If you begin to compare the tile for the floor with ordinary tiles, it is immediately noticeable that the first has a greater thickness. Also, the finish is characterized by increased wear resistance. Because of these properties, tiles are usually laid in the kitchen and in the hallway.
The material has extraordinary strength. The main thing is to know how to choose a floor tile so as not to regret the purchase. Under the condition of professional laying, the tile is able to withstand significant loads from impacts, as well as other mechanical damage. The finish is not only durable, it also does not lose its color over time.
Ceramics are very durable. Unlike other coatings, floor tiles can last without loss or reduction of technical characteristics up to 50 years. The tile is not afraid of moisture and serious flooding - therefore, tiles are chosen for decorating bathrooms. Any other material in the bathroom will quickly become damp and deteriorate.
If the coating is damaged, only the damaged area can be repaired without having to replace the entire floor. And finally, ceramics will never cause harm to human health. This is the most environmentally friendly option among all existing floor coverings (of course, except for wood). In stores and building hypermarkets, there is a huge selection of ceramics for floors of any color, pattern, size and texture.
Disadvantages
If the tiles are laid in violation of technology, this will lead to the formation of cracks. To obtain a high-quality result, it is not enough to choose a high-quality tile. It is necessary to carry out thorough preparation of the rough floor beforehand. It should be even and dry.
For all its merits, the tile has poor sound absorption properties. But this disadvantage can be easily eliminated with the help of soundproofing layers. The latter are stacked when pouring screeds.
Ceramic tiles are very cold, but they are characterized by high thermal conductivity. The problem of cold will be solved by installing underfloor heating. Finally, the tile is very slippery. For bathrooms, options with a rough surface are preferable.
Structure
On the construction market are materials with a glossy, matte or embossed surface. It should be borne in mind that the tile is very slippery, so you should not opt for glossy products, even if they look very impressive. Glossy floors become dangerous if water gets on them. If the gloss really liked, then it is better to use it where the humidity is lower.
Tile marking
Abrasion resistance it is indicated on the packaging of tiles as PEI, it matters from I to V. I-II - are not very resistant to abrasion - you can walk barefoot or in slippers. PEI III - you can walk in street shoes, IV-V is suitable for commercial premises with high traffic.
You should not take the wall tiles with the image of the hand on the floor - it will not last you long.
Studying the markings is not enough to avoid mistakes when buying tiles.
When choosing a tile, it is important to keep in mind the conditions of its use.
The tile is destroyed or loses its appearance under the influence of several factors: frost, dirt, abrasive damage.
On the walls of the bathroom, the tile is always dirty and cleaned with aggressive chemicals.
There is another problem on the floor: most tile varieties become slippery when water gets in. How to eliminate the risks of falls and injuries?
Further about all this in more detail.
Damage to tiles from temperature extremes
For laying on unheated balconies and loggias, tambours, exterior decoration of houses the most practical option is porcelain. Unlike tiles, it is frost-resistant.
Porcelain tile has a water absorption coefficient of 0.05%, and traditional tile - 10. 20%. Water during the freezing process destroys the structure of the tile, and frost does not affect the porcelain. On the other hand, low water absorption for porcelain stoneware weak adhesion to conventional tile adhesive. It requires special adhesive compounds. About this in the next article. Subscribe to my channel so as not to miss the important!
If you want a durable frost-resistant tile - look in the salons metlakh the tile. This is a particularly durable ceramic tile class. It has a small format, is not cheap, has very bright beautiful colors, it is mainly used for floors in the interior and exterior of the house.
Surface damage from sand and other abrasives
Glazed tiles quickly lose their appearance if there is sand and dirt on its surface. Glaze is now covered not only with tiles, but also with porcelain tiles, which means that glazed porcelain tiles are also under threat.
If you see a glossy reflection on the surface of the tile, know that it is not suitable for laying in the entrance hall of the apartment, the vestibule and porch of a country house.
The same restriction applies to glass mosaics.
Eliminate falls and injuries
There are sections of the floor where water can easily get. If there is slippery tiles, you can slip and fall. This is especially dangerous for the elderly or families with small children.
It is about the flooring of the bathroom, kitchen and hallway.
Here you need to choose a tile, on the one hand, non-slippery, and on the other, so smooth that it is easily cleaned of dirt.
Choose lappated or structured porcelain tiles for these areas.
