tiles, and so they are suitable for heavy traffic locations.
They can replicate the look of marble, stone or hardwood tiles. They are resistant to heavy feet usage, stains, and scratches. However, they can crack or chip if heavy objects fall on them. They are also hard on the feet, but this could be remedied with cushioned mat especially if you plan to use one for your kitchen floor.
3. Faux wood tiles
Faux wood flooring is the newest tile ideas trend. They are water and stain resistant ceramic tiles that replicate the look of wood floors. Faux tiles offer the natural beauty of wood to your home. They are as durable as ceramic tiles and more durable than hardwood.
Besides, with these tiles, you don’t have to worry about termite attack. They are equally easy to maintain and come in diverse designs.
4. Cement or concrete tiles
Cement or concrete tiles are your best choice for exterior floors and driveways due to their high durability and strength. They equally come with great traction, reduced friction even under wet condition because they lack a smooth finishing.
5. Terracotta tiles
These are produced from natural clay. They resist water and are highly durable. Terracotta tiles are commonly glazed to improve the durability and yield many color variations. They are good tile flooring material and equally, work for the walls. Terracotta tiles are popular flooring in living rooms.
Mosaic tiles are tiny sized tiles. They can be made from varieties of materials including ceramic materials, porcelain, natural stone, or glass materials. You have a wide range of choices ranging from glazed or unglazed tiles. If you’re looking for a way to make your room colorful without giving it a fuzzy look. These tiles make a great fit. They commonly go into the kitchen or bathroom.
Natural stone tiles come in different forms, including granite, marble, limestone and more. The durability of natural stone tiles varies from material to material. Some are more durable than others. Marble tiles or granite tiles are suitable for the living room and bathroom. They are equally good for kitchen counters.
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8. Marble tiles
Marble tiles are highly durable. They come in a wide array of colors because of the variation of their mineral contents. Marble tiles are available in different types of finishes including polished, tumbled, brushed and honed finishes. This versatility makes marble a perfect match for any home space.
Marble tiles also improve the aesthetic value of any home. It makes your home look stylish and improves the overall value. The drawbacks, however, are the cost and maintenance factor. They are costly and takes a lot of time to maintain. Besides, they are naturally absorbent and are not resistant to stain. This makes them unsuitable for exteriors.
9. Granite tiles
Granite tiles, on the other hand, are made from highly condensed and solid igneous rock. Their characteristic appearance is as a result of speckled mineral contents of the rock. The exclusive vein structure makes it difficult to find two matching granite floors. Polished granite tiles are resistant to scratches. This makes them a great tile option for flooring the kitchen. Granite tiles equally work for other high-traffic locations.
10. Slate tiles
Slate tiles are made from metamorphic rock and are available in multiple colors. The tiles are commonly made up of veins of colors and you’ll hardly get two identical slate tiles.
Slate tiles are by nature slip-resistant both under wet or greasy conditions. This unique feature makes slate a good fit for kitchen flooring use. It is equally a good flooring option for the bathroom and around the pool. The materials are durable and can make the room either warm or cool with its underneath circulating systems.
Slate tiles installed in high-traffic areas need periodic stripping and release to maintain their appearance. It also requires consistent mopping.
11. Onyx tiles
Onyx tiles are made from calciferous and translucent stones with a structure similar to that of marbles. It is a more fragile and less durable natural stone tile. A lattice, gum, or fiberglass backing of the tiles commonly improves its tensile strength.
Onyx tile is best for indoor use and less-traffic floors. It is also a suitable choice for countertops. Similar to other stone tiles, onyx tiles come in multiple colors. This makes each tile unique.
You need to do a dry outline before installation of the tiles to create a tasteful finish. Don’t forget to use tiles with different color mixtures for a better presentation.
12. Quartzite tiles
Quartzite is a stylish stone found in many homes, especially for its durability and non-slip nature. This high-quality tiles can replace paving in pool surroundings. They are equally suitable for driveways, and paths. Honed quartzite gives a smooth finish when used for your kitchen flooring. Crystallized and sealed quartzites give a darker shade that resembles marble finish.
13. Sandstone tiles
Tiles made from sandstone material give your home an amazing appeal. They are available in wide varieties of colors, designs, and sizes. These floor tiles are perfect for use along walkways, patios and around the pool. Sandstone tiles create a rich outdoor and give the space a natural touch.
14. Terrazzo tiles
Terrazzo tiles are made from a mixture of materials and commonly include natural stones like marble, quartz, and granite. The mixture as well contains glass and other relevant chips. Terrazzo tiles are commonly cured, crushed, and made it a smooth polished surface.
It is frequently utilized in public buildings due to their long-lasting effects. However, you need to regularly refinish the tiles to keep them looking fresh. Bear in mind that terrazzo tiles are slippery and may not be the best tile flooring for home use.
15. Vitrified Tiles
Vitrified tiles are processed tiles that come in multiple color choices and comparatively cheap prices. They are commonly durable and can easily resist scratches. These tiles are equally resistant to stain and acid. The tiles are suitable for any room.
16. Quarry tiles
These are durable unglazed tiles suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage. Quarry tiles are a great tile flooring option and are best suited for the kitchen.
17. Vinyl tiles
Vinyl tiles are manufactured from PVC with a flexible structure. The tiles exist in various shapes and sizes including square-shaped and plank-shaped tiles. They can either be used as a floating floor or bonded into place.
Some vinyl tiles come in sheet form. These require professional installation to bind it into place. Vinyl tiles replicate varieties of looks. Some of them replicate woven materials. Others resemble wooden tiles or natural stone tiles.
More Materials and accessories for flooring:
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Factors that Determine Your Best Tile Flooring Option
What determines your best choice of tile for
flooring varies depending on some factors. These include the use case, budget, and more. However, you need to consider the following factors when making a buying decision.
1. Tile Hardness
One of the most essential factors to consider before deciding on the best tile flooring option is the tile Hardness. This is commonly measured using the Moh’s scale. This scale estimates the ability of a tile material to withstand foot traffic and scratches.
The ratings are given by the Porcelain Enamel Institute after carrying out rigorous lab test. The scale can serve as a useful guide for making an appropriate selection.
Classification of Tiles Using the Moh’s Scale
S/N Classes Usability 1 Class I This class of tiles doesn’t tolerate any food traffic and thus and unsuitable for flooring. They are more appropriate for wall application. 2 Class II This class of tile tolerates only light foot traffic. They are more suitable for interior walls. They can be used for locations with soft sole traffics or standard normal foot traffic. Areas not susceptible to scratching dirt like bathrooms and bedrooms are a good match for class II tiles. 3 Class III Class III tiles are suitable for light to medium traffic. They also work well for countertop and wall application. They are suitable for spaces with foot traffic and can tolerate a little amount of scratching. They work well in all home space beside the kitchens, entryways, and other places that receive high foot traffic. 4 Class IV The class of tile tolerates medium to heavy traffic. You can install any tile with this rating in any part of your home. This includes both the kitchen, hallway, and entryway. 5 Class V Class V tiles can comfortably receive heavy and extra-heavy traffics. They equally tolerate exposure to scratching contacts. These tiles are suitable for both home use and commercial building purposes.
