How To Choose Tiles

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1 - How to choose the best tiles

2- Tile ware rating 

3 - Stain and slip resistance

4 - Strength

5 - Colour and size

6 - Tile varieties

How to Choose The Best Tiles

Choosing the right tiles for your home is one of the best investments to make. Whether you are planning to install the tiles in your bathroom, floor, living room, or outdoor, you don't want to invest your money in what you will regret later in the long run, as tiles are a huge investment.
Regardless of whether you are just building a new structure or renovating an existing one, the best choice of tiles means strong, quality tiles that enhance the home's beautiful appearance.
If you find it difficult to choose the right tiles for your property, you are not alone. Homeowners who buy tiles for the first time always find it daunting to know which tiles to opt for, with the various tiles on the market. However, with the right guide, choosing the suitable tile for your property shouldn't be a headache.
While we cannot choose for you, we can help you make an informed choice. Tiler Tiling Perth brings you this guide listing how to choose tiles and where they can be used.
Here are key factors to consider when choosing tiles for your home.

Tile Wear Rating

The first factor to consider when buying tiles for your floor, wall, or bathroom is the wear rating. This determines how long the tiles serve you without losing their appearance and function properly. The best rating to look for depends on which area you plan to use the tiles and how frequently the area is used. Note that the higher the rating, the higher the durability of the tiles.

For example, if you plan to install the tiles in an area where people walk barefoot, choosing class-1 tiles might be a good idea since the tiles won't be susceptible to hard objects. On the other hand, if the tiles are meant for, say, the kitchen, where they are to collect dirt, class 4 might be a good fit for the purpose. If the traffic is heavy, go for class 5.

However, class 0 is not a good choice for floors, regardless of how infrequent the area is used. Class-0 tiles should instead be used for wall tiling.

Class 0 – Recommended for very light use, e.g., walls.

Class 1 –  These tiles are recommended for very light foot traffic, for example, bathrooms.

Class 3 – Best used for light to medium traffic, for residential interior floors and walls, including bathrooms, main floor areas and kitchens.

Class 4 –  This class is recommended for where regular foot traffic is expected. And can be used in all residential buildings plus small commercial buildings.

Class 5 – Class 5 tiles have one of the highest scratch and wear resistance and are best used in all high traffic areas, including shopping centres, office buildings, hospitals, and even residential use.

Stain and Slip Resistance 

Tiles are different in how they handle stains. While some tiles resist stains and still look good after a little clean, some retain stains and are hard to clean after a few spills. This is often determined by their absorption rate, meaning that tiles with a low absorption rate will resist dirt than tiles with a higher absorption rate.
Hence, when looking to buy quality tiles, especially for your floor or kitchen, look for ones with high stain resistance.
Note that the higher the stain resistance, the easier it is to clean your tiles.
This goes with choosing tiles with high slip resistance. There have been reported cases of accidents due to slippery tiles. Choosing tiles with high slip resistance ensures it is safe for children and the disabled, especially in high traffic areas.

Strength

Investing in tiles for outdoor or indoor requires examining the strength of the tiles. You want tiles that support heavyweights, especially if you are installing them in commercial areas. Tiles with low strength can get damaged when subjected to heavy materials and frequent use.
Hence, make it a point to consider the level of weight your tiles can carry without breaking.
It shouldn't be hard to determine the strength of your tiles. A mere inspection of the thickness will give you an idea of how strong they can be in the face of heavy materials or equipment. The rule of thumb is to opt for thicker tiles as they can withstand more loads. This is more important for areas with heavy equipment and furniture.
Where to Install the Tiles
Another factor to pattern your choice of tiles is the place to install the tiles. Which part of the house will the tiles go – the bathroom, the roof, outdoor, living room, or the kitchen?
This also goes with the expected traffic in the area. How frequent will people use the place, and what level of traffic is expected on the tiles? How you use the tiles also plays into the game, as this determines what the tiles are subjected to, meaning it is important to know what activities to take place in the area.
For example, what to expect from your tiles when used in the living room is different from when used in the kitchen. In both constitutions, make sure the tiles are durable and water-resistant so that you can clean them easily.
Pay attention to the tiles' slip resistance to prevent accidents when the tiles are to go into the bathroom.
The layout of the tiles also matters – do you want minimal or more spaced joints? Leaving your tiles spaced means more grout will be seen.

Colour and Size 

The last key important factor you shouldn't miss out on the list is your tiles' ideal colour and size. Tiles come in many different choices and what colour suits you best depends on your interior design and taste. While bold colours are specific for a few interior designs, neutral colours fit into merely all interior designs.
Also, tiles are in different sizes, and which size to go for depends on the room size. Large tiles are ideal for large rooms, making the room look bigger, while small tiles make the room more intimate.
However, note that small tiles make the room look more complex with more grout lines.

Here is More Information About Tile Varieties in Today's Market

Ceramic Tiles

Porcelain Tiles

Fully Vitrified Tiles

Stone Tiles

Conclusion

Thanks for reading our guide on "How To Choose Tiles".

Choosing tiles can be confusing, especially if it is your first time investing in tiles for your personal home or rental property. However, this shouldn't give you a headache, as the right guide will put you on the right path. 

This piece has provided you with what to look for when buying tiles for your bathroom, living room, outdoor, kitchen, floor, or roof. 

Ensure you pay attention to the tile's slip resistance if you are choosing the tiles for your bathroom or kitchen due to the high tendency to get wet. If the tiles go into the living room, pay more attention to the size, pattern, and colour. 

Overall, the tiles' wear rate and strength are crucial, especially if they go into areas with heavy equipment or furniture. You don't want to invest in tiles that get damaged after a short time of frequent use.