1. Lappated porcelain stoneware (translated from Italian as “shabby”) has a pronounced relief, and its surface is unevenly treated: some areas are polished to a shine, others are rough.
2. Structured porcelain tile imitates the surface of other materials:
- natural stone - it is especially often used in exterior decoration, for example, for facing steps,
- natural wood - used in interior decoration to create the effect of a single floor covering - you can choose a pattern that repeats the structure of a massive or parquet board.
What tile to choose for a bathroom
Dirty surfaces are not only the places listed above where we walk in street shoes. It's the same:
- all sanitary areas: bathroom, shower, toilet
- kitchen apron
- open balcony or terrace
Muds are afraid of all types of natural stone: glossy (marble) and matte (travertine, etc.) The reason is that after cutting natural micropores in natural stones are cut. If dirt gets there, it cannot be removed without a trace.
Tiles after firing in an oven at high temperature have closed pores. But the pores open if the tiles or porcelain tiles are polished. Such materials, if they are not treated with a protective varnish, also can not be used in a dirty area.
Glazed tiles are ideal for walls of the bathroom, toilet and kitchen. She is not afraid of dirt and aggressive acidic detergents.
Which tile size to choose
It all depends on the style of the interior.
If you have a historical rustic style: country or Provence - choose a tile of a small format of non-strict geometry.
If you use a tile to imitate a marble or concrete surface, it is better to take rectified large format tiles 60x60, 60x120cm and even more. The dimensions of the room do not matter - the large tile looks good even in a small bathroom.
Rectified (also referred to as "rettified") tile or Rectified tile is porcelain tile, which was cut along the edges by a few mm to make the tile sizes even. The difference in the dimensions of one batch usually does not exceed 0.5 mm.
Matching the dimensions is necessary to obtain the thinnest inter-tile seam with a thickness of 1-1.5 mm. If you wipe thin seams with grout to match the tiles, we get the effect of a single monolithic space.
Rectified tiles are 10-20% higher than usual, indicated on the box with the words: ret, rett, rettificato, rectificado or rectified.
Are you going to choose a tile? Save this table to yourself before going to the store.
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Types of floor tiles
The market offers a huge selection of types of floor tiles. It differs in composition (clay or kaolin with quartz), production method (pressing or extrusion), but for an ordinary person who makes repairs in his house, the consumer qualities of the flooring are much more important. To choose a quality tile for the floor, you need to look at its marking. The packages will necessarily indicate:
- tile wear resistance from 1 to 5,
- tile moisture resistance level,
- tile size
- degree of chemical resistance from D (minimum) to AA (maximum),
- tile production method: B - pressing, A - extrusion method (extrusion).
The manufacturer also puts on the packaging branded badges that indicate the hardness of the material, grade of tile and other important performance characteristics.
Floor tile selection
The choice of floor tiles largely depends on the room in which the repair is planned. Typically, floor tiles are used in the corridor, kitchen and bathroom. This is due to its hygiene and aesthetic appeal.
Tiles for the kitchen and hallway
These premises account for the main cross in the house. Therefore, you should not choose tiles with a wear resistance class of less than 3 for the kitchen and corridor, and a friction coefficient above 0.75%. The tile must have a water resistance of at least 3%, as these are the most often wet places. The shape of the ceramic tile and its size do not affect the performance, so everyone chooses to his taste. But the variety is better to choose the first. On the other hand, experts do not recommend approaching the choice of material with exaggerated requirements: in operation, the difference is almost not noticeable, and the price will be much higher than for tiles with average values.
It is also important to consider the entire room design. So, a light floor visually expands the room, and dark tones in a small kitchen can “eat” an already not too vast space. Many owners of black and white flooring were disappointed in it - too easily soiled, the slightest dirt is visible. The most successful colors for the floor are gray, beige, brown tones and their combinations.
The matte finish is considered more practical than glossy - it shows less scratches and dirt. There is a tile similar to natural stone - this option is suitable for classic design to emphasize restrained simplicity and modern comfort.
Bathroom tile
From the bathroom and toilet, the inhabitants of the house begin and end every day. Beauty, comfort and, of course, cleanliness are especially important here. Moisture-resistant tiles with low sensitivity to aggressive chemicals should be used in these rooms. For the floor, it is better to take a non-slip coating of at least 2 wear resistance classes. The rough surface is comfortable and safe.