2. Tile Porosity
The next essential factor to consider when looking to buy a tile flooring material for your home is its porosity. The porosity of a tile is estimated by comparing the ratio of air holes with the solid material in the tile structure. This ratio determines its permeability to water and the amount it absorbs.
Your best tile choice will, therefore, differ depending on the location of the house where you want to install the tile. Remember to consider the porosity ratings below if you need to floor wet areas like the kitchen, mudroom and laundry room.
Porosity Classification of tiles:
S/N Porosity Classification Water absorption capacity 1 Impervious tiles These classes of tiles come with 0.5 % and less percent of water absorption. They are your best choice for the kitchen and bathroom floor. 2 Vitreous tiles Vitreous tiles are more permeable to water. Their water absorption capacity ranges from 0.5 % to 3%. 3 Semi-Vitreous tiles Semi-Vitreous tiles have roughly 3 to 7% water absorption capacity. 4 Non-Vitreous tiles The water absorption capacity of this tile class is above 7%. They are not good for flooring applications.
3. Strength and Moisture resistance
Tiles are also not created equal with regards to their strength and ability to resist moisture. Porcelain tiles make a great choice if you want tiles that come with high tensile strength. They are resistant to moisture and come in diverse designs.
Porcelain tiles are also more sturdy than ceramic tiles. Also, there are many textures, styles, and colors to choose from. However, the quality of each porcelain tile defers. So, it is good for you to verify their specifications before you buy.
Some porcelain tiles come with above-average strength. These types tend to have extra moisture resistance capacity. The downside, however, is that they are costlier. They are the best choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
Similarly, if you’re after replicating the contemporary look of wood flooring or stone tiles while minimizing cost, you can opt for marble or wood-like porcelain tiles. They are specially made tiles that mimic the texture and color of natural tile materials.
4. Slip Resistance
A good number of tile materials are naturally slippery. This gets worse under wet conditions. You need to take this into account while making your buying decisions. This is especially so if you have kids and seniors in your house. The bathroom tends to be more prone to falls. So, go for tiles that have more traction and good slip resistance capacity especially in your shower area.
The best type of tiles for your shower floor are those with a high coefficient of friction (COF). Also, choose tile sizes with a 4 × 4 dimension or smaller. Tiles with dimensions higher than 6 × 6 are unsuitable for the bathroom. A few tile options you can consider include the following:
If you want to buy a ceramic or porcelain tile, choose tiles with special textures and slip-resistant coatings.
You can also choose naturally non-slip slate tiles.
Another option to consider is small-sized tiles. These can either be glass, or mosaic tiles. Their smaller dimension and numerous grout lines provide a good amount of traction to the feet.
Penny tile rounds are also fantastic slip-resistant tile design. They come in smaller dimensions with 2 × 2 sizes or less. Their small size makes them a good choice for the shower floor.
Another good slip-resistant tile is pebble stone. The surface of pebble stone tiles is highly textured. They also have a good visual appeal.
5. Ease of maintenance
Are you fascinated with the visual appeal of hardwood, but concerned about the maintenance hassles? If that is the case, go for a wood-like ceramic tile. They are very durable and are resistant to scratches and moisture.
Also, many top brands currently produce tiles that mimic the look of different types of wood ranging from domestic woods to exotic woods. You can equally get ceramic tiles that mimic distressed and reclaimed wood grain.
They make a great choice of tiles for the kitchen floor tile, especially when used in spaces that are more old-styled or rustic. They can comfortably go into the bathroom or shower area where you’d normally not use natural hardwood floor.
Besides, you can install radiant underfloor heating to keep the floor suitably warm. This will take care of your concerns about the cold nature of porcelain tiles.
6. Luxury And Quality
If you want to create a luxurious effect with your tile floor, go for stone tiles. Besides their elegance, they are highly durable. Marble tiles, travertine and granite tiles can boost the appeal of any room in your home. The unique appearance of the stone tiles gives your floor the beauty that can’t be replicated anywhere.
For a luxurious effect, go for bigger sizes of tiles with 12×12 dimensions and above. A good point to note is that unlike other types of tiles, stone tiles require sealing. The sealing helps to maintain its durability and makes it resistant to stains.
A stone tile that is not sealed is naturally porous and permeable to water. In extreme cases, it could make the tiles to crumble. So, remember to seal during installation and reseal after every five to ten years to keep it in good working condition.
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7. Stain-Resistance
You may also consider the ability of the tile to resist stains. Some types of tiles are naturally more stain-resistant than others. Porcelain tiles, for example, are more suitable for kitchen floor than the natural stone tiles. They are more resistant to stains.
The color and style of floor tiles for your kitchen will depend on your kitchen countertops and cabinets. Look for tiles with a neutral tile color to create a perfect match. Remember to choose a grout color with one or two shades murkier than the shade you’d like. This will be a better choice for concealing stains.
8. Modern look and Aesthetic Custom Designs
If what you’re aiming to create is a classy and contemporary look, the concrete tile is your best option. It is very versatile and suitably fits into any room in your home. It can go into the bathroom, living room, kitchen and more rooms. The greatest benefit of concrete tiles is that they can be customized to suit your use case.
There are different sizes, colors, and textures of concrete tiles. Also, you can order for custom sizes, inserts, special engraved patterns or tiles with three-D sculptures. This gives you unlimited options.
Another good thing about these tiles is that they are highly affordable. It is less costly to install compared to the precious stones. The cost of installation is cheaper than roughly six to eight dollars per square foot.
Besides, concrete tiles are highly durable. Their ability to resist foot traffic, stains and moisture are second to none. It only requires a one-time installation. The only drawback of the concrete tile is its hard structure.
Concrete tiles may feel uncomfortable to walk on barefoot. It could also result in injuries if a slip or fall occurs. This is particularly so if you have seniors and children in your home.
Additional Tips For Choosing The Right Kind of Tiles
Choose large tiles for your living room and smaller size of tiles for bedrooms and guest rooms.
Go for a tile color that matches your interior spaces. Tiles with gray or ivory color are good for floors. They equally match well with other room decorations.
Install non-slip tiles in your kitchen and choose gold-colored or brown-colored tiles because they easily hide tough scratches and stains.
Use dark or earthy tile color for your corridors and other places with high traffic. These colors easily conceal dirt and deterioration.
Use lighter colored tile to make a smaller space look larger. So, consider installing tiles with lighter colors in smaller rooms with an insufficient amount of light. For spaces like this, consider white tiles, sand-colored tiles, cream-colored tiles, and beige tiles. The tile material could either be marble, ceramic or porcelain.
You need brightly-colored non-slip tiles for your bathroom.
Besides using brightly colored tiles for a small room, use larger tile sizes. They tend to create an illusion of a larger space.
If you use the same material on the wall, it would further make the room appear larger. To magnify the effect, you can use a matching color of grout. This is especially suitable for a small bathroom.
Best Tile Flooring Options For Laundry Room: Your Buying Guide
Some tile materials are unsuitable for the laundry floor. Examples are carpet tiles, bamboo, and wooden tiles. You need a floor that is not only sturdy to tolerate the weight and pressure from your washing machine and dryer, but one that is also water, stain, and wear-resistant. The best tile flooring option for the laundry room is vinyl tiles. However, other types of tiles equally work well in the laundry.
