Tile is easy to clean and long lasting, but there are characteristics that make it wrong for certain rooms. Tile holds the cold, so it is not good for a basement; it can be slippery, so it may not be good for an entrance.
2. What is the right tile?
Tiles come in many shapes and sizes, from as small as one inch to as large as two feet. The size of the room should determine the size of the tiles you use. A small room would be overpowered by large tiles, so smaller sized tiles should be used here and large tiles limited to larger spaces.
There are many choices of styles for tiles, and your personal decorating taste will dictate the one you choose. If you prefer a rustic or natural look, you would choose something rugged rather than a marble look. The polished marble look would suit a formal design scheme.
Be careful about the texture of the tile. Smooth surfaced tiles can be slippery, a consideration if there are children or elderly people in the household.
3. Pick the right grout color and width
Grout is the cement that is used to fill the space between the tiles, and can be chosen in many different colors to complement the tile. Choosing a wider or narrower grout space will affect the appearance of the tile.
4. Methods of installation
Tile can be installed in many different ways, and the method chosen depends on the material, time allowed and the patience of the installer. The most important step in installation is preparation. Make sure you have all necessary materials on hand, such as the bonding material, the grout, sealer and all of the right tools.
The tricky part of laying tiles is to make sure that your cuts are even and that the spaces between all of the tiles is consistent. If, after you have laid out in your mind what is necessary to do the job right, you get cold feet, you can call in a professional.
5. Maintaining tile
Ceramic tile is very easy care. If you take proper care of ceramic tile, it will stay new looking for years. Any household cleaning product can be used to clean tile. Vacuum or sweep the surface, then mop the tiles clean. That's all there is to it. You do have to be careful about dropping objects on ceramic tiles because if they break or crack, it is difficult to replace only one tile.