Tiles for bedroom and living room
The floor load in the bedroom is the lowest, so you can take tiles 1 and 2 classes. In the living room - depending on the lifestyle of the family, it is sometimes worthwhile to apply a coating of a class above. You can even combine different abrasion classes from 2 to 4. And if you want to make the floor temperature comfortable, lay under the tile "warm floor".
Criteria for choosing floor tiles
As already mentioned, for "wet" rooms it is better to choose a matte rough coating. The size of the tile also matters. Large-format tiles are laid in rooms of at least 7 sq.m. In a small room or bathroom, it is better to use a mosaic or tile of a small size - this will visually increase the space. By color, it is recommended to choose a tile of neutral tones, since the floor has been used for many years, and it is desirable that the color scheme is suitable for most interiors and make up a harmonious combination with other elements of decoration.
The choice of flooring is not an easy task and you need to approach it with all responsibility, because you need to consider many factors. And with a rich assortment of stores, the process can take more than one day. Therefore, before laying the tile, it is worth considering carefully all the options for coverage.
What kind of tile to choose for the floor in the kitchen
- You can’t put wall tiles on the floor (its surface will quickly lose its beautiful appearance, but the tile itself may crack), but you can floor on the walls. Floor tiles are much stronger and more durable due to the special production technology. Look for foot markings on the box. Wall tiles are indicated with a palm icon.
- For the kitchen, it is especially important that the surface of the floor is not slippery. High-quality ceramic tiles are necessarily marked with a coefficient of friction. If it is more than 0.75, such a tile is not slippery and quite safe, it can be safely put in the kitchen. Do not take tiles with a coefficient of friction of less than 0.4 - if water spills on the floor, someone from your household may slip.
- The kitchen floor is subjected to the most severe loads, therefore, experts recommend laying strong and wear-resistant tiles - grade III hardness according to PEI classification or grade 5 according to GOST. If you do not use the kitchen very often, the PEI II class is also suitable, but such tiles are less durable. Some manufacturers label wear-resistant tiles with a hatched foot symbol.
- If you like the kitchen to shine with cleanliness, and often wash the floor with strong detergents, you should give preference to ceramic tiles labeled AA. The surface of such ceramics has maximum resistance to chemicals. So, she is not afraid of the most aggressive household chemicals. The protective layer of such tiles repels dirt and is easy to clean.
- For the kitchen floor, matte rather than glossy tiles are better. On a matte and semi-gloss surface, scratches and scuffs are much less noticeable. However, keep in mind: if the tile is too rough and porous, all impurities will stick to it, and the floor will constantly look dirty. For the same reason, do not put too embossed tiles in the kitchen.
Sizes and formats of floor tiles
Square and rectangle are the most popular floor tile formats. Ceramic or cement tiles of a hexagonal or octagonal shape are less common. As a rule, it is used in classic or traditional kitchen interiors.
As for the sizes, most often tiles 20x20, 30x30, 40x40 cm and their variations are laid on the floor. For example, 31.6x31.6 or 33.3x33.3 cm. Sometimes on the kitchen floor you can also find small tiles of 10x10 or 15x15 cm format. It looks best in the kitchen in the style of Provence or country, but sometimes it fits perfectly into the modern interior . Floor tiles are thicker and stronger than wall tiles. Its average thickness is from 6.5 to 11 mm.
3 important nuances
1. The ideal option is when the width of the tile is a multiple of the width and length of the room. For example, one square meter of floor perfectly fits nine tiles measuring 33.3 x 33.3 cm. Then most of the tiles do not have to be cut. So, laying will be easier, faster and cheaper.
Before buying tiles, carefully measure the length and width of your kitchen. Explore the assortment of several online stores or take a look at the construction hypermarket. Choose several options for floor tiles that you liked the most and write down their sizes. Now take a calculator and calculate which tiles your kitchen will have exactly in size.
2. When choosing a ceramic tile, be especially careful - remember about its caliber! The fact is that the actual size of the tile may vary by 5-7 mm in plus or minus from the nominal, approximate, which the manufacturer indicates on the price tags and in the catalogs. You have chosen a tile of 30x30 cm, and its actual size is 29.5x29.5 or 30.5x30.5 cm.
This is not a marriage, but a feature of ceramic production.