Vinyl tile can come as a sheet, square tiles or planks. You can also paint the subfloor of your laundry room. Remember that the laundry floor is prone to damage from a lot of factors like stains from spills and dents from heavy appliances. It can also warp and grow mold if there is water leakage. This gets worse if you have a joint mudroom and laundry room.
The floor would need to tolerate dripping water from your umbrellas and mud from shoes used outdoors. Therefore, while choosing the best tile flooring option for your laundry room, you need to consider the following factors:
A good laundry flooring tile option must be:
Impervious to water : This ensures that the floor stays dry and eliminates swell-ups, warping, and growths of molds.
: This ensures that the floor stays dry and eliminates swell-ups, warping, and growths of molds. Resistant to stain : This helps to maintain the floor and keeps it neat and fresh even if accidental stills should occur.
: This helps to maintain the floor and keeps it neat and fresh even if accidental stills should occur. Impact-resilient : This prevents scratches and dents from heavy foot traffic and appliances.
: This prevents scratches and dents from heavy foot traffic and appliances. Maintenance-friendly to reduce costs.
to reduce costs. Sturdy : This ensures that you don’t frequently replace the floor.
: This ensures that you don’t frequently replace the floor. Cost-effective to ensure it falls within your budget
to ensure it falls within your budget Visually appealing to give you a lot of options with regards to styles and design.
Having known what factors to consider when you are in the market to buy a laundry room floor tile, let’s quickly discuss your different options:
Ceramic tiles are also a good tile flooring option for the laundry room. You can get good ceramic tiles online from Amazon. Similar to the vinyl tiles, they are sturdy and water-resistant. The drawback, however, is the installation hassles. Vinyl tiles are easier to install than ceramic tiles. You must, first of all, prepare the subfloor and install a backup board to accommodate a type of tile expansion and eliminate cracking.
If you require additional insulation and texture for your laundry room floor, consider integrating low-pile tiles into the picture. For instance, you can incorporate the office carpet for a bit more feet and kids comfort. These are equally impermeable to moisture.
The cost of ceramic tiles varies and ranges from 0.85 dollars to 2.50 dollars for every square foot. Ceramic tile offers you the most affordable low price range for flooring the laundry room.
Ceramic tiles can come in glazed or unglazed forms. You can equally choose from multiple designs, shapes, and sizes. Some types of ceramic tiles are equally available in pre-laid mosaic type of tile sheets. This eliminates the need to set each tile. You can equally get tinted grout lines that maximize your options. Ceramic tile floors require regular maintenance which includes using a suitable abrasive cleaning agent to clean the grout line.
They equally need regular dry sweeping and wet-mopping to maintain their look. These robot mops will work well for dry sweeping the floor. You can equally vacuum clean the floor. These vacuum cleaners might help. You can equally vacuum clean with any of these two vacuum cleaners. If you want a more cost-effective option, this robot vacuum cleaner may help.
If you want an option that highly resistant to water, chemical and spill discoloration, consider using glazed ceramic tiles. They can last beyond the standard 10-years to 20-years lifecycle. This equally holds even when the floor is exposed to standing water which is good if your mudroom and laundry are combined.
If you choose to go for unglazed ceramic tiles, remember to seal it to provide the required water impenetrable capacity. And, don’t forget to select textured and heated tiles to improve feet friction and warmth.
Benefits
Very small entry cost
Water-resistant
Sturdy and long-lasting
You can easily install tiles and replace damaged ones without professional help.
Drawbacks
Ceramic tiles are slippery, cold and noisy. You are likely to experience a lot more noise reverberations from the sound of your washing machine or dryer compared to other tile flooring options.
The grout line collects dirt which makes cleaning more challenging. However, you can make the job easier by getting one of these vacuum cleaners.
Durable Slate-Look Porcelain
Another good tile flooring option for your laundry room or mudroom is the slate-like porcelain tiles. They work well here, especially, due to pressure from foot traffic and heavy appliances. Also, if you’re looking for a casual or rustic option, this is a perfect solution.
They look similar to natural stone tiles but with a better water resistance capacity. However, you need to prepare the floor properly to tolerate the reverberation from the dryer and washing machine.
Natural stone tiles are highly durable and can come in the form of marble, travertine, slate, limestone and related materials. Their water resistance, scratch and scratch resistance can last between 20 years to a generation. However, they are very costly. Besides, they are luxurious and almost indestructible.
Stone tiles cost ranges from 5 dollars to 10 dollars for every square foot. Nevertheless, stone tiles improve the home resale value and this can compensate for the huge tile costs.
Maintenance of stone tiles involves sweeping it dry and mopping it with a neutral cleaner or a cleaner specially meant for stones. You can also consider robot floor mopping. You can equally wet clean it with soapy water.
Besides, as part of the maintenance process, you need to regularly remove dirt from grout lines with abrasive cleaners. You can use a baking soda-water mixture, for instance. Alternatively, check out this robot vacuum cleaner. You should also seal the tile to prevent scratches.
Similar to the ceramic tile, stone tiles are also slippery and cold. However, you have the option of using heated stones to keep warm and a textured stone tile to improve foot traction. You need to bear in mind that stone tiles are large-sized and heavy. Their dimension ranges from 12 by 12 inch-tiles to 18 by 18 inch-tiles.
Also, sometimes they require the installation of two layers of subfloors. They are therefore not an easy DIY option. Therefore, remember to include the installation cost and cost of potential repair to help you determine your options. The price of professional installation and any repairs should be factored into the estimated cost of this flooring.
Benefits
They are long-lasting and this improves the home resale value.
Drawbacks
They are the costliest option. However, their higher resale value counterbalances the high cost.
Their weight and large size make them the wrong option for DIY installation and repair.
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3. Laminate Laundry Room Tile Flooring
Laminate tiles cost ranges from one dollar to five dollars for every square foot. It comes in interlocking planks which makes installation easy. The interlocking planks can either come with paper support, a wooden core or a printed paper sheet. It can also contain a wear-sheet.
The printed sheet can come in a structure that resembles natural materials like wood or stone. It can also contain solid patterns which can be structurally simple or complex patterns. The wear sheet essentially offers protection to the color of the floor and prevents the fading effects of sunlight. It also helps to make the floor scratch and dent resistant.
The drawback, however, is the hollow sound it makes when the user works on it. If you’re sensitive to sound, this might not be a great option. As an alternative, you can use layers of rugs.
One more significant point to note is that laminate floor tiles can permit water passage and this can cause warping or swelling. So, if you have a laundry/mudroom mixture, you may need to reconsider this laundry tile flooring option.
For maintenance of laminate tiles, you need to avoid wet mopping it. Only clean it with a damp cloth and sweep it dry. This robot vacuum cleaner may be a good choice. Also, check out these two vacuum cleaning robotic machines. When spillage occurs, just clean up immediately.
A laminate tile can last for roughly ten to thirty years. However, for this to happen, you must first apply a droplet of waterproof PVA to the flat border of the boards before the process of interlocking. The PVA limits water permeability.
Likewise, you should try to discover and patch up any laundry room leakage early. You should also not air out a dripping cloth in your laundry room if you choose to laminate your laundry room floor.
