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Choosing The Best Type of Kitchen Tiles or Bathroom Tiling Finish

Tiles are a popular choice for a number of rooms in the home whether you’re tiling a wall or retiling floors. Tiles are durable, easy to clean and can be used with underfloor heating which reduces the need for radiators or other heat sources. There are a number of different types of tiles that you can choose from with varying suitability for use in different rooms.

The different types of tiles you may consider for use in your home include:

  1. porcelain tiles
  2. ceramic tiles
  3. filled travertine or porous travertine
  4. terracotta tiles
  5. marble tiles
  6. metal, glass or travertine mosaic tiles
  7. slate tiles

Natural stone tiles such as slate, travertine or marble can be effective for use on walls or floors as they are very durable. They can be expensive but if you want a quality tiling finish, natural stone can be the perfect product. One consideration when choosing natural stone tiles however is that there will be the extra expense of sealing the tiles. Sealant needs to be applied before and after grouting to protect the tiles if they are a porous finish which will add to the cost of the tiling job and may also incur additional labour costs as it will take your tiler longer to complete the job.

If you’re looking for impact with your tiles, using metal tiles, either in horizontal or vertical stripes or as part of a border, perhaps mixed with travertine or marble squares or glass, can be very eye catching and effective. Stripes of glass tiles can create a similar look in a feature wall and some tiles on the market are enhanced by including layered colours within the glass of the tile or glitter. You can get a creative bathroom or kitchen look with the use of effective lighting to enhance areas of your walls or floors or to pick out a design or pattern laid into your floor or wall tiles.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are hardwearing and can last for years, making them a good investment and a practical choice for a busy home or for those with a budget. Ceramic and porcelain tiles can often look as good as more expensive tiles on the market but porcelain tiles can be incredibly difficult to cut, which can mean more tile waste.

Overall most tiles can be used to create an effective new kitchen or bathroom effect. If you’re still unsure of the most suitable tiles for your requirements, the best option is to speak to a tiling professional such as those on localtraders.com and they will be able to advise you of the most practical solution for your home.

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Related posts:

  1. An Introduction To Tiling
  2. UK Tiling
  3. Tiling A Room – Tile Over Existing Tiles or Start Afresh?
  4. Porcelain Tiles
  5. Alternatives to Tiles – Tile Effect Laminate Flooring

Filed under: Tilers — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Sarah on December 31, 2009

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