When looking for bathroom flooring, people often look for ceramic tiles. They are affordable, easy-to-clean, durable and perfect for wet areas. You can find them in many designs at Discount Tile Stores in Denver.
Other than bathrooms, they are great for wet areas like mudrooms, kitchens, etc. They also work well in parts of the home where you don’t expect much wetness.
Ceramic tile’s major drawback is that it’s quite hard and cold. It can also be a bit tricky for DIYers to install.
Here are some pros and cons you should keep in mind when deciding whether to purchase ceramic tiles or not:
Pros Of Ceramic Tiles
- Affordable
Ceramic is one of the most affordable flooring materials in the market. They start as low as five dollars per square foot. The exact price depends on the quality of tiles and the difficulty of installation.
You can avail yourself of high-quality tiles and professional installation at affordable prices through Flooring Sales in Denver.
- Glazed Ceramic Is Water-Resistant
Glazed ceramic tiles come with a protective layer that prevents water from seeping through them. This quality makes them ideal for wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens. They are also good for areas that experience a lot of humidity.
- Glazed Ceramic is Stain-Resistant
The protective layer over the ceramic tile also prevents it from getting stained by most materials. Most stains tend to rest on top of the surface rather than getting absorbed into it.
- Easy To Maintain
Resistance to water and stain makes ceramic tiles easy to maintain. You can mop or wipe the dirt and stain resting on the surface. That’s why these tiles are preferred in wet areas.
Some stains may set in, but you can clean them with heavy-duty agents without damaging the tiles.
- Replaceable
A hard impact may damage a tile or two. But you don’t need to replace all the tiles. You can replace the damaged tiles with newer ones. That’s why it’s recommended to store spare tiles from the project somewhere safe.
- Durable
Ceramic is a sturdier flooring material than many people give it credit for. It is hard to cracka and can handle most impacts quite well. Moisture can’t damage glazed or properly sealed ceramic.
- Long-Lasting
Ceramic flooring can last for a decade or two as long as it’s installed properly. You can ensure that it lasts for as long as possible by maintaining it well.
- Wide Range Of Styles
Your options are not limited to white-colored shiny floors. Tile stores offer various options in terms of colors and patterns.
If square tiles seem too plain, you can opt for unusual shapes like hexagon, circles, etc. Some tiles mimic the look and texture of wood or stone, giving your more affordable options.
Cons Of Ceramic Tiles
- Hard
Hardness is both its pro and its con. Ceramic floors are durable due to their hardness but can feel uncomfortable underfoot. You may need slippers or area rugs to offset its hardness.
- Cold
Ceramic doesn’t hold well to heat. This can be an advantage for summer but makes the floor uncomfortable during winter.
- Tricky For DIYers
It’s not the hardest material to install but is tricker than DIY-friendly materials like vinyl. You need to prepare a stable base and use putty to install them. It takes some planning and measurement to get the installation done right.
- Grout
Unlike tiles, grout absorbs stains and moisture easily. You need to seal it to ensure that it doesn’t allow moisture to seep into the backer material. Else, you might end up with loose tiles.
Keeping the grout clean also adds to the effort you need to put into its maintenance. You need to scrub it clean every time it turns yellow.
- Heavy
Ceramic tiles can be heavy, especially for rooms in upper stories. You need to check the building’s structural integrity before tiling rooms in the upper story.
- Slippery
Ceramic is a smooth material that can resist water. This feature makes it quite slippery to walk on, especially when the floor is wet.
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