Vinyl Tile Options for The Laundry Room
Vinyl tiles come in different forms. There are good selections of vinyl floor tile options here. These include the following:
1. Vinyl tiles
Vinyl tile is impermeable to water. This makes it a good option for the laundry room. The laundry room is frequently exposed to standing water which may cause lasting damage to floor materials like wool carpet, hardwood and in extreme situations the laminate tiles. Besides its ability to resist water, the tile material is extremely durable.
This is another feature of vinyl tile that makes it a great fit for the laundry floor. Also, the material comparatively cheap and a good tile option for a DIY installation. All you need for a stress-free and smooth installation is to ensure that the subfloor is clean and flat.
Good vinyl tiles, similar to linoleum tiles come either in 6-foot width or 12-inch foot width. They are either attached to the subfloor with glue or installed with pad back-up that doesn’t require gluing. They can either go on a concrete floor or wooden subfloor. If you want to avoid meddling with glues, you can get pre-glued versions.
There are also vinyl planks that you can easily attach. These come with pre-glued strips. Another option is to get vinyl tiles that you can snap together just like laminate planks. These types work well if your subfloor is not sufficiently level since you don’t need to glue them to the floor.
2. Sheet vinyl
Sheet vinyl tiles are more cost-effective. Their pricing ranges from 0.50 dollar to 3.50 dollars for every square foot. Some sheet vinyl tiles are painted with plain colors. Others feature printed designs. You’d normally glue these tiles to the subfloor of your laundry room.
Their size varies from 6-inch to 13-inch width. The dimension makes installation of vinyl tiles easier than LVT tiles. However, it is still not a good tile option for DIY tasks. These tiles don’t require individual patch up. You need to change the whole sheet if any part of the tile is damaged.
It is water-resistant similar to the LVT sheet. The tiles also resist stains and scratches. Because it doesn’t contain any grout line, you only need to sweep it dry and mop it with foamy water.
The Vinyl tile is not as thick as the LVT sheet. Thus, it feels colder on the feet and lacks sufficient sound insulation. It also dents more easily and can tear more than the LVT sheets when subjected to pressures. The lifespan is roughly five to twenty years and above.
Benefits
It is the most cost-effective type of vinyl tiles.
It has multiple appearance options
Drawbacks
The installation and replacement of larger sheets are more difficult
Less ability to resist impact and scratches
3. Luxury Vinyl Tile
A luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is made up of many layers fused. These multiple layers can include the backing layer, the central layer, and the printed design that make the tile look like the more exotic materials.
The outside protective layer is water-resistant and also prevents dents and scratches. It is also stain-resistant. The tile can tolerate high impacts from foot traffic and appliances. Thus, it is a good tile flooring option for the laundry/mudroom combination.
The tile maintenance only involves the dry sweeping of the floor and wet mopping with foamy water. This robot vacuum cleaner may help. Besides, you need to do occasional acrylic sealing to maintain its lifespan of ten-to-thirty years and above. It doesn’t contain grout, and this eliminates the grout maintenance factor.
The cost of luxury vinyl tile ranges from 2 dollars to 7 dollars which is higher than that of a standard sheet vinyl tile. However, it offers enough value to offset the extra cost.
Luxury vinyl tiles are thicker types of vinyl tiles. They are less noisy and feel warmer and softer.
It also comes with a higher aesthetic value. The printed layer can replicate the natural appeal of higher quality tiles like stone and hardwood tiles. The tiles are installed straight unto the pre-existing floor. The dimension of 12 x12 inches makes it more stress-free to install than the standard vinyl tile. Ensure that the subfloor is even to avoid the creation of gaps or and lift the borders.
Benefits
It offers the natural look of high-quality materials at a lower cost
You can install it above the pre-existing floor.
Drawbacks
It costs more than the sheet vinyl tiles
It doesn’t work well in a non-leveled sub-floor.
Best Tile Flooring Options for Bathrooms
We have a lot of bathroom tile flooring options these days due to engineering and technological advancements. The contemporary bathroom has a durable tile floor that is not only waterproofed but which are also resistant to scratches and pressures from high impact objects.
You have multiple options of bathroom floor tiles materials to choose from. These include ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, and vinyl tiles. These bathroom tile flooring materials are your first option. The reason for this is not far-fetched. They are the most hands-on option for wet situations. Besides these three options, you have other options like stone tiles and cork tiles. Your buying decision would be much easier when you know the bathroom tile flooring options you have and the benefits each option against the others.
Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms and the most frequently used room. However, this depends on your family size and whether you have one or multiple bathrooms. Regardless, bathroom floor tiles should be sturdy enough to sufficient cope with foot traffic. It should also be impervious to moisture and humidity.
Knowing the benefits of each bathroom tile flooring option will shape your buying decision and help you to choose wisely.
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Let’s have a closer look at each of these bathroom tile flooring options and see what makes each of them a good fit:
1. Small Mosaic Tiles
Small mosaic tiles are fast becoming a hot trend in modern-day bathrooms. These tiles are commonly easy to install in small spaces due to their tiny size than large tiles of 12 by 12 inch-size for an example. They make a good fit in small rooms like the bathroom due to their small dimension which can be one-inch width a little below that size.
In addition to their size and easy installation, they look gorgeous. So, depending on the size of your bathroom and the available space you have, you can create an outstanding bathroom look with mosaic tiles. Besides, they are moisture-resistant and offer sufficient traction.
So with these tiles, you don’t worry much about slippery wet surface especially if you have kids and seniors in your home. Looking to get one of these you can check out these amazon bestselling porcelain mosaic tiles. Don’t like the look or the design? Check out more Mosaic tile options here.
2. Vinyl Tiles
The most commonly used tiles for bathroom floors is the vinyl tiles thanks to their affordability and practicality within a moist bathroom environment.
It works well with any bathroom including the master bathroom and your powdering room. They are also safer, more comfortable and durable than the cousin tile types. Above all, vinyl tiles are easy to install. The modern types come in appealing designs. The Vinyl tiles come with adhesive structures that make their installation easy. Cutting off a piece is very easy with a utility knife.
You can give your bathroom a contemporary look with a luxury vinyl tile or plank tile floor. It replicates the beauty of wooden and natural stone tiles at a much lower cost.
You can also get watertight and impermeable vinyl planks which are very practical for managing the wet condition of the bathroom.
Vinyl tiles also offer a sufficient amount of insulation and warmth to your feet. It will not be discomforting to step on it no matter the season. It can easily be installed on top of your existing floor. If you are looking to remodel your home, this makes a good option for you.
The drawback of the vinyl tile is that it doesn’t boost the resale value of your home. In the very least, it will improve your home look and give it a new and contemporary look. And you don’t have to break the bank to do this. A good point to note here is it doesn’t make a good bathroom flooring option if you are remodeling to boost the resale value of your home.
Ensure you properly clean the subfloor before installation. Any particle of dirt left underneath before installation likely reflects up. Another factor to mention is that vinyl tiles are not environmentally-friendly. If you are looking for greener options, it may not be the best suitable for your needs.
A lot of vinyl tiles and planks release VOCs which can affect your health and constitute harm to the environment. The good news, however, is that some vinyl companies produce safer and more environmentally-friendly option. You’re are better off checking these features before you settle on a particular choice. The prices of vinyl tiles differ but the starting price is as low as 0.95 dollars for every square foot.