Serious tile manufacturers, European and Russian, always sort the tiles by caliber and indicate this parameter on the packaging. Chinese factories often neglect sorting. Therefore, having bought Chinese tiles, be prepared for the fact that ceramics of different sizes can appear in one box. It will have to be sorted and, if necessary, trimmed by yourself.
3. When deciding on the size of floor tiles, keep in mind the evenness of the base. If the kitchen floor has defects, and work on its careful leveling does not fit into the budget of your repair, give preference to a small 10x10 or 20x20 cm tile. It visually conceals the unevenness of the floor, and there will be less voids under it, due to which the tile after a while may crack.
Color and tone
Ceramic tiles from the same collection, but from different batches, differ not only in size, but also in tone. For example, the color may be darker or lighter, brighter or, conversely, muted. Manufacturers sort the tiles by tone and put the appropriate markings on the box. As a rule, this is a combination of letters and numbers or some kind of symbol.
For example, A45 or 12.
We choose the design of floor tiles for the kitchen
- A light tiled floor will make your kitchen lighter and visually more spacious, so this option is well suited for a small space. Dark tiles will only emphasize the small size of the kitchen. But even if the area allows, the dark floor should definitely be compensated for with light furniture and wallpaper.
- If the windows of your kitchen face the north or west side, choose a monochromatic finish for the floor in warm light colors. And the warm "southern" kitchen will also well perceive the tile of saturated cold shades.
- In a kitchen in a modern style, hi-tech or minimalism is the best choice - a plain floor or tile with the most neutral and unobtrusive design. The kitchen in the classic style is perfectly complemented by marble tiles or ceramics with antique ornaments. And the country interior or Provence will complete the floor, laid out by artificially aged ceramics, imitation of cotto tiles or patterned ceramic “carpet” from metlakh tiles or its imitation.
Wood or ceramic floor tiles
You can read in great detail about this finishing material in this special review. Keep in mind: most of the tiles under the tree are not tiles, but porcelain tiles. Long ceramic tiles, reminiscent of a board or laminate, breaks easily, so they often make short “boards” or square tiles with a wood pattern that imitate stacked parquet.
Often, wood-like tiles are rectified; they are laid without visible seams. This creates a very authentic illusion of a real wooden floor, parquet board or solid wooden surface.
The simplest and most unpretentious wood floor tiles in online stores in Moscow and the region can be bought for about 470-700 rubles per square meter (for example, the Dublin collection from Uralkeramik, Karelia from the Kharkov tile factory). Russian wood-like tiles and parquet from the Kerama Marazzi factory costs from about 650 rubles per square meter (the Divine Garden, Cassia, Glasgow collections).
Prices for Spanish ceramics imitating a wooden floor start at 1300-1500 rubles per square (Wood collections from Monopole Ceramica, Brilliant from Absolut Ceramica, Lignum Natural and Savage from Cifre, Bosco from Gaya Fores, etc.)
Stone floor tiles
In many cases, only professionals can distinguish a good ceramic imitation from natural stone in appearance. So modern production technologies allow us to convey the characteristic pattern and texture of granite, quartzite, marble, basalt or other rock. In most cases, stone tiles are also not tiles, but porcelain tiles - they are stronger and more durable than ordinary ceramics. But even among ordinary ceramic tiles you can find very interesting solutions.
Of the inexpensive options (an average of 500-700 rubles per square meter in Moscow online stores), pay attention to the collections of the Volgograd ceramic factory (Allegro), Kerama Marazzi (Transbaikalia, Kameya, Still Life, Aurelia, Sella, etc.), Shakhtinsky tile ( Pietra), Atem, Jade Ceramics (Watercolor), Uralceramics (Adagio).
The middle-priced option is Polish “stone” tiles for 1000-1200 rubles per square meter (Samaria from Tubadzin and others) and Spanish ceramics for 1000-2700 rubles per square (collections of factories Europa Ceramica, MYR Ceramica, Venus Ceramica, Mainzu, Argenta Ceramica, Pamesa, Keros Ceramica, Dualgres, etc.).
Italian stone floor tiles are very different in price - depending on the factory, its cost varies from 1200 to 4000 rubles per square meter (factories Imola Ceramica, Serenissima Sir La Faenza, Del Conca, Majorca, etc.
