Tuesday 5 February 2013

Tile – An Ageless Flooring Option

Tile is an alluring first choice for a conventional home with antique collection or a modern home with in vogue gadgets. Tiles are generally classified into three basic varieties Porcelain, Ceramic and Natural Stone.

Porcelain: These tiles are manufactured using highly refined clay that is subjected to extreme temperatures. It has a rigid surface and is the best option for high foot traffic areas. These tiles have high sustenance to water and frost and can ideally be installed in wet areas like wash rooms, swimming pools, and porches. These tiles are recommended for use in both residential and business establishments as they are durable and have longevity.

Ceramic: These tiles are usually manufactured using red or white clay that is fired or molded in a kiln. These tiles get their color and durability because of the use of glaze. Glaze is a material that is a mixture of metal oxides and ground glass. These tiles can be used either on the floor or the wall depending on the quality. The durability and stability of the surface depend on the quality of the glaze used on the tile.

Natural Stone: These tiles give an alluring visual appeal to a residential home or a business establishment. Stone can be generally classified into Marble, Granite, Travertine, Limestone and Slate that are appropriate for either interior or exterior wall or floors. These tiles surface is either polished or honed. Polished finish tiles are not recommended for use in wet areas as they tend to get slippery when wet. They are sleek and radiant in appearance. Honed finish tiles are relatively less slippery than polished tiles. These tiles have a matte texture and are dull in appearance.

Tips To Retain the Elegance and Radiance of Your Tile Flooring

•    When applying grout it is recommended to cover the tiles with cardboard, plywood, covering materials to avoid cleaning problems.
•    It is not advised to use topical sealers on tile flooring Phoenix.
•    It is mandatory to apply seal on all grouted joints.
•    Vacuum and mop your floor at regular intervals to preserve the shine and radiance of your tiles.
•    Use place mats at all entrances and exits to stop small particles of dirt from entering the house, which may cause scratches on the tile.
•    Use trays to put shampoos, and other toiletries in the washroom rather than directly placing them on the tiles as the acidic content in them may ruin the beauty of the tile by stains or spills.
•    Immediately clean any liquid spills like juice, red wine and coffee to avoid it from becoming a stubborn stain.

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