Benefits
They are available in multiple options.
You get Vinyl tiles that are impervious to moisture and waterproof.
Gives you a contemporary look at a lower cost
It’s warm and comfortable on the feet
Great for remodeling task as it can go on top of an existing floor
Drawbacks
It may likely not improve the resale value of your home.
It looks cheap when there are installation flaws
Some vinyl tiles release harmful VOCs.
3. Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles
Ceramics and Porcelain tiles offer one of the best tile flooring options for the bathroom. You can get ceramic and porcelain tiles that replicate the beauty of natural stone tiles and wooden tiles. You equally have other options that replicate the multi-colored penny tiles and squared tiles with lattice patterns. Whatever look you want to replicate, ceramic tiles have designs to meet your needs.
The maintenance of ceramics and porcelain tiles equates with that of vinyl tiles, however, vinyl tiles are warmer and more comfortable on the feet. These robot vacuum cleaners may be all the tools you need. You can make the floor warmer by installing a radiating floor heater. Even then, the floor will still be hard.
Also, ceramic tiles are much more difficult to install than vinyl tiles. However, if you’re the bold type, you can undertake a DIY installation. Naturally, they are not very resistant to wear and scratches. You can improve this quality by going for glazed ceramic tiles.
Although regular ceramic tiles are sturdy, porcelain tiles are more durable. The starting price for ceramic and porcelain tiles is roughly 1.09 dollars for every square foot.
Benefits
There are multiple color choices
They are not difficult to maintain
They come in contemporary look and designs
They can mimic the look of multiple materials
Tiles are durable, impervious to moisture and resistant to stains
Average pricing
Drawbacks
They are not easy for a DIY project.
Ceramic tiles are cold and hard on the feet.
Although ceramic and porcelain tiles are cold and less comfortable on the feet, their benefits far outweigh their drawbacks. You can hire a professional installer, and install a radiant heater underneath to give it a warm feel. You can equally reduce the hardness impact by wearing slippers. Besides, you can also mimic the look of hardwood as shown in the image below.
4. Glass Tiles
Another good material option for bathroom tile flooring is the glass. Glass tiles give your bathroom an aesthetic appeal. A glass-floor tile creates a depth illusion, When the tiles are made from tinted glass they create similar effects to stained-glass. If everything goes well with the installation, glass tiles can last for a long time.
Remember to choose non-slip textured glass tiles to prevent falls. You can equally get small-sized glass tiles. The numerous grout lines provide adequate traction and make the floor non-slippery. Custom-Made glass tiles in your bathroom can create a spectacular effect.
The prices of glass tiles differ depending on many factors like textured or non-textured, tinted and non-tinted and so on.
Important Note:
Before purchasing ceramic, porcelain and glass tile for your bathroom floor check that they are rated for floor use. Grade one and two ceramic tiles are commonly suitable for flooring. Ceramic tile is also rated according to their coefficient of friction (COF) value.
Ceramic tiles with COF of 0.50 ratings and above are commonly safer. If you want to buy ceramic tiles with the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) rating, choose tiles that belong to the PEI III class and above.
5. Stone Tiles
Stone tiles, for the last ten years, have also become a popular bathroom tile flooring option among homeowners. Natural stone creates the feeling of a lavish bathroom and gives it a luxurious appeal. There different types of natural stone tiles.
These include marble tiles, travertines, limestone, granites, and slates. The multiple material options make stone tiles come in multiple colors which include creamy, bluish, reddish, greenish, and golden colors. You can choose Shoe Molding vs Quarter Round.
Stone tiles are also available in multiple textures. So, you get etched texture, sandblasted texture, flamed textured, tumbled textured stone tiles and more.
Stone tile floors are very sturdy and durable but they require occasional resealing maintenance. Besides, they are costly. You, also, need to incorporate the cost of hiring a professional tiller since it is not an easy job for DIYers. For regular cleaning, consider any of these Robot vacuum cleaners.
They are also great protection against moisture and humidity. Thus, they can serve your home for many years. The prices of stone tiles differ according to material and other factors.
Benefits
Numerous tile material options
Varied tile textures and colors
Very durable bathroom tile
Drawbacks
They require more maintenance than their cousin ceramic or porcelain tiles.
Stone tiles need consistent scrubbing and sealing.
They are costlier options
6. Engineered Hardwood
If you love the look of hardwood and want to set up hardwood floor in all your home space, consider investing in engineered hardwood tiles.
Although they are wood, they are manufactured with many layers of wood and with a veneer covering. So, they work in places where a standard wooden tile won’t normally work. They can tolerate high water content and humidity. Just like ordinary wooden tile, they come in different forms of shapes, designs, colors, and styles.
This makes a good remodeling option because they can be floated on top of an existing floor. They are costly and the cost can be as much as the cost of ordinary wooden floors or more.
However, although engineered hardwoods are impermeable to water, they are not waterproof. A bathroom leakage can cause water to seep into the wood if the planks are not properly sealed and damage the planks.
Benefits
They are made from real wood materials
Heat and water-resistant capacity.
Numerous options and types to choose from
Good for a remodeling project and can go on top of an existing floor.
Drawbacks
A damaged plank is hard to patch up
Although it’s resistant to moisture it is not waterproof.
7. Plastic Laminate Tiles
Plastic laminate wood-look tile or plank is another bathroom tile flooring option that is suitable for home remodeling projects. They look like laminate material used for kitchen countertops. They can last for many years. They don’t greatly affect the height of the existing floor.
Although they are durable and easy to clean, they don’t work very well where there is standing water. The fibreboard can be damaged when there is water leakage. This would lead to expansion and buckling. If you want to use plastic laminate tiles for bathroom floor, install them in a half-bath bathroom.
You need to equally apply caulk to seal any leftover gap on the wall, around the toilet, and the tub to prevent leakage of water.
Another drawback of the wood-look tile is that they are not available in multiple forms like ceramic and vinyl tiles. The starting cost for a square foot of plastic laminate tile is 0.49 dollars.
8. Linoleum Floor Tiles
Linoleum tiles are made from a mixture of grounded cork, linseed oil, groundwood, crushed limestone, and pigments. It is one of the contemporary flooring options that work well in the bathroom. It has a natural ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms with dust and dirt repellent capacity.
The installation process is easy with its click-in-place designs. The look is pleasing to the eye but you surely pay for the amazing look. The average cost of linoleum tile for every square foot is 4 dollars.
9. Cork Floor Tile
Unlike the ceramic tile, cork floor feels warm and comfortable on the feet. Cork tiles come in numerous color tint. The installation is easy with its glue-down design. However, you need to apply many coats of polyurethane to seal the floor. Without multiple coats of sealing agents, moisture can easily leak into the subfloor and cause some damage.
Even with finished cork tiles you still need multiple layers of coat. The installation is commonly done by trowelling adhesives but there are also cork tiles with click-in designs.
If you want a more environmentally friendly floor tile for your bathroom, cork may be the best way to go. It requires low maintenance and comes with easy installation. You can DIY the installation.
Many homeowners love cork tiles for their bathroom because it keeps their feet comfortable and warm. It also looks great and feels good to touch.
Besides, it is resistant to mold and mildew as it prevents the growth of microbes. The average cost of cork tile for every square foot is 2 dollars. You have really nice option here at Amazon.