Laying tiles on the floor - 3 things you need to know
- If you plan to make repairs in the kitchen yourself or save on the services of a tiler by inviting cheaper craftsmen, keep in mind: the slightest deviation from the technology of laying tiles can have sad consequences. If the base of the floor is not even enough and there is an air gap between the floor and the tile, the tile can easily crack if a heavy object falls on it and it will have to be replaced. Make sure that such voids are not more than 10% of the floor area and they are not concentrated in one place.
- It is highly advisable to remove the old flooring. The tile floor will last a long time only if the base is well prepared. It should be even, hard and dry. If the floor is cement, remove bumps and irregularities, repair cracks and holes. If the old one is wooden, properly fix the “loose” boards and strengthen with additional struts.
- Thoroughly clean the floor of dust and debris. All this is necessary so that the tile and glue can adhere to the surface as best as possible.
What grout to choose for the floor in the kitchen
- If you chose a plain tile for the kitchen, grout can also be bought to match. But in many cases, contrasting seams will look better - they favorably emphasize the geometric pattern of the floor.
- If the floor is tiled with two or more colors, designers usually take the grout in tone of the main shade, which occupies a large area.
- For tile joints on the floor, epoxy grout is very suitable. It is much stronger than cement, it is not afraid of moisture, does not absorb dirt, fungi do not start on it. But it costs more, and it’s more difficult to work with it. The surface of the cement grout can be treated with special protective compounds and sealants. Read more about them in our special review.
Manufacturers
Floor tiles for the kitchen are usually found in every collection of any decent ceramic manufacturer. A good combination of price and quality is given by Russian (Kerama Marazzi, Jade Ceramics, Kerabud) and Polish (Cersanit, Opoczno, Paradyz, Tubadzin) factories.
Beautiful ceramic tiles for wood or stone are produced by Spanish manufacturers, but today the price of Spanish and especially Italian tiles can hardly be called budget. However, in the assortment of Russian manufacturers you can find very good options of good quality.
Rules and recommendations for choosing tiles
The price of a good tile cannot be less than $ 15. per square meter. Today, almost every tile collection has options for light and dark designs, with decorative elements (borders, embossed inserts, etc.).
It is better to choose a tile for walls glossy, and for a floor opaque. Experts do not recommend laying glossy tiles on the floor, since during use its surface may become unusable. The choice of decor also needs to be approached meaningfully. The fact is that cutting small elements is not recommended, because it will be very difficult to dock such parts in the future and the end result may upset you.
It is better to refuse to use borders in small rooms. This will complicate the correct selection of plumbing and aesthetic perception of the entire repair.
It is also important to choose the right grout. Its color should match the color of the tile, but grouting is allowed to be two, three tones lighter. It is better to choose a dark tile on the floor and bottom of the bathroom, this is more practical. There will be less problems with cleaning. Guided by these simple rules, the choice of tiles for your repair will be made easier. 
Shape and color
Today it can be stated that small floor tiles are out of fashion. The main trend now is - large format tiles. Beautiful, durable, designed in a simple modern style, it will satisfy every taste. Sales department experts recommend floor tiles of sizes 100x100 and more - first and foremost.
Using large format tiles, you can create the feeling of extra space. It will perfectly fit into the interior of any room: living room, bathroom, hallway, kitchen, corridor, loggia and even a bedroom.
The huge size of the tile allows you to radically alter the appearance of the room, transforming the space around. You can achieve even greater effect by laying it diagonally.
Leading manufacturers of ceramic tiles have studied the preferences of their customers and today can offer a variety of colors and patterns for every taste. And some manufacturers went even further and developed a floor covering that mimics concrete and brickwork.
A kind of modern floor tiles
Parquet or tile, which is better
Wherever you make repairs, in a private house or a new apartment, sooner or later the question arises, which flooring is better to choose. Indeed, today his choice is so great that it is quite difficult for an ordinary person to understand all the intricacies of a particular material.
Parquet board and laminate are quite popular materials for flooring. And if there are almost no complaints to the first (except for the price), then the choice of laminate should be approached in detail. Such coverage does not last long and after some time it will have to be changed again, and this is a new waste of time and money.
Bulk floor, a rather specific product, and not everyone will like it. As for the choice of tiles, this is an ideal coating for many rooms. Even in the bedrooms, where it would seem that she does not belong, the tile can look good, especially collections that imitate the texture of natural wood.
