If you are looking for durable and beautiful flooring for your home, it is hard to go wrong with tile. Tile flooring has become available in many different forms, sizes, shapes, and colors, each of which can give you a variety of possibilities for patterns and looks, from casual and rustic to inimitable elegance.

From hallways to kitchens, tile flooring.combined with the right lighting, adds just the right touch of style to your home and because it is so durable, it will certainly last for many years to come. Of course, installing tile in your home is a commitment - tile flooring requires adhesive, and so removing it can be tough. Before you go full steam ahead into your tile project, do you homework so you end up with the floor of your dreams.

The Right Hardness

For your tile floors to last as long as you want them to, it is important to consider the hardness of the tile and select the appropriate hardness for the room in which you will be using the tile. The hardness scale for tile is set by the Porcelain Enamel Institute, and you should look for tile that bears the stamp of this organization. The rating system for tile hardness is on a scale of zero to five, and the hardness rating is equivalent to the amount of traffic the tile can handle.

A zero rating for tile means that it is not suitable for floor use - zero tiles should only be used for walls. Tile with a rating of five on the other hand is strong enough to stand up to commercial use and is the kind of tile flooring used in stores and restaurants. The salesmen at your local discount flooring store will be able to answer any questions you have.

Moisture Protection

Just as the strength of the tile you select dictates where you should use it, you must also consider the ability of the tile to stand up to moisture. Often, tile is used in bathrooms and kitchens, which have high levels of moisture. For tile that is destined for these rooms, look for nonporous tile types. If you do not use nonporous tile, moisture can cause the tile to crack or mold will able to grow behind the tile, which could cause respiratory problems for your family (not to mention being more than a little stinky). For added protection, use a sealant on tiles in moisture rich rooms.

When choosing tile flooring, remember to also consider how slippery the tile will be when wet. You can get tiles that have been treated with non slip sealants, so consider these for bathrooms, entryways, and other places where water on the floor can be an issue.