Benefits
Ease of installation.
Easy to maintain
Keeps your feet warm and cozy
A good green tile flooring option
Resists the growth of mold and mildew
Drawbacks
Cork is resistant to moisture but it doesn’t completely seal out moisture
It requires multiple layers of sealing to prevent cracking or warping.
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Choosing Bathroom Tile Flooring Materials: Things to Look Out For
It can be difficult to know what makes the best bathroom tile flooring option with the multiple options available. The best place to start is knowing what exactly your needs are. This may include budgetary factor and personal preference.
You may limit your options to the bathroom tile flooring materials that fall within your budget. When you have done this, choose bathroom flooring options that are most practical for handling the wet conditions of a bathroom.
If you love wood tiles, choose wood-look tiles which replicate the beauty and glamour of natural wood but with durability and ability to resist moisture. Still not satisfied with that option and still prefer natural wood, choose engineered hardwood over solid hardwood tiles.
Don’t forget to narrow your options down to durable floor tile materials that are not difficult to maintain.
Maintenance Factors
Which Bathroom Tile Flooring Materials Come With the Best Ease of Maintenance?
All bathroom tile flooring materials we have listed here are easy to maintain. However, they are not created equal. Some are easier to install and maintain than the rest. The best tile flooring materials when it comes to maintenance factors are the Ceramic tile and luxury vinyl tiles.
Ceramic tiles are both waterproof especially when the grout lines are properly caulked. They are also resistant to stain and cleaning up spills and messes is as easy as a simple wipe off.
Besides, ceramic tile materials come with desirable durability. It is durable enough to tolerate high foot traffic without any scratch or dent on the floor
Luxury vinyl tile is also easy to maintain. They are impermeable to moisture and waterproof. This makes cleaning spills including water very easy. Maintenance of these floors just requires regular sweeping and mopping.
Best Bathroom Flooring Materials for DIY Projects
If you are the bold and adventurous type and want a bathroom tile you can install without professional help, your best options are cork tiles, luxury vinyl tiles and engineered hardwood tiles.
Cork tiles and planks are easy to install. All that is required is to snap the pieces together. It works well as a floating floor. However, you need to put a thin layer of underlayment. Luckily, some cork tiles have these materials pre-attached beneath the tiles making it a lot easier for DIYers.
Engineered hardwood is on the other hands comparatively easy to install. Your best options are the pre-finished boards you can attach on top of an underlayment which can either be of a foam or rubber material. Engineered wood also works well as a floating floor.
Luxury Vinyl tile gives you the natural look of natural stone tiles while eliminating the cost. Besides, it is easy to cut and install. If you want to replicate the exact look of natural stone tiles, you can grout them.
Best Bathroom Tile Flooring Price Guide
The price guide below is just a mean price for the products. These prices may alter a bit depending on your location. They can be a little less or a little more.
These average costs just give you a rough estimate of what to look out for. The price factors may also be affected by your chosen brands and the installation factor.
Average Prices of Tiles
The average starting cost of ceramic and porcelain tiles starts from below a dollar to a little above eight dollars for every square foot. You also need to include the installation cost which can range from 4 dollars to 8 dollars. So, when you add the cost of tiles and the installation together, the average cost ranges from 5.50 dollars to 11.50 dollars for every square foot.
starts from below a dollar to a little above eight dollars for every square foot. You also need to include the installation cost which can range from 4 dollars to 8 dollars. So, when you add the cost of tiles and the installation together, the average cost ranges from 5.50 dollars to 11.50 dollars for every square foot. For the Natural stone tiles , the price varies from 5 dollars to 10 dollars for every square foot. And when you include the installation cost of 7 dollars per square foot, it becomes 7.50 to 14.50 dollars for every square foot.
, the price varies from 5 dollars to 10 dollars for every square foot. And when you include the installation cost of 7 dollars per square foot, it becomes 7.50 to 14.50 dollars for every square foot. The price of Cork tile floors ranges from 3 to 8 dollars for every square foot. Adding the installation cost which is 1 dollar brings the total cost to 5 dollars to 6 dollars for every square foot.
ranges from 3 to 8 dollars for every square foot. Adding the installation cost which is 1 dollar brings the total cost to 5 dollars to 6 dollars for every square foot. The average costs of engineered hardwood differ based on the wood quality and range from 3 to 14 dollars and above for every square foot. The installation of engineered wood tiles is roughly 3 to 8 dollars and that brings the average cost to 7 to 13 dollars for every square foot.
differ based on the wood quality and range from 3 to 14 dollars and above for every square foot. The installation of engineered wood tiles is roughly 3 to 8 dollars and that brings the average cost to 7 to 13 dollars for every square foot. The average costs of Luxury vinyl tiles depend on the quality of materials and ranges from 2 to 5 dollars for every square foot. If you include the installation cost of 1.50 dollars, the pricing averages to 6 to 7 dollars for every square foot.
Your Final Choice
What is the best bathroom tile flooring material? The answer depends on you and your needs. Consider your preferences and your budget limitations. If you’re limited by budget, go for ceramic tiles or luxury vinyl tiles.
If you want a DIY project, choose a tile flooring material that works on an existing floor. If you prefer an environmentally friendly option, your best choice is cork tiles.
If you are remodeling to boost your home resale’s value, go for more sophisticated tiles materials like natural stone tiles and engineered hardwood. Don’t forget to seek for professional help to tie everything nicely together.
This might interest you: Best Time in the Year to Buy Flooring.
Best Tile Flooring Options for the Basement
Most homeowners have basements that are either below or partly below the ground level. Majority of them are constructed on top of a concrete slab. Besides, some of them are not even. These factors primarily determine which type of tile flooring material to use in the basement.
Also, the best type of floor for your basement depends on what you plan to do with your basement. Do you want to use the space for your kid’s playroom? Will the kids use the space to sit down to play or run around? Do you want it to serve as a family room or home gym?
Will it serve as a home office, a guest room or an additional room for a member of the family? Do you want your basement to serve as your laundry room or storage room laundry? What you’ll do with the floor depends on your final answer to these questions.
Many tile flooring materials can work on the basement especially if they can tolerate damp or humid environment. Hardwood tiles and untreated fibreboard laminate tiles are unsuitable as basement floors. These types of tiles tend to allow water infiltration through them and this can result in warping and buckling.
Tile great tile flooring materials for the basement include ceramic tile, engineered wood, rubber tiles and laminate tiles with water-resistant plywood interior. If you have a porous concrete slab, it could allow water and vapor to pass through it to the subfloor. This can affect some hanging floor and serve as a breeding ground for mold under the hanging floor.
To prevent this, you need to install a vapor barrier beneath the floor. You can use a plastic barrier. Alternatively, you can paint the slab to prevent water infiltration. Epoxy coating specifically meant for damp floors, equally, works here.
Another option is to use a waterproof subfloor commonly made up of interlocking plastic tiles raised on grids. These grids produce air spaces beneath the floor which helps to disperse vapor and make the basement floor warm for the feet. Hard tile materials such as solid ceramic and concrete tiles perform better in the basement than other flooring materials.