Ceramic tile imitating the texture of real wood gives the impression of a person's unity with the surrounding nature
Ceramic tile advantage
Among the floor materials that are used for decoration, tile takes a decent, one of the first positions in popularity. Floor tiles are characterized by excellent decorative qualities, are easy to clean, and serve quite a long time. Thanks to the smooth surface, maintaining the tile in proper condition is much easier than taking care of the flooring, laminate, linoleum or carpet.
First of all, ceramic floor tiles find their application in humid rooms, such as a bathroom or kitchen. The closed structure of the material does not allow dust to accumulate in it or to multiply microorganisms. Therefore, it is an ideal cover for people suffering from asthma or allergies.
To make the floor with such a coating clean, just vacuum it and then wipe it with a damp cloth.
Durability
It is unlikely that carpet or laminate flooring can last you a long time, a maximum of 5-7 years. At the same time, the service life of ceramic tiles can easily reach 40, or even 50 years. To date, such durability can only boast - parquet board. However, unlike tiles, parquet will need to be updated periodically.
Of course, the survivability of a particular material will depend on the quality you choose. For example, ceramic tiles single or double firing will last you at least 30 years.
Porcelain tiles have an even longer service life; such a material will delight you for at least 50 years. Natural stone coating, which has good resistance to acids of any type, is no less durable. 
After 10 years of operation, it will look something like this: laminate (fig. 1) and ceramic tile (fig. 2)
How to make the tile shine
- In order to give the tile an extraordinary radiance and shine, use warm water with a small amount of ammonia to wash it.
- After that, apply a slight layer of linseed oil on a clean surface, with the addition of beeswax or liquid silicone.
- After drying, wipe the floor with a soft microfiber cloth until the solution is completely removed.
You can improve the appearance of the tile only by regularly caring for it. In case of severe contamination, use special products with added technical alcohol.
Also, to clean the tile floor, you can use folk remedies. For example, a decoction of potatoes or ordinary starch does an excellent job.
After each procedure, it is advisable to apply a thin layer of linseed oil or a special cream on the surface of the tile. This will allow the floor to maintain its appearance unchanged much longer.
Ceramic tile for an apartment
It is no secret that the choice of ceramic tile is influenced, not least, by the type of premises in the apartment or apartment building in which it will be applied. On this basis, you can make the following classification:
- Wet rooms (bathroom, toilet)
- Kitchens
- Living rooms and bedrooms
- Hallways and corridors
Before buying, it is necessary to study the main qualitative characteristics of the selected ceramic tile: wear resistance, porosity, frost resistance, tensile strength, surface hardness, chemical resistance, friction coefficient, tone and caliber. An important role is also played by the compositions for filling the joints between the tiles, allowing to increase the service life and aesthetic qualities of the finished coating.
True, choosing floor tiles for flooring should be subject to the requirements for the material, depending on the purpose of the room. If this, for example, is a hallway, which floor tile should I choose?
Floor tiles in the hallway and corridor
The entrance hall is distinguished from other rooms by high traffic. This is a place of accumulation of dirt and sand, which are carried by households on the soles of shoes from the street. In the hallway, the floor tiles should be thick enough so as not to be damaged by the weight of the person.
The floor load at the entrance to the apartment is one of the most significant. The more dirt on the soles of the shoes, the faster the floor covering in the corridor will lose its appearance. Therefore, it is so important to thoroughly wipe your feet at the entrance, especially in wet weather.
What technical characteristics and operational qualities must have a tile purchased for laying on the floor in the hallway. Of course, first of all it is:
- moisture resistance
- resistance to abrasives,
- resistance to intense physical impact by street shoes of households and guests.
Tiles belonging to the classes: A, AA meet these requirements. In addition, in the hallway the floor is often wiped, that is, it undergoes intensive wear, so it is advisable to purchase a class 3 tile.She is also not afraid of exposure to the soles of street shoes.
It is very important that the tile is characterized as low permeability as possible. The surface of the material should be non-slippery. In addition, the tile must match the interior design in color and style of the room. In this regard, large-sized tiles for the floor in the hallway - the most optimal option.
Floor tiles can visually enlarge a small corridor. To do this, it is recommended to use a light tile with a smooth surface. Dark tiles, especially small ones, on the contrary will reduce the room.
To make the hallway look more spacious, you can put light brown, blue or gray tiles on the floor. It is not recommended to use black color, since chips and scratches will be clearly visible on it.
