How to shop for tile flooring
Reading labels thoroughly, speaking in detail with your retailer, and understanding a few terms will ensure that you select the best ceramics for your remodeling, whether tile flooring, a backsplash, countertop, tub and shower surround, or outdoors. Ceramic tiles all have different characteristics that make some better for specific installations than others. At Flooring Doctor, our tile shop in Langhorne, PA, has one goal in mind: to help you get the most beautiful and successful project ever!
Wall vs. floor tile
Floor tiles are thicker and constructed to withstand the pressure of being walked (or run) on. Wall tiles are thinner and a little more slippery. While floor tiles can be used on walls, it's not recommended to use the walls on the floor. They are marked on the label as C1 for walls only, C2 for light foot traffic, C3 for moderately heavy foot traffic, and use on countertops and walls; C4 for very heavily trafficked, busy residential rooms, offices, and stores. C5 is for extra heavy commercial use, such as shopping centers and hotels. It's recommended to always go with a C3 or C4 for a residential floor.
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Porcelain vs. ceramic tile
Porcelain is a type of ceramic made from nonporous clay, with sand and glass added. As a result, it is robust, waterproof, and can be used indoors or out on heavily trafficked floors, such as the kitchen or bath. It stands up to any weather condition and is often installed on patio and deck floors or pool floors.
Porcelain makes a stunning statement on floors, walls, or tub and shower surround. It has an almost unlimited number of bright colors and patterns and can be made to look like anything, including wood, stone, fabric, and leather. It's often the best tile for stone looks, as the larger format and fewer seams give it a more continuous look like that of quarried marble, granite, slate, etc.
Other ceramics for the floor include the highly designed, 4 X 4 squares, appropriate for moderate traffic, and the tiny but durable, glass coated and decorative mosaics now trending for bathroom floors. Terracotta bricks are ultra-durable and can be used indoors or out. Listello (border) tiles make great accents, while subways should only be indoors on low traffic floors.
Porcelain makes a stunning statement on floors, walls, or tub and shower surround. It has an almost unlimited number of bright colors and patterns and can be made to look like anything, including wood, stone, fabric, and leather. It's often the best tile for stone looks, as the larger format and fewer seams give it a more continuous look like that of quarried marble, granite, slate, etc.
Other ceramics for the floor include the highly designed, 4 X 4 squares, appropriate for moderate traffic, and the tiny but durable, glass coated and decorative mosaics now trending for bathroom floors. Terracotta bricks are ultra-durable and can be used indoors or out. Listello (border) tiles make great accents, while subways should only be indoors on low traffic floors.
Here for all your tile needs
The experts at Flooring Doctor will help you sort it out and get your creative juices flowing. Come into our showroom in Langhorne, PA to explore our tile products for flooring in your home in or near Langhorne, PA, Bensalem, PA, Feasterville-Trevose, PA, Holland, PA, Levittown, PA, Newtown, PA, Richboro, PA, Southampton, PA, Washington Crossing, PA or Washington Crossing, PA. We also provide you with a free tile flooring quote.