Similarly, for basement tile flooring, inorganic materials like ceramics, concrete, and vinyl tiles work better than solid hardwood which is an organic material. Although inorganic materials may serve as a breeding ground for mold, they don’t decay. But organic material will both harbor mold and begin to disintegrate when they are exposed to water for a while.
1. Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Flooring
The best among all tile flooring materials for the basement is the Ceramic or porcelain tiles. These are available as either regular tiles or planks. It is a finished surface that looks beautiful and appealing to the eye without requiring additional treatment like the concrete tile.
Ceramic or porcelain regular tiles are installed straight upon the concrete slab. To make the tile warmer, you can install a radiant heater beneath to floor and above the concrete slab.
Benefits
It is water-resistant and when water does sip into it, it dries up and remains unaffected even in the event of flooding.
It can work as a DIY project in small spaces.
It doesn’t rot away like hardwood tiles.
It is durable
It boosts home resale value
Aesthetic appearance
Drawbacks
It is cold and needs radiant heating installation to maintain warmth.
It reverberates sound. It won’t be suitable as a home theatre
Large installation projects are unsuitable for DIYers
You will need to level out the concrete slab to get a uniform floor for a seamless installation.
Strong on the feet
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Read our full guide on How to Find The Best Tile Leveling Systems.
2. Plank Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles
Plank-sized porcelain plank, like the regular tile, is water-resistant. It is creatively made to look like real wood. And besides its great wood-like structure and look, it is highly durable and great for high traffic areas. Porcelain tiles are easy to clean and come in many styles. They come in designs that replicate and recreate the contemporary look of the natural hardwood.
They are costly but are long-lasting. You need to install them directly on top of concrete slab or cement board to avoid cracking due to expansion. Wood-look porcelain tiles are a great flooring option if you want to turn your basement into a rec room.
It creates a relaxed bar look while at the same time offering you the durable feature and water-resistant capacity of ceramic tiles. If installing in a new house, allow at least one year for the concrete to set fully before installation. The benefits and drawbacks are similar to those of the regular tiles.
3. Sheet Vinyl Tiles
Vinyl tiles together with ceramic tiles and cement tiles are a good tile flooring options for the basement. It is a cost-effective option and a bit out-modeled type of floor. Vinyl tiles are available both as tiles and planks.
Sheet vinyl tile gives the basement floor a roughly smooth and unified look. It is water-resistant, however, with multiple seams of the tile, water can infiltrate through if it is exposed long enough in standing water.
It costs more than carpets but is less expensive than the majorities or hard flooring materials. Sheet vinyl tile is also referred to as resilient flooring and unlike the linoleum, it is not environmentally friendly. Linoleum tiles are costlier than sheet vinyl tiles.
They are equally thicker. Before installation, the floor needs to be prepared to avoid sub-floor showing a little after the installation.
Benefits
It is impervious to water and prevents flooding
It is very cheap and the prices can range from less than a pound for a square foot. It is not as cold as the ceramic and concrete tiles.
Drawbacks
Cheap and out-dated material
Floor preparation required before installation.
The floor needs to be very clean before installation for proper adhesion
It is not good for DIYers
4. Engineered Vinyl Planks or Tiles/ Luxury Vinyl Plank or Tile
Engineered vinyl planks (EVPs) are also referred to as luxury vinyl planks (LVPs). Most homeowners prefer to install engineered vinyl planks on their basement floor because of the spectacular wood-like effects they create. Besides, they are waterproof and resistant to moisture.
To top it all, they come with a cork base which gives extra cushioning effect to the feet. They also insulate sound. However, they won’t boost your home resale value like real woods. Some homebuyers think they are sub-standard.
If you want a tile flooring material that is waterproof and looks spectacular at the same time, engineered vinyl plank is a good option. It gives you a better look than laminate tiles. The sound quality is equally better. If you’re the bold and adventurous type, you can DIY the installation.
Also, you have different designs, shapes, and styles and this includes plank-sized tiles and regular-sized tiles. You can equally use them for kitchens and entryways that are prone to water damage. Bear in mind that the floor must be even for it to give a seamless look and create a smooth feel.
A good practice is to install a vapor barrier between the hanging floor and the concrete slab. The vapor barrier prevents any potential moisture issues that could result from the effects of hydrostatic pressure. This would normally cause water to be trapped underneath the vinyl material and on top of the slab.
It could occur during specific seasons of the year like at the beginning of spring, after torrential downpours, during hurricanes or when there is constant rain. The trapped water could cause mold’s growth but you can prevent it with a vapor barrier. So, bear that in mind.
Luxury vinyl tiles connect piece-to-piece and work as a floating floor. Unlike other vinyl tiles, they don’t need to be glued down. They look very similar to wood tiles or stone tiles compared to other resilient floors.
Wood-look luxury vinyl planks dimension is 6 by 48 inches. Their thickness makes it possible to emboss them to create effects similar to real wood grains.
Stone-look luxury vinyl tile commonly creates effects that resemble natural stone tiles like slate, travertine, marble and other commonly used stone tiles. Their dimension is 16 by 16-inch squares. However, there are a few types with smaller dimensions. They are warmer to touch because they are very thick and double in thickness compared to regular tiles.
Benefits
It replicates the natural look, sound, and feel of hardwood and stone tiles
It is water-resistant
Cost-effective and suitable for DIYers
It comes with a thick wear base for durability.
Warm on the feet and insulates against cold
Drawbacks
It makes you bounce except you install it on an even subfloor.
It is more expensive than other vinyl materials. However, it comes with lower installation cost as you don’t require extra adhesives
Water can seep into the sub-floor if flooding occurs
5. Glue Down Vinyl Planks or Tiles
Glue down vinyl plank is best for basements with uneven floors where engineered vinyl planks (EVP) isn’t suitable. Engineered vinyl planks cause bouncing if tiles are installed on uneven floors. The solution is to use the vinyl planks that you can glue down. They work well in undulating floor surfaces.
These engineered vinyl tiles and planks are of different types. They feature different patterns, designs, and colors. However, the luxury glue down vinyl tiles and planks are the best. They are durable and water-resistant. You will get thinner and cheaper glue down vinyl tiles but these tend to be less durable and less water-resistant.
Benefits
They are suitable for all types of subfloors both smooth, wavy and uneven floors
The luxury glue-down vinyl tiles are waterproof
Warm to touch compared to ceramic tiles or concrete tiles.
Drawbacks
The lower grades are not waterproof and their adhesive wears down when exposed to moisture
Not good for DIYers
The lower grade types look cheap
Not as warm as the engineered vinyl planks
6. Engineered Wood Tiles
Engineered wood is a better alternative to the hardwood tile when it comes to your basement flooring. The hardwood tends to deteriorate when it is exposed to moisture for an extended period. Engineered wood tile floor, on the other hand, come in a more stable dimension. The cross-hatched plywood underlayment beneath the real wood veneer helps to keep it stable when exposed to moisture.
Also, engineered hardwood planks come in perpendicular sheets which minimize expansion and contraction. Some engineered hardwoods are floating but there are also glue down options. The surface of the concrete subfloor needs to be even for smooth installation.
An uneven floor makes the planks to pop when the adhesive wears down or when there is a rise or fall in the level of humidity. When you float on an uneven floor, it can cause a bouncing issue.