Ceramic embossed tiles on the floor, laid immediately before the exit, will help to give a larger volume to the room. This will not only become an interesting design technique, but also a safety measure - a place near the threshold will not be slippery.
The installation of flooring should be carried out using tools appropriate to the class of tiles used. Inaccuracies in the process of laying the tiles are not permissible, otherwise you will need to redo it again.
Kitchen tile
Every year, it is becoming increasingly difficult to accurately determine the issue of choosing a floor covering for the kitchen, not because there are few high-quality products, but, on the contrary, because its assortment is only growing, production technologies are becoming more advanced, already not to mention that multifaceted forms of design, imitation, etc. can be applied. Which tile to choose?
Of course, the ceramic tile becomes the ideal solution for the kitchen, it is easy to assemble, easy to clean, and it is not as expensive as other materials, especially considering its durability and resistance to damage.
The walls here get dirty as a result of cooking and are exposed to cleaning agents with regular cleaning. Something constantly happens to the kitchen floor: hot water and broth pour on it, leftover food and kitchen utensils fall on it, various, sometimes very heavy appliances press on it: washing machine, refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, stove. The requirements for mechanical, chemical indicators and water absorption of the tile are especially high.
Most often, people just dwell on the classic options for tiles, but there are simply amazing modern solutions. For example, every housewife wants to boast of an expensive coating, for example, a marble floor in the kitchen. It is possible! All you need is to buy a ceramic tile imitating marble. At the same time, neither by touch nor external, it will not be distinguished from natural stone.
The same trick is available with granite. Surprised? In this case, the possibility of creating a seamless coating will be even more pleased, that is, an imitation of a continuous canvas is created, respectively, and dirt will not be clogged in the seams, and the interior gains wealth and prosperity.
There is also a tile that outwardly completely imitates natural wood, respectively, laying out such a coating, you can complete the idea with the used parquet in other rooms. And do not worry that the parquet will swell due to the fact that milk escaped or borsch was spilled, because the tile is easily cleaned.
Wood look tile
The tile on the floor for the kitchen can be very original, but at the same time the prices remain quite affordable and affordable, and compared to natural stone and wood products, the price is simply ridiculous. So take advantage of worthy offers from leading manufacturers. There are many options, the main thing is to make the right and balanced decision.
Bathroom and toilet
Here every new day of the apartment owners begins and ends, therefore it is especially important to create coziness and good mood in these rooms so that cleanliness and beauty please the eye.
Cosmetic and hygiene products can leave indelible stains on floor or wall cladding. And cleaning and detergents used for their cleaning have sufficient chemical activity. All this suggests that for both the wall and the floor, it is necessary to use tiles with high rates of moisture resistance and acid resistance.
The perfect combination of ceramic tiles with an overall interior design
For laying on the walls in the bathroom and toilet, choose glazed tiles, matte or glossy, and a great addition to it are borders and decors, piece or assembled in panels. The vertical arrangement of ornaments allows you to visually increase even very small spaces.
The latest trends in tile fashion are imitation of nature: stone, wood, plant fibers. These textures will be ideally combined with almost any decoration of neighboring rooms. To finish the floor using non-slip, with high porosity tiles of abrasion class I or II.
Living room and bedroom
The traditions of antiquity in the use of tiles for flooring for the living room and bedroom become again relevant. There really is a lot of free space for the flight of your creative imagination, because You can use a variety of decorative elements, panels, finishes, a variety of styling options.
If there is a need to make cool ceramic floors warmer, then the heated floor system, which can warm you on cold winter evenings, deserves attention.
Floor loads are not the same everywhere. In the bedrooms, tiles of I and II classes of abrasion are used, because patency here is very low. In the living room and hall, the load on the floor is more significant, especially where there is a dining table, cabinets and sofas. A combination of different classes of abrasion of tiles from II to IV is justified here.
How to calculate the required number of tiles
The first thing to do is to measure the area of the room. To do this, we multiply the length of the room by the width, the resulting product is the area of your room.
Most often, floor tiles, in other matters, like any other, are sold in square meters. Knowing the area of the room, you can easily calculate the required number of tiles. It is only important to take into account that diagonal laying will require 10-15% more material than conventional laying. There, the error due to fitting rarely exceeds 5%.
Dimensions
From the geometric characteristics depends on how the room and interior will be visually perceived. If large ceramics are laid in a small room, then visually it will decrease and it will be crowded. But the small mosaic will visually expand the space.
