Professional advice for choosing the right floor tiles

professional advice for choosing the right floor tiles 61b0f8f52d791

Far from being outdated, tiling and its applications now have no limits.

Micromosaic or huge slabs of sandstone, stone, wood or metal style, tiling now takes on all appearances, far from the fifties tiles that rocked our childhood. So much so that you can imagine everything, from the most basic coating to the most artistic achievements! Easy to live with, it can be found in all rooms of the house with a preference for wet rooms or high traffic areas. We love it for its clean look, its easy maintenance and its chameleon side, which allows it to lend itself to all environments, from the most surgical to the warmest.

Depending on where it is intended (a busy hallway, a bathroom where it will be wet regularly, etc.), the floor tiles need to be chosen with care. Especially since it actually refers to many coatings. What are they ? What are their particularities? Where to use them in the house? What size and pose should you choose to get the most out of it? Answers here

Four standards will help you see more clearly:

– The European PEI standard recommends such and such a tile for such and such a room based on its abrasion rate.

– The UPEC standard in France classifies tiles according to their resistance to wear, punctures, water and chemical agents.

– The MOHS standard defines the scratch resistance of a tile

– The R standard indicates whether it is more or less slippery.

Glazed stoneware with countless decorations
Besides porcelain stoneware, there is also enamelled stoneware, which is less expensive. It is found in an enamelled pressed stoneware or enamelled porcelain stoneware version. Porcelain stoneware, heated to a higher temperature, is more resistant than pressed stoneware, but the enamel that colors the tile (unlike porcelain stoneware, which is stained full body) can chip over time.

Where to put it?
It is perfect for living rooms, but prefer porcelain stoneware in the kitchen or hallways.

What’s the trend?
Glazed stoneware comes in dozens of designs, imitating natural materials. Above, it’s not parquet, but sandstone textured in a way that mimics the grain of wood. Bluffing to the sight and to the touch! We note that technical advances now make it possible to give a 3D effect to the material, another big trend spotted at the latest Cersaie.

What is the budget?
From 15 euros per m2

Cement tiles with vintage charm
One hundred years after La Belle Époque, they are making a comeback! Cement tiles are not, strictly speaking, tiles, because they are not made of clay but of a sand and cement mortar dyed in the mass. Handcrafted, they are appreciated for their resistance and their outdated patterns, although there are also contemporary creations.

Where to put them?
Cement tiles are used in all rooms, even the most busy. They only have two enemies: acidic materials (lemon, vinegar) and hard water. Attention to maintenance: protect them with a water / oil repellent treatment and banish acidic detergents.

What’s the trend?
The geometric pattern above, with a 3D effect, is one of the favorites because it combines cement tiles and the current attraction to the geometric. The classic black and white is also a safe bet. In the hallways, lay the tiles diagonally for a spacious effect. In a large room, try the very chic carpet laying as above.

How much should you budget?
About 100 euros per m2 for patterned tiles

Terracotta for a warm atmosphere
Terracotta tiles are terracotta tiles fashioned from clay. The traditional tiles from Salernes en Provence are hexagonal and red as above. There are also octagonal or square terracotta tiles, with lighter colors (ocher, orange, salmon, etc.). The terracotta tile can also be enameled, which gives it a shiny appearance and makes it non-porous.

Where to put them?
Terracotta tiles are a type of thick, heavy tile that sits only on the floor. Do not put them outdoors, because they freeze!

Laying and trends
Terracotta tiles are no longer placed on sand and edge to edge as before, but with a flex glue and a joint. They bring an authentic and deliciously old-fashioned feel to any room. Warm, because they acquire a patina over time, they have the disadvantage of being porous like cement tiles. They will therefore need to be coated with a special primer.

What budget to plan?
From 20 to 100 euros depending on the manufacture of the floor (industrial or artisanal).

The mosaic
We tend to call them very small tiles, but mosaic is above all a technique used since Antiquity. She uses an assemblage of “tesserae” (small pieces of stone or ceramic) to form a work of art. Today, this is the name given to the small tiles of tiling, glass or glass paste that serve as tesserae and with which we can perpetuate the art of figurative mosaic on the floor or on the wall.

Where to put it?
Most mosaic applications are found on bathroom floors. Glass mosaic even covers the floors of the walk-in showers.

Poses and Trends
Traditional mosaic or original designs like above in San Francisco cannot be improvised and you will need to hire an artist. On the other hand, it is quite easy to lay glass paste yourself because the tesserae (often 2cmx2cm) are pre-assembled on textile frames of approximately 30 × 30 cm.

What budget should you expect?
From 10 euros / m2, but count around 180 euros / m2 for the Bisazza mosaic

Traditional stone
Real stone is not a tile in the strict sense, however many natural stone slabs can be found today under the term tile. Bluestone, Burgundy stone, granite, limestone, marble or travertine are the most common for floors. Choosing natural stone is one of durability and a noble and timeless appearance.

Where to put it?
Stone, due to its great resistance, can be used both outdoors and indoors. Limestone, porous, must be treated.

Installation and trends
Natural stone is very heavy to handle and remains an expensive material. Outdoors, the use of reconstituted stone Bradstone slabs is growing. Porcelain stoneware, imitating inexpensive stone paving, is the alternative that is gaining the most traction today. Solid and maintenance-free, its installation is also much easier. It can even be installed upstairs on a floor with joists.

What is the budget?
From 30 euros per m2 for natural ston

Magic renovation!
We will conclude with a tip. Whatever type of tile you go for, take the time to choose something you really like and a quality material, because tile is a terribly difficult coating to remove. It also means avoiding colors that follow a fleeting fashion.

Tip : If, as here, your plan is to cover an existing tile without removing the old one, Kerlite limits the thickness of the final work. These full-body porcelain stoneware slabs, only 3.5 mm thick, are ideal for renovations.

Price of tiling
If you use a professional tiler, count on a base of 30 euros per m2. If the installation of the tiling requires a particular layout as for certain cement tiles, this can go up to 75 euros. AND YOU?
Have you opted for tiling on the floor? How did you choose it? Share your tips and photos in the comments section below!

Houzz

Professional advice for choosing the right floor tiles

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