Although engineered hardwoods contract and expand less than laminate woods, they are only suitable if your basement doesn’t have a moisture problem. Checking with moisture meter will tell you whether or not you should use blocks of engineered wood for your basement floor.
With the availability of the engineered vinyl plank, many homeowners prefer to use the engineered vinyl planks for practical reasons. They are also safer.
Benefits
Gives the room a contemporary look and feel
Improves home resale’s value
Creates a warm effect compared to tiles
Tolerates medium to small amounts of water
Gives your basement an attractive look
Great for sound absorption.
Drawbacks
It is not water-resistant; although it can withstand a small amount of moisture.
You can’t refinish or re-sand it
It needs to be installed on a sub-floor.
Cost- prohibitive and one of the costliest tile flooring options for the basement.
Replacing a damaged tile can be a lot of hassle because it is commonly nailed to the subfloor.
7. Concrete / Stained Concrete or Acid Etched Floors
The concrete basement floor is becoming widely accepted by homeowners due to its utilitarian value. It doesn’t have to be it in its natural state. You can paint or stain it to give it a better look. When there are patch-ups, you can cover the flaws up by painting.
Stained concrete floors are found in many commercial establishments and come is varied stylish designs. For instance, an acid-etched floor exudes a lavish feel and glamor that’s difficult to replicate through other tile flooring options.
While painting produces an opaque appearance, the stain sips through the concrete to produce translucent effects that vary across the floor surface.
You can customize the look to reflect different tones like neutral or fun tone. You can also create different effects on different parts of the floor. You can create patterns or designs on the floor. Your options are unlimited with regards to design, patterns, and styles you can create.
Benefits
It is highly moisture-resistant
It resists moisture more than other basement flooring materials.
It needs less flooring materials
No subfloor is required
Drawbacks
It is the coldest to touch and it is not possible to heat up underneath
It is hard and unsuitable as kids play area
The sound quality is poor. It’s not a good option for a home cinema
It is a bit labor-intensive. You need extensive cleaning and scouring before staining or painting
8. Laminate Flooring
The modern-day laminate tiles come as more attractive and thicker boards. They also come with enhanced image layer graphics for deeper embossing. A standard laminate floor is susceptible to moisture damage.
This can be prevented by properly installing the subfloor and a foam floor tiles padding underneath the laminate board. If there is a little flooding, the laminate board will be shielded by the subfloor system.
Besides, if you use a waterproof laminate board which lacks wood material, it doesn’t result in swelling even when flooded. Nevertheless, a waterproof laminate board is not yet widely available. A few presently available brands, don’t have multiple design options.
Benefits
Laminate tile is among the warm basement flooring options due to its underneath foam padding.
You can DIY the installation
They come with good amounts of sound absorption
Drawbacks
Tiles can be damaged by water when installed without a sub-floor
Laminate tiles feel hollow to walk on
Laminate flooring tiles can generate static electricity
9. Raised Interlocking Modular Vinyl
A few tile companies produce waterproof flooring tiles materials for the basement. These are normally meant for floating floors and can come as Vinyl tiles or carpet.
They come with finished surface raised above the sub-floor with pegs to give room for air circulation. This makes any moisture that sips through to the tile from the slab to dry. These tiles are as well moisture-resistant and prevent the growth of mold. They are also resistant to the regular basement flooding.
The tiles come in pieces that snap together. Thus you can easily install it and take it off anytime you want. The raised-design as well generates an air pocket which comes with insulation property. Thus, it feels warmer to the feet than the regular concrete floor. Also, it’s floating form conceals any fault or irregularity on the sub-floor.
Benefits
Cost-effective and affordable
They can be installed directly on top of the concrete slab
Easy installation
Drawbacks
They look cheap
10. Interlocking Rubber Tile Floors
A lot of homeowners are converting their basement into a home gym. Interlocking Rubber tiles work great if you want to turn your basement into an exercise gym. They have good shock absorption property and are waterproof. Because they come in interlocking, they are easy to install and are great for DIYers. The average thickness is 8mm. However, some are thicker. The thickness conceals any flaw on the subfloor.
They come in multiple colors which you can use to create different amazing patterns. However, they come mostly in black or black mixed with other colors. You can get them on Amazon just like the example in the image above. After installation, you’ll get an effect similar to the one in the image below:
If you want a less expensive option to make a playground for your kids, you may choose the soft rubber foam tiles (EVA foam). These are suitable for smaller kids but they are less durable than the rubber tiles. You can equally use them on top of the ceramic tile floor to enhance the insulation and warmth or to make it feel softer.
Benefits
They are Waterproof
They are good for DIY installation
Easily dries out in the event of flooding.
They are soft and comfortable on the feet.
Good for converting the basement to Home gym
Drawbacks
The rubber tiles are mostly dark-colored. Thus, they give your basement a gloomy look.
They are heavy and this could add to the shipping cost.
10. Carpet Tiles
Carpet tiles are another tile flooring option that you can use for your basement floor. Many homeowners love the stylish nature of carpet tiles The good thing about them is that they only absorb a little amount of moisture due to their backing and composition. Besides, you can easily replace any damaged or dirty tile without needing to change all the tiles at once.
You also have a lot of patterns and styles to choose from. Some designs come in patterns that easily conceal dirt. They are great if you want to create a fun-looking basement floor and a creative atmosphere. You’ll find many of these tiles in the market. They are also available online on Amazon, for instance.
You have multiple styles, colors, and designs to choose from as you would see here. However, they cost more than the regular wall-to-wall tile carpet but cheaper than other hard tile flooring options for the basement. Also, you can’t use them on the step. The adhesive beneath them also wears off when they are exposed to moisture.
Benefits
Available in multiple colors and styles
You can easily install them
Maintenance is also as easy as removing the affected tiles. You don’t need to re-floor the whole space.
Drawbacks
Cost more than the wall to wall carpet but not as costly as hard tile materials
Unsuitable for steps
The adhesive wear down with constant exposure to moisture
FAQ’s About Floor Tiles
Does porcelain tile break easily?
Porcelain tiles are long-lasting but they are easily breaking and are difficult to cut through the layout, so if you are planning a renovation and to add porcelain tires on your floor, you should definitely find professionals who know how to work with porcelain to do this job for you.
Can you lay tile directly on concrete?
Before adding tiles directly on concrete, you should make sure that the concrete is completely dry, and there is no sealants or glue on it, because if you place the tiles directly on it, the cracks that the concrete has, will transfer onto the tiles directly.
What are the best non-slippery tiles?
Depending on the room you want to remodel, the best flooring tiles that are nonslippery are ceramic tiles, bamboo, and stone tiles. Another great option is to use a vinyl floor which is very safe and does not cause safety hazards.
Final Thoughts on the Best Tile Flooring Ideas
Whether you want to floor your new house or remodel an existing one, tiles are one of your best options to give your home a facelift. With many materials and design options to choose from it can be confusing to narrow down your options.
Luckily, we have done just that for you. We have provided for you in this article the best tile flooring options for different rooms in a home and made some recommendations based on our experience and research.
Your final choice will depend on a few factors including your budget, the room you want to tile, durability, maintenance factors, the effect you want to create and many more. We hope that the tips we have provided here will ease the task and help you choose the best option for your needs. Let us know how you get on and do not hesitate to contact us if you need more help.
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