Large tiles are relevant in rooms with an area of more than seven square meters. For bathrooms and bathrooms it is better to apply smaller options.
Color spectrum
Floors, like walls, occupy a fairly large area. And this means that the coating can significantly affect the process of forming the interior of the room. Professional designers advise which floor tile to choose to get a harmonious interior:
- Floors should be in harmony with other finishes, or contrast with it. White tiles on the floor in the hallway will make the dark room lighter and visually expand it. Color saturation depends on the brightness of the light.
- In classic interiors, tiles made of natural stone will look perfect. But the imitation will also look quite impressive.
Materials
Ceramics are believed to be exceptionally cold floors. Therefore, it is not used for bedrooms and children's rooms. And this is true for stone and ceramic materials. But on sale you can find a special warm tile. This is a novelty developed in Japan. In the structure of such a product there is a mass of air bubbles that act as a barrier against cold, without reducing the strength characteristics. Therefore, for those who do not know which floor tile to choose, warm products are an ideal option. The floor will be easy to use and do not give off cold.
For those who do not know which floor tile is better to choose so that it is warm, stores can offer a special vinyl finish. It is much warmer than ordinary tile. But this is not classical ceramics. This is something like ordinary linoleum, but with a different composition and styling technology. The material is easily customized for rooms of any size, elastic and warm. But it is not very durable. Service life is not more than 10 years.
There is also quartz vinyl tile. It is harder than PVC materials, as it contains 80 percent quartz sand.
Marking
Any packaging with tiles has special designations. They will help and tell you how to choose a floor tile. In these symbols, manufacturers encrypted all the necessary information. If a palm is drawn, then this is a tile for the walls. If the foot, then, respectively, for the floor. Snowflake means that the material is intended for use as an exterior finish.
Decorative characteristics
Often tiles are decorated with various decorative elements. It can be inserts, patterns, relief strips. It all looks very elegant, but only if the area of the premises and the interior design match.
Features of choice
Let's look at which floor tiles to choose for the bathroom. Ceramics for the bathroom must meet certain requirements. This is the correctness of geometric shapes and strict size compliance. The material must be integral without defects, the surface of the tile - resistant to abrasion. Also an important characteristic is resistance to temperature changes and moisture. In addition, bathroom tiles must withstand chemical cleaners and have anti-slip effects.
For those who do not have the necessary experience and do not know which floor tile to choose for the bathroom by color, it is best to purchase a set of floor and wall tiles. In the collections of modern manufacturers, various models are presented. It is only necessary to take into account the main rules of design - in small rooms it is good to choose bright colors.
Kitchen
How to choose floor tiles for the kitchen? There are two options. It is porcelain tile or traditional ceramics. Do not be afraid of granite - no special substances in its composition have long been gone.
Ceramics have the same advantages and disadvantages as porcelain tiles. But its price is noticeably lower. There are two types of ceramics - glazed and ordinary. The first models are distinguished by a more glossy surface, as well as increased hardness. It is a good choice for the kitchen. Here's how to choose the floor tiles in the kitchen. As for color and design, it is necessary to consider the existing interior of the kitchen.
How to choose the right color
The flooring, or rather its color, plays an important role in the interior. It’s not enough to pick up just high-quality ceramics or tiles - you need to complement the existing interior. For different rooms, the color requirements are different.
Experts will share tips on how to choose the color of floor tiles. White tile for the bathroom is a classic that some consider too boring. But white is the best there is for a visual expansion of space. Blue or green shades will create a cool and fresh atmosphere. More natural shades (beige, coffee) will bring a calming effect.
Here's how to choose floor tiles in color and shades. This is an important characteristic that should be considered when creating interiors for various rooms.
Grout colors
Grout also plays an important role in tile floor design. It will complement the color scheme of the floor. In the case of multi-colored ceramics, the darkest and lightest color is chosen. Then everything is decided by size. If the tile is monophonic, then the shade is chosen according to the functional purpose of the room. For emphasis on furniture choose grout to match the tiles. In the case of using mosaics, they take a shade that contrasts with the main tone. But you can choose a neutral color.
Conclusion
So, we figured out how to choose the color of the grout for the floor tiles. Using these simple tips and tricks, you can get a beautiful and practical room. The glossy surface will look better matte. But it is worth remembering that when water gets in, such a tile becomes very traumatic. It is best used